Lactobacillus gasseri for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
D Early Research Only preliminary research exists (lab studies, case reports).Emerging evidence from Japanese studies. May reduce acid-related symptoms. Not yet replicated in Western populations.
The Bottom Line
Emerging evidence from Japanese studies. May reduce acid-related symptoms. Not yet replicated in Western populations.
Key Study Findings
Population: patients with IBS from 32 RCTs evaluating 10 probiotic strains
Population: AGS gastric epithelial cells and mouse model
Population: None
Population: Cancer patients
Population: Mice
Population: Gastric intestinal metaplasia cases and matched controls
Key Statistics
3
Studies
300
Participants
Positive
Grade
Referenced Papers
Dosage & Usage
mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units
Commonly Used Dosages
- general:
- 1-10 billion CFU/day
- gerdsupport:
- 1-5 billion CFU/day
- hpylorisupport:
- 100 million CFU/day (LG21 strain, yogurt form) for 8-12 weeks
Upper limit: Well-tolerated up to 10 billion CFU/day in clinical trials
Dosages Studied in Research
| Dosage | Duration | Effect | N |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| 50 μg/ml | -- | Mixed | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
| None | -- | Neutral | 178 |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
Best taken: Before meals or with meals; yogurt form taken with food
Safety & Side Effects
Reported Side Effects
- ⚠ Mild gas during initial use
- ⚠ Occasional loose stools
- ⚠ Rare abdominal discomfort
- ⚠ Very rare: bacteremia in immunocompromised individuals
Known Interactions
- ● Antibiotics (may reduce probiotic viability; space dosing 2 hours apart)
- ● Proton pump inhibitors (altered gastric pH may affect colonization)
- ● Immunosuppressants (theoretical risk in immunocompromised patients)
Tolerable upper intake: Well-tolerated up to 10 billion CFU/day in clinical trials
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lactobacillus gasseri help with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?
How much Lactobacillus gasseri should I take for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?
Are there side effects of Lactobacillus gasseri?
How strong is the evidence for Lactobacillus gasseri and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?
Related Evidence
Other ingredients for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Lactobacillus gasseri for other conditions
References
- [1] Roman Maslennikov et al.. J Clin Med. 2026. Strain-Specific Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Probiotics Efficacy in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. doi:10.3390/jcm15031152 PubMed
- [2] Tanvi Somiah et al.. Int J Med Microbiol. 2025. Lactobacillus gasseri suppresses the Helicobacter pylori-induced expression of the proliferation-associated factors HBEGF and TGF-α in gastric host cells. doi:10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151694 PubMed
- [3] Zahra Sadeghloo et al.. Microb Pathog. 2024. The modulatory effect of Lactobacillus gasseri ATCC 33323 on autophagy induced by extracellular vesicles of Helicobacter pylori in gastric epithelial … doi:10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106559 PubMed
- [4] Marine Jauvain et al.. Helicobacter. 2024. Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri BIO6369 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus BIO5326 on Gastric Carcinogenesis Induced by Helicobacter pylori Infection. doi:10.1111/hel.13108 PubMed
- [5] Ludovic D Langlois et al.. Int J Mol Sci. 2023. Effects of Glutamine, Curcumin and Fish Bioactive Peptides Alone or in Combination on Intestinal Permeability in a Chronic-Restraint Stress Model. doi:10.3390/ijms24087220 PubMed
- [6] Fen Wu et al.. Int J Cancer. 2022. Oral and gastric microbiome in relation to gastric intestinal metaplasia. doi:10.1002/ijc.33848 PubMed
- [7] Tran Thi Dieu Thuy et al.. BMC Microbiol. 2022. Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of potential probiotic Lactiplantibacillus pentosus SLC13. doi:10.1186/s12866-022-02701-z PubMed
- [8] Yuyang Zhao et al.. Food Funct. 2022. Two novel lactic acid bacteria, Limosilactobacillus fermentum MN-LF23 and Lactobacillus gasseri MN-LG80, inhibited Helicobacter pylori infection in C57BL/6 mice. doi:10.1039/d2fo02034c PubMed
