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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
L. acidophilus vs L. rhamnosus GG: L. rhamnosus GG 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. rhamnosus GG wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Too few graded studies
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus GG have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
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) (the one cited trial that states a dose used 10 billion CFU a day)
Any time of day
A product naming its strain (e.g. NCFM, DDS-1, La-14, La-5)
10-20 billion CFU (1-2 x 10^10) daily. A meta-analysis in children with acute gastroenteritis found LGG effective at 10 billion CFU/day or more, and borderline below that.
Any time of day
Capsule standardized to ATCC 53103
Weeks
Weeks
Course of antibiotics
During the antibiotic course
During hospital stay
n/a
n/a
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 · n=330
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial in 330 adults with IBS (Rome IV), allocated 1:1:1 to placebo, L. acidophilus DDS-1 alone or B. lactis UABla-12 alone, each at 1 × 10^10 CFU/day for six weeks
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 in adults with self-reported lactose intolerance confirmed by a lactose challenge: 4 weeks of DDS-1 or maltodextrin placebo once daily, with a 2-week washout
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 · n=2981
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial in 2,981 inpatients aged 65 and over taking antibiotics, given a multistrain preparation of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria (6 × 10^10 organisms per day for 21 days) or placebo
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG versus Placebo for Acute Gastroenteritis in Children.
N Engl J Med (2018) · Rct · n=971
Primary outcome (modified Vesikari score >=9 within 14 days): 11.8% with LGG vs 12.6% placebo; RR 0.96 (0.68-1.35), P=0.83
Systematic review with meta-analysis: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in children and adults.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther (2015) · Meta analysis
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea fell from 22.4% to 12.3%; RR 0.49 (0.29-0.83) pooled across 11 RCTs, n=1,308 (12 RCTs, n=1,499 included overall)
Probiotics for treating acute infectious diarrhoea.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2020) · Meta analysis
In studies at low risk of bias, no difference in diarrhea lasting >=48 hours (RR 1.00, 0.91-1.09; moderate certainty)
L. rhamnosus GG has a higher evidence score (6/10 vs 5/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
For improve digestion, L. rhamnosus GG has a higher relevance score (72 vs 55).
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.