Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Yogurt Probiotic Review, Effects & Side Effects

Lactobacillus rhamnosus yogurt is a source of probiotic bacteria that may contribute to overall health, digestion and immunity. This strain of beneficial bacteria is found in a number of dairy-based and dairy-free yogurt products and may also be found in milk-based beverages and certain ice creams and frozen yogurts.

There is significant research showing that increasing the population of Lactobacillus rhamnosus bacteria found in the intestinal system can confer health benefits. As a Lactic-Acid Bacteria, this probiotic help to break down lactose found in yogurt to produce lactic acid.

This helps to lower the pH ratio present in the gastrointestinal tract, making the environment inhospitable to harmful bacteria. L. rhamnosus is also being researched for its ability to improve diarrhea symptoms, atopic dermatitis, bacterial vaginosis, respiratory tract infections and more.

A number of different yogurt products are enriched with Lactobacillus rhamnosus, but some of the most popular include Oikos, Straus, Dannon, PC Greek Yogurt and Nancy’s.

Probiotics

Digestive Supplement

Gut Health

Digestion

Immune Function

How It Works:

• Supports a healthy immune system & microflora
• Promotes digestion & nutrient absoprtion
• Combats pathogenic bacteria; Improves metabolism

Dosage:

Between 1 - 10 Billion CFUs per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

Top Probiotics Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Yogurt

Is eating yogurt an effective way to supplement the diet with probiotics? Small quantities of probiotic bacteria are found in all fermented milk products, including yogurt.

However, there can be significant differences in the quantities of live Colony Forming Units (CFUs) and in the strains of bacteria present. Probiotic organisms are used as starter cultures for yogurt and may be added to dairy products to improve shelf-life.

But these products often contain low levels of active cultures per serving, meaning that there may not be significant health benefits. Furthermore, when yogurt products are pasteurized, both the good and the bad bacteria cultures found in these products are killed off.

This is why it is important to seek out yogurt products that have been specifically enriched with the strains of probiotic bacteria – like Lactobacillus rhamnosus – that you are looking for and that guarantee a certain number of live CFUs per serving.

Ideally, probiotic yogurts should contain at least 1 to 10 billion CFUs per dosage. This dosage is typically made up of several different probiotic strains which have synergistic benefits.

It may be difficult to determine the exact number of Lactobacillus rhamnosus CFUs in different yogurt products, but the total number of CFUs should be advertised on the label.

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Yogurt Benefits

When supplemented orally, Lactobacillus rhamnosus survives the stomach acid and bile juices to reach the gut. Once here, it is able to colonize the intestinal tract and aid in digestive processes.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus also protects the urogenital tract with the secretion of biosurfactants that inhibit vaginal and urinary pathogens from adhering to these cells walls and multiplying.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus is used to treat diarrhea caused by the rotavirus in children and to treat adult cause of diarrhea. This probiotic is also associated with the reduction of respiratory illness, especially children in a daycare setting.

Clinical research has shown Lactobacillus rhamnosus reduces intestinal permeability in children with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and was also found to reduce alcohol-related intestinal permeability as well.

This probiotic has also been found to help in weight loss in women who were dieting. Clinical studies in mice have shown this strain of probiotic helps reduce anxiety in mice.
Most of these results have been obtained using Lactobacillus rhamnosus supplements, such as the Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG strain found in Culturelle products. However, yogurt products should deliver similar results if they provide the same number of live CFUs per serving.

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Research

A clinical study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition in March 2013 showed the effect of regular consumption of yogurt containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and the fructooligosaccharide (FOS) Actilight®.

This yogurt was given daily to both healthy adults and the elderly suffering from constipation for four weeks. There was less evidence of Lactobacillus rhamnosusfound in the stools of the elderly (30 %) than in the healthy adults (95%). It is thought this is due in part to the FOS (fiber) element in the yogurt.

A clinical study published in the Journal of Dairy Science in July 2012 showed that replacing milk in yogurt with a low-lactose probiotic enriched dairy product is a way of lessening the symptoms of lactose intolerance.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 (HN001) was used in the clinical study. The clinical study concluded it was possible to develop a low-lactose yogurt which HN001 for lactose-intolerant persons who wished to support their immune system.

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Yogurt Brands

Stonyhill Organic Yogurt contains Lactobacillus rhamnosus. This yogurt received 4 out of 5 stars from the Probiotics Database Strains and Supplements website.

It is recommended that yogurt is eaten with a meal because there is more acid in an empty stomach that might affect the viability of the probiotics.

Silk Live Soy Yogurt is a soy based yogurt that contains Lactobacillus rhamnosus. It also received a 4 out of 5 star rating.

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Safety

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus is considered safe when consumed from food sources. Rare cases of sepsis have been reported when taking this probiotic strain by those with impaired immune systems and infants.

Probiotic supplements and yogurt should also not be taken by those who are using a catheter, or have open surgical wounds. People with SBS (Short Bowel Syndrome) should also avoid using Lactobacillus Rhamnosus.

People with allergies to milk or yeast should avoid dairy-based probiotic yogurts. There are soy yogurt alternatives for lactose intolerant individuals.

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus has been found safe for use in pregnant women. However, if you are pregnant, you should speak to a doctor before taking this or any other supplement.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus yogurt has many health benefits, but you should check with a doctor to determine whether it is appropriate for you if using it for a medicinal purpose.

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