Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageToxicityInteractionsHow to StoreFrequently Asked QuestionsSources & What to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Toxicity
Interactions
How to Store
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & What to Look For
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Supplement FactsActive ingredient(s):Lactobacillus gasseriAlternate name(s):L. gasseriSuggested dose: No standard dose establishedSafety considerations: Avoid if pregnant, breastfeeding, or immunocompromised. Speak to a pediatrician for appropriate dosing in children.
Supplement Facts
Active ingredient(s):Lactobacillus gasseriAlternate name(s):L. gasseriSuggested dose: No standard dose establishedSafety considerations: Avoid if pregnant, breastfeeding, or immunocompromised. Speak to a pediatrician for appropriate dosing in children.
Researched Uses of Lactobacillus Gasseri
Probiotics are generally regarded as beneficial to digestive health.
For its part,Lactobacillus gasseriis marketed as offering specific health benefits on its own or in combination with other probiotic bacteria. These suggested benefits include the prevention ofbacterial vaginosis(inflammation of the vagina) andpeptic ulcers(sores on the lining of the stomach).
It has also been suggested to help controlulcerative colitis(inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, causing ulcers in your digestive system),irritable bowel syndrome(IBS, which affects the large intestine), andendometrial (pelvic) pain.
However, the research to date is mixed, with studies looking at multiple strains of probiotics at different doses and outcomes. There is not a lot of research onLactobacillus gasserialone. However, some have looked at its effects on weight loss.
Overall, there is insufficient evidence to support recommendingLactobacillus gasserifor weight loss, vaginal health, or conditions affecting the small and large intestines.
How to Choose the Right Probiotic
Research on Weight Loss
There is no such thing as a “miracle supplement” for weight loss. Despite some research on the matter, there is not enough evidence to support thatLactobacillus gasserihas a direct effect on body fat or weight loss.
If you are concerned about your weight, consult a healthcare provider for medical advice on the proper steps to improving your health. Behavioral lifestyle interventions, such as healthy eating and physical activity, remain an integral part of any weight management plan.
A few clinical trials have examined the effect ofLactobacillus gasserion abdominal fat and weight loss:
The same conclusions have not been reached in other studies:
More research is needed to determine the exact roleLactobacillus gasseriplays in abdominal fat and weight loss.
What Are the Side Effects of Lactobacillus Gasseri?
Probiotics likeLactobacillus gasseriare generally considered safe with few short-term or long-term side effects.
In some cases,Lactobacillus gasserimay trigger gas and bloating. Most cases are mild and tend to improve as your body adapts to the supplement.
The use ofLactobacillusduring pregnancy or breastfeeding has been under-researched. While it is generally considered safe, speak with your ob-gyn to fully understand the benefits and risks, including whether you need a probiotic.
Some probiotics may contain traces of milk proteins, so people with milk allergies should be cautious using probiotics or avoid them.
Probiotics are generally not recommended for people with compromised immune systems. These include people with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, organ transplant recipients, and others taking immunosuppressive drugs for cancer and other conditions.
Without an intact immune system, it is possible that probiotic bacteria can overgrow. In rare cases,Lactobacilluscan cause an infection in the chambers of the heart and heart valves.
If you have a weakened immune system or are taking immunosuppressive medications like prednisone, Otrexup (methotrexate), or Sandimmune (cyclosporine), speak with your healthcare provider before taking a probiotic supplement.
Dosage: How Much Lactobacillus Gasseri Should I Take?
Lactobacillus gasserisupplements are available in many grocery stores, drugstores, and health food stores, either as a single supplement or as part of a combination probiotic.
There is no established recommended dose forLactobacillus gasseri.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Lactobacillus Gasseri?
There is not a lot of data on what could happen if taking too much of a probiotic. Always follow the instructions on the product label for dosing. Never take more than recommended.
Antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of probiotics if taken at the same time, so it is suggested to take probiotics two hours apart from your antibiotic dose.
