Lactobacillus casei Shirota, Inmunitas, 431... How to use it

Lactobacillus casei or L. casei is a bacterium used as a probiotic for its medicinal benefits and properties. It can be found in yogurt and other fermented foods, and is often known as casei immunitas, a subspecies of lactobacillus from the casei group, although there are other types like Shirota Yakult, DG, and 431. All these probiotic strains have benefits, which we will describe below.

What is Lactobacillus casei?

It is a species of anaerobic gram-positive bacteria, present in the intestines and oral cavity of humans. It is also present in many vertebrate animals. Lactobacillus casei is a lactic bacterium with many uses in the production of yogurt and fermented foods.

Its characteristics and morphology make L. casei very resistant to pH changes in the culture medium, which is why it is ideal for making homemade yogurt, sauerkraut, and other types of fermented foods.

It is widely used to treat intestinal problems, using probiotic capsules like Shirota, Immunitas, or other strains or varieties like 431, DG, Adalah, etc. There are many classes, types, or strains of Lactobacillus casei that we will explain throughout the text.

Perhaps the most well-known probiotic strain of casei is L. casei immunitas, commonly found in yogurts of various brands like Danone, Actimel, private labels like Hacendado or Lidl, as well as in dietary supplements which are much more potent and effective because they contain billions of microorganisms, that is, a large number of live lactobacilli.

What is it used for and what are its uses?

• Treat diarrhea, constipation, and digestive disorders.
• Make yogurt.
• Prepare fermented foods.
• Form intestinal, oral, etc. flora.

Classified as a lactic bacterium, L. Casei has several functions in the human body, among which its role in the growth of intestinal microflora stands out.

Its biological activity allows the preparation of fermented foods like sauerkraut and dairy products like yogurt.

Benefits: Does it really work?

• Helps in the recovery from diarrhea in children.
• Strengthening of intestinal microflora.
• Improvement of digestion.
• Reduction of lactose and fructose side effects.
• Unproven benefits on the body's defenses.

This type of probiotic promotes resistance against bacterial infections, colonizing intestinal tissues and directly competing with other pathogenic microorganisms for humans and many vertebrate animals.

What has proven to be effective in boosting the immune system is another lactic bacterium, very common in many fermented foods. You can check where L. gasseri is found in this section, as well as all the information related to its uses, what it is for, and of course, its therapeutic benefits and properties.

The benefits of Lactobacillus casei are related to the gastrointestinal system, making it harder for harmful bacteria to develop inside the human body.

Another benefit of L. casei is to increase the resistance of epithelial cells, that is, those that cover the surface of all body tissues like blood vessels, the urinary tract, the stomach, and even the skin. Thus, this lactobacillus can help us have much more resistant and strong cellular tissue.

Improving the epithelial barrier is good because it reduces the incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases.

However, all these strains or types of Lactobacillus casei share properties, so we will explain them below.

Diarrhea

It helps reduce the duration of liquid stools, serving as a complementary treatment in cases where medications are necessary.

At the same time, Lactobacillus casei for diarrhea works by preventing the occurrence of new episodes, useful for both children and adults, for common diarrhea as well as acute and infectious diarrhea, with medicinal properties similar to L. reuteri, which also works for the elderly and babies.

In this regard, L. casei has benefits to mitigate the symptoms of diarrhea, as well as to shorten its duration, facilitating recovery and alleviating gastrointestinal discomfort.

Types of Lactobacillus casei (strains)

Although most lactobacillus strains share characteristics, when delving into their medicinal properties, we can discover that some of these strains (varieties) are more suitable than others for treating various aspects of human health.

The different types of lactobacilli are developed as microbiology advances, discovering new bacteria beneficial to health or modifying certain parameters so they can better survive stomach acids and reach the intestines undamaged.

Thus, we can indicate that the most important Lactobacillus casei strains are:

• L. casei shirota.
• Inmunitas.
• L. casei 431.
• L. casei DG.
• L. casei W56.
• L. casei KE-99.
• L. casei LC-11.
• L. casei DN-114-001.
• L. casei LCR35.

Lactobacillus Casei shirota

It is found in the drink called Yakult, a type of fermented milk drink that contains millions of Lactobacillus casei shirota.

L. casei shirota is a strain of Casei. It belongs to the group of lactobacilli, bacteria considered probiotics because they have effects and benefits on intestinal health.

Its consumption promotes the growth of intestinal flora, which is involved in the balance of intestinal transit, gas formation in the digestive tract, as well as resistance against other pathogenic microorganisms.

Shirota strengthens the intestinal microflora, making us more resistant to bacterial infections or, alternatively, occupying the space and making it harder for other pathogenic species to colonize the mucous membranes of the intestines and the oral cavity. Yes, there are also live microorganisms in the mouth that are beneficial to health.

