Lactiplantibacillus pentosus
Lactiplantibacillus pentosus

Background

Lactiplantibacillus pentosus (L. pentosus) is a type of probiotic ("good" bacteria) found naturally in the human body. It's also found in fermented foods.

"Good" bacteria such as L. pentosus might help the body break down food, absorb nutrients, and fight off "bad" organisms that might cause diseases. These bacteria are sometimes added to fermented foods like yogurt and also found in dietary supplements.

People use L. pentosus for eczema, common cold, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse L. pentosus with other probiotics, or with fermented food products such as fermented milk, kefir, or yogurt. These are not the same. Also note that L. pentosus used to be classified under the Lactobacillus genus. But Lactobacillus was split up into 25 different genera in April 2020. Some product labels might still list this species as Lactobacillus pentosus rather than its new name, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus.
When taken by mouth: Live or heat-killed L. pentosus is possibly safe for most people. Heat-killed L. pentosus have been used safely in doses of up to 20 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily for up to 20 weeks. It seems to be well-tolerated.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if L. pentosus is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. But there are no reasons to expect safety concerns when used appropriately.

Children: There isn't enough reliable information to know if L. pentosus is safe for children, including very small premature infants.

Weakened immune system: Probiotics have caused blood infections in a small number of people with weakened immune systems. If you have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider before taking probiotics, including L. pentosus.

Damaged heart valves: Probiotic preparations can cause an infection in the inner lining of the heart chambers and heart valve. This is extremely rare, but people with damaged heart valves should stop taking probiotics, including L. pentosus, before dental procedures or surgical procedures.

Effectiveness

There is interest in using L. pentosus for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Likely effective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
Likely ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions

Dosing & administration

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of L. pentosus might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Antibiotic drugs

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

L. pentosus is a type of friendly bacteria. Antibiotics are used to reduce harmful bacteria in the body. Taking antibiotics along with L. pentosus can reduce the effects of L. pentosus. To avoid this interaction, take L. pentosus products at least 2 hours before or after antibiotics.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 22/02/2023 11:00:00. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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