L. reuteri basic facts

The human digestive system contains about 100 trillion (1 with 14 zeros) bacteria of about 400-500 different types, both good and bad, which need to be kept in balance in order for the system to work correctly.
Taking probiotics, either as supplements or added to food, boosts the good bacteria and helps you ensure that the right balance is achieved.

What is  Lactobacillus reuteri?

Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) is recognised as a true probiotic thanks to its positive effects on human health and that it meets all the requirements on modern probiotic products (WHO/FAO 2002).

To date, its efficiency and safety for humans has been studied in 80 trials on more than 5,000 individuals of all ages. Results are published in 46 articles in scientific journals (November 2010). This makes it one of the most well researched probiotics.

Where does it come from?
The commercial strains of L. reuteri are derived from different human ecosystems such as mother’s milk and saliva.

What does it do?
L. reuteri Protectis (scientific strain designation DSM 17938, formerly L. reuteri ATCC 55730) exerts both direct effects on pathogens but it has also effects mediated through modulation of the immune system, via the gastrointestinal epithelium. 

L. reuteri Prodentis, a blend of the two strains DSM 17938 and ATCC PTA 5289, has likewise been shown to inhibit pathogens in the oral cavity and modulate its immune defence. Thereby L. reuteri Prodentis helps to reduce the symptom bleeding gums and amount of plaque on the teeth.

Why is L. reuteri so special?
L. reuteri is a natural colonizer in humans from the time we are born and is even found in the milk of breastfeeding mothers. It is one of very few species of Lactobacillus that is uniquely adapted to reside in the digestive tract of man and to interact with us in symbiosis (Oh PL et al. 2009). Most other bacteria have their natural living environment outside the human body and are just temporary residents derived from ingested food.
L. reuteri is also unique among probiotics in producing the natural inhibitory substance reuterin.