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Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research

Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R

What does the research say about Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R?

2 health outcomes synthesised

Research on Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R (typically studied as the DSM 17938 strain) has investigated its effects on 2 health outcomes: reduced hospitalization duration and reduced duration of diarrhea. The strongest evidence is for reduced hospitalization duration, with moderate-strength evidence across 3 studies showing consistent benefits in children with acute gastroenteritis and preterm neonates. Studies used various doses and forms, with no single effective dose consistently identified across populations.

Strongest evidence: Reduced hospitalization duration is supported by moderate-strength evidence from 3 studies (2 meta-analyses and 1 RCT), all of which reported beneficial effects. Effect sizes varied by population: a large reduction of −10.77 days was observed in preterm neonates, while a smaller reduction of −0.54 days was seen in children with acute gastroenteritis. No specific dose or probiotic form was consistently reported across studies.

Mixed or weaker evidence: For reduced duration of diarrhea, the evidence is low-strength across 3 studies. Two studies reported beneficial effects (one meta-analysis found a mean reduction of −0.87 days, another reported −32 hours), but the most recent RCT (2019) found no significant benefit, raising concerns about possible publication bias or diminishing effects over time.

Effective dose patterns: None of the syntheses reported a consistent effective dose or form; dose information was often missing or unreported across studies, preventing cross-outcome dose comparisons.

Population insights: Effects appear population-specific. Preterm neonates showed a substantially larger reduction in hospitalization duration (−10.77 days) than children with acute gastroenteritis (−0.54 days). The diarrhea evidence focused exclusively on children with acute gastroenteritis (including hospitalized children aged 3–60 months and children younger than 5 years).

Notable caveats: All three studies for both outcomes used Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, not specifically the MAK02L14R strain — results may not fully generalize. The evidence base is small (only 3 studies per outcome), making conclusions preliminary. Publication bias is a concern, particularly for the diarrhea outcome where null results may be underreported.

Frequently asked

  • What is Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R good for according to research?
    Research on Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R (typically studied as the DSM 17938 strain) shows potential benefits for reducing hospitalization duration and shortening diarrhea duration in children. The strongest evidence (moderate strength) supports a reduction in hospitalization duration, with all 3 studies reporting beneficial effects across different populations such as preterm neonates and children with acute gastroenteritis.
  • What dose of Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R is typically used in studies?
    None of the reviewed syntheses reported a consistent effective dose or form. Dose information was often missing or not consistently reported across the studies, so no standard dose range can be identified from this evidence base.
  • Who benefits most from Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R?
    Effects appear population-specific. Preterm neonates showed a substantially larger reduction in hospitalization duration (−10.77 days across studies) compared to children with acute gastroenteritis (−0.54 days). For diarrhea duration, the evidence focuses entirely on children with acute gastroenteritis (aged 3–60 months or under 5 years).
  • Are there caveats or limitations in the research on Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R?
    Yes. All studies used the DSM 17938 strain, not specifically MAK02L14R, so results may not fully generalize. The evidence base is small (only 3 studies per outcome), making conclusions preliminary. For diarrhea duration, publication bias is a concern: the most recent RCT found no benefit, suggesting null results may be underreported.
  • Does Lactobacillus reuteri help reduce hospitalization duration?
    Moderate-strength evidence from 3 studies (2 meta-analyses and 1 RCT) consistently shows that Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938) can reduce hospitalization duration. The effect size varies: a large reduction (−10.77 days) was observed in preterm neonates, while a smaller reduction (−0.54 days) was seen in children with acute gastroenteritis.
  • Does Lactobacillus reuteri help reduce diarrhea duration?
    Low-strength evidence from 3 studies shows mixed results. Two studies reported beneficial effects (reductions of −0.87 days or −32 hours), but one recent RCT (2019) found no significant difference. The evidence is preliminary and limited to children with acute gastroenteritis.

Most-studied combinations with Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R

most supplement research is combination research
  • All 3 studies of the combination (Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R and Lactobacillus reuteri UALre-16) reported beneficial effects on reducing hospitalization duration, with 2 of 3 reaching statistical significance. Effect sizes were mixed (small in children with acute gastroenteritis, large in preterm neonates), and the evidence mirrors the solo syntheses for each strain, which show similar mixed effects across the same populations. The combination does not appear to demonstrate stronger effects than either strain alone, but the studies test the probiotics as single strains (DSM 17938) rather than a true combination, so no synergy or additivity can be inferred.

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