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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
L. acidophilus vs L. reuteri DSM 17938: L. reuteri DSM 17938 has the stronger overall evidence (6 vs 5/10); 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.
L. reuteri DSM 17938 wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
1-100 billion CFU (10^9 to 10^11) per serving — the range FDA reviewed without objection for L. acidophilus DDS-1 in foods generally (GRAS Notice GRN 871); La-14 was noticed at 1 billion CFU per 250 g serving (GRN 502)
any
A product naming its strain (e.g. NCFM, DDS-1, La-14, La-5)
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
Weeks
Weeks
Course of antibiotics
1-3 weeks
n/a
1-3 days
4 weeks
Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 and Bifidobacterium lactis UABla-12 Improve Abdominal Pain Severity and Symptomology in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Trial.
Nutrients (2020) · Rct
Multicentre randomised controlled trial in irritable bowel syndrome (PubMed publication types: Randomized Controlled Trial, Multicenter Study)
The effects of the DDS-1 strain of lactobacillus on symptomatic relief for lactose intolerance - a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial.
Nutr J (2016) · Crossover
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial (PubMed publication types: Randomized Controlled Trial)
Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and Clostridium difficile diarrhoea in older inpatients (PLACIDE): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial.
Lancet (2013) · Rct
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial in inpatients aged 65 and over (PubMed publication types: Randomized Controlled Trial, Multicenter Study)
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
L. reuteri DSM 17938 has a higher evidence score (6/10 vs 5/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
Both L. acidophilus and L. reuteri DSM 17938 score equally (55) for improve digestion.
No known interactions between L. acidophilus 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.