Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
Mar 16, 2022
The Health Benefits of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
It's no secret that the human body contains trillions of bacteria, but it's easy to forget that their impact on your health isn't just a matter of quantity.
The bacteria that populate your gut come in many types, each with their own unique qualities. Probiotics work by taking advantage of bacteria's most beneficial characteristics to promote positive health outcomes in a natural way.
What Is Lactobacillus Rhamnosus?
So, what is Lactobacillus Rhamnosus and what does it do?
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus is a microscopic powerhouse implicated in a wide range of benefits that are being explored to this day. Here's why it's one of the most widely utilized ingredients in modern probiotics[1].
A Lengthy History of Formal Scientific Research
One of the most compelling arguments for the use of L. Rhamnosus in probiotics isn't unique to the bacteria itself. Instead, it's the fact that this gut-friendly organism has been studied so rigorously.
Rhamnosus isn't new to the scientific community, even if this is the first time you're hearing about it. It was first isolated from the human intestines way back in 1983 by a pair of researchers named Sherwood Gorbach and Barry Goldin.
The team took note of it after discovering that it produced lactic acid and thrived in the acidic digestive tract while adhering to intestinal mucus – meaning that it could stick around and do its work longer than some other Lactobacillus strains.
Early on, interest in L. Rhamnosus focused on its potential benefits for patients suffering from viral infections. Over the next couple of decades, however, studies conducted around the world would demonstrate that the bacteria might help with a host of other conditions ranging from food allergies to lactose intolerance.
The key takeaway here is that, according to Healthline, L. Rhamnosus products are generally regarded as safe and known to be well-tolerated by patients while causing few side effects.[2]
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Probiotic and Skin Health
Your skin is your largest organ, playing an essential role in protecting you from harmful bacteria and other adverse environmental factors[3]. This means that dermal tissue gets exposed to quite a lot – including localized infections in various parts of the body.
Cold sores can break out on your skin at any time if you've been infected with the oral herpes simplex virus, or HSV-1, and they're a good example of the interconnected nature of dermal conditions.
Although someone with oral herpes might normally be asymptomatic, they could easily break out in cold sores triggered by colds, infections, or other conditions that weaken their immune system.[4]
In-vitro studies have shown that Lactobacillus Rhamnosus may have a beneficial impact on HSV-1, which could prove critical as this virus continues evolving its resistance to conventional drug treatments.
Research from 2012 showed that infected cells introduced to Lactobacillus Rhamnosus demonstrated heightened viability of macrophages – cells that work by digesting pathogens and other harmful agents.[5]
In other words, this probiotic might support the immune system in fighting back so that the skin isn't as susceptible to cold sores.
Another potentially game-changing dermal health factor involves the skin's function as a barrier.
Your skin's ability to shield your body relies on special tissue layers such as the stratum corneum, but the cells and fatty acid derivatives that comprise these structures aren't invulnerable to harm.
Barrier tissues can lose their efficacy due to diseases or even exposure to detergents and other irritants, potentially contributing to poor skin health.
That's why it's so promising that a 2019 study performed on reconstructed dermal tissue models showed that probiotics like Lactobacillus Rhamnosus might improve skin barrier function – and possibly even limit the effects of common irritants such as sodium lauryl sulfate, which is regularly used in shampoos and body washes[6].
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Probiotics and Gut Health
Not all of the microscopic residents living inside your gut are beneficial. Imbalances characterized by significant populations of "bad" bacteria can contribute to a range of adverse health effects.
As discussed above, this can ultimately take a toll on your skin or make you more prone to outbreaks from infections that have been lurking in the background and waiting for your immune system to weaken.
Taking Lactobacillus Rhamnosus in probiotic form might improve the balance of good bacteria, particularly in individuals who've previously taken antibiotics or recovered from diarrhea. By repopulating beneficial microflora, it may be possible to strengthen the immune system and lower the chances of outward symptoms.
