Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) is a culture strain of the probiotic organism L. rhamnosus that has been patented by Sherwood Gorbach and Barry Goldin (GG).
This friendly bacterial species is the primary active ingredient in the Culturelle brand of probiotic and digestive health supplements.
L. rhamnosus GG culture supplements are effective when administered orally because they survive the stomach acids and pancreatic juices to reach the gut. This probiotic is also used in some yogurt and cheese production.
Clinical research has shown that L. rhamnosus GG can reduce peanut allergic reactions in up to 80% of children. It is also beneficial for treating rotavirus diarrhea in children and other types of diarrhea in adults.
This probiotic is also used for treating respiratory tract infections in children and for preventing childhood atopic dermatitis for those who are at high risk for this type of allergy.
L. rhamnosus GG is also useful for treating IBS (Irritable Bowel Disease) and urogenital tract infections. Clinical studies have shown this probiotic also helps lessen anxiety and helps weight loss in women.



- Supports a healthy immune system & microflora
- Promotes digestion & nutrient absoprtion
- Combats pathogenic bacteria; Improves metabolism
Why use Lactobacillus GG?
Related Topics
- What are Probiotics?
- Probiotic Benefits
- Best Probiotic Strains
- Probiotic Side Effects
- Probiotic Supplements
- Probiotic Foods
- Best Probiotic Yogurt
- Probiotics for Children
- Probiotics for Women
- Yeast Infections
- What are Prebotics?
- Lactobacillus Acidophilus
- Lactobacillus Bulgaricus
- Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
- Bifidobacterium Bifidum
- Bifidobacterium Infantis
- Bifidus Regularis
As a probiotic organism, Lactobacillus GG can help to combat the colonization of pathogenic bacteria in the digestive system and elsewhere in the body.
Pathogenic bacteria can contribute to immune dysfunction, digestive disorders and can transfer certain types of infections and diseases.
Probiotics such as those from the Lactobacillus family can inhibit the growth of bad bacteria through competitive exclusion. These good bacteria compete with bad bacteria for binding locations and resources in the intestines.
Lactobacillus probiotics also produce Lactic Acid which can ensure that harmful pathogens are not able to travel further through the gut.
By preserving a health balance of good to bad bacteria, probiotics can improve susceptibility to disease, alleviate certain digestive conditions and improve the absorption of nutrients from food.
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG Benefits
L. rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) helps to protect the urogenital tract and can improve vaginal health in women. It does this by producing biosurfactants that prevent vaginal and urinary pathogens from being able to attach to the vaginal and urinary tract.
For this reason, it is sometimes used as a preventative agent for vaginal yeast infections of the Candida bacteria in women.
Taking a probiotic supplement with this strain may support overall health and immune system functioning as well. A clinical study in Beneficial Microbes in October 2015 showed that the frequency and severity of cold symptoms and rhinovirus infections were the lowest in the group receiving live L. rhamnosus GG.
L. rhamnosus GG is used to treat vancomycin (antibiotic) resistant enterococcus (VRE) in renal patients. VRE occurs in hospital settings and the clinical infections caused by Enterococcus include urinary tract infections, bacteremia, bacterial endocarditis, diverticulitis, and meningitis.
A Chinese clinical study published in Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao in August 2015 showed that L. rhamnosus GG can inhibit Cronobacter entry across the intestinal barrier. This action provides preventative as well as therapeutic protection against Cronobacter-induced meningitis in neonatal rats.
L. rhamnosus GG also helps reduces the intestinal permeability in children with IBS and reduces alcohol related intestinal permeability as well. By reducing the permeability of the gastrointestinal tract walls, this supplement may contribute to reducing the spread of harmful pathogenic bacteria.
A clinical study published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition in October 2015 showed L. rhamnosus GG had anti-inflammatory properties and protected human colonic SMC (smooth muscle cells) from LPS-induced (pathogen lipopolysaccharide) myogenic damage.
