25 Feb 2020
6 Min read
Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG®
- the world’s most documented probiotic strain
In more than 250 human clinical study publications, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG® (Hereafter referred to by use of the trademark LGG®) from Chr. Hansen has been associated with beneficial effects across numerous health areas. Some of the best studied areas are digestive, immune and oral health, in babies, children and adults.
Fact
The LGG® strain has been studied in numerous human clinical studies that suggest various support for human health, including digestive and immune health
Are you a health care professional?
If you are a HCP in the US, you can be redirected to a HCP version of this page by clicking 'yes'
Chr. Hansen Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG®
The Chr. Hansen LGG® probiotic strain was isolated from a human intestine sample in 1985.1
The LGG® strain has been used worldwide since 1990 as an ingredient in food and dietary supplements, with no known adverse side effects. The LGG® strain has been referenced in more than 250 publications describing human clinical trials.
The strain has been studied across various health areas, in newborns,2 preterm babies,3 children,4, 5, 6 pregnant women,7, 8 adults,9 and in the elderly,10 with no known adverse events.
The world's most documented
Strain
More than
clinical study
publications
publications
In clinical studies, LGG® from Chr. Hansen has been associated with numerous beneficial effects across different areas of health
In children, some of the most researched health areas with the LGG® are:
Sudden-onset diarrhea
LGG® has been associated in some studies with shorter episodes of sudden-onset diarrhea6, 11, 12 and a faster improvement in the consistency of stools.12
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
LGG® has been associated in some studies with a reduced incidence of diarrhea related to antibiotic use.2, 4
Hospital-acquired infections
LGG® has been associated in some studies with a lower occurrence of digestive system infections5 and a reduced incidence of respiratory tract infections associated with hospital stays.5
Respiratory infections
LGG® has been associated in some studies with a reduced incidence of respiratory infections,5, 13 a decrease in the number of respiratory infections that last more than three days,5, 13 and significantly fewer days with symptoms of respiratory infection.13
Oral health
LGG® has been associated in some studies with a reduction in the risk of tooth decay based on a clinical and microbiological evaluation,14 and with a reduction in saliva and dental plaque levels of a specific bacteria that contributes to tooth decay.15
In adults, some of the most researched health areas with the LGG® are:
Travelers’ diarrhea
LGG® has been associated with a reduction in the incidence of sudden-onset diarrhea during travel to high-risk areas.9
Immune system health
LGG® has been associated with a significant increase in vaccine-specific antibodies (natural chemicals that help fight infections) following vaccination, suggesting immune system support.16
Safety
LGG® is safe for human consumption and has been granted QPS (Qualified Presumption of Safety) status in Europe17 and been the subject of a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) notice to the US Food and Drug Administration,18 with no adverse events.
LGG® is a registered trademark of Chr. Hansen.
The article is provided for informational purposes regarding probiotics and is not meant to suggest that any substance referenced in the article is intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease.
References Open Close
1. Goldin BR, et al. Survival of Lactobacillus species (strain GG) in human gastrointestinal tract. Dig Dis Sci. 1992;37(1):121-8. (PubMed)
2. Arvola T, et al. Prophylactic Lactobacillus GG reduces antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children with respiratory infections: a randomized study. Pediatrics. 1999;104(5):e64. (PubMed)
3. Underwood MA, et al. A randomized placebo-controlled comparison of 2 prebiotic/probiotic combinations in preterm infants: impact on weight gain, intestinal microbiota, and fecal short-chain fatty acids. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2009;48(2):216-25. (PubMed)
4. Vanderhoof JA, et al. Lactobacillus GG in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children. The Journal of Pediatrics. 1999;135(5):564-8. (PubMed)
5. Hojsak I, et al. Lactobacillus GG in the prevention of nosocomial gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections. Pediatrics. 2010;125(5):e1171-7. (PubMed)
6. Isolauri E, et al. A human Lactobacillus strain (Lactobacillus casei sp strain GG) promotes recovery from acute diarrhea in children. Pediatrics. 1991;88(1):90-7. (PubMed)
7. Gueimonde M, et al. Effect of maternal consumption of lactobacillus GG on transfer and establishment of fecal bifidobacterial microbiota in neonates. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2006;42(2):166-70. (PubMed)
8. Lahtinen SJ, et al. Prenatal probiotic administration can influence Bifidobacterium microbiota development in infants at high risk of allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009;123(2):499-501. (PubMed)
9. Hilton E, et al. Efficacy of Lactobacillus GG as a Diarrheal Preventive in Travelers. J Travel Med. 1997;4(1):41-3. (PubMed)
10. Hatakka K, et al. Probiotics reduce the prevalence of oral candida in the elderly--a randomized controlled trial. J Dent Res. 2007;86(2):125-30. (PubMed)
11. Sindhu KNC, et al. Immune response and intestinal permeability in children with acute gastroenteritis treated with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. 2014;58(8):1107-15. (PubMed)
12. Aggarwal S, et al. Lactobacillus GG for treatment of acute childhood diarrhoea: an open labelled, randomized controlled trial. Indian J Med Res. 2014;139(3):379-85. (PubMed)
13. Hojsak I, et al. Lactobacillus GG in the prevention of gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections in children who attend day care centers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2010;29(3):312-6. (PubMed)
14. Nase L, et al. Effect of long-term consumption of a probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, in milk on dental caries and caries risk in children. Caries Res. 2001;35(6):412-20. (PubMed)
15. Glavina D, et al. Effect of LGG yoghurt on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. salivary counts in children. Coll Antropol. 2012;36(1):129-32. (PubMed)
16. Davidson LE, et al. Lactobacillus GG as an immune adjuvant for live-attenuated influenza vaccine in healthy adults: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011;65(4):501-7. (PubMed)
7. EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ). Statement on the update of the list of QPS-recommended biological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 3: Suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until September 2015. EFSA Journal. 2015;13:4331.
18. Food and Drug Administration. GRAS Notice Inventory > Agency Response Letter. GRAS Notice No GRN 000049. 2002.
What are
probiotics?
Learn more about what probiotics are and how they can benefit your health
Our
strains
Read more about some of the world’s most documented probiotic strains and their diverse, beneficial health effects
related articles
Myths
About probiotics
As the probiotic market grows, so too do the number of misconceptions
Read More
BB-12®
Chr. Hansen strains
Bifidobacterium, BB-12® has been associated with benefits across various health areas
Read More
Microbiome science
About probiotics
Innovative microbiome research conducted in world-class labs at Chr. Hansen
Read More
Probiotics and urogenital health
Womens health
The UREX™ probiotic blend may help support vaginal and urinary tract health
Read More