Lactobacillus plantarum is a species of probiotic bacteria commonly found in the human gut, saliva, and certain foods. The name “plantarum” refers to it being a “species of the plants.” It’s present in foods such as sourdough bread, sauerkraut, kimchi, and olive brine.
Lactobacillus plantarum works by fermenting sugars to produce lactic acid, ethanol or acetic acid, and carbon dioxide. It’s also able to tolerate both acid and bile salts, which means it can survive the journey through the human gastrointestinal tract.
The immunomodulating properties of Lactobacillus plantarum include an increase in the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines, which reduce the risk of cancer and improve the efficacy of regimens. The intake of Lactobacillus plantarum provides benefits for IBS patients, mainly due to normalization of stool and relief of abdominal pain, which significantly improves the quality of life of IBS patients. In addition, the intake of Lactobacillus plantarum prevents C. difficile-associated diarrhea among patients receiving antibiotic treatment.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7882405/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3419994/
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