Lactobacillus plantarum: 3 benefits of an essential probiotic

Lactobacillus plantarum: a bacterium naturally present in the microbiota

Lactobacillus plantarum is a lactic acid bacterium belonging to the Lactobacillus family, a large group of microorganisms studied for their beneficial effects on the intestinal flora (1).

Naturally present in the environment and in our digestive system, this species contributes to the balance of the intestinal microbiota, which is itself involved in immune function.

It is also found in many fermented foods, consumed for centuries for their nutritional qualities and their action on digestion:

• sauerkraut
• lacto-fermented gherkins
• kefir
• sourdough
• dairy products (yoghurt and cheese)
• tempeh
• Korean kimchi

These food sources provide small quantities of Lactobacillus plantarum, but they are not always enough to colonise the intestine over the long term.

In fact, numerous factors, such as gastric acidity, the composition of the existing flora and lifestyle, can limit their long-term establishment.

This is why Lactobacillus plantarum is now widely used in probiotic food supplements.

These concentrated formulations provide standardised doses of live bacteria, capable of resisting passage through the digestive tract and actively supporting the balance of the microbiota.

What science says: 3 potential benefits of Lactobacillus plantarum

Recent research into Lactobacillus plantarum has highlighted the promising effects and benefits of this probiotic. Here's a closer look at 3 particularly interesting areas of research.

1. Support for digestive comfort

Lactobacillus plantarum is known to help balance the intestinal microbiota and is unsurprisingly being studied for its potential benefits for digestion.

In fact, a balanced and diverse microbiota is essential for supporting digestion and regulating intestinal transit (2).

Lactobacillus plantarum is capable of producing natural antimicrobial substances called 'bacteriocins'. These substances are thought to limit the proliferation of certain pathogenic strains in the intestinal tract (3).

The probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum is also involved in the production of lactic acid, which helps to maintain a slightly acidic intestinal pH, creating an unfavourable environment for harmful microorganisms (4).

Other results open up interesting prospects for the use of these probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and other diarrhoeal diseases (5).

2. A potential action on immunity?

Recent studies are also looking at the indirect role Lactobacillus plantarum could play in supporting the immune system.

A healthy, diverse microbiota is closely linked to a better immune response to external aggression (6-7).

Studies suggest that Lactobacillus plantarum may interact with intestinal cells and innate immunity receptors, regulating pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (8-9).

These effects could help to strengthen the intestinal barrier (10-11), considered to be a key element in maintaining effective immunity.

Although these mechanisms are still being explored, they pave the way for interesting reflections on the role of probiotics in a global approach to health.

3. A possible impact on metabolism and emotional balance

Some research has also suggested that Lactobacillus plantarum could play a role in several key functions in the body:

• regulating certain metabolic parameters, by positively influencing lipid and glycaemic markers (12-13)
• supporting the gut-brain axis, an emerging field of study exploring the links between gut microbiota, mood and cognitive functions (14)

Although encouraging, these avenues are still exploratory and need to be validated by larger-scale clinical studies.

If carried out on a variety of populations and using rigorous protocols, they would confirm all the potential benefits of Lactobacillus plantarum.

Which probiotic supplements should you choose?

Today, Lactobacillus plantarum is widely used in probiotic food supplements because of its ability to resist gastric acidity and temporarily colonise the intestine.

These formulations are particularly useful for boosting the intake of live bacteria and promoting a balanced microbiota, as a complement to a varied, balanced diet.

Lactobacillus plantarum HK L-137: an innovative and promising strain

Among the different strains studied, Lactobacillus plantarum HK L-137 stands out for its unique properties.

This strain was isolated for the first time from narezushi, a centuries-old fermented sushi (the ancestor of our modern sushi).

Inactivated by heat to enhance its properties, the Lactobacillus plantarum HK L-137 strain helps form a postbiotic called Immuno-LP20™.

Thanks to its action on IL-12 cytokines, this postbiotic could support the immune system. We could even talk about it as a genuine ‘immunobiotic’.

Discover Lactobacillus Plantarum Postbiotic, an innovative microbiotic supplement that provides 2 billion microorganisms per day.

Probiotic synergies for even more benefits

In addition to this specific strain, Lactobacillus plantarum is also included in probiotic synergies.

These supplements combine several species of probiotics to help balance the intestinal microbiota, boosting the effects on intestinal flora and digestive comfort.

Discover Probio Forte, a powerful multi-strain probiotic for the intestinal microbiota. It contains 8 billion microorganisms per capsule, with 5 different species: Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, casei, plantarum and Lactococcus lactis.

Also discover Full Spectrum Probiotic, a '20-in-1' supplement of exceptional diversity and effectiveness, bringing together the best strains for microbiota diversity and balance.

Although it is still too early to attribute specific claims to Lactobacillus plantarum beyond its role in the intestinal microbiota, this bacterium is attracting real scientific interest.

New research may soon provide a better understanding of its many benefits for the body...