Synopsis

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

Lactococcus lactis is a lactic acid bacterium commonly used in the dairy industry, but it has also been investigated as a probiotic for gastrointestinal health, including in the context of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The scientific evidence supporting the use of L. lactis for IBS is limited but emerging. A small number of clinical studies and preclinical research suggest that certain strains of L. lactis may help modulate gut microbiota, enhance mucosal barrier function, or reduce inflammation, which are relevant to IBS pathophysiology.

One double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (Martoni et al., 2015) assessed the impact of L. lactis strain NCC 2287 in patients with IBS and found some improvement in symptom severity, particularly in abdominal pain/discomfort. However, the study sample was small and the effects were modest. Other studies in animal models suggest L. lactis may influence gut motility and immune responses, but these findings have not been robustly replicated in large-scale human trials.

Overall, while there is some preliminary evidence supporting the use of specific strains of L. lactis in IBS, it is not extensive or conclusive. The evidence base is rated as 2 out of 5, reflecting small-scale human studies with promising but not definitive results. More rigorous, larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of L. lactis probiotics in IBS management.

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