What is Lactobacillus reuteri?
Where does it come from? What does it do? Why is L. reuteri so special? Is it safe?
Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) is recognised as a true probiotic thanks to its positive effects on human health and that it meets all the requirements on modern probiotic products (WHO/FAO 2002)
To date, its efficacy and safety for humans has been studied in 40 trials on more than 3,000 individuals of all ages (March 2008). The results are published in 26 articles in scientific journals. Another 9 studies are published as abstracts of oral or poster presentations at scientific conferences. This makes it one of the most well researched probiotics.
Where does it come from?
The commercial strains of L. reuteri are derived from different human ecosystems such as mother’s milk and saliva.
What does it do?
L. reuteri Protectis helps maintain a healthy balance of microflora in the intestine that hinders harmful microorganisms from multiplying. It therefore has a natural health-promoting role – it is scientifically proven to help protect us from ‘bad’ bacteria, and to strengthen our immunity.
L. reuteri Prodentis, a blend of two strains, is used to balance the microflora in the oral cavity and thereby help reduce problems with bleeding gums and amount of plaque on the teeth.
Why is L. reuteri so special?
L. reuteri is a natural colonizer in humans from the time we are born and is even found in the milk of breastfeeding mothers. It is one of very few species of Lactobacillus that is uniquely adapted to reside in the digestive tract of man and to interact with us in symbiosis. Most species have their natural living environment outside the human body and are therefore just temporary residents derived from ingested food.
L. reuteri is also unique among probiotics in producing the natural inhibitory substance reuterin (3-hydroxypropionaldehyde).