L. Reuteri NCIMB 30242 Clinical Studies & Probiotics Research

	
Microbiome Plus+ Prebiotic and Probiotic Combination
Microbiome Plus+ Gastrointestinal Probiotic Bottle

L. reuteri (Lactobacillus reuteri) NCIMB 30242 is a unique probiotic strain in Microbiome Plus+ supplements.

Microbiome Plus+ is dedicated to the science of the microbiome and to providing advanced digestive health supplements that are backed by science.*

Clinically Proven Probiotics

This page is your detailed guide to the clinical research and published studies on our probiotic Lactobacillus Reuteri NCIMB 30242. We also provide a summary of Lactobacillus Reuteri benefits, including other relevant strains.*

Buy Probiotics

Disclaimer: This page provides an overview of the research on Lactobacillus Reuteri NCIMB 30242 and other Lactobacillus Reuteri strains. It is for informational purposes only and is not meant to provide any medical advice. Please talk to your doctor about your health concerns and consult them before taking any supplements or making changes to your supplement regime.

Lactobacillus Reuteri NCIMB 30242 Probiotics Clinical Trials

Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 has been through rigorous clinical trials performed by independent laboratories and researchers published in 7 peer-reviewed scientific papers.*

Read the studies here: Jones et al., 2011, Jones et al., 2012; Jones et al., 2013, Jones et al., 2013; Martoni et al., 2015; Jones et al., 2011; Jones et al, 2012.

We’ll go over these studies in detail in the next section so that you can understand how Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics may support your health.*

Supports Healthy Cholesterol Already in the Normal Range

Microbiome Plus+ L. Reuteri NCIMB 30242 is considered a heart-healthy probiotic because it has been clinically proven to support already normal levels of LDL and total cholesterol.*

Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 yogurt taken twice a day for 6 weeks reduced LDL by ~9%, total cholesterol by ~5%, and non-HDL cholesterol by 6% compared to placebo in 114 adults with high cholesterol.

In another study, L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 capsules reduced LDL cholesterol by ~11.6%, total cholesterol by ~9%, and non-HDL cholesterol by ~11% compared to placebo in 127 people over 9 weeks. Supplementation also improved two other markers of heart health: the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (by ~13%) and ApoB-100 (by ~8%).

Scientists concluded that L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 had a stronger effect than other probiotics that are currently used for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.

In comparison, two meta-analyses of 43 probiotic trials in total reported a mean reduction of LDL cholesterol by 3 to 4% (Guo et al., 2011Cho et al., 2015).

Keeps Your Heart Healthy

The heart-protective effects of Microbiome Plus+ L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 extend to supporting an already normal anti-inflammatory response in the body.*

According to one scientific review, L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 is a probiotic that best fits into a heart-healthy diet since it balances cholesterol similar to dietary changes, contributes to normal levels of heart disease and inflammation markers, and has GRAS status.

In 127 people, Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 lowered C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen compared to placebo. CRP is a marker of inflammation and heart disease severity, while fibrinogen may point to excessive blood clotting and atherosclerosis. Supplementation also reduced the heart disease risk categories in 27% of people with normal or high CRP.

Maintains Healthy Vitamin D Levels

Microbiome Plus+ L. Reuteri NCIMB 30242 is described as an immune-supportive probiotic because it has been shown to support already normal vitamin D levels.*

Vitamin D deficiency is a global public health issue that has even been recognized as a pandemic. About 1 billion people or 50% of the worldwide population have vitamin D deficiency (Sizar et al., 2021).

The 25-hydroxy vitamin D test is the best way to monitor vitamin D levels. Low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D have been associated with osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease,  infectious diseases, and cancer (Holick & Chen, 2008).

Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 increased blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D by 25.5% in a study of 123 people, compared to the placebo. This was the first study to report that an oral probiotic can improve vitamin D status.

Improves Gastrointestinal Health

Microbiome Plus+ Lactobacillus Reuteri NCIMB 30242 LRC has been proven in human clinical trials to improve gastrointestinal health and gut microbiome diversity.*

Poor gastrointestinal health has been associated with an unhealthy gut microbiome, chronic inflammation, bile acid abnormalities, metabolic imbalances, and disrupted gut-brain communication (Jones et al., 2014).

Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 improved general gastrointestinal health status and symptoms of diarrhea in one clinical trial of 127 people, compared to placebo.  

Helps Maintain Bile Acid Balance

Bile helps us digest food, absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins, absorb and remove cholesterol from the body, produce hormones and vitamins, and act on receptors involved in weight management and glucose metabolism.

L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 is armed with an enzyme called bile salt hydrolase (BSH), which releases free bile acids from their bound or conjugated form. In the gut, free bile acids bind to cholesterol and reduce its absorption (Jones et al., 2012).

As a result, the liver produces more bile acids and breaks down more cholesterol. Meanwhile, the body increases the production of mucin, a gel that coats and protects the gut lining. Mucin also helps repair gut damage and guards against inflammation (Shirazi et al., 2000).

May Be Suitable for People with IBD

L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 may help with IBD by nourishing the gut microbiome, balancing levels of intestinal bile acids, and increasing the Firmicutes / Bacteroidetes ratio.*

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to two conditions: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Both are marked by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD is also often accompanied by a decreased intestinal Firmicutes / Bacteroidetes ratio, a specific marker of gut microbiome imbalance  (Stojanov et al., 2020).

Although holistic practitioners often recommend probiotics to people with functional bowel diseases like IBS and inactive IBD, the reason why they may work remains unclear.

Limited research reveals that people with IBD may have gut microbiome imbalances and higher levels of bound bile acids in the stool. Gut microbiome imbalances may prevent the proper breakdown of bile salts, which lowers free bile acids. Low levels of free bile acids in the gut contribute to inflammation and weaken the gut lining (Jones et al., 2013Duboc et al., 2013).  

Taken over 4 weeks, L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 increased free bile acids, total bile acids, and the Firmicutes / Bacteroidetes ratio in a study of 10 healthy people. Higher bile acid levels were associated with higher levels of an anti-inflammatory protein called fibroblast growth factor-19 (FGF-19).

Low levels of FGF-19 may trigger or worsen inflammation in IBD and diarrhea (Walters & Appleby, 2015).

Other conditions

Other factors associated with low gut microbiome diversity and a decreased Firmicutes / Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio include type 1 diabetes, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, aging, and antibiotics use. Depression has also been linked with decreased Firmicutes (Giongo et al., 2011Hevia et al., 2014Giloteaux et al., 2016Kumar et al., 2016Gala et al., 2020; Huang et al., 2018).*

On the other hand, conditions linked with an increased F/B ratio and low microbial diversity include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and obesity. Supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 probiotics may still have potential health benefits, but caution is advised until more clinical research is conducted (Stojanov et al., 2020).*

Supports Already Normal Blood Sterol Levels

Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 supports blood sterol levels already in the normal range, which may contribute to general well-being.*

In the clinical trial of 127 people, Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 decreased levels of plant sterols in the blood (campesterol by 41.5%, sitosterol by 34.2%, and stigmasterol by 40.7%).

Blood sterol levels reflect cholesterol absorption, which can help your doctor determine whether you’re a cholesterol hyperabsorber. About 25% of people are hyperabsorbers (Lütjohann et al., 2019).

Additionally, sterol levels above the normal range may damage red blood cells and lead to anemia, giant platelets, increased bleeding, and adrenal and ovarian failure. Very high plant sterols, like in the rare genetic disorder sitosterolemia, cause severe buildup of plant sterols in the body, fatty growths under the skin, and heart complications. L.reuteri NCIMB 30242 hasn’t been researched in these conditions (Patel, 2019Mushtaq et al., 2007).

LRC Probiotic

Is there another name for Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242?

Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 is also referred to as LRC Probiotic, which is the trademarked name for our strain.

Probiotic Effectiveness: Top Lactobacillus Reuteri Benefits

Is there another name for Lactobacillus reuteri?

In 2020, probiotics belonging to the genus Lactobacillus were given new names (Zheng et al., 2020).

