WHAT IS LACTOBACILLUS SALIVARIUS
Lactobacillus salivarius is a rod shaped, anaerobic, non-pathogenic bacteria of the lactobacilli species, which produce acids during fermentation and are unaffected by stomach acid. It is one of the many microorganisms that make up the beneficial bacterial ecology of both the oral cavity and the small and large intestines. These characteristics, amongst others, provide a range of benefits to the body, therefore making it a common and effective choice for use as a supplemental probiotic. However it is not a colonizing bacterium and therefore will need supplementing for as long as is necessary, dependent on the purpose for which it is being employed.
FUNCTION IN THE BODY
Lb. salivarius acts in many beneficial ways, starting with the fermentation of disaccharides into monosaccharides, and the breakdown of proteins. The fermentation process produces, as by-products, hydrogen peroxide, acetic and lactic acid. These aid in the maintenance of an uninhabitable environment for other pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and parasites, including Salmonella, Shigella and E. coli (Ito et al., 2003). This bacterium therefore serves as an immune system enhancer by providing antibiotic, antimicrobial and pH balancing by-products, stabilizing the small intestine pH between 6.0 and 6.7. This may not however be isolated to this region alone and may also prevent growth of pathogens in the vagina and stomach.
Many probiotic bacteria also produce Bacteriocins, heat stable, potent antimicrobial substances, and Lb. salivarius is no exception. The strain Lb. salivarius UCC118 for instance, has been shown in trials to be highly effective at killing Listeria monocytogenes (Corr et al.,2007) and inhibiting both growth of, and secondary inflammation due to, Helicobacter pylori (Corr et al., 2007) which has been linked to pathologies as varied as stomach ulcers and G.I.T cancers.
Some of the many benefits of Lb. salivarius supplementation include:
Digestive imbalances:
Constipation: By aiding in the breakdown and digestion of foods, the reduction of intestinal wall inflammation, acid by-product production and Lb. salivarius can assist in healthy stool formation, gut motility and therefore normal transit time.
Diarrhea: By eliminating pathogens, or simply preventing their colonization
Bloating: By aiding in carbohydrate digestion, Lb. salivarius prevents increased pathogen related fermentation and its associated production of large quantities of carbon dioxide and subsequent flatulence.
Cancer: By neutralizing carcinogenic nitrates present in food and drink, and aiding in efficient protein breakdown preventing putrification and subsequent toxicity within the gut.
Nutritional Status: By increasing the endogenous synthesis of B-complex vitamins, aiding the body’s metabolism, and also increase the bioavailability of nutrients in general
Urinary Infections: By its acidic nature Lb. salivarius may stabilize the vaginal pH between 3.8 and 4.5, inhibiting the growth of Enterococcus, a bacterium commonly found in reoccurring urinary tract infections (Ocaña et al 1999).
Yeast and Fungal Infections: By making the oral cavity and vagina an inhospitable pH environment for yeast and fungi such as Candida albicans.
These benefits, and many others, make Lb. salivarius an invaluable tool in aiding a patient’s return to, and maintenance of, optimal health.
References
Corr S, Li Y, Riedel C, O’Toole P, Hill C, Gahan C (2007) Bacteriocin production as a mechanism for the antiinfective activity of Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118, Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences 18:7617-7621
Ocaña V, Pesce de Ruiz Holgado A, Nader-Macías M (1999), Characterization of a Bacteriocin-Like Substance Produced by a Vaginal Lactobacillus salivarius Strain, American Society for Microbiology 65: 5631–5635
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