Evidence-based gut support*
30+ years of microbiome research
Helping you make informed choices
At BioGaia, we believe in transparency and are committed to helping you make informed, healthy choices for you and your family.
This begins with understanding the science behind our world-leading probiotic supplements.
Our formulations are expertly designed with care, and thoroughly vetted through various scientific research, meta-analyses and clinical trials.
Learn more about how we conduct our clinical trials.
BioGaia’s world-leading gut health science
We’re proud that over 260 clinical studies involving BioGaia’s strains of L. reuteri have been conducted, encompassing approximately 22,000 participants of all ages.
The findings have been published in more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Meta-analysis and clinical studies
In probiotic research, meta-analyses and clinical trials serve distinct but complementary roles in understanding the effectiveness and impact of probiotics. Here’s how they differ:
Probiotic Clinical Trials
- Definition: Clinical trials are original research studies designed to test the effects of probiotics on specific health outcomes. Participants are divided into groups (e.g., one receiving the probiotic and another receiving a placebo).
- Goal: To establish cause-and-effect relationships by testing hypotheses under controlled conditions.
- Structure: Often randomized and double-blinded to reduce bias and ensure reliable results.
- Scale: Focused on a specific population, dosage, or condition.
- Example: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing whether a specific probiotic strain improves symptoms of colic to a higher degree than a placebo product.
Meta-analysis
- Definition: A meta-analysis is a statistical technique that combines data from multiple clinical trials on a similar topic to draw broader conclusions.
- Goal: To synthesize evidence from existing studies to identify trends, increase statistical power, and provide a clearer picture of overall efficacy.
- Structure: Involves selecting and analyzing high-quality studies, ensuring consistency in criteria like population, intervention, and outcomes.
- Scale: Provides a larger perspective by pooling data from diverse studies, often spanning different populations and conditions.
- Example: A meta-analysis examining the overall effect of probiotics on gut health across multiple RCTs.
Key differences
| Aspect | Clinical trials | Meta-analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Generate original data | Summarise and analyse existing data |
| Sample Size | Limited to the trial participants | Combines data from many studies |
| Outcome | Specific to the trial | Generalizes findings across studies |
| Complexity | Focused on a single hypothesis | Evaluates broader patterns/trends |
| Dependence | Independent research | Unbiased conclusion that relies on results from clinical trials |
Why Both Are Important in Probiotic Research
- Clinical Trials provide direct evidence of efficacy and safety for a particular strain or product.
- Meta-Analysis help assess the consistency of findings, identify gaps in research, and inform guidelines for broader use.
Together, they ensure a rigorous, evidence-based approach to understanding probiotics and their potential benefits.
BioGaia’s evidence-based probiotics L. reuteri DSM 17938
Safe and Effective*
- A special probiotic derived from human breast milk.(1)
- Suitable for babies: This probiotic has been shown to be safe for newborns and all ages and can be used from birth. (2) L. reuteri DSM 17938 is also shown to be safe for long-term use.
- Survives in your gut: It has been proven to survive well in the digestive system, which means it reaches where it’s needed. (3)
- Temporarily colonizes your gut: Unlike many other probiotics, BioGaia’s L. reuteri DSM 17938 has been shown to stay in the gut temporarily, supporting your digestive health.* Studies have confirmed this by looking at biopsies and stool samples from people. (4)
1. Dobrogosz WJ, Peacock TJ. 2010. Adv Appl Microbiol. 72: 1-41 (book, chapter 1).
2. Abrahamsson TR et al. 2007. J Allergy Clin Immunol. May;119(5):1174-80.
3. Savino F et al. 2010. J Pediatrics. Sep;126(3):e526-33.
4. Valeur N, Engel P, Carbajal N, Connolly E, Ladefoged K. 2004. J Appl Environ Microbiol. 70(2);1176-1181.
Babies and Children
- Helps ease colic: L. reuteri DSM 17938 has been shown to help reduce crying in colicky babies. The effect is often seen as early as one week, with a noticeable decrease in crying after 21 days. This has been confirmed in multiple clinical studies. (5) This has also been concluded in numerous meta-analyses and systematic reviews (6), resulting in recommendations in pediatric guidelines all over the world. (7)
- Supports children with occasional diarrhea: Otherwise healthy children experiencing occasional diarrhea may have a shortened duration of loose stools. (8)*
- Trusted by Experts: The World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) has given L. reuteri DSM 17938 the highest level of recommendation due to its proven benefits. (9)
5. Szajewska H et al. 2013. J Pediatr. Feb;162(2):257-62.
6. Shirazinia R et al. 2021. Clin Exp Pediatr. Dec;64(12):642-651.
7. Szajewska H et al. 2023. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. Feb 1;76(2):232-247.
8. Dinleyici EC et al. 2014. Acta Paediatr. Jul;103(7):e300-5.
9. Guarner et al. 2023. World Gastroenterology Organization (WHO) Global Guidelines Probiotics and prebiotics.
Preventative Health*
- Numerous studies have shown that children receiving L. reuteri DSM 17938 preventively have less absence from daycare and fewer gastrointestinal symptoms such as occasional diarrhea. (10)
- In combination with L. reuteri ATCC PTA 5289, kids also had improved immune & respiratory health.(11)*
10. Gutiérrez-Castrellón P et al. 2014. J Pediatrics. Apr;133(4):e904-9.
11. Maya-Barrios A, et al. 2021. Benef Microbes. Apr 12;12(2):137-145.
BioGaia is a Swedish healthcare company that has been at the forefront of microbiome and probiotic research for more than 30 years.
For over three decades, BioGaia has been on an incredible journey dedicated to exploring the fascinating world of probiotics.
BioGaia’s probiotic supplements with L. reuteri are among the most extensively studied in the world.