Overview

Lacticaseibacillus casei (L. casei) is a type of probiotic ("good" bacteria) found in the infant digestive tract. It produces lactic acid in the gut.

"Good" bacteria such as L. casei can help break down food, absorb nutrients, and fight off "bad" organisms that might cause diseases. L. casei is sometimes added to fermented foods like yogurt and is also found in probiotic supplements.

People use L. casei for eczema, constipation, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using L. casei for COVID-19.

Don't confuse L. casei with other probiotics, or with fermented food products such as fermented milk, kefir, or yogurt. These are not the same. Also note that L. casei used to be classified under the Lactobacillus genus. But Lactobacillus was split up into 25 different genera in April 2020. Some product labels might still list this species as Lactobacillus casei rather than its new name, Lacticaseibacillus casei. Also note that some types of L. casei are now classified as a different species. Some product labels might still list these types incorrectly as L. casei rather than its new name, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei or L. paracasei.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

We currently have no information for LACTICASEIBACILLUS CASEI overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: L. casei is likely safe. It's been used safely alone and together with other probiotics for up to 8 weeks. Some people might experience gas or bloating, but it's usually well-tolerated.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: L. casei is likely safe. It's been used safely alone and together with other probiotics for up to 8 weeks. Some people might experience gas or bloating, but it's usually well-tolerated.

Pregnancy: L. casei is possibly safe when taken by mouth appropriately during pregnancy. It's been used safely together with other probiotics for 6 weeks, starting at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if L. casei is safe to use while breast-feeding. But there's no reason to expect safety concerns when used appropriately under medical supervision.

Children: L. casei is likely safe when taken by mouth appropriately in most children. It's been used safely for up to 4 months. However, there isn't enough reliable information to know if L. casei is safe for very small premature infants.

Weakened immune system: Some probiotics have caused blood infections in a small number of people with weakened immune systems. If you have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider before taking probiotics, including L. casei.

Damaged heart valves: Some probiotics have caused infections of the inner lining of the heart chambers and heart valve. This is extremely rare, but people with damaged heart valves should stop taking probiotics like L. casei before dental procedures or surgical procedures.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for LACTICASEIBACILLUS CASEI overview.

Dosing

L. casei is sometimes added to fermented foods such as yogurt, but it's most commonly used in dietary supplements.

In adults, L. casei has most often been taken by mouth, alone or together with other probiotics, in doses of up to 100 billion CFUs daily for up to 3 months. In children, L. casei has most often been taken by mouth in doses of up to 300 million CFUs daily, for up to 4 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.