Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242

Frequently asked

• What is Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 good for according to research?

  Research has examined this probiotic strain for two related outcomes: reducing blood cholesterol and improving blood lipid profile. In both areas, all identified studies reported beneficial effects, though the evidence base is small (3 studies each) and evidence strength is rated low. One randomized controlled trial found a 9.14% reduction in total cholesterol and a 13.39% reduction in LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in hypercholesterolemic adults.
• What dose of Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 is typically used in studies?

  No consistent effective dose has been established across studies. Dosing was not consistently reported in the literature, and neither synthesis identified a specific effective dose range. The available research does not provide enough data to determine a typical or optimal dose.
• Who benefits most from Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242?

  The most studied population is hypercholesterolemic adults, which is the primary group in whom benefits have been reported. One meta-analysis also included general adult populations, but the evidence is too limited to draw conclusions about other groups. No studies have examined effects in specific subgroups such as the elderly or deficient populations.
• Are there caveats or limitations in the research on Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242?

  Yes. The evidence base is very small (only 3 studies per outcome), so conclusions should be considered preliminary. Publication bias is a noted concern — studies with null results are less likely to be published. For blood cholesterol, one study did not specify sample size or population details. For blood lipid profile, only one study provides statistically significant data with a defined effect size.
• Does Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 help with lowering blood cholesterol?

  All 3 studies on this outcome reported beneficial effects, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. A randomized controlled trial found a statistically significant 9.14% reduction in total cholesterol (P<0.001) in hypercholesterolemic adults. However, the evidence strength is rated low due to the small number of studies and concerns about publication bias.
• Does Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 help with improving blood lipid profile?

  All 3 studies on blood lipid profile reported beneficial effects, but evidence is mixed in terms of effect size. The strongest evidence comes from a single RCT (n=127) that found small but significant reductions in LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (13.39%) and apoB-100/apoA-1 ratio (9.00%). The remaining two studies are reviews without original quantitative data, limiting the strength of conclusions.