It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss any potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
How to Store Lactobacillus Gasseri
In general, probiotics should be stored in a cool and dark place. Some products suggest storing it in the refrigerator. Be sure to read the directions for storage for each product. Always store medications and supplements out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental consumption.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLactobacillus gasseri is a strain ofLactobacillus, a beneficial bacteria in the digestive and urinary tracts. There are several different strains of probiotics, and research has shown the different strains may have different effects. However, there is not enough evidence to recommend it for purported uses, such as weight loss.No. If you haven’t any digestive health problems, you are likely getting all the probiotic bacteria you need from food. Additionally, there is insufficient data to support recommending probiotics for pregnant or breastfeeding people. People with compromised immune systems also should avoid probiotics.Most of the studies on bacterial vaginosis were multi-strain products, so it is difficult to say whetherL. gasserialone will help.For example, a clinical trial involving a yogurt product with multiple probiotic strains found that it led to improved recovery rates and symptoms in people with bacterial vaginosis.On the other hand,L. gasserimay help lessen menstrual pain in women withendometriosis(tissue normally lining the uterus that grows outside the organ). This was reported in a small study published inCytotechnologyin 2011.We don’t know the answer to this yet. A review of studies published inPLoS Oneevaluated the effects of probiotic supplements in eliminatingHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori), a bacterium known to be the main cause of stomach ulcers.While probiotics, in general, may help alleviateH. pylori, it is not known how much more or less effectiveLactobacillus gasserialone would be.
Lactobacillus gasseri is a strain ofLactobacillus, a beneficial bacteria in the digestive and urinary tracts. There are several different strains of probiotics, and research has shown the different strains may have different effects. However, there is not enough evidence to recommend it for purported uses, such as weight loss.
No. If you haven’t any digestive health problems, you are likely getting all the probiotic bacteria you need from food. Additionally, there is insufficient data to support recommending probiotics for pregnant or breastfeeding people. People with compromised immune systems also should avoid probiotics.
Most of the studies on bacterial vaginosis were multi-strain products, so it is difficult to say whetherL. gasserialone will help.For example, a clinical trial involving a yogurt product with multiple probiotic strains found that it led to improved recovery rates and symptoms in people with bacterial vaginosis.On the other hand,L. gasserimay help lessen menstrual pain in women withendometriosis(tissue normally lining the uterus that grows outside the organ). This was reported in a small study published inCytotechnologyin 2011.
Most of the studies on bacterial vaginosis were multi-strain products, so it is difficult to say whetherL. gasserialone will help.
For example, a clinical trial involving a yogurt product with multiple probiotic strains found that it led to improved recovery rates and symptoms in people with bacterial vaginosis.
On the other hand,L. gasserimay help lessen menstrual pain in women withendometriosis(tissue normally lining the uterus that grows outside the organ). This was reported in a small study published inCytotechnologyin 2011.
We don’t know the answer to this yet. A review of studies published inPLoS Oneevaluated the effects of probiotic supplements in eliminatingHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori), a bacterium known to be the main cause of stomach ulcers.While probiotics, in general, may help alleviateH. pylori, it is not known how much more or less effectiveLactobacillus gasserialone would be.
Sources of Lactobacillus Gasseri & What to Look For
Probiotics can be found in foods and supplements. Probiotics are in fermented foods like yogurt. In foods, look for probiotics “added” rather than “used during making,” which means the probiotics used while making foods are killed when heated.
Supplements can be in tablets, capsules, powders, and more.Lactobacillus gasseriis mostly available as capsules and in combination with other probiotic strains.
The FDA classifies probiotics likeLactobacillus gasserias dietary supplements. Under this classification, they neither require clinical research nor quality testing to reach store shelves. Because of this, the quality can vary from one brand to the next, sometimes considerably.
Products may contain one type of probiotic or several different strains combined. Products should be chosen based on the efficacy of that particular strain for a given condition. In general, there is not enough data to support taking products that combine multiple different strains.
The quantity of live organisms should be listed and state the quantity at the end of its shelf life, not at the time of manufacturing. Quantities are listed in cell amounts or colony forming units (CFU). Active ingredients in probiotic supplements can decrease over time, so avoid using products beyond the expiration date.
It is also important to look for probiotics that can hold up in the acidic environment of the stomach. Some tablet forms are enteric coated for this reason. MostLactobacillus, Bifidobacterium,andStreptococcusprobiotics can survive the stomach environment.
Summary
Probiotic supplements are extremely popular and marketed for several conditions but mostly for bowel disease and digestive health. Probiotics are live organisms, and several different strains are used in supplements.Lactobacillus gasseriis one type of probiotic. This strain has shown some promise as a complementary aid in weight loss, but further research is needed.
