Lactobacillus reuteri (Limosilactobacillus reuteri) is a species of probiotic bacteria. In this article you will find the answers to the following questions about L. reuteri:
Bacteria from the Lactobacillus reuteri species are gram-positive, rod-shaped, and anaerobic microorganisms which form chain arrangements, and do not produce endospores. In humans, L. reuteri is found in different areas of the body, including the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, skin and breast milk (Mu Q. et al., 2018). As of April 2020, L. reuteri has been officially reclassified to Limosilactobacillus reuteri (Zheng J et al., 2020).
The Lactobacillus reuteri species is believed to be a promising therapy for helping to alleviate or reduce certain illnesses related to gastrointestinal, urogenital and oral health. L. reuteri has been the focus of many research projects and clinical trials, particularly studied in women’s vaginal health and supporting those with bacterial vaginosis (BV). You can find out more about these topics over on our sister site, the Probiotics Learning Lab: Which is the Best Probiotic Supplement for Women? and Probiotics & Bacterial Vaginosis.
Due to the extensive research on this species for many areas of human health, you can find L. reuteri strains in many probiotic foods and supplements; among the most widely studied strains are Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® and Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis®.
L. reuteri RC-14® is one of the most well trialled strains for women’s intimate health; particularly for supporting those with symptoms of thrush, bacterial vaginosis & cystitis.
L. reuteri Protectis® has been trailed in children’s health and has demonstrated its efficacy with helping infantile colic.
You can read more about the research and outcomes on their strain entry pages here: Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® and Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis®.
Lactobacillus spp. are one of the most widely used probiotics and can be found in a large variety of food products throughout the world, including yoghurts. There are many other species in the Lactobacillus genus – read about these on the Probiotics Database
For more insights and professional updates on probiotics, please visit the Probiotic Professionals pages.
Jones, S.E. & Versalovic, J., (2009), ‘Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri biofilms produce antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory factors.’ BMC Microbiology, 9:35.
Lee Y. and Salminen S., (2009), Handbook of Probiotic and Prebiotics. 2nd edition, Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.
Morita H. et al., (2008), ‘Comparative Genome Analysis of Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus fermentum Reveal a Genomic Island for Reuterin and Cobalamin Producion’ DNA Research, 15:151-161.
Qinghui Mu, Vincent J. Tavella and Xin M. Luo*. (2018). Role of Lactobacillus reuteri in Human Health and Diseases. Front. Microbiol.,. 2 (1), 227-3.
Santos F. et al., (2008), ‘High-Level Folate Production in Fermented Foods by the B12 Producer Lactobacillus reuteri JCM1112’. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 74:10.
Talarico T.L. & Dobrogosz W.J., (1989), ‘Chemical characterization of an antimicrobial substance produced by Lactobacillus reuteri’. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 33(5):674-9.
Zheng J, Wittouck S. et al., (2020) 'A taxonmonic note on the genus Lactobacillus: Description of 23 novel genera, emended description of the genus Lactobacillus Beijerinck 1901, and union of Lactobacillaceae and Leuconostocaceae'. Int.J.Syst.Evol.Microbiol, 70(4): 2782-2858. DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004107
Information on this species was gathered by Joanna Scott-Lutyens BA (hons), DipION, Nutritional Therapist; and Kerry Beeson, BSc (Nut.Med) Nutritional Therapist.