The gut microbiome plays an important role in digestive health and overall wellbeing. Maintaining a balanced gut microbiota is therefore an important area of nutritional research, with probiotics attracting growing interest for their potential to support digestive and immune health.
LifeinU® L. rhamnosus GG is a high-quality probiotic ingredient containing Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, commonly known as LGG. Recognised as one of the most extensively studied probiotic strains, LGG has been investigated in numerous clinical trials examining its potential benefits for digestive health and other areas of human health.
With a robust ability to withstand challenging conditions in the digestive tract and a substantial body of scientific research supporting its use, LifeinU® offers food supplement manufacturers a well-characterised probiotic ingredient backed by the biotechnology expertise of Lesaffre.
Product Profile
LifeinU® L. rhamnosus GG contains the probiotic strain LGG, registered in the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) under accession number 53103.
Originally isolated in 1983 by researchers Sherwood Gorbach and Barry Goldin, the strain takes its name from their surnames. Since its discovery, LGG has become one of the most widely researched probiotic bacteria, with studies investigating its survival, interaction with the gut microbiota and potential health benefits.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Their effects can be strain-specific, meaning that findings for one probiotic strain should not automatically be applied to another.
LGG has attracted particular interest because of its ability to tolerate conditions associated with the gastrointestinal tract, including low pH and exposure to bile salts. These characteristics are important when developing probiotic ingredients intended for oral consumption.
LifeinU® combines this well-studied strain with production expertise and a focus on ingredient quality, stability and consistency.
Product Advantages
A Well-Studied Probiotic Strain
LGG has been the subject of extensive scientific investigation, including clinical trials and systematic reviews. Research has explored its potential applications in digestive health, particularly antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and acute gastroenteritis in children.
Robustness in the Digestive Tract
For an orally consumed probiotic to be effective, it must withstand the challenging conditions encountered during digestion.
Research has investigated LGG's ability to survive exposure to acidic environments and bile salts. Its characteristics, including its ability to adhere to intestinal surfaces, have contributed to scientific interest in its potential interactions with the gut microbiota.
Supports Digestive Health Research
Clinical research has examined LGG for its potential to reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and help manage acute gastroenteritis in children. Other studies have investigated its potential role in abdominal pain associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders.
The results vary according to the condition studied, the population and the treatment protocol. Benefits should therefore be considered in the context of the specific evidence available.
Investigated for Immune and Respiratory Health
LGG has also been studied for its potential role in supporting immune function and reducing the occurrence of respiratory infections, particularly in children.
Although some studies and meta-analyses have reported promising findings, results are not uniform across all populations and outcomes. Further research is needed to clarify the circumstances in which supplementation may provide a meaningful benefit.
Research into Oral Health
Research has investigated the potential effects of LGG on oral health, including dental caries in children. A study published in Caries Research examined the long-term consumption of LGG in milk and its relationship with dental caries and caries risk.
These findings contribute to the wider investigation of probiotic bacteria beyond the gastrointestinal tract. They do not establish that LGG supplementation can replace established oral hygiene practices.
Quality and Stability
LifeinU® is produced in Europe using Lesaffre's biotechnology expertise. According to the supplied product information, the ingredient has a concentration of approximately 350 billion colony-forming units (CFU) per gram and a stated stability of 24 months at 4°C in its closed industrial packaging under vacuum.
These specifications provide useful information for manufacturers formulating probiotic products. Final product stability will also depend on the formulation, processing conditions, packaging and storage environment.
Research: Understanding the Gut Microbiome
The human gut contains a complex community of microorganisms, including bacteria that interact with the digestive system and contribute to its normal functioning. This community is known as the gut microbiota.
The composition of the gut microbiota can be influenced by a range of factors, including diet, age, medication, illness and lifestyle. Antibiotic treatment, for example, can alter the abundance and diversity of intestinal bacteria and is associated with an increased risk of diarrhoea.
Probiotics have been investigated for their ability to influence the gut environment and support specific aspects of health. However, their effects depend on the strain, dosage, duration of use and health outcome being investigated.
LGG is particularly well studied in this area, with research examining its interaction with intestinal cells, its ability to compete with other microorganisms and its influence on intestinal barrier function.
How Does L. rhamnosus GG Work?
Research has proposed several mechanisms through which LGG may interact with the gastrointestinal environment.
Survival Under Challenging Conditions
LGG has been investigated for its tolerance to low pH and bile salts, conditions encountered during digestion.
Its ability to survive these challenges is relevant to the development of oral probiotic products. However, laboratory survival results do not necessarily predict the exact number of viable bacteria that will reach the intestine after consumption.
Competition with Other Microorganisms
Probiotic bacteria may compete with other microorganisms for nutrients and attachment sites along the intestinal lining.
Research has investigated how LGG interacts with intestinal pathogens and epithelial cells. Such interactions may influence the local microbial environment, although the effects depend on the organisms involved and the conditions within the gut.