- [9] Mahdieh Yarmohammadi et al.. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2021. Effects of a Potential Probiotic Strain Lactobacillus gasseri ATCC 33323 on Helicobacter pylori-Induced Inflammatory Response and Gene Expression in Coinfected … doi:10.1007/s12602-020-09721-z PubMed
- [10] Majid Eslami et al.. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2019. Are probiotics useful for therapy of Helicobacter pylori diseases? doi:10.1016/j.cimid.2019.02.010 PubMed
- [11] Yasuhiro Koga et al.. BMJ Open Gastroenterol. 2019. Probiotic L. gasseri strain (LG21) for the upper gastrointestinal tract acting through improvement of indigenous microbiota. doi:10.1136/bmjgast-2019-000314 PubMed
- [12] Toshihiro Ohtsu et al.. Digestion. 2017. The Ameliorating Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2716 on Functional Dyspepsia in Helicobacter pylori-Uninfected Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Study. doi:10.1159/000479000 PubMed
- [13] Atsushi Takagi et al.. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2016. Effects of Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2716 on Helicobacter pylori-Associated Dyspepsia: A Multicenter Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial. doi:10.1155/2016/7490452 PubMed
- [14] Hidenori Matsui et al.. Helicobacter. 2015. Mouse Models for Assessing the Protective Efficacy of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 against Helicobacter suis Infection Associated with the Development of … doi:10.1111/hel.12203 PubMed
- [15] Yini Dang et al.. PLoS One. 2014. The effect of probiotics supplementation on Helicobacter pylori eradication rates and side effects during eradication therapy: a meta-analysis. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0111030 PubMed
- [16] Susana Delgado et al.. Front Microbiol. 2014. Probiotic and technological properties of Lactobacillus spp. strains from the human stomach in the search for potential candidates against gastric … doi:10.3389/fmicb.2014.00766 PubMed
- [17] Kurt Selle et al.. FEMS Microbiol Rev. 2013. Genomic and phenotypic evidence for probiotic influences of Lactobacillus gasseri on human health. doi:10.1111/1574-6976.12021 PubMed
- [18] Xiaohua Chen et al.. J Food Sci. 2012. Antagonistic activities of lactobacilli against Helicobacter pylori growth and infection in human gastric epithelial cells. doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2011.02498.x PubMed
- [19] Shigeru Fujimura et al.. J Clin Microbiol. 2012. Probiotic mechanism of Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2716 strain against Helicobacter pylori. doi:10.1128/JCM.06262-11 PubMed
- [20] M Kawase et al.. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2010. Oral administration of lactobacilli from human intestinal tract protects mice against influenza virus infection. doi:10.1111/j.1472-765X.2010.02849.x PubMed
- [21] Yuko Kato-Mori et al.. J Med Food. 2010. Fermentation metabolites from Lactobacillus gasseri and Propionibacterium freudenreichii exert bacteriocidal effects in mice. doi:10.1089/jmf.2010.1137 PubMed
- [22] Luc De Vuyst et al.. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2010. Peptide Extracts from Cultures of Certain Lactobacilli Inhibit Helicobacter pylori. doi:10.1007/s12602-009-9029-4 PubMed
- [23] Surasak Boonyaritichaikij et al.. Helicobacter. 2009. Long-term administration of probiotics to asymptomatic pre-school children for either the eradication or the prevention of Helicobacter pylori infection. doi:10.1111/j.1523-5378.2009.00675.x PubMed
- [24] Takeshi Shimosato et al.. Cell Microbiol. 2006. Strong immunostimulatory activity of AT-oligodeoxynucleotide requires a six-base loop with a self-stabilized 5'-C...G-3' stem structure. doi:10.1111/j.1462-5822.2005.00640.x PubMed
- [25] S Fujimura et al.. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2006. Detection of Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2716 strain administered with yogurt drink in gastric mucus layer in humans. doi:10.1111/j.1472-765X.2006.02017.x PubMed
- [26] Atsushi Ushiyama et al.. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2003. Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2716 as a probiotic in clarithromycin-resistant Helicobacter pylori infection. doi:10.1046/j.1440-1746.2003.03102.x PubMed
- [27] I Sakamoto et al.. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2001. Suppressive effect of Lactobacillus gasseri OLL 2716 (LG21) on Helicobacter pylori infection in humans. doi:10.1093/jac/47.5.709 PubMed
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