Though not as widely recognized as other lactobacillus strains, like L. acidophilus and L. casei, Lactobacillus brevis (L. brevis) is a wonderful candidate for probiotic supplementation. This probiotic bacterium is regularly found in sauerkraut and pickles. Like other Lactobacillus bacteria, L. brevis is a vessel for lactic acid production, meaning it is one of the probiotic strains commonly used to ferment dairy products. Fun fact: L. brevis is good for your body, but bad for your brew!1 One of the most common causes of beer spoilage is due to excessive amounts of L. brevis. It is typically present in low amounts in the body due to poor food choices, environmental factors, and overall lifestyle habits. Considering all of the benefits L. brevis can provide for your body (which we shall conveniently outline below) you should strongly consider introducing more of it into your gut.
L. brevis is good for the gut
L. brevis offers a number of great benefits for GI related issues and general gut health. It can alleviate constipation and increase bowel movement frequency.2 Several studies suggest that L. brevis may be beneficial for people suffering from Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) by reducing intestinal permeability, lowering inflammation, and improving fibrosis (decreasing scar tissue).3,4,5 Other studies have shown that regular L. brevis supplementation can be especially beneficial from those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), as studies have shown that it can reduce diarrhea, decrease abdominal pain, and improve general quality of life for these individuals.6
L. brevis can improve immunity and combat allergies
Several studies indicate that L. brevis reduces the incidence of influenza in elementary school children, particularly in unvaccinated individuals.7 It may also enhance white blood cell function and increase antiviral activity towards herpes virus.8,9 Other research has demonstrated that L. brevis exhibits anti-allergy properties, such as reducing anti-allergen antibodies and suppressing systemic anaphylaxis (a life threatening allergic reaction).10
L. brevis provides an assortment of other potential benefits
L. brevis has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of oral mucositis.11 Oral mucositis is a debilitating oral condition that commonly arises from cancer chemotherapy treatment. It can lead to ulcers in the mouth, oral pain, and difficulty with eating, drinking, and speaking. It has also demonstrated potential to decrease glucose levels in diabetics and increase insulin levels in healthy individuals.12
Some other benefits provided by L. brevis include improving dental health,13 combating H. pylori infections,14 and countering MSG by inhibiting its absorption from the intestine into the blood stream.15
As you can see, L. brevis has a plethora of potential benefits that make it a perfect candidate for probiotic supplementation. It is important to introduce a variety of beneficial probiotics into your microbiota, so be sure to add L. brevis to the list of potential candidates next time you shop for a probiotic.
1Sakamoto, K., & Konings, W. N. (2003). Beer spoilage bacteria and hop resistance. International journal of food microbiology, 89(2-3), 105–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0168-1605(03)00153-3
2Suzuki, N., Murakoshi, M., Ono, T., Morishita, S., Koide, M., Bae, M. J., Totsuka, M., Shimizu, M., Sugiyama, K., Nishino, H., & Iida, N. (2013). Effects of Enteric-coated Lactoferrin Tablets Containing Lactobacillus brevis subsp. coagulans on Fecal Properties, Defecation Frequency and Intestinal Microbiota of Japanese Women with a Tendency for Constipation: a Randomized Placebo-controlled Crossover Study. Bioscience of microbiota, food and health, 32(1), 13–21. https://doi.org/10.12938/bmfh.32.13
3Ueno, N., Fujiya, M., Segawa, S., Nata, T., Moriichi, K., Tanabe, H., Mizukami, Y., Kobayashi, N., Ito, K., & Kohgo, Y. (2011). Heat-killed body of lactobacillus brevis SBC8803 ameliorates intestinal injury in a murine model of colitis by enhancing the intestinal barrier function. Inflammatory bowel diseases, 17(11), 2235–2250. https://doi.org/10.1002/ibd.21597
4Jang, S. E., Hyam, S. R., Han, M. J., Kim, S. Y., Lee, B. G., & Kim, D. H. (2013). Lactobacillus brevis G-101 ameliorates colitis in mice by inhibiting NF-κB, MAPK and AKT pathways and by polarizing M1 macrophages to M2-like macrophages. Journal of applied microbiology, 115(3), 888–896. https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.12273
5Kashima, S., Fujiya, M., Konishi, H., Ueno, N., Inaba, Y., Moriichi, K., Tanabe, H., Ikuta, K., Ohtake, T., & Kohgo, Y. (2015). Polyphosphate, an active molecule derived from probiotic Lactobacillus brevis, improves the fibrosis in murine colitis. Translational research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine, 166(2), 163–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trsl.2015.02.002
6Murakami, K., Habukawa, C., Nobuta, Y., Moriguchi, N., & Takemura, T. (2012). The effect of Lactobacillus brevis KB290 against irritable bowel syndrome: a placebo-controlled double-blind crossover trial. BioPsychoSocial medicine, 6(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0759-6-16
7Waki, N., Matsumoto, M., Fukui, Y., & Suganuma, H. (2014). Effects of probiotic Lactobacillus brevis KB290 on incidence of influenza infection among schoolchildren: an open-label pilot study. Letters in applied microbiology, 59(6), 565–571. https://doi.org/10.1111/lam.12340
8Sasaki, E., Suzuki, S., Fukui, Y., & Yajima, N. (2015). Cell-bound exopolysaccharides of Lactobacillus brevis KB290 enhance cytotoxic activity of mouse splenocytes. Journal of applied microbiology, 118(2), 506–514. https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.12686
9Mastromarino, P., Cacciotti, F., Masci, A., & Mosca, L. (2011). Antiviral activity of Lactobacillus brevis towards herpes simplex virus type 2: role of cell wall associated components. Anaerobe, 17(6), 334–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anaerobe.2011.04.022
10Lee, J., Bang, J., & Woo, H. J. (2013). Effect of orally administered Lactobacillus brevis HY7401 in a food allergy mouse model. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology, 23(11), 1636–1640. https://doi.org/10.4014/jmb.1306.06047
11Sharma, A., Rath, G. K., Chaudhary, S. P., Thakar, A., Mohanti, B. K., & Bahadur, S. (2012). Lactobacillus brevis CD2 lozenges reduce radiation- and chemotherapy-induced mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990), 48(6), 875–881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2011.06.010
12Marques, T. M., Patterson, E., Wall, R., O’Sullivan, O., Fitzgerald, G. F., Cotter, P. D., Dinan, T. G., Cryan, J. F., Ross, R. P., & Stanton, C. (2016). Influence of GABA and GABA-producing Lactobacillus brevis DPC 6108 on the development of diabetes in a streptozotocin rat model. Beneficial microbes, 7(3), 409–420. https://doi.org/10.3920/BM2015.0154
13Riccia, D. N., Bizzini, F., Perilli, M. G., Polimeni, A., Trinchieri, V., Amicosante, G., & Cifone, M. G. (2007). Anti-inflammatory effects of Lactobacillus brevis (CD2) on periodontal disease. Oral diseases, 13(4), 376–385. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1601-0825.2006.01291.x
14Linsalata, M., Russo, F., Berloco, P., Caruso, M. L., Matteo, G. D., Cifone, M. G., Simone, C. D., Ierardi, E., & Di Leo, A. (2004). The influence of Lactobacillus brevis on ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine profiles in Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric mucosa. Helicobacter, 9(2), 165–172. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1083-4389.2004.00214.x
15Jang, S. E., Han, M. J., Kim, S. Y., & Kim, D. H. (2014). Lactobacillus brevis G101 inhibits the absorption of monosodium glutamate in mice. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology, 24(11), 1592–1596. https://doi.org/10.4014/jmb.1310.10125
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