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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
L. reuteri DSM 17938 vs L. rhamnosus GG: L. rhamnosus GG 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.
L. rhamnosus GG 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 L. reuteri DSM 17938 and L. rhamnosus GG have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
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
10-20 billion CFU (1-2 x 10^10) daily; 10 billion CFU/day is the effective floor
any
Capsule standardized to ATCC 53103
1-3 weeks
n/a
1-3 days
4 weeks
During the antibiotic course
During hospital stay
n/a
n/a
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
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 6/10) and wins in 1 of 3 categories.
For improve digestion, L. rhamnosus GG has a higher relevance score (72 vs 55).
No known interactions between L. reuteri DSM 17938 and L. rhamnosus GG 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.