Originally published November 24 2010
Lactobacillus reuteri is necessary for good health
by Amelia Bentrup
(NaturalNews) Lactobacillus reuteri is a species of bacterium that is naturally present in the intestines of healthy mammals and birds. Recent research has brought to light the important role this tiny bacterium plays in proper health.
Gabriela Sinkiewicz, a researcher at the Faculty of Health and Science at Malmo University in Sweden, has extensively studied the role of Lactobacillus reuteri in the human body. She will soon be submitting her dissertation on this probiotic. Sinkiewicz has conducted research on the role Lactobacillus reuteri plays in digestive and oral health along with the presence of Lactobacillus reuteri in breast milk. Sinkiewicz, along with other researchers, analyzed the breastmilk of mothers from various geographical locations for the presence of Lactobacillus reuteri. In an earlier study, Sinkiewicz and other researchers determined that chewing Lactobacillus reuteri containing gum decreases plaque and gingivitis.
In recent years, the percentage of the population carrying this probiotic has decreased. Lactobacillus reuteri was first discovered in the 1960's at which point 30-40% of the population naturally carried this important bacterium. Nowadays, only 10-20% of the population carry it. Sinkiewicz attributes this decrease to less consumption of fermented foods (such as sauerkraut) and increased consumption of preservatives which destroy the bacteria. The use of certain antibiotics will also destroy Lactobacillus reuteri.
A 2008 study published in Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease looked for the presence of Lactobacillus reuteri in 220 lactating mothers between 6-32 days postpartum from 7 different countries (Sweden, Peru, Denmark, Israel, South Africa, South Korea and Japan). The researchers found that 50% of study participants living in rural areas had detectable levels of Lactobacillus reuteri while study participants from urban areas had very low or non-detectable levels of this important probiotic in their breast milk. Overall, around 15% of mothers had Lactobacillus reuteri in their milk. Another study published September 2009 in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition showed that maternal supplementation of Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics increases the concentration of Lactobacillus reuteri in infant stool samples and maternal breastmilk samples. The presence of Lactobacillus reuteri in breast milk has a positive effect on infant digestive health and allergies.
A 2006 study published in the Swedish Dental Journal showed that the administration of Lactobacillus reuteri for two weeks decreased plaque and gingivitis over placebo administration. Fifty-nine participants were given either one of two different strains of Lactobacillus reuteri or placebo. All participants were instructed in dental hygiene practices, and those assigned to the test group were given one of two different strains of Lactobacillus reuteri. The participants were assessed for gingivitis, plaque and saliva at both the beginning and end of the trial period.
There are several other studies underway that address the effects of Lactobacillus reuteri on oral health and allergies. Lactobacillus reuteri is found in many fermented foods including fermented dairy products, fermented meat products, and lactic acid fermented vegetables.
Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16878680
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19525871
http://www.naturalnews.com/011326.html
http://www.biogaia.com/health-care-professio...
About the author
Amelia Bentrup is the owner and editor of http://www.my-home-remedies.com a well-researched collection of natural home remedies. Discover natural cures for a variety of ailments and find specific information and safety guidelines for various herbs, vitamins, minerals and essential oils.
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