Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299v
Also known as: Lp299v, Lactobacillus plantarum 299V
Randomized controlled trials report mixed effects of Lp299v for IBS, with at least one RCT finding no benefit and meta-analytic evidence rating certainty as low for Lactobacillus plantarum 299V. In an 8-week RCT in patients with major depressive disorder receiving SSRIs, Lp299v was associated with improved certain cognitive test scores and reductions in plasma kynurenine. A small feasibility RCT in pregnancy suggested a slower decline in maternal haematological and iron parameters with Lp299v versus placebo. Overall evidence quality is variable and often low.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-14 · 5 indexed studies
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Overview
Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v) is a specific probiotic strain used orally in supplement form. Human trials have examined its effects on irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, cognitive function in major depressive disorder when given with SSRIs, and iron-related outcomes in pregnancy.
Mechanism & Function
Mechanism of Action
Proposed actions include modulation of gut microbiota composition and metabolic activity, effects on tryptophan–kynurenine metabolism relevant to brain function, and enhancement of dietary iron absorption; exact human mechanisms remain incompletely established in the provided trials.
Physiological Role
Modulation of intestinal microbial activity and metabolite production that may impact gut symptoms, systemic metabolites (for example kynurenine), and iron availability.
Primary Pathways
Performance / Health Relevance
Not established for athletic performance from the provided trials; relevance is primarily for symptom modulation in IBS, adjunctive cognitive effects in MDD, and maternal iron status.
Evidence Review
Practical Use & Dosage
- Minimum Effective Dose
- Not established (dose not reported in provided abstracts)
- Optimal Range
- Not established
- Upper / Caution Level
- Not established
- Timing
- Not established; trials used daily oral supplementation (durations varied: 8 weeks in MDD trial; through delivery in pregnancy feasibility study).
- Best Format
- Oral capsule/tablet or probiotic formulation (as used in clinical trials)
- Bioavailability
- Live bacterial viability is required; product storage and formulation affect viability.
- Absorption Considerations
- Survival through gastric passage and colonisation potential depend on formulation and dose; specific considerations not reported in provided abstracts.
Safety & Interactions
Side Effects
- •Generally well tolerated in trials; no significant increase in adverse events reported in meta-analysis.
Contraindications
- Severely immunocompromised individuals may require medical advice before probiotic use (not directly assessed in provided abstracts).
Drug Interactions
- •No drug interactions reported in provided abstracts; one trial administered Lp299v alongside SSRIs.
Who Should Avoid
- •Severely immunocompromised patients (precautionary)
- •People advised against live probiotics by their clinician
Monitoring
Monitor for gastrointestinal intolerance or infection in high-risk individuals; monitor haematological parameters in pregnancy trials when used to influence iron status as per clinical context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.
When is Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299v typically used or indicated?
Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299v is most commonly used for: Support for gut health/IBS symptoms, Adjunctive support in mood/cognitive symptoms, Support for iron absorption in pregnancy. Modulation of intestinal microbial activity and metabolite production that may impact gut symptoms, systemic metabolites (for example kynurenine), and iron availability.
How does Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299v work?
Proposed actions include modulation of gut microbiota composition and metabolic activity, effects on tryptophan–kynurenine metabolism relevant to brain function, and enhancement of dietary iron absorption; exact human mechanisms remain incompletely established in the provided trials.
What is the recommended dose of Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299v?
The optimal range is Not established. with a minimum effective dose of Not established (dose not reported in provided abstracts). Best taken: Not established; trials used daily oral supplementation (durations varied: 8 weeks in MDD trial; through delivery in pregnancy feasibility study).. Upper / caution level: Not established.
What are the side effects of Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299v?
Reported side effects include: Generally well tolerated in trials; no significant increase in adverse events reported in meta-analysis.. Monitoring: Monitor for gastrointestinal intolerance or infection in high-risk individuals; monitor haematological parameters in pregnancy trials when used to influence iron status as per clinical context.
Does Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299v interact with medications?
Known or theoretical interactions: No drug interactions reported in provided abstracts; one trial administered Lp299v alongside SSRIs.. Always check with a clinician before combining with prescription medication.
Who should avoid Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299v?
Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299v is generally not recommended for: Severely immunocompromised patients (precautionary); People advised against live probiotics by their clinician; and Severely immunocompromised individuals may require medical advice before probiotic use (not directly assessed in provided abstracts)..
How strong is the evidence for Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299v?
Evidence level: Moderate (overall score 58/100), based on 5 indexed studies on SuppIndex.
Research & References (5)
Efficacy of Probiotics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of probiotics in IBS (82 trials). Authors rated evidence for Lactobacillus plantarum 299V as low certainty for benefit on global symptoms; overall probiotic adverse events were not significantly increased.
Probiotic Lactobacillus Plantarum 299v decreases kynurenine concentration and improves cognitive functions in patients with major depression: A double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled study.
Double-blind RCT in patients with major depressive disorder receiving SSRIs; 8-week adjunctive Lp299v versus placebo. Cognitive tests and multiple biochemical measures were assessed.
Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299v supplementation in patients with major depression in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial: A metabolomics study.
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled metabolomics study of Lp299v supplementation in MDD patients on SSRIs; assessed broad metabolite changes to explore mechanisms underlying prior cognitive findings.
Role of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v versus Placebo in symptomatic improvement of irritable bowel syndrome patients.
Randomized controlled trial in Pakistan comparing Lp299v versus placebo in IBS patients; assessed abdominal pain, bloating and rectal emptying.
Feasibility Study of Lactobacillus Plantarum 299v Probiotic Supplementation in an Urban Academic Facility among Diverse Pregnant Individuals.
Double-blind placebo-controlled feasibility RCT of daily Lp299v plus prenatal vitamin with iron versus placebo plus prenatal vitamin with iron from 15–20 weeks gestation through delivery; assessed feasibility and preliminary effects on maternal and neonatal iron status.
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Research Overview
Moderate EvidenceCite this ingredient
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Stable URL
https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/probiotic-lactobacillus-plantarum-299v
SuppIndex. (2026). Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299v: Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/probiotic-lactobacillus-plantarum-299v
Based on 5 indexed studies · Evidence level: Moderate.
Goal Ratings
Stack Compatibility
Commonly combined with multivitamins or iron in trials; compatibility depends on product formulation and clinical context.