🦠 Beneficial Probiotic · Colic Reliever
Lactobacillus reuteri: Your Gut's Anti-Inflammatory Regulator
L. reuteri is one of the few probiotics proven to reduce infant colic. In adults, it reduces inflammation, supports oral health, and helps manage H. pylori infections. It produces reuterin, a natural antimicrobial compound.
✓ Beneficial probiotic
🧬 Detectable by PCR stool test
🏥 No referral needed
51 min
reduction in infant
crying time per day
crying time per day
Medically Reviewed
Dr. Samantha Naidoo
MB ChB, FCP (SA) · Medical Director, Epicentre Laboratories
Last reviewed: 19 March 2026
At a glance
Why does L. reuteri matter?
51 min
daily crying reduction in colicky infants
Savino et al., 2010
Reuterin
produces a unique antimicrobial compound
Natural antibiotic
🛡️
inhibits H. pylori and oral pathogens
Multi-site protector
↓ Low
in modern Western populations vs traditional diets
Declining globally
PCR
detectable in all Epicentre gut tests
Walk-in or home kit
Could Your L. reuteri Levels Be Low?
6 quick questions. Not a diagnosis, but it may help you decide whether testing is worthwhile.
How it works
What does L. reuteri actually do in your gut?
👶
Reduces infant colic
L. reuteri DSM 17938 reduces crying time in breastfed colicky infants by an average of 51 minutes per day (Savino et al., 2010). One of the strongest probiotic evidence bases.
🧬
Produces reuterin
A unique antimicrobial compound that inhibits a broad range of pathogens including H. pylori, Candida, E. coli, and Salmonella without harming beneficial bacteria.
🦷
Supports oral health
Reduces gingivitis, dental plaque, and the oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans. One of the few probiotics with oral health evidence.
🔥
Anti-inflammatory
Modulates TNF-alpha and other inflammatory cytokines. Reduces gut and systemic inflammation.
Warning signs
What happens when L. reuteri levels are low?
Bloating and abdominal pain
Stomach discomfort or burning (possible H. pylori)
Irregular bowel movements
Cramping after meals
Nausea or loss of appetite
L. reuteri is declining in modern populations due to processed diets. It produces reuterin, a natural antimicrobial that protects against pathogens in the gut, mouth, and stomach.
Gum disease, bleeding gums, or frequent cavities
Chronic low-grade inflammation
Fatigue linked to inflammatory burden
Increased susceptibility to stomach and gut infections
In infants: excessive crying, colic, feeding difficulties
Low L. reuteri is not a disease in itself, but it is consistently found in people with these conditions.
Infant colic: L. reuteri DSM 17938 is the most evidence-backed probiotic for colic (Savino et al., 2010)
H. pylori: enhances eradication rates when used alongside standard triple therapy
Gingivitis: reduces gum inflammation and plaque-forming bacteria
Constipation: increases bowel frequency in both children and adults
Vitamin D metabolism: emerging evidence for enhanced vitamin D absorption
"
"L. reuteri DSM 17938 is the one probiotic I can recommend for infant colic with genuine confidence. The evidence is strong, the safety profile is excellent, and parents notice a difference within days, not weeks."Dr. Samantha Naidoo, MB ChB, FCP (SA), Medical Director, Epicentre
What happens over time
The progression of low L. reuteri
1
Trigger: processed diet, antibiotics, or modern lifestyle
L. reuteri is declining globally in populations eating processed Western diets. Antibiotics and lack of fermented food exposure accelerate the loss.
2
Antimicrobial defence drops
Without reuterin production, pathogens face less resistance. H. pylori, oral bacteria, and gut pathogens gain ground.
3
Inflammation increases
Reduced immune modulation allows pro-inflammatory pathways to dominate. Gut discomfort, bloating, and stomach issues become common.
4
Multi-site effects emerge
Oral health declines (gum disease, cavities). Stomach symptoms worsen. In infants, colic may appear.
5
Entrenched pathogen colonisation
Without L. reuteri's antimicrobial pressure, pathogens establish themselves. Targeted supplementation and diet changes are needed to restore balance.
The good news: L. reuteri DSM 17938 (BioGaia) is one of the most clinically validated probiotic strains available. Results for colic appear within days. Adult gut and oral health improvements typically show within 2 to 4 weeks.
Take action
How to boost your L. reuteri levels
Fermented foods
Sourdough bread, fermented dairy, and some traditional fermented foods contain L. reuteri.
L. reuteri DSM 17938
The most studied strain (BioGaia). Available as drops for infants and tablets for adults.
Prebiotic fibre
Garlic, onions, leeks, and whole grains support L. reuteri colonisation.
Cut processed foods
Preservatives and additives in processed food may inhibit L. reuteri.
Oral probiotics
L. reuteri lozenges specifically target oral health (gum disease, cavities, bad breath).
Consistent routine
Regular eating patterns and sleep support gut microbial stability.
Testing
Test your L. reuteri levels at Epicentre
All three Epicentre gut packages include L. reuteri quantification. No referral needed. Walk in or test at home.
Gut Essentials
✓ Includes L. reuteri
17 probiotic species mapped and quantified.
R1,995
~R499/mo with Payflex · 5% student discount
Complete Gut Profile
✓ Includes L. reuteri + 44 more targets
Full picture: probiotics, pathogens, parasites, fungi, H. pylori.
R4,850
~R1,213/mo with Payflex · 5% student discount
Gut Deep Dive
✓ Includes L. reuteri + disease associations
Everything in the Complete Profile plus disease association analysis.
R5,620
~R1,405/mo with Payflex · 5% student discount
Common questions
Frequently asked questions about L. reuteri
Can I take L. reuteri as a supplement?
Yes. L. reuteri DSM 17938 (BioGaia) is one of the most validated probiotic strains worldwide. Available as drops for infants (colic) and tablets/lozenges for adults (gut, oral health). Well-tolerated from birth onwards.
What foods contain or support L. reuteri?
Found in sourdough bread and some traditional fermented foods. Less common in modern diets, which is why supplementation is often recommended. Prebiotic foods support existing L. reuteri.
How long does it take to restore L. reuteri levels?
With dietary changes and supplementation (where applicable), most people see measurable improvements within 4 to 8 weeks. A follow-up gut test confirms progress.
Do I need a doctor's referral for gut testing?
No. Walk into any Epicentre branch in Durban (Hillcrest), Cape Town (Observatory), or Johannesburg (Parktown North). Or order a home stool collection kit delivered to your door in discreet packaging with prepaid return.
How much does a gut test cost?
Gut Essentials (17 probiotic targets): R1,995. Complete Gut Profile (45 targets): R4,850. Gut Deep Dive (45 targets + disease associations): R5,620. All prices include VAT. Payflex instalments available. Students get 5% off.
Find Out Where Your L. reuteri Stands
Explore other gut organisms
Akkermansia muciniphila
B. bifidum
B. breve
B. lactis
B. longum
F. prausnitzii
L. acidophilus
L. gasseri
L. rhamnosus
L. plantarum
R. hominis
← Full Gut Health Guide
Epicentre Walk-In Labs
Practice #1117394 · Founded 2001 · Durban (Hillcrest) · Cape Town (Observatory) · Johannesburg (Parktown North)
