Science and Technology Innovation Center Yue Weifeng December 29, 2023
Lactobacillus reuteri was first isolated in 1962. It is a probiotic that has undergone extensive research and can colonize in different locations such as the human gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, and skin.
Lactobacillus reuteri can secrete antibacterial components, inhibit the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms into the human body, and have a variety of beneficial health effects.
Lactobacillus reuteri belongs to the genus Lactobacillus, which also includes Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, etc., all of which are probiotics. Both animal studies and clinical studies have shown that Lactobacilli can help prevent and treat gastrointestinal diseases, including intestinal infections, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, enteritis, colorectal cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome. In addition to gastrointestinal-related diseases, Lactobacillus can also play a healthy role in other parts of the human body, including the prevention and treatment of female genitourinary system diseases, the prevention of food allergies and dental caries, etc.
intestinal colonization
Probiotics need to have special abilities, including being able to survive in different pH values and enzyme-rich environments; being able to adhere to epithelial sites and interact with the host; competing with pathogenic microorganisms; and being safe and beneficial.
To digest and absorb food in the gastrointestinal system, the stomach secretes gastric acid with a very low pH, and there are also bile salts in the upper part of the small intestine, which is very detrimental to the survival of microorganisms. One of the characteristics of probiotics is that they can adapt to this gastrointestinal environment, survive in the human body, and exert health effects. Studies have shown that several species of Lactobacillus reuteri are resistant to low pH and bile salts, allowing them to survive and exert beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
beneficial metabolites
Lactobacillus reuteri's ability to resist harmful microorganisms and regulate immunity is related to the metabolites it produces. Lactobacillus reuteri produces reuterin, an antibacterial compound that inhibits the proliferation of a variety of bacteria, mainly Gram-negative bacteria, in the human body.
The products of Lactobacillus reuteri also include lactic acid, acetic acid, and other substances, which can help the body resist a variety of gastrointestinal bacterial infections, including Helicobacter pylori, Escherichia coli, Clostridium difficile and Salmonella. Infection with Helicobacter pylori is the main cause of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer and is also one of the important causes of gastric cancer. Some studies believe that Lactobacillus reuteri acts by competing with Helicobacter pylori and inhibiting its binding to glycolipid receptors, thereby reducing the load of Helicobacter pylori in the body, thereby alleviating related symptoms.
Candida is a type of deep-seated fungal infection that can invade the skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs, manifesting as acute, subacute, or chronic inflammation. Lactobacillus reuteri has antifungal properties that can antagonize and prevent various Candida infections and ultimately help the body eliminate these Candida species.
Regulate female vaginal flora
Lactobacilli dominate the vaginal flora of healthy women. One study showed that oral administration of Lactobacillus reuteri for just 14 days restored normal vaginal flora in postmenopausal women. The relative abundance of Lactobacilli in patients with bacterial vaginosis is relatively low. A study published in 2015 showed that oral administration of probiotic products containing Lactobacillus reuteri for more than 4 weeks can increase the abundance of Lactobacilli in patients. Relieve symptoms of inflammation.
lose weight
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, taking Lactobacillus reuteri for 12 weeks significantly reduced body weight in overweight adults. In mouse experiments, this Lactobacillus reuteri pair also had the effect of preventing weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet.