Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lactobacillus lactis and Inflammatory Bowel Disorders: Evidence Overview

Lactobacillus lactis, more accurately referred to as Lactococcus lactis, is a lactic acid bacterium widely used in the dairy industry. Its use in supporting or treating Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, has some basis in scientific research, though the evidence is modest and mixed.

A few preclinical and small-scale clinical studies have investigated the effects of Lactococcus lactis on gut inflammation. Animal studies have shown that certain strains of L. lactis can modulate immune responses and reduce inflammation in models of colitis. For example, genetically engineered L. lactis delivering anti-inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-10) directly to the gut has demonstrated beneficial effects in mice. However, these studies often use modified strains not available in commercial probiotics.

Clinical trials in humans are limited, and most research on probiotics for IBD has focused on other species, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG or combinations like VSL#3, rather than L. lactis alone. The available evidence for L. lactis is insufficient to support broad clinical recommendations. However, some probiotic formulations containing L. lactis as one component have shown promise in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis, though these results are not robustly replicated.

In summary, while there is some scientific interest and preliminary evidence supporting the use of Lactococcus lactis for IBD, the strength of evidence is low, and its use is not as well-established as other probiotics.

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