Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBA N08
Also known as: LBA N08, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBA N08
Overview
Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBA N08 is a specific strain of Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic bacteria, commonly found in the human gut and fermented foods. As a probiotic, its primary intended use is to support gut health, modulate immune function, and potentially address conditions like antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), atopic dermatitis, and cow's milk allergy (CMA). However, it is crucial to note that high-quality, peer-reviewed research specifically on the LBA N08 strain is scarce. Most of the robust scientific evidence regarding benefits and safety for *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* pertains to the closely related and well-studied strain, *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* GG (LGG). Probiotic efficacy is highly strain-specific, meaning that benefits observed for LGG cannot be automatically extrapolated to LBA N08 without direct scientific validation.
Benefits
No high-quality, peer-reviewed studies specifically on *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* LBA N08 were found to quantify its benefits. All documented benefits below are based on research for the *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* GG (LGG) strain, and their applicability to LBA N08 is unproven. LGG has shown significant benefits in specific populations and conditions: - **Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD) Prevention:** Meta-analyses indicate a significant reduction in AAD incidence in children and adults (Relative Risk ~0.5–0.7). This benefit is well-supported by robust evidence, particularly in pediatric populations. - **Cow's Milk Allergy (CMA) in Children:** LGG supplementation, when combined with extensively hydrolyzed casein formula, has been shown to significantly increase the acquisition of tolerance in children with CMA (Relative Risk 2.22, 95% CI 1.86–2.66). This effect is observed over months to years. - **Atopic Eczema:** LGG has demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of atopic eczema in children up to age 7 (Relative Risk 0.60–0.62). The evidence for this benefit is moderate to low quality due to some study limitations. Limited preliminary evidence also suggests possible benefits in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children, but more research is needed.
How it works
The mechanism of action for *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* strains, including LBA N08, is generally understood to involve modulation of the gut microbiota, enhancement of gut barrier function, and interaction with the host immune system. Probiotics are believed to influence the gut environment by competing with pathogens, producing antimicrobial substances, and altering the pH. They can also interact with immune cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue, influencing cytokine production and systemic immune responses. Specific molecular targets may include toll-like receptors and pathways involved in maintaining gut epithelial integrity. However, the precise strain-specific mechanisms, such as adhesion properties and unique immunomodulatory pathways, for LBA N08 are not well characterized in the scientific literature. Probiotics are not absorbed systemically; their effects are primarily local within the gastrointestinal tract or mediated through microbial metabolites and immune modulation.
Side effects
For *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* LBA N08, specific safety data are not available in high-quality, peer-reviewed literature. However, the closely related strain, *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* GG (LGG), is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for healthy individuals. Common side effects, if they occur, are rare and typically mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating or gas. These usually subside with continued use. Very rare side effects (less than 1%) include isolated case reports of bacteremia in severely immunocompromised individuals, which is an extremely rare occurrence with LGG. There are no significant drug interactions reported for LGG. Contraindications include severe immunocompromised states, where probiotic use should only be undertaken under strict medical supervision due to the theoretical risk of infection. Safety data for LGG indicate it is safe for use in children and pregnant women; however, this cannot be assumed for LBA N08 without specific research.
Dosage
Specific dosage guidelines for *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* LBA N08 are not established due to a lack of dedicated research. For the closely related strain, *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* GG (LGG), typical effective doses range from 1 to 20 billion Colony Forming Units (CFU) per day, depending on the specific health indication. For instance, in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, doses of 10–20 billion CFU/day of LGG are commonly used. Similar dosages are employed for managing cow's milk allergy and atopic eczema. The maximum safe dose for LGG is not definitively established, but doses up to 100 billion CFU/day have been used in studies without significant adverse effects. For AAD prevention, administration should occur during the antibiotic course. For other indications, daily administration is typical. Probiotics are not systemically absorbed, so viability through the gastrointestinal tract is a critical factor for efficacy. No specific cofactors are identified as necessary for its action.
FAQs
Is LBA N08 the same as LGG?
No, LBA N08 is a specific strain, and while related to LGG, its efficacy and safety cannot be assumed to be identical without direct scientific evidence. Probiotic effects are highly strain-specific.
What are the proven benefits of LBA N08?
There are no high-quality, peer-reviewed studies specifically on LBA N08 to prove its benefits. All documented benefits for *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* are based on the LGG strain, which has shown efficacy for AAD, CMA, and atopic eczema.
Is LBA N08 safe?
Specific safety data for LBA N08 are lacking. The closely related LGG strain is generally safe for healthy individuals, but caution is advised for immunocompromised persons. Mild GI upset is rare.
How should I take LBA N08?
Without specific LBA N08 guidelines, general probiotic advice applies: take daily, with or without food. If used for antibiotic-associated diarrhea, take during the antibiotic course. Ensure the product guarantees live cultures.
Why is strain specificity important for probiotics?
Probiotic effects are highly dependent on the specific strain, dose, and condition. Different strains of the same species can have vastly different effects, making direct extrapolation of benefits or safety from one strain to another scientifically unsound.
Research Sources
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2018.00124/full – This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concluded that probiotic efficacy is highly strain- and disease-specific. It highlighted that specific strains, like LGG, significantly reduced antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), while other strains did not, underscoring the importance of strain-specific research. The study found a pooled relative risk for AAD prevention with specific strains ranging from 0.56 to 0.67.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2021.727127/full – This meta-analysis of 5 RCTs involving 565 children investigated LGG supplementation for cow's milk allergy (CMA). It found that LGG, when combined with hydrolyzed formula, significantly increased tolerance acquisition in children with CMA (RR 2.22, 95% CI 1.86–2.66). The study suggests LGG can be a valuable adjunct in managing CMA, with effects observed over extended periods.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36161401/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis of eleven RCTs examined the effect of *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* (predominantly LGG) on atopic eczema prevention. It reported significant reductions in the incidence of atopic eczema in children up to age 7 (RR 0.60–0.62). The GRADE assessment indicated moderate to low quality of evidence due to factors like attrition and imprecision, suggesting further high-quality research is needed.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26365389/ – This source likely contributes to the understanding of LGG's efficacy, potentially in areas like AAD prevention or other gastrointestinal conditions, given its inclusion in the context of LGG benefits. A detailed summary would require accessing the full article to identify its specific findings and methodology.
- https://www.nmi.health/lactobacillus-rhamnosus-gg-a-review-of-clinical-use-and-efficacy/ – This review provides a comprehensive overview of the clinical use and efficacy of *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* GG (LGG). It likely synthesizes evidence across various indications, including AAD, CMA, and atopic eczema, offering insights into LGG's established benefits and mechanisms of action. The article serves as a general resource for understanding LGG's role in health.
- https://tp.amegroups.org/article/view/128126/html – This article likely discusses specific applications or research findings related to *Lactobacillus rhamnosus*, potentially focusing on a particular condition or mechanism. Without direct access, it's difficult to provide a precise summary, but its inclusion suggests it contributes to the broader understanding of the species' effects, possibly in areas like gut health or immune modulation.
- https://www.termedia.pl/Lactobacillus-rhamnosus-for-treating-irritable-bowel-syndrome-in-children-a-systematic-review-with-meta-analysis,127,52536,1,1.html – This systematic review with meta-analysis investigates the use of *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in children. It would assess the efficacy of various *L. rhamnosus* strains (likely including LGG) in alleviating IBS symptoms in pediatric populations, providing evidence on its potential role in managing this condition.
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