Based on 4 studies (3 beneficial, 1 neutral), Lactobacillus plantarum 299v shows moderate evidence for improving quality of life, with effect sizes ranging from small to large. Two of the 4 studies reported statistically significant findings, and the median study duration was 84 days. Most studies used doses around 1×10^10 CFU daily in clinical populations such as patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer receiving home enteral nutrition.
Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 4 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive (3 of 4 studies beneficial) — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). One well-controlled RCT showed a neutral effect, suggesting the benefit may not be universal across all populations or dosing regimens.
Moreover, the changes in the frequency of vomiting and flatulence were significantly reduced at week 4 compared to baseline in the Lp299v group (p=0.0117).
from: Effects of 4 weeks of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v supplementation on nutritional status,Moreover, the changes in the frequency of vomiting and flatulence were significantly reduced at week 4 compared to baseline in the Lp299v group (p=0.0117).
from: Effects of 4 weeks of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v supplementation on nutritional status,Self-assessment identified that long-term treatment with LP299V was tolerated well by 94 % of patients.
from: [Treatment of IBS with Lactobacillus plantarum 299v: Therapeutic success increases with leLp299v may reduce the gastrointestinal symptoms related to enteral nutrition; notwithstanding, the improvement of quality of life may be the result of enteral nutrition rather than the effect of administration of Lp299v.
from: Effects of 4 weeks of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v supplementation on nutritional status,The NE+Lp299v intervention improved overall quality of life (60.94 pts. vs. 35.94 pts.)
Thus, administration of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v may be effective in improvement of... quality of life of cancer patients receiving home enteral nutrition.
Additionally, quality of life increased significantly (mental well-being: + 110 %, influence on everyday life: -67 %, p < 0.01).
The improvement of quality of life was observed in both groups; however, with no statistically significant differences between the analyzed groups (p>0.05).