Lactobacillus gasseri has been studied for its role in weight loss, vaginal health, and endometriosis pain. Currently, there is not enough evidence to recommendLactobacillus gasseri for any of these uses. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting any probiotic supplement to determine if it’s the right choice for you.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pan M, Hidalgo-Cantabrana C, Goh YJ, Sanozky-Dawes R, Barrangou R.Comparative analysis ofLactobacillus gasseriandLactobacillus crispatusisolated from human urogenital and gastrointestinal tracts.Front Microbiol. 2020;10:3146. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2019.03146Selle K, Klaenhammer TR.Genomic and phenotypic evidence for probiotic influences of Lactobacillus gasseri on human health.FEMS Microbiology Reviews. 2013;37(6):915-935. doi:10.1111/1574-6976.12021Khodaverdi S, Mohammadbeigi R, Gorginzadeh M.Beneficial effect of oral lactobacillus on pain severity in women suffering from endometriosis: a pilot placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.Int J Fertil Steril.2019; 13(3):178-183. doi:10.22074/ijfs.2019.5584Nobutani K, Sawada D, Fujiwara S, et al.The effects of administration of the Lactobacillus gasseri strain CP2305 on quality of life, clinical symptoms and changes in gene expression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.J Appl Microbiol. 2017;122(1):212-224. doi:10.1111/jam.13329Thomas JG, Goldstein CM, Bond DS, et al.Evaluation of intervention components to maximize outcomes of behavioral obesity treatment delivered online: A factorial experiment following the multiphase optimization strategy framework.Contemp Clin Trials. 2021;100:106217. doi:10.1016/j.cct.2020.106217Brusaferro A, Cozzali R, Orabona C, et al.Is it time to use probiotics to prevent or treat obesity?Nutrients. 2018;10(11):1613. doi:10.3390/nu10111613Kadooka Y, Sato M, Ogawa A, et al.Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 in fermented milk on abdominal adiposity in adults in a randomised controlled trial.Br J Nutr.2013;110(9):1696-703. doi:10.1017/S0007114513001037Kim J, Yun JM, Kim MK, Kwon O, Cho B. Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17Supplementation reduces the visceral fat accumulation and waist circumference in obese adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.J Med Food. 2018;21(5):454-461. doi:10.1089/jmf.2017.3937Jung SP, Lee KM, Kang JH, et al.Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 on overweight and obese adults: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.Korean J Fam Med. 2013;34(2):80-89. doi:10.4082/kjfm.2013.34.2.80Crovesy L, Ostrowski M, Ferreira DMTP, Rosado EL, Soares-Mota M.Effect of Lactobacillus on body weight and body fat in overweight subjects: a systematic review of randomized controlled clinical trials.Int J Obes (Lond). 2017;41(11):1607-1614. doi:10.1038/ijo.2017.161Didari T, Solki S, Mozaffari S, Nikfar S, Abdollahi M.A systematic review of the safety of probiotics.Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2014;13(2):227-239. doi:10.1517/14740338.2014.872627Boumis E, Capone A, Galati V, Venditti C, Petrosillo N.Probiotics and infective endocarditis in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: a clinical case and a review of the literature.BMC Infect Dis. 2018;18(1):65. doi:10.1186/s12879-018-2956-5National Institutes of Health.Probiotics.Rodgers B, Kirley K, Mounsey A.PURLs: prescribing an antibiotic? Pair it with probiotics.J Fam Pract. 2013;62(3):148-150.Laue C, Papazova E, Liesegang A, et al.Effect of a yoghurt drink containing Lactobacillus strains on bacterial vaginosis in women - a double-blind, randomised, controlled clinical pilot trial.Benef Microbes. 2018;9(1):35-50. doi:10.3920/BM2017.0018Itoh H, Uchida M, Sashihara T, et al.Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2809 is effective especially on the menstrual pain and dysmenorrhea in endometriosis patients: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.Cytotechnology. 2011;63(2):153-161. doi:10.1007/s10616-010-9326-5Dang Y, Reinhardt JD, Zhou X, Zhang G.The effect of probiotics supplementation on Helicobacter pylori eradication rates and side effects during eradication therapy: a meta-analysis.PLoS ONE.2014;9(11):e111030. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0111030
Pan M, Hidalgo-Cantabrana C, Goh YJ, Sanozky-Dawes R, Barrangou R.Comparative analysis ofLactobacillus gasseriandLactobacillus crispatusisolated from human urogenital and gastrointestinal tracts.Front Microbiol. 2020;10:3146. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2019.03146
