Lactobacillus helveticus

Lactobacillus helveticus, or L. helveticus, is a type of lactic acid bacteria found in our gut and many fermented foods, particularly dairy products. Studies have highlighted its promising role in enhancing cognitive health, improving sleep quality, providing stress resilience, lowering blood pressure, and even showing potential in fighting against colon cancer.

As a well-studied and beneficial probiotic, L. helveticus is an important part of our gut’s healthy microflora and plays a key role in maintaining overall health. Here’s a brief overview of its main benefits:

  • Cognitive Function

    L. helveticus shows promise in enhancing cognitive function, particularly related to aging. Research conducted on both rats and humans indicates that strains of L. helveticus may influence gene expressions linked to neurodegeneration in the hippocampus, helping to lessen cognitive impairments and protect brain function as we age.

  • Sleep

    Supplementation of L. helveticus has been linked to a decrease in the number of wake episodes and overall improvement in sleep. This was suggested to be caused by either the presence of tripeptide, which inhibits angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) activity (helps to lower blood pressure), or the production of bioactive peptides that act on GABAergic or serotonergic neurons (both of which can synchronize sleep activity).

  • Resilience Against Stress

    L. helveticus could be beneficial in promoting mental well-being by creating resilience against life’s daily stressors. Research found that daily supplementation of the probiotic resulted in reduced elevated baseline Intestinal Stem Cells (Isc) in the colon (supports the renewal of entire epithelial renewal in stressful situations) and prevented increases of Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) flux (measures macromolecular permeability). These results suggest that L. helveticus limits the negative effects of stress on the gut.

  • Blood Pressure

    Studies have suggested that L. helveticus may have the most effective potential in reducing blood pressure, due to its ability to form angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides. These studies concluded that L. helveticus ranked higher in its ability to reduce blood pressure compared to other lactic acid bacteria.

  • Anti-Colon Cancer Properties

    Research has found that a strain of L. helveticus demonstrates significant free radical scavenging activity and releases compounds that can inhibit the growth of colon cancer HT-29 cells. Additionally, studies suggest that L. helveticus can induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in these colon cancer cells through the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, following a caspase-dependent mechanism.

Scientific research highlights the various health benefits of Lactobacillus helveticus. With modern lifestyles reducing its presence within our bodies, there’s an increasing suggestion to supplement with L. helveticus for better microbiome health!