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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
L. casei Shirota 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.
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both L. casei Shirota and L. reuteri DSM 17938 have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
One 65-100 mL bottle of the fermented milk drink daily, delivering roughly 6.5 x 10^9 to 1 x 10^11 CFU depending on the product. Doses across trials span this whole range with no dose-comparison study to separate them.
any
Fermented milk drink containing L. casei Shirota (Yakult), 65-100 mL daily
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
4 weeks
2 weeks
2-12 weeks
8 weeks
1-3 weeks
n/a
1-3 days
4 weeks
Efficacy of daily intake of Lactobacillus casei Shirota on respiratory symptoms and influenza vaccination immune response: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy elderly nursing home residents.
Am J Clin Nutr (2012) · Rct · n=737
PRIMARY ENDPOINTS ALL NULL: no effect on days with respiratory symptoms, probability of respiratory symptoms, or post-vaccination antibody titre
Probiotics and synbiotics in chronic constipation in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Clin Nutr (2022) · Meta analysis
Probiotics overall increased stool frequency (SMD 0.71, 95% CI 0.37-1.04, p<0.00001) — but the effect was driven by Bifidobacterium lactis, 'not mixtures of probiotics, Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 or Lactobacillus casei Shirota'
A study into the effect of Lactobacillus casei Shirota in preventing antibiotic associated diarrhoea including Clostridioides difficile infection in patients with spinal cord injuries: a multicentre randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
EClinicalMedicine (2021) · Rct · n=359
PRIMARY ENDPOINT NULL: antibiotic-associated diarrhoea at 30 days 45% vs 42.1% (RR 1.071, 95% CI 0.8-1.4, p=0.639)
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.
For improve digestion, L. reuteri DSM 17938 has a higher relevance score (55 vs 52).
No known interactions between L. casei Shirota 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.