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus may also have potential benefits related to how it operates inside the digestive system. For instance, in 2019, one variant known as CMCM I-3690 was found to protect mouse intestinal barrier tissue in multiple ways, such as by promoting the production of mucus and boosting cytoprotection – or the ability of chemical compounds to shield cells from harmful agents.[7]
It's also worth noting that gut bacteria don't work in isolation. They communicate inside your immune system to maintain a balance while cooperating to protect your body from harm. In 2021, researchers showed that an L. Rhamnosus strain called HDB1258 might enhance innate immunity, suppress systemic inflammation, and enforce more balanced immune responses.[8]
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus: A Low-risk Probiotic Component With Potential Advantages for Skin and Outbreak Health
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus isn't the answer to every skin health problem: Probiotics aren't right for everyone, and some may have negative impacts on people who are severely immunocompromised, so it's always best to talk to a doctor before starting a new regimen[9].
Based on the current state of research after decades of investigation and longstanding use, however, L. Rhamnosus appears to be a safe option for many people who suffer from various interrelated skin conditions.
Remember: Probiotics may help you avoid getting sick in the first place. Building up beneficial bacteria might aid in the fight against pathogens that enter your body, contribute to your general health, and potentially defend against herpes outbreaks.
At Clear Probiotics, our goal is to optimize your health naturally. We combine L. Rhamnosus with complementary ingredients like herbs, amino acids, adaptogens, and vitamins to maximize the potential for benefit. To learn more about whether probiotics might be right for your skincare routine, check out Clear Lip and Skin Health today.
The Science & Research of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
New research sheds light on how popular probiotic benefits the gut
Lactobacillus rhamnosus is known to be a helpful microbe in the intestines. Researchers now understand why it's so essential to human health. Their findings show promise that the bacteria may support other gut microbes.
Promoting a Healthy Microbiome with Food and Probiotics
The Whole Heath Library provides a comprehensive list of what foods to eat to promote a healthy microbiome. You'll also find information on supplementing your diet with probiotic supplements containing L. rhamnosus.
Getting metabolic syndrome under control reduces other risk factors like heart disease. L. rhamnosus has shown to be a viable alternative to certain medications with serious side effects.
Resources:
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Segers, Marijke E, and Sarah Lebeer. "Towards a better understanding of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG--host interactions." Microbial cell factories vol. 13 Suppl 1, Suppl 1 (2014): S7. doi:10.1186/1475-2859-13-S1-S7. Accessed June 28, 2022: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4155824/
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Raman, Ryan. "Lactobacillus Rhamnosus: Benefits, Side Effects, and Dosage." Healthline, Healthline Media, 1 Mar. 2019, www.healthline.com/nutrition/lactobacillus-rhamnosus#intro.
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"Skin Layers: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Image." MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/8912.htm.
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"Herpes Simplex Virus." World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 10 Mar. 2022, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/herpes-simplex-virus.
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Khani, Soghra, et. al. "In vitro study of the effect of a probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus against herpes simplex virus type 1." The Brazilian journal of infectious diseases: An official publication of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases vol. 16,2 (2012): 129-35. doi:10.1016/s1413-8670(12)70293-3
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Jung, Ye-On, Haengdueng Jeong, Yejin Cho, Eun-Ok Lee, Hye-Won Jang, Jinwook Kim, Ki T. Nam, and Kyung-Min Lim. 2019. "Lysates of a Probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Can Improve Skin Barrier Function in a Reconstructed Human Epidermis Model" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 20, no. 17: 4289. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20174289
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Martín, R., Chamignon, C., Mhedbi-Hajri, N. et al. "The potential probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-3690 strain protects the intestinal barrier by stimulating both mucus production and cytoprotective response." Sci Rep 9, 5398 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-41738-5
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Han, SK., Shin, YJ., Lee, DY., et al. "Lactobacillus rhamnosus HDB1258 modulates gut microbiota-mediated immune response in mice with or without lipopolysaccharide-induced systemic inflammation." BMC Microbiol 21, 146 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-021-02192-4
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Damini Kothari, Seema Patel, Soo-Ki Kim, "Probiotic supplements might not be universally-effective and safe: A review", Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 111, 2019, Pages 537-547, ISSN 0753-3322, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.104. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S07
* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Clear products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website does not offer medical advice.