Production of Antimicrobial Substances
Some studies have investigated substances produced by LGG and their potential to inhibit the growth of other microorganisms under laboratory conditions.
These findings help researchers understand the possible mechanisms of probiotic activity. They should not be interpreted as evidence that LGG treats or prevents infections in humans.
Support for Intestinal Barrier Function
The intestinal barrier helps regulate the movement of substances between the gut and the body. It is maintained by intestinal epithelial cells and the connections between them, known as tight junctions.
Research has examined the effects of LGG and its secreted proteins on intestinal epithelial cell survival, growth and barrier-related processes.
These mechanisms are an important area of probiotic research, although findings from cell and animal studies do not always translate directly into clinical benefits.
Research: The Potential Health Benefits of LGG
1. Gut Health and Diarrhoea
One of the most extensively investigated applications of LGG is its potential role in diarrhoea associated with gastrointestinal infections and antibiotic use.
Acute gastroenteritis
A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis by Szajewska and colleagues evaluated the evidence for LGG in treating acute gastroenteritis in children.
The review assessed clinical outcomes across studies, contributing to the evidence base on whether LGG can help reduce the duration or severity of diarrhoea.
Earlier clinical research, including a randomised trial published in the BMJ in 2007, also investigated probiotics in children with acute diarrhoea.
The results of probiotic interventions can vary between studies, and findings should be interpreted in light of the particular strain, formulation and treatment protocol used.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea
Antibiotics can disrupt the gut microbiota, sometimes leading to diarrhoea during or after treatment.
A 2015 systematic review and meta-analysis by Szajewska and Kołodziej examined LGG for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in children and adults.
The review reported evidence supporting a preventive effect in certain populations. However, the magnitude of benefit can depend on factors such as age, antibiotic exposure, baseline risk and probiotic dosage.
These findings make LGG an important strain in research into digestive health, but the evidence does not mean that every probiotic product will produce the same results.
2. Abdominal Pain in Children
LGG has also been investigated for abdominal pain associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders in children, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
A 2011 meta-analysis by Horvath and colleagues reviewed clinical trials examining LGG in children with abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Other research, including a randomised controlled trial published in Pediatrics in 2010, examined LGG in children with functional abdominal pain.
Some studies have reported improvements in specific outcomes, including abdominal pain, but results have not been consistent across all conditions and participants.
The evidence therefore supports continued investigation of LGG for selected gastrointestinal symptoms rather than a general claim that it relieves abdominal pain in everyone.
3. Immune and Respiratory Health
The gut microbiota interacts with the body's immune system, and this relationship has prompted research into whether probiotics can influence immune responses beyond the digestive tract.
LGG has been investigated for its potential to reduce the incidence of respiratory infections, particularly in children.
A 2013 meta-analysis by Liu and colleagues reviewed randomised, placebo-controlled trials examining LGG supplementation and respiratory infections in children.
While the findings provide a basis for further investigation, results from individual trials and pooled analyses must be interpreted carefully. Effects may differ according to the population, duration of supplementation and definition of respiratory infection.
LGG should not be presented as a proven treatment for respiratory infections, and further research is needed to clarify the extent of any preventive benefit.
4. Oral Health
The potential applications of LGG have also been investigated beyond the gastrointestinal tract.
A study by Näse and colleagues, published in Caries Research in 2001, examined the effect of long-term consumption of milk containing LGG on dental caries and caries risk in children.
This research contributed to the investigation of whether probiotic bacteria may influence the oral microbial environment.
The findings are of interest for oral health research, but the evidence remains specific to the tested intervention and study population. Probiotics should complement, rather than replace, established measures such as brushing with fluoride toothpaste, appropriate dietary habits and regular dental care.
LifeinU®: Quality, Stability and Sustainability
In addition to strain selection, the quality of a probiotic ingredient depends on its production process, viable cell concentration and ability to remain stable during storage.
LifeinU® has been developed by Lesaffre, a group with a long history in fermentation, biotechnology and microorganism research.
Quality and Concentration
According to the supplied technical information, LifeinU® L. rhamnosus GG has a concentration of approximately 350 × 10⁹ CFU/g.
CFU, or colony-forming units, is a measure of viable microorganisms capable of forming colonies under specified testing conditions. The concentration is relevant when manufacturers calculate ingredient quantities for a finished product.
Stability
The product information specifies a stability period of 24 months at 4°C when the ingredient remains in its closed industrial packaging under vacuum.
This is an important consideration for manufacturers developing probiotic supplements, as maintaining viable cell counts throughout storage is essential to meeting product specifications.
The stated stability conditions should be followed, and stability in a finished formulation should be assessed separately where necessary.
European Production and Biotechnology Expertise
LifeinU® is produced in Europe and benefits from Lesaffre's experience in biotechnology and microorganisms.
