Lactobacillus casei is a species of lactic acid bacterium in the family Lactobacillus.
It has been isolated from milk, cheese and the gastrointestinal tract of humans, pigs and poultry.
Certain strains of L. casei are used as probiotics in the fermented milk industry and as lactic acid bacteria involved in flavour development during the ripening of cheeses (Emmental, Comté, Saint-Nectaire, Parmesan, Cheddar).
The benefits of Lactobacillus casei
If you do not have enough good bacteria, adding L. casei to your diet can help regulate your digestive system.
Probiotic supplements containing L. casei are used to prevent or treat diarrhoea. This includes infectious diarrhoea, travellers' diarrhoea and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.
It may also have some effect on other digestive problems, including
- Colic
- Constipation
- Crohn's disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Lactose intolerance
- Ulcerative colitis
L. casei may also be useful for
- Acne, hives and fever blisters
- Allergies, eczema and dermatitis
- Colds, flu and respiratory infections
- Middle ear infections
- Oral health problems such as plaque, gingivitis and thrush
- Helicobacter pylori infection, which causes stomach ulcers
- Lyme disease
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious bowel disease common in premature babies
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Urinary and vaginal infections
How to use this probiotic?
L. casei is found naturally in the gut.
Some fermented foods also contain L. casei. These include some yoghurts, fermented milk similar to yoghurt, and some cheeses.
Dietary supplements containing L. casei and other probiotics can be found in health food stores or anywhere dietary supplements are sold.
When buying probiotics, read the labels carefully.
Follow the storage instructions and take expiration dates seriously.
There are no dosage studies.
There are no definitive guidelines.
Read product labels carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist how much you should take.
Risks and warnings
Most people can take probiotics without side effects.
For those who do, one of the most common side effects is mild bloating.
If this happens, try reducing the dose and increasing it gradually.
Serious side effects of probiotic use have been reported, including serious infections.
The risk of these side effects is higher if you have a serious illness or a weakened immune system.
There is not a lot of information about the long-term safety of probiotics.
More research is needed to find out who is most likely to benefit.