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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
B. lactis (BB-12 / HN019) vs L. reuteri DSM 17938: B. lactis (BB-12 / HN019) has the stronger overall evidence (6 vs 6/10); they're alternatives for improve digestion — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
B. lactis (BB-12 / HN019) wins 1 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both B. lactis (BB-12 / HN019) and L. reuteri DSM 17938 have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
1-10 billion CFU daily for BB-12 (1 billion is enough); 10-20 billion CFU daily for HN019 if transit is the goal
any
Capsule or sachet standardized to a named strain (BB-12 or HN019)
1 x 10^8 CFU daily (5 drops) for infant colic — the dose used in every positive trial
any
Oil-suspension drops standardized to DSM 17938
2 weeks
4 weeks
n/a
n/a
1-3 weeks
n/a
1-3 days
4 weeks
Dose-response effect of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 on whole gut transit time and functional gastrointestinal symptoms in adults.
Scand J Gastroenterol (2011) · Rct · n=100
Whole-gut transit fell 49 to 21 hours on high dose (p<0.001) and 60 to 41 hours on low dose (p=0.01); placebo unchanged
Eight-Week Supplementation With Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 and Functional Constipation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA Netw Open (2024) · Rct · n=229
Primary outcome (change in complete spontaneous bowel movements per week): +0.80 with HN019 vs +0.66 placebo — no difference
Effects of 28-day Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 supplementation on colonic transit time and gastrointestinal symptoms in adults with functional constipation: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, and dose-ranging trial.
Gut Microbes (2018) · Rct · n=228
No significant differences vs placebo in the primary outcome (colonic transit time) or any secondary outcome
Lactobacillus reuteri to Treat Infant Colic: A Meta-analysis.
Pediatrics (2018) · Meta analysis
Day-21 adjusted mean difference in cry/fuss time: -25.4 min/day (95% CI -47.3 to -3.5)
Treating infant colic with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri: double blind, placebo controlled randomised trial.
BMJ (2014) · Rct · n=167
Probiotic group cried/fussed 49 minutes MORE than placebo at 1 month (95% CI 8 to 90, P=0.02)
Probiotics to prevent infantile colic.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2019) · Meta analysis
No difference in new cases of colic: RR 0.46 (95% CI 0.18-1.19), low certainty
B. lactis (BB-12 / HN019) has a higher evidence score (6/10 vs 6/10) and wins in 1 of 3 categories.
For improve digestion, B. lactis (BB-12 / HN019) has a higher relevance score (68 vs 55).
No known interactions between B. lactis (BB-12 / HN019) and L. reuteri DSM 17938 have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.