Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
The first patented lactobacillus and still a spot-on candidate
Today’s health market is flooded with a variety of probiotic options. While different strains and combinations are readily available, one particular strain stands out-Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. This strain, the first to be patented in the probiotic industry, offers unique health benefits that set it apart from the rest.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, instead of harming the human body, have beneficial health properties, such as strengthening intestinal barriers and lowering blood lipids. Interestingly, probiotics do not have boundaries and extend their benefits to organs and systems beyond the gut. For instance, some probiotics can change how the brain releases certain chemicals through the gut-brain barrier. There’s a complex connection between the immune system and the gut, so our gut microbiota modulates immunity.
As mentioned above, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was the first Lactobacillus probiotic to be patented in 1989. It attracted researchers’ attention because it proliferates in an acidic pH and survives in the stomach environment, as well as bile in the first portion of the small intestines. Furthermore, once it reaches the gut, it adheres to enterocytes, protecting the mucosa, reducing apoptosis in the epithelium, and inhibiting pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella species.
In this article, we will discuss the basics and details of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. After briefly discussing the main features of this species, we will then cover the most critical health benefits associated with it.
See video below.
What everyone should know about Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
There are over 180 species under the Lactobacillus genus. One of them is Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, a specific strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus associated with more health benefits than the rest. It is a facultative anaerobic, which means it thrives in an environment without oxygen but can also survive in the presence of this gas. It is a gram-positive species with an extra thick peptidoglycan layer that protects the bacteria and maintains its shape. It has the form of a rod and doesn’t form spores like other highly resistant probiotics, such as Bacillus coagulans, but it also survives the stomach environment without a problem.
There are three main reasons why Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is considered one of the most important probiotics: it has a high adhesion capacity in the gut epithelium, it produces over 92 proteins regardless of the pH, and it has a very high immune activity. First, Lactobacillus rhamnosus has adhesion properties that are considered one of the best compared to other Lactobacilli (1). Second, the protein production in Lactobacillus rhamnosus produces a biofilm that protects the strain, along with proteins that protect the intestinal epithelium and promote the immune system (2). Third, studies show that Lactobacillus rhamnosus stimulates the immune response through various immunoglobulins and interleukins while inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines (3).
The versatility of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is truly impressive. Its applications are not limited to patients with diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems. As you will discover, it has a wide range of health benefits, making it a powerhouse of health and well-being.
Benefits and applications of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
For short, we may refer to Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG as L. rhamnosus GG or simply LGG. It is a versatile Lactobacillus strain, and over 30 years of research have shown its applications in improving different health parameters and preventing disease. However, the following are the most essential benefits, based on scientific research:
L. rhamnosus GG promotes good bacteria and prevents pathogen colonization in the gut
Almost all probiotics share the primary mechanism of modulating the gut microbiota. Their presence in the gut contributes to expanding the volume of good bacteria, which takes up the available space in the intestinal lining and prevents the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics work to treat different causes of acute diarrhea, mainly if they are triggered by an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, for example, after prolonged antibiotic administration. Studies show they are effective against Shigella, Salmonella, and different pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli.
But that’s not all. L. rhamnosus GG colonizes the gut quite rapidly, especially in newborn babies, and even after administering the probiotic for two weeks, the strain does not interfere with establishing normal microbiota in the gut. Quite the opposite. Infants taking this strain also increase the diversity of Bifidobacterium in the gut, an additional probiotic we covered in another article (4). Together, good bacteria in the gut may reduce the incidence of diarrhea, even when it is not triggered by bacteria. Studies show that LGG is also beneficial in reducing the risk and treating rotavirus gastroenteritis in children (5).
LGG improves gastrointestinal discomfort, dyspepsia, and other digestive problems
Consuming this probiotic can also reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, functional abdominal pain, and functional dyspepsia. However, studies in a meta-analysis evaluating these findings suggest that people should use a double dose daily for 4 to 12 weeks to experience relief.
After consuming the probiotics, patients with these ailments report a significant reduction in pain intensity and sometimes no pain at all. The effects tend to be better in patients with an inflammatory condition because L. rhamnosus GG modulates cytokines and reduces inflammation levels in the gut (6).
L. rhamnosus GG reduces the incidence of respiratory tract infections
As mentioned above, LGG does not only act in the gut. Its benefits extend to other body systems, including the respiratory tract. Studies show that consuming oral L. rhamnosus GG reduces the risk of respiratory infections in neonates and adult patients. This can be due to the modulation of the immune system Lactobacilli prompt from their place in the gut.
According to research, the more LGG our gut has, the less frequent the occurrence of Moraxella catarrhalis infections. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has a direct activity against this pathogen and decreases its adhesion to the airway epithelium. Clinical studies in children and adults are not always conclusive because many factors modulate the effectiveness of LGG in reducing respiratory infections. However, the probiotic is safe and has no side effects, so any additional protection without a health cost is always welcome (7).