Lactobacillus Shirota Yakult

Based on fermented milk, similar to yogurt, Lactobacillus casei shirota in Yakult has been studied numerous times.

There are approximately 8 billion casei shirota bacteria in the drink called Yakult, helping the growth of intestinal flora in those who consume it.

It is thought that regular consumption promotes respiratory tract resistance, which is why many publications recommend taking L. casei with this drink.

There is a study conducted by Loughborough University, led by Professor Michael Gleeson, which showed promising results in the subjects they studied.

The data indicated that it increased resistance to upper respiratory tract infections, reducing cases of the common cold.

Specifically, the study published in the “International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism” involved 84 athletes.

Lactobacillus Casei inmunitas

One of the most well-known because it is the lactobacillus used by the yogurt brand Danone in its Actimel product line. Lactobacillus casei inmunitas is actually L. casei, the same strain of probiotic or lactic acid bacteria wrapped in a thick layer of advertising.

Recently, the name "Inmunitas" has been removed from the yogurt because it is, in fact, the same strain, unlike other types of probiotics that can be identified as different and, therefore, are named differently, such as Lactobacillus casei shirota or 431.

Lactobacillus casei 431

It is a strain developed by Chr. Hansen laboratories that belongs to the paracasei group, meaning L. casei 431 is a subspecies of Lactobacillus paracasei.

Its scientific name is ATCC 55544 and its commercial name is Lactobacillus casei CRL 431. Discovered in 1995, it has since been commonly used as an ingredient to produce a multitude of fermented foods, including yogurt.

It is also available in capsule form to facilitate the balance of intestinal flora.

Some benefits of casei 431 include:

• Increased immune response.
• Reduction of stomach discomfort.
• Promotes digestion.
• Relieves some side effects in lactose-intolerant individuals.
• May help reduce the duration of the common cold.

Lactobacillus Casei DG

It has benefits against inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, reducing the discomfort that certain people frequently experience with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Lactobacillus casei DG is a strain of the Lactobacillus bacterium, often mentioned as Lactobacillus casei DG CNCM I-1572.

Although studies conducted with L. casei have tried to demonstrate its potential in inflammatory intestinal disorders, the results, although positive, are not as strong as expected. Instead, there is much more data and results on the benefits of Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-52, making it much more advisable to take the latter as its effects will be much better.

You can also see recommendations on the use of probiotics for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Lactobacillus casei W56

Lactobacillus casei W56 is a strain produced by German GmbH laboratories and studied at Winclove Bioindustrie in Amsterdam.

According to the brand's data, this lactobacillus has immunomodulatory properties for human dendritic cells, meaning it can modify antibody production.

Its benefits have also been verified in relation to the reduction of thymic and chemokine activity, pro-inflammation, and necrosis.

This characteristic of W56 is considered beneficial for humans, allowing it to be patented and subsequently marketed as a probiotic.

Lactobacillus casei KE-99

Developed and patented by Probiohealth laboratories, Lactobacillus casei KE-99 is a probiotic with activity for gastrointestinal function. It is suitable for increasing resistance against intestinal pathogens and reducing discomfort caused by stomach disorders.

K-99 has benefits for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, intestinal inflammation, and it can also help with constipation and diarrhea caused by influenza (flu), as well as by many antibiotics.

Another characteristic of L. casei KE 99 is its ability to reduce ammonia and sulfur produced by the human body, making it a good ally for treating problems such as brain toxicity caused by ammonia.

Lactobacillus caseis DN-1114 001

The probiotic included in Actimel is called Lactobacillus casei DN-114001, meaning that both L. casei and DN 114-001 are the same, so their potential therapeutic properties and associated benefits are identical.

Lactobacillus casei inmunitas is globally known through Danone. This yogurt brand has heavily advertised this probiotic strain.

Danone yogurt with Lactobacillus casei inmunitas contains several million live microorganisms. You can purchase it as L. casei inmunitas Actimel, but it is also possible to find other dairy and medicinal products with the same type of bacteria.

Although it has been believed that this strain boosts human immune defenses, there is no concrete data on its benefits, pending a more in-depth study of its medicinal qualities and properties.

Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus LCR35

With benefits for treating constipation in children, Lactobacillus casei Rhamnosus (LCR35) has been studied in comparison with magnesium oxide (MgO).

According to published data, there are no differences in the benefits produced by magnesium oxide compared to Casei Rhamnosus LCR35, meaning that constipated children begin to defecate with the same frequency once they start taking either of these products.

However, LCR35 seems to alleviate some of the abdominal pain caused by constipation, with many similarities to the original probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.

According to available literature, this strain of L. casei would be effective for chronic childhood constipation, just like MgO administration.

This strain has also been studied for eliminating the side effects of antibiotics used for bacterial vaginosis (BV).

After using probiotic ovules for several days, an increase in vaginal flora was detected in the women who used them.

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Other Related Lactobacilli

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References