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Lactobacillus rhamnosus with Immune Support Probiotics‡

by Jaime Keiller

What You’ll Learn: Learn about Lactobacillus rhamnosus and other probiotics to help support your immune system. ‡

Double the Win!
You may think of probiotics as those microorganisms specialized in helping support the G.I. tract. However, did you know certain strains of probiotics not only help the G.I. tract, but also help support the immune system? Lactobacillus rhamnosus, is an example of a probiotic strain that provides dual support for both immune and G.I. function.‡

A Little Thing Called Bacteria:
Okay, let’s get down to the basics. Probiotics are tiny microorganisms that include yeasts like Saccharomyces boulardii and beneficial bacteria like Lactobacilli, living synergistically with other organisms. While, prebiotics, like fiber, are the energy source to help feed and provide a healthy environment that supports probiotic growth and replication. So often we hear about the importance of probiotics for G.I. support, but did you know that some bacterial strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG help support the immune system and respiratory tract?‡

  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is one of the best characterized and widely utilized probiotic strains. It is often selected for its resistance to gastric acidity, adhesion properties and ability to support healthy gut microflora.‡
  • Studies involving infants and children suggest that supplementation with Lactobacollus rhamnosus GG supports healthy G.I. colonization, G.I. function, and immune function, particularly related to skin and respiratory health.1,2 In a study involving children ages 1-7 attending daycare, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG offered statistically significant support for respiratory and immune health.1‡
  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG also promotes cytokine balance in the G.I. tract at the level of gene expression and overall immunomodulatory support.3 In a double-blind, crossover study, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supplementation moderated the neutrophil and monocyte immune response in dairy-challenged, milk-sensitive subjects, while promoting immune function in non-sensitive subjects.4‡
  • In another study, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG promoted healthy gene expression to support white blood cell (WBC) function. Elderly subjects supplemented for 28 days showed 95 differentially expressed genes related to cellular movement, cell-to-cell signaling and cytokine response.5‡

Not to mention, our PureGG 25B contains 25 billion CFU (or colony forming units) of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG. It’s shelf-stable and it helps provide immune support, G.I. support and overall health support across all life stages.‡

Order Up! I’ll Have the Combo Please:
Hey! Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG isn’t the only strain of bacteria that help support the immune system. The bacterial family of Bifodobacterum has also been found to help support immune health too.  Both Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria supplementation have been studied to show healthy intestinal epithelial integrity support and health immune response.6,7,8‡

That’s why we designed our Probiotic 50B to include Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG strain with additional strains of Lactobacilli: including Lactobacillus planetarium, Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with three different strains of Biffidobacterium: Biffidobacterium lactis, Biffidobacterium longum and Biffidobacterium bifidum. These strains are all combined in a acid-resistant capsule with targeted pH release to ensure that the live organisms make it to where they need to be in the G.I. tract.‡

Same Bacteria, Different Strain!
Now, if you’ve been paying close attention, you may have noticed that I gave particular shout outs to the Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG strain. This part may get confusing, so try to bear with me for a moment. Lactobacillus is the largest lactic acid family of bacteria, or genus. Rhamnosus is the species within the Lactobacillus genus.  Lactobacillus rhamnosus comes in other strains beyond GG too. Like our Probiotic-5 and our PureProbiotic which both offer the Lactobacillus rhamnosus in the strain of Lr-32. Both the GG strain and the Lr-32 strain offer clinical benefits. However, since they are different strains, they offer different immune support functions. For example, our Probiotic-5 is a dairy-free and soy-free five strain probiotic blend focusing on targeting healthy G.I. barrier function and immune support.‡

  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lr-32, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterum longum promote healthy cytokine production in the colon and maintain healthy G.I. barrier function, in part, by supporting the mucosal lining of the G.I. tract.9‡
  • In addition, studies also suggest that probiotics support immune health, enhancing B cell, T cell and NK cell function.10,11,‡

So, while Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG had a particular affinity for supporting respiratory health, support for modulating white blood cell signaling and cell-to-cell signaling and cytokine response,1,5 Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lr-32 has a slightly different immune support effect because it is a different strain. However, both work to help you support your immune system! ‡

Something Similar yet Different:
Okay, so I’ve discussed Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and it’s benefits for supporting the immune system, respiratory tract, and it’s beneficial adhesive effects. Now, let me mention a few strains of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium that help support other areas of the immune system such as eyes, nose and throat health.‡

  • A meta-analysis involving 9 randomized, controlled trials has revealed that probiotics maintain healthy immune and nasal function.12‡
  • Probiotics are integral to immune health, stimulating antibody production and cell-mediated immunity; Strains such as Lactobacillus plantarum provide particular support for a healthy immune response and immunoglobulin function.13‡
  • Double-blind, placebo-controlled trials indicate that the strain Bifidobacterium longum BB536 supplementation maintains GI bacteria balance and support immune function and maintain eye, nose and throat health.14‡
  • Research involving Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum also suggests that these strains maintain healthy cytokine production, IgE function and mast cell integrity.15‡

Our Probiotic IMM contains a blend of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains in a 5 billion CFU count to help with healthy cytokine production including supporting IgE function and preserving mast cell integrity.‡

Both Helpful & Healthful:
When it comes to choosing a probiotic, there are so many to choose from. That’s why it’s important to understand that each strain may have beneficial functions to help support overall health and immune function beyond just supporting G.I. support. That way, you can help decide and find which probiotic is right for you.‡ 

  1. Hojsak et al. Clin Nutr 2010; 29, 312-6.
  2. Hatakka et al. BMJ 2001, 322(7298), 1327.
  3. Burton KJ, et al. Br J Nutr. 2017; May;117(9):1312-22.
  4. Pelto et al. Clin Exp Allergy 1998;28(12), 1474- 79.
  5. Solano-Aguilar G, et al. PLoS One. 2016 Feb 9;11(2):e0147426.
  6. Paineau D, et al. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2008 Jun;53(1):107-13.
  7. Pelto et al. Exp. Allergy, 1988; 28(12), 1474-1479.
  8. Sindhu KN, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Apr;58(8):1107-15
  9. Roselli M, et al. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2009, 15, 1526–1536
  10. Mengheri E, et al. Clin Gastroenterol. 2008 Sep;42 Suppl 3 Pt 2:S177-8.
  11. Paineau D, et al. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2008 Jun;53(1):107-13.
  12. Vliagoftis H, et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2008 Dec;101(6):570-9.
  13. Berggren A, et all. Eur J Nutr. 2011 Apr;50(3):203-10.
  14. Akatsu H, et. al. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2013 Sep;37(5):631-40.
  15. Yoshida T, et al. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2013;162(4):283-9
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