The conclusion of the study revealed that LGG-derived products could reduce the risk of progression to a post-infective motor disorder. Acute exposure of colonic mucosa to pathogenic LPS impairs muscle cell contractility due to the over production of free radicals.
Additional Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG Effects
Clinical studies published by the National Academy of Science in August 2011 showed L. rhamnosus GG helped reduce anxiety and lessen stress hormones in mice with effects on the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid, inhibitory) neurotransmitter receptors. GABA is synthesized in the body from glutamate (glutamic acid, a neurotransmitter).
A clinical study in the ISME Journal in September 2015 showed that L. rhamnosus GG enriched formula speeds up the tolerance attainment in infants with cow’s milk allergy (CMA). A study in Pediatric Research in October 2015 showed L. rhamnosus GG reduced the daily crying from colic by 68%.
L. Rhamnosus GG for Weight Loss
There is growing evidence that probiotic supplements like Lactobacillus Rhamnosus may have benefits for weight loss and obesity prevention.
Research shows that individuals who are overweight tend to have different populations of probiotic organisms present in their gastrointestinal tract.
It is unclear whether the differentiation in the microbiota is caused by differences in the diet of overweight individuals or is the reason why these individuals are overweight. It is likely that both are true to some degree.
In research studies, seeding the gut with good probiotics like L. rhamnosus GG has improved weight loss results, when used alongside an appropriate diet and exercise program.
L. rhamnosus GG was found in a clinical trial published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2013 to double the weight that was lost among female study participants. Interesting, this supplement did not affect the weight loss amount in men.
L. rhamnosus GG
L. rhamnosus GG side effects are rare and relatively mild when used appropriately by healthy adults. This probiotic strain is found naturally in the human gastrointestinal tract and may be found in certain foods.
However, it is not recommended to take probiotics if you are immunocompromised in any way. L. rhamnosus GG use has been linked to cases of sepsis in people with weakened immune system and infants.
Probiotics do interact with antibiotics and should be taken at least two hours apart from each other. People with SBS (Short Bowel Syndrome) or should also avoid probiotic supplements.
People allergic to milk or lactose intolerant should avoid milk based probiotics. em>L. rhamnosus GG probiotics have been used safely during pregnancy starting from 2 to 4 weeks before delivery.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has many health benefits such as treating IBS and respiratory and urogenital infections as well as VRE infections. There have been over 800 clinical studies done on its use as a supplement.
- A C, OP-3 THE PROTECTIVE ROLE OF LACTOBACILLUS RHAMNOSUS GG-DERIVED FACTORS AGAINST LPS-INDUCED DAMAGE OF HUMAN COLONIC SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS. See comment in PubMed Commons belowJ Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2015 Oct;61(4):509-10. doi: 10.1097/01.mpg.0000472207.54141.fa.
- Berni Canani R, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG-supplemented formula expands butyrate-producing bacterial strains in food allergic infants. ISME J. 2015 Sep 22. doi: 10.1038/ismej.2015.151. [Epub ahead of print]
- Szajewska H, Systematic review with meta-analysis: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in children and adults. Aliment Pharmacol Ther See comment in PubMed Commons below2015 Nov;42(10):1149-57. doi: 10.1111/apt.13404. Epub 2015 Sep 13.
- Kumpu M, Effect of live and inactivated Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on experimentally induced rhinovirus colds: randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial. Benef Microbes, See comment in PubMed Commons below2015 Oct 15;6(5):631-9. doi: 10.3920/BM2014.0164. Epub 2015 Aug 31.
- Zhong L, [Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG inhibits Cronobacter-induced meningitis in neonatal rats]. Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao 2015 Aug;35(8):1079-83.
- Pärtty A, Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG therapy and microbiological programming in infantile colic: a randomized, controlled trial. Pediatr Res 2015 Oct;78(4):470-5. doi: 10.1038/pr.2015.127. Epub 2015 Jul 7.
Article last updated on: April 6th, 2018 by Nootriment