The whole Lactobacillus genus is now called Limosilactobacillus. These new names apply to all commercially available Lactobacillus probiotics, including our Microbiome Plus+ Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242.

Let’s break down the whole scientific name of our probiotic:

  • Genus: Lactobacillus, now also referred to as Limosilactobacillus
  • SpeciesReuteri
  • Strain: NCIMB 30242

Therefore, the new name for our probiotic is Limosilactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242.

For now, we continue to refer to our probiotic under its original name Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 to avoid confusion.

The benefits of L. Reuteri NCIMB 30242 vs. other strains

When we talk about the benefits of a certain probiotic, it’s important to be specific. Many probiotic health effects are strain-specific, which means that they only apply to Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242/LRC and not to other similar probiotics.*

On the other hand, some health benefits may apply to the whole probiotic species (Lactobacillus reuteri/Limosilactobacillus reuteri) and genus (Lactobacilli).*

For example, all lactobacilli produce lactic acid and are high in many traditionally consumed fermented foods. All lactobacillus probiotics seem to support a healthy immune system and gut and vaginal microbiome (Tannock, 2004Mu et al., 2018).*

So, although this guide focuses on the Lactobacillus reuteri strain in our probiotic supplements, other health benefits that have yet to be researched are plausible. For this reason, we’ll also include a brief overview of the research on other strains.*

What is Lactobacillus reuteri good for?

According to small human studies, certain strains of Lactobacillus reuteri may*:

The following purported benefits are not backed by sufficient evidence. Limited to animal research suggests that Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics may*:

It’s uncertain if and which benefits listed above may apply to the strain in our probiotics L. Reuteri NCIMB 30242 strain-specific studies on the above-mentioned alleged benefits are lacking.

Resources: Individualized & Holistic Probiotic Supplementation

We believe in individualized and holistic supplementation as opposed to one-size-fits-all solutions. Our mission is to provide you with the information and resources you need to understand the science and personalize your supplementation regime to your needs.*

Explore the resources below to better understand what can impact your health and how to choose a probiotic supplement that’s right for you.*

* These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your physician before implementing any new diet, exercise, and dietary supplement programs, especially if you have preexisting medical conditions or are taking prescribed medications.

Find out if you are a cholesterol hyperabsorber

According to limited evidence, Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 may be a good choice for cholesterol hyperabsorbers: people who absorb too much cholesterol but produce little.

You can find out if you are a hyperabsorber by running a sterols blood test. The sterols test measures several blood sterols, markers that will tell you how much cholesterol you absorb on a daily basis.

Are plant sterols dangerous?

Most blogs talk about the benefits of various products with plant sterols, but new research suggests that plant sterols and stanols may be dangerous for some people.

Should you take prebiotics?

Prebiotic fiber can boost the benefits of probiotics and vice versa. That’s why our products are based on synbiotics: mutually compatible prebiotics and probiotics.*

Synbiotics are supplements that combine the power of probiotics and prebiotics, increasing each other’s benefits in the form of synergism.

Microbiome Plus+ Gastrointestinal Probiotic and Prebiotic Combo is a synbiotic supplement supported by rigorous scientific analysis. Our clinically proven formula supports your overall health and well-being.*

Get the Ultimate Guide To Microbiome Reboot

Find out all that you wanted to know about your microbiome in our comprehensive guide:

Taking vitamin D with probiotics

Wondering if you can take vitamin D and probiotics together? What are the benefits of combined supplementation?

Cholesterol & Heart Health Info

Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide. High cholesterol and an unhealthy lifestyle are the biggest risk factors.

How many people have high cholesterol? Are women more likely to have heart disease than men? How does age play in?

Discover the latest stats and facts about cholesterol and heart health from scientific studies, the CDC, AHA, and WHO:

Reuteri NCIMB 30242 Benefits Summary

Liked this page but want a quick breakdown of the science-based benefits of our probiotics?

Reuteri NCIMB 30242 Benefits Summary

Liked this page but want a quick breakdown of the science-based benefits of our probiotics?