LACTOBACILLUS GG - A HUMAN PROBIOTIC STRAIN WITH THOROUGH CLINICAL DOCUMENTATION

Probiotic bacteria for human nutrition are generally strains of lactic acid bacteria or bifidobacteria. The beneficial effects of these stra ins on human health and well-being are documented in experimental and clinical studies. Lactobacillus (casei subsp.) rhamnosus GG (ATCC 5310 3) is a probiotic strain of human origin. The strain has most of the c haracteristics generally proposed for a good probiotic strain, includi ng excellent survival in the stomach and small intestine and transient colonization of the gastrointestinal tract, which is based on its adh esion capacity to intestinal cells. Successful recovery of the strain in stool samples has made dose-response studies possible and enabled t he evaluation of effective dosing using food products. The beneficial effects of the strain have been shown in many types of intestinal dist urbances caused by pathogenic bacteria and viruses, as well as in prop hylactic use. The latest studies on Lactobacillus GG have shown stabil izing effect on gut permeability and suppression of allergic reactions in food hypersensitivity. The safety of Lactobacillus GG has been doc umented in experimental, clinical, and epidemiological studies. The sc ientific documentation of Lactobacillus GG is reviewed in reference to uses in functional and clinical foods.