Lactobacillus Reuteri probiotic supplements have a number of different health applications.
In addition to supporting general digestive health and immunity, this strain of probiotic bacteria is used for diarrhea, infant colic, abdominal pain, preventing infections, eczema and more.
L. Reuteri is the most prevalent strain of probiotic found in the human gastrointestinal tract. It is also found in human breast milk, which is why this strain is often given to infants and children to restore balance to the human microbiome.
Like other species of Lactobacilli probiotics, this lactic-acid bacterium naturally colonizes the gut, helps to break down food and aids in maintaining a low pH balance which is inhospitable to pathogenic bacteria.
This bacterium also synthesizes reuterin, an antibiotic compound that inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria, yeasts and fungi.
However, not all individuals have L. Reuteri present in their intestines in sufficient amounts. In these cases, supplementation is necessary to restore a healthy gut microflora and to alleviate digestive symptoms.
Reuteri probiotic supplements have been widely research and are considered safe for adults and children to take.



- Supports a healthy immune system & microflora
- Promotes digestion & nutrient absoprtion
- Combats pathogenic bacteria; Improves metabolism
Reuteri Probiotic Uses
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
Lactobacillus Reuteri is found in the human gut and has adapted to survive the stomach acid and pancreatic juices in the gastrointestinal tract.
Lactobacillus Reuteri can anaerobically metabolize glycerol to produce the antimicrobial reuterin (3-hydroxypropionaldehyde). This is being studied for biotech applications in industry. This probiotic also produces folate and cobalamin, (vitamin B12) that the body needs.
Lactobacillus Reuteri is used to strengthen the immune system and helps to fight infections. Studies have shown it also helps decrease the length of time of colic episodes in infants.
This probiotic strain is also used to shorten episodes of acute infectious diarrhea in pediatric outpatient facilities. It has been found effective for reducing the duration of diarrhea in a number of different populations.
This probiotic culture is being used as a freeze dried ingredient in vaginal probiotic formulas to fight Candida (yeast fungus) infections. Lactobacillus Reuteri is also effective for treating oral Candida, a common health problem in nursing homes.
.Studies have shown Lactobacillus Reuteri increases insulin secretions and may have a positive effect on blood glucose control. It is currently being studied for its effects on cholesterol and blood lipids in cardiovascular studies and in the treatment of renal fibrosis in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
Reuteri Probiotic Benefits
Probiotic supplements containing bacteria from the Lactobacilli family are rated as Likely Effective for treating rotaviral diarrhea, according to the Natural Medicines database.
In one research study, L. Reuteri probiotics were found to reduce the duration of acute diarrhea in infants and young children that were hospitalized. A dosage of 10 billion live, freeze-dried Colony Forming Units (CFUs) has been administered to children aged 6 – 36 months for this purpose.
Administering Reuteri probiotics together with the strain Lactobacillus Rhamnosus has also been found to reduce diarrhea duration in babies and children between 9 months to 44 months old. Giving probiotic supplements early was found to reduce recovery time by 43%.
Clinical studies have shown that the reuterin produced by Lactobacillus Reuteri is useful against E. coli strains, Clostridium difficile, Salmonella enterica and Vibrio cholerae (Cholera).
The antimicrobial ability of Lactobacillus Reuteri is attributed to its colonization of the epithelial cells. This activity prevents other bacteria from colonizing.
Studies have shown that some strains of Lactobacillus Reuteri may prevent Helicobacter pylori infection, the main cause of gastric ulcers, by colonizing competition.
Lactobacillus Reuteri Research
A study published in The Journal of Dental Research in September 2015 showed that reuteri probiotics can improve oral health.
In this trial, nursing home patients with oral Candida were given daily lozenge with two culture strains of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938 and ATCC PTA 5289). In the probiotic group there was a significant reduction in Candida.
A clinical study published in the Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering in December 2010 concluded that the L. reuteri GMNL-263 treatment may protect STZ-induced diabetic rats from hyperglycemia-enhanced renal fibrosis.
It is believed the treatment of renal fibrosis may improve diabetic nephropathy (diabetic kidney disease). These condition leads to end-stage renal failure that requires dialysis or kidney transplantation.
A clinical study published in the British Journal of Nutrition in August 2015 showed that taking Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 (Lr263) resulted in lower LDL-cholesterol levels..
In the treatment group, so-called “bad” cholesterol levels and plasma malondialdehyde (P-MDA) levels (a biomarker for oxidative stress) were reduced. Oxidative stress is an imbalance in the body’s ability to detoxify or repair reactive substances that may result in damage to the body.
The probiotic clinical group also had an improvement in heart function with an improved the ejection fraction from 85.71 to 91.81 %.
Side Effects of Reuteri Probiotics
In research studies, Lactobacillus reuteri pills have been used safely for studies of up to 28 days. This probiotic supplement may cause bloating and increased intestinal gas when first used. These effects dissipate after the body gets used to the supplement.
Probiotics in general are not recommended for patients who have impaired immune systems, such as organ donors or individuals who are on immunosuppressant medications. However, reuteri probiotic tablets have been given to HIV patients with no serious side effects, except for some reports of nausea.
For those allergic to milk or individuals who are lactose intolerant, milk-based probiotics should be avoided. There are probiotic supplements designed to improve symptoms of lactose intolerance and you should check with your doctor to determine which are appropriate for you to use.
People using a catheter or those having open surgical wounds should also avoid reuteric probiotics. It should only be used under medical advice if pregnant or breastfeeding.
em>Lactobacillus Reuteri probiotics have many health supplement applications from dental care and B12 production to fighting Candida and bacterial infections. L. Reuteri is naturally found in the human digestive system and is safe to give to children and adults.
Reuteri probiotics can be found online in single-ingredient formulations or in complex supplements that combine it with synergistic probiotic strains. Reuteri powders and liquid drops are available for individuals who do not like swallowing pills.
- Juárez Tomás MS, Encapsulation and subsequent freeze-drying of Lactobacillus reuteri CRL 1324 for its potential inclusion in vaginal probiotic formulations., Eur J Pharm Sci 2015 Aug 21;79:87-95. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2015.08.010. [Epub ahead of print]
- Simon, MC, Intake of Lactobacillus reuteri Improves Incretin and Insulin Secretion in Glucose-Tolerant Humans: A Proof of Concept., Diabetes Care, 2015 Oct;38(10):1827-34. doi: 10.2337/dc14-2690. Epub 2015 Jun 17.
- Kraft-Bodi, E, Effect of Probiotic Bacteria on Oral Candida in Frail Elderly., J Dent Res, 2015 Sep;94(9 Suppl):181S-6S. doi: 10.1177/0022034515595950. Epub 2015 Jul 22.
- Ting, WJ, Supplementary heat-killed Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 ameliorates hyperlipidaemic and cardiac apoptosis in high-fat diet-fed hamsters to maintain cardiovascular function., Br J Nutr, 2015 Aug 3:1-7. [Epub ahead of print]
- Lu, YC, Effect of Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 treatment on renal fibrosis in diabetic rats., J Biosci Bioeng, 2010 Dec;110(6):709-15. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2010.07.006. Epub 2010 Aug 5.
- Dinleyici EC, Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 shortens acute infectious diarrhea in a pediatric outpatient setting., J Pediatr (Rio J) 2015 Jul-Aug;91(4):392-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jped.2014.10.009. Epub 2015 May 16.
Article last updated on: April 6th, 2018 by Nootriment