Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 on reducing blood cholesterol, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. Statistically significant reductions in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were observed in a randomized controlled trial (9.14% reduction in total cholesterol, P<0.001) and two meta-analyses. The most studied population is hypercholesterolemic adults, though one meta-analysis included general adult populations from multiple strains.
Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Dosing was not consistently reported, and one study did not specify sample size or population details.
total cholesterol by 9.14% (P<0.001) relative to placebo.
Strain subgroup analysis showed that L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 significantly reduced TC and LDL-C.
significantly reducing LDL-C and total cholesterol
LRC supplementation could alleviate the serum cholesterol level by inhibiting the intracellular cholesterol synthesis, and augmenting excretion of intestinal cholesterol.