Overview

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) is a type of probiotic ("good" bacteria) found in the mouth and gut. It's also found in fermented foods.

"Good" bacteria such as L. plantarum can help break down food, absorb nutrients, and fight off "bad" organisms that might cause diseases. Specific strains of L. plantarum are commonly added to fermented foods like yogurt and are also found in probiotic supplements.

People use L. plantarum for eczema, high cholesterol, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis), and to prevent the common cold or other respiratory tract infections. It is also used for diarrhea, constipation, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these other uses. There is also no good evidence to support using L. plantarum for COVID-19.

Don't confuse L. plantarum with other probiotics, or with fermented food products such as fermented milk, kefir, or yogurt. These are not the same. Also note that L. plantarum 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 plantarum rather than its new name, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

  • Eczema (atopic dermatitis). Taking L. plantarum by mouth seems to help treat eczema in children and adults.
  • Common cold. Taking L. plantarum by mouth with another probiotic called L. paracasei seems to help prevent the common cold.
  • High cholesterol. Taking L. plantarum by mouth seems to help lower cholesterol by a small amount.
  • A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS). Taking L. plantarum by mouth, alone or with other probiotics, seems to help improve symptoms of IBS.
  • Infection of the airways. Taking L. plantarum by mouth, alone or with other probiotics, seems to prevent airway infections in adults.
  • A type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis). Taking L. plantarum by mouth together with standard treatment seems to increase remission and prevent relapse in people with ulcerative colitis.

Possibly Ineffective for

  • Diarrhea in people taking antibiotics (antibiotic-associated diarrhea). Taking L. plantarum alone by mouth doesn't seem to reduce the risk of diarrhea while taking antibiotics. There isn't enough reliable information to say whether taking L. plantarum with other probiotics would be helpful.
There is interest in using L. plantarum for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Live L. plantarum is likely safe. It's been used safely together with other probiotics for up to 9 months. Some people might experience gas or bloating, but it's usually well-tolerated. Heat-killed L. plantarum is possibly safe when used for up to one year.

When applied to the vagina: L. plantarum is possibly safe.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Live L. plantarum is likely safe. It's been used safely together with other probiotics for up to 9 months. Some people might experience gas or bloating, but it's usually well-tolerated. Heat-killed L. plantarum is possibly safe when used for up to one year.

When applied to the vagina: L. plantarum is possibly safe.

Pregnancy: L. plantarum is possibly safe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. It's been used safely starting at 10-12 weeks of pregnancy and continued until delivery.

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

Children: L. plantarum is likely safe when taken by mouth appropriately in most children. It's been used safely alone and together with other probiotics. However, there isn't enough reliable information to know if L. plantarum is safe for very small premature infants.

Weakened immune system: L. plantarum has 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 L. plantarum.

Damaged heart valves: L. plantarum can cause an infection in the inner lining of the heart chambers and heart valve. This is extremely rare, but people with damaged heart valves should stop taking probiotics before dental procedures or surgical procedures.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for LACTIPLANTIBACILLUS PLANTARUM overview.

Dosing

L. plantarum is sometimes added to fermented foods such as yogurts, but it's most commonly taken in dietary supplements.

In adults, L. plantarum has most often been taken by mouth, alone or together with other probiotics, in doses of 500 million to 20 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily, for up to 3 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.