The supplied product information also highlights biotransformation as part of the ingredient's sustainability approach. Manufacturers seeking to make specific environmental claims should consult the supplier's supporting documentation for details of the process and its demonstrated environmental benefits.
Recommended Dosage
According to the supplied LifeinU® product information, the recommended daily intake for children over three years of age and adults is:
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1 × 10⁹ to 2 × 10¹⁰ CFU per day.
Based on the stated ingredient concentration of approximately 350 × 10⁹ CFU/g, this corresponds to roughly 3–60 mg of ingredient per day.
The appropriate dosage depends on the intended application and the supporting evidence for the finished product. Dosage recommendations for a specific health outcome should be based on relevant clinical studies and the manufacturer's current technical documentation.
The product information identifies LifeinU® as suitable for vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, halal and kosher applications. Manufacturers should verify current certifications and suitability documentation before making these claims on finished product packaging.
Important safety information: Probiotic use requires particular caution in people who are severely immunocompromised or otherwise medically vulnerable. The supplied product information contraindicates use in high-risk immunocompromised individuals. People with serious underlying health conditions should seek appropriate medical advice before using probiotic supplements.
Conclusion
LifeinU® L. rhamnosus GG combines a well-studied probiotic strain with a focus on quality, concentration and stability.
Scientific research has investigated LGG across several areas, particularly antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, acute gastroenteritis in children and abdominal pain associated with certain functional gastrointestinal disorders. Additional research has explored potential applications in respiratory and oral health.
The evidence varies according to the health outcome studied, and not every reported mechanism or benefit has been established across all populations. Nevertheless, the extensive research into LGG makes it an important strain for manufacturers exploring probiotic ingredients for digestive health and related applications.
For finished products, careful attention to dosage, viable cell counts, storage conditions and appropriate health claims remains essential.
About Gnosis by Lesaffre
Gnosis by Lesaffre is part of the Lesaffre Group, an international organisation with expertise in fermentation, microorganisms and biotechnology. The company develops ingredients for human health and wellbeing, drawing on scientific research and industrial experience.
LifeinU® L. rhamnosus GG forms part of its probiotic ingredient offering for manufacturers developing food supplements and other suitable applications.
References
1. Szajewska H, Kołodziej M, Gieruszczak-Białek D, et al. “Systematic review with meta-analysis: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for treating acute gastroenteritis in children—a 2019 update.” Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2019;49(11):1376–1384. DOI: 10.1111/apt.15267.
2. Szajewska H, Kołodziej M. “Systematic review with meta-analysis: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in children and adults.” Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2015;42(10):1149–1157. DOI: 10.1111/apt.13404.
3. Horvath A, Dziechciarz P, Szajewska H. “Meta-analysis: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders in childhood.” Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2011;33(12):1302–1310.
4. Liu S, Hu PW, Du XX, et al. “Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supplementation for preventing respiratory infections in children: a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials.” Indian Pediatrics. 2013;50:377–381.
5. Näse L, Hatakka K, Savilahti E, et al. “Effect of long-term consumption of a probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, in milk on dental caries and caries risk in children.” Caries Research. 2001;35(6):412–420.
6. Canani RB, Cirillo P, Terrin G, et al. “Probiotics for treatment of acute diarrhoea in children: randomised clinical trial of five different preparations.” BMJ. 2007;335(7615):340. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.39272.581736.55.
7. Francavilla R, Miniello V, Magistà AM, et al. “A randomized controlled trial of Lactobacillus GG in children with functional abdominal pain.” Pediatrics. 2010;126(6)–e1452. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2010-0467.
8. Silva M, Jacobus NV, Deneke C, Gorbach SL. “Antimicrobial substance from a human Lactobacillus strain.” Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 1987;31(8):1231–1233.
9. Yan F, Cao H, Cover TL, et al. “Soluble proteins produced by probiotic bacteria regulate intestinal epithelial cell survival and growth.” Gastroenterology. 2007;132(2):562–575.
10. Yan F, Liu L, Cao H, et al. “Neonatal colonization of mice with LGG promotes intestinal development and decreases susceptibility to colitis in adulthood.” Mucosal Immunology. 2017;10(1):117–127. DOI: 10.1038/mi.2016.43.
11. Lee YK, Puong KY. “Competition for adhesion between probiotics and human gastrointestinal pathogens in the presence of carbohydrate.” British Journal of Nutrition. 2002;88(Suppl 1)–S108. DOI: 10.1079/BJN2002635.
12. Doron S, Snydman DR, Gorbach SL. “Lactobacillus GG: bacteriology and clinical applications.” Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 2005;34(3):483–498. DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2005.05.011.
Note: Clinical references primarily concern the LGG strain and the specific interventions studied. They should not be interpreted as direct clinical validation of every finished product containing LifeinU®.
LifeinU® L. rhamnosus GG
Gnosis by Lesaffre — gnosisbylesaffre.com