What is Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG?

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is one of the most extensively researched live bacterial strains worldwide, with more than 250 human clinical trials investigating its effects across different areas of health.

First isolated in 1983 by Professors Sherwood Gorbach and Barry Goldin, the strain takes its name, "GG", from their surnames. In 2020, the species was reclassified as Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, although the original name remains widely recognised in scientific literature.

What makes this strain distinctive?

One of the most interesting characteristics of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is its ability to adhere strongly to intestinal mucus.

This is largely due to specialised hair-like structures on its surface, known as SpaCBA pili, which enable the bacteria to bind to the mucus layer lining the gut. These structures are an important part of how the strain interacts with the intestinal environment and have been extensively studied in relation to bacterial adhesion.

Research has also investigated how Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG interacts with intestinal cells, the gut barrier and signalling pathways involved in immune responses.

Scientific Research: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG

With more than 250 human clinical trials, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is one of the most extensively documented live bacterial strains.

Human research has investigated its use across several areas of digestive and immune health, including:

• Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea: Studies investigating its use alongside antibiotic treatment.
• Digestive health: Research involving people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other gastrointestinal concerns.
• Respiratory health: Clinical trials examining upper respiratory tract infections and associated outcomes.
• Immune responses: Research examining interactions with the immune system.

Alongside human clinical trials, laboratory research has explored the strain's adhesion to intestinal mucus, interactions with the gut barrier and effects on cellular signalling.

You can browse a selection of published studies in our research library.

Why we selected GG for EVIDOSE®

When it comes to live bacteria supplements, the specific bacterial strain matters just as much as the dose. Different strains have distinct biological properties and have been studied for different health outcomes.

We selected Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for its extensive human clinical research and well-characterised biological properties, including its ability to adhere strongly to intestinal mucus.

It is one of four carefully selected strains in EVIDOSE® Live Biotic Daily+, each chosen for its strain-specific clinical evidence and included at a dose investigated in human studies.