Selle K, Klaenhammer TR.Genomic and phenotypic evidence for probiotic influences of Lactobacillus gasseri on human health.FEMS Microbiology Reviews. 2013;37(6):915-935. doi:10.1111/1574-6976.12021
Khodaverdi S, Mohammadbeigi R, Gorginzadeh M.Beneficial effect of oral lactobacillus on pain severity in women suffering from endometriosis: a pilot placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.Int J Fertil Steril.2019; 13(3):178-183. doi:10.22074/ijfs.2019.5584
Nobutani K, Sawada D, Fujiwara S, et al.The effects of administration of the Lactobacillus gasseri strain CP2305 on quality of life, clinical symptoms and changes in gene expression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.J Appl Microbiol. 2017;122(1):212-224. doi:10.1111/jam.13329
Thomas JG, Goldstein CM, Bond DS, et al.Evaluation of intervention components to maximize outcomes of behavioral obesity treatment delivered online: A factorial experiment following the multiphase optimization strategy framework.Contemp Clin Trials. 2021;100:106217. doi:10.1016/j.cct.2020.106217
Brusaferro A, Cozzali R, Orabona C, et al.Is it time to use probiotics to prevent or treat obesity?Nutrients. 2018;10(11):1613. doi:10.3390/nu10111613
Kadooka Y, Sato M, Ogawa A, et al.Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 in fermented milk on abdominal adiposity in adults in a randomised controlled trial.Br J Nutr.2013;110(9):1696-703. doi:10.1017/S0007114513001037
Kim J, Yun JM, Kim MK, Kwon O, Cho B. Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17Supplementation reduces the visceral fat accumulation and waist circumference in obese adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.J Med Food. 2018;21(5):454-461. doi:10.1089/jmf.2017.3937
Jung SP, Lee KM, Kang JH, et al.Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 on overweight and obese adults: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.Korean J Fam Med. 2013;34(2):80-89. doi:10.4082/kjfm.2013.34.2.80
Crovesy L, Ostrowski M, Ferreira DMTP, Rosado EL, Soares-Mota M.Effect of Lactobacillus on body weight and body fat in overweight subjects: a systematic review of randomized controlled clinical trials.Int J Obes (Lond). 2017;41(11):1607-1614. doi:10.1038/ijo.2017.161
Didari T, Solki S, Mozaffari S, Nikfar S, Abdollahi M.A systematic review of the safety of probiotics.Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2014;13(2):227-239. doi:10.1517/14740338.2014.872627
Boumis E, Capone A, Galati V, Venditti C, Petrosillo N.Probiotics and infective endocarditis in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: a clinical case and a review of the literature.BMC Infect Dis. 2018;18(1):65. doi:10.1186/s12879-018-2956-5
National Institutes of Health.Probiotics.
Rodgers B, Kirley K, Mounsey A.PURLs: prescribing an antibiotic? Pair it with probiotics.J Fam Pract. 2013;62(3):148-150.
Laue C, Papazova E, Liesegang A, et al.Effect of a yoghurt drink containing Lactobacillus strains on bacterial vaginosis in women - a double-blind, randomised, controlled clinical pilot trial.Benef Microbes. 2018;9(1):35-50. doi:10.3920/BM2017.0018
Itoh H, Uchida M, Sashihara T, et al.Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2809 is effective especially on the menstrual pain and dysmenorrhea in endometriosis patients: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.Cytotechnology. 2011;63(2):153-161. doi:10.1007/s10616-010-9326-5
Dang Y, Reinhardt JD, Zhou X, Zhang G.The effect of probiotics supplementation on Helicobacter pylori eradication rates and side effects during eradication therapy: a meta-analysis.PLoS ONE.2014;9(11):e111030. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0111030
Dang Y, Reinhardt J, Zhou X, Zhang G.The effect of probiotics supplementation on Helicobacter pylori eradication rates and side effects during eradication therapy: A meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2014;9(11):e111030. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0111030.
Itoh H, Uchida M, Sashihara T, et al.Lactobacillus Gasseri OLL2809 is effective especially on the menstrual pain and dysmenorrhea in endometriosis patients: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.Cytotechnology. 2011;63(2):153-161. doi:10.1007/s10616-010-9326-5
Jung S. Lee K. Kang J, et al.Effect of Lactobacillus Gasseri BNR17 on overweight and obese adults: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.Korean J Fam Med. 2013;34(2):80-89. doi:10.4082/kjfm.2013.34.2.80
Kadooka Y. Sato M, Ogawa A, et al.Effect of Lactobacillus Gasseri SBT2055 in fermented milk on abdominal adiposity in adults in a randomised controlled trial.Br J Nutr. 2013;110(9):1696-1703. doi:10.1017/S0007114513001037
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