Described in more than 250 clinical study publications, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG^® (hereafter referred to by use of the trademark LGG^®) from Chr. Hansen has been extensively studied in clinical trials, where it has been associated with numerous health benefits and deemed safe for human consumption. Some of the best studied areas are gastrointestinal, immune and oral health, in infants, children and adults. The high bile and acid tolerance and adhesion properties of the LGG^® probiotic strain support pathogenic inhibition, barrier function and immune interactions.

Extensive clinical investigation of the LGG^® strain

The LGG^® strain has been used worldwide since 1990 as an ingredient in food and dietary supplements, with no known adverse events. It has been extensively studied; the LGG^® strain has been described in more than 250 publications of human clinical trials. The strain has been studied across various health areas, in newborns,¹ preterm infants,² children,^{3, 4, 5} pregnant women,^{6, 7} adults,⁸ and in the elderly,⁹ with no known reported adverse events. 

Safety

LGG^® is safe for human consumption and has been granted QPS (Qualified Presumption of Safety) status in Europe¹⁶ and been the subject of a GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) notice to the US Food and Drug Administration,¹⁷ with no adverse events.

LGG^® is a registered trademark of Chr. Hansen A/S.

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.

Reference list

1. 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)
2. 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)
3. 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)
4. Hojsak I, et al. Lactobacillus GG in the prevention of nosocomial gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections. Pediatrics. 2010;125(5):e1171-7.(PubMed)
5. 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)
6. 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)
7. 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)
8. Hilton E, et al. Efficacy of Lactobacillus GG as a Diarrheal Preventive in Travelers. J Travel Med. 1997;4(1):41-3.(PubMed)
9. 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)
10. 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)
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. 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)
13. 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)
14. 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)
15. 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)
16. 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
17. Food and Drug Administration. GRAS Notice Inventory > Agency Response Letter. GRAS Notice No GRN 000049. 2002