LGG modulates the immune system and helps prevent different types of allergy
According to the hygiene hypothesis, infants raised in a spotless environment and not exposed to bacteria are more likely to develop allergic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, and eczema. Studies show that probiotics with L. rhamnosus GG promote gut colonization with healthy bacteria, which modulates the immune system and reduces the risk of atopic disease and food allergies.
One of the most impressive studies was made on infants and pregnant mothers. The researchers showed that taking 2 to 4 weeks of probiotics before labor and 6 months after birth reduced the rate of atopic dermatitis in infants during the first 2 years of life. These studies show that LGG prevents allergies while remaining a safe probiotic for pregnant women (8).
L. rhamnosus GG may reduce the risk of some types of cancer
The modulation of this probiotic strain on the immune system can be beneficial to keep the body on guard against cancer. In normal circumstances, the immune cells detect cancer cells and destroy them before they form a tumor. Many types of cancers are linked with an immune problem that prevents this mechanism from activating. LGG is capable of turning it on once again, reducing the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma and colon cancer. For better results, some authors recommend combining vitamin K with LGG to promote the proapoptotic effect further on colon cancer cells (9).
Moreover, in patients with cancer, LGG can reduce the toxicity associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Patients receiving this type of therapy to cure cancer usually experience severe gastrointestinal symptoms due to extensive damage to the intestinal mucosa. Administering L. rhamnosus GG for 24 weeks during cancer treatment reduces the incidence of diarrhea by 15%, according to studies (10).
Conclusion and takeout
L. rhamnosus GG is a highly specialized strain of Lactobacillus with high resistance to acidic pH and many health properties to consider. It is a potent immunomodulator that alleviates allergies while increasing immune activity against cancer and pathogenic bacteria. It protects the intestinal lining and reduces the incidence of diarrhea due to various causes. It is also an excellent ally for preventing multiple digestive problems, including irritable bowel disease and inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. And its benefits extend beyond the gut, reducing the risk of infections in other parts of the body, especially the respiratory tract.
Anyone can benefit from L. rhamnosus, especially children and newborns. Studies show that LGG strains colonize the newborn gut better than adults, so it only takes two weeks of L. rhamnosus GG administration to reach optimal gut concentrations without affecting the colonization of other beneficial bacteria.
Studies have shown that the suggested dosage varies depending on the purpose. For intestinal colonization, the optimal concentration should be 5-10×109 CFU per day for children and 10-20×109 CFU per day for adults. To prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, take it during treatment and at least 1-3 weeks after it is finished.
References:
- Tuomola, E., Crittenden, R., Playne, M., Isolauri, E., & Salminen, S. (2001). Quality assurance criteria for probiotic bacteria1234. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 73(2), 393s-398s.
- Savijoki, K., Lietzen, N., Kankainen, M., Alatossava, T., Koskenniemi, K., Varmanen, P., & Nyman, T. A. (2011). Comparative proteome cataloging of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains GG and Lc705. Journal of Proteome Research, 10(8), 3460-3473.
- Gamallat, Y., Ren, X., Meyiah, A., Li, M., Ren, X., Jamalat, Y., … & Ding, D. (2019). The immune-modulation and gut microbiome structure modification associated with long-term dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus using 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. Journal of Functional Foods, 53, 227-236.
- Gueimonde, M., Sakata, S., Kalliomäki, M., Isolauri, E., Benno, Y., & Salminen, S. (2006). Effect of maternal consumption of lactobacillus GG on transfer and establishment of fecal bifidobacterial microbiota in neonates. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 42(2), 166-170.
- Szajewska, H., Skorka, A., Ruszczyński, M., & Gieruszczak‐Białek, D. (2013). Meta‐analysis: L actobacillus GG for treating acute gastroenteritis in children–updated analysis of randomised controlled trials. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics, 38(5), 467-476.
- Horvath, A., Dziechciarz, P., & Szajewska, H. (2011). Meta‐analysis: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for abdominal pain‐related functional gastrointestinal disorders in childhood. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics, 33(12), 1302-1310.
- Van den Broek, M. F. L., De Boeck, I., Claes, I. J. J., Nizet, V., & Lebeer, S. (2018). Multifactorial inhibition of lactobacilli against the respiratory tract pathogen Moraxella catarrhalis. Beneficial microbes, 9(3), 429-440.
- Betsi, G. I., Papadavid, E., & Falagas, M. E. (2008). Probiotics for the treatment or prevention of atopic dermatitis: a review of the evidence from randomized controlled trials. American journal of clinical dermatology, 9, 93-103.
- Orlando, A., Linsalata, M., & Russo, F. (2016). Antiproliferative effects on colon adenocarcinoma cells induced by co-administration of vitamin K1 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. International Journal of Oncology, 48(6), 2629-2638.
- Österlund, P., Ruotsalainen, T., Korpela, R., Saxelin, M., Ollus, A., Valta, P., … & Joensuu, H. (2007). Lactobacillus supplementation for diarrhoea related to chemotherapy of colorectal cancer: a randomised study. British journal of cancer, 97(8), 1028-1034.
See Courses Offered, click here.
