Lactobacillus johnsonii

Lactobacillus johnsonii is a beneficial bacterium that lives in the human gut. L. johnsonii plays a significant role in promoting health. This probiotic microbe has been extensively studied in veterinary science, and human studies are starting to emerge. Here are three crucial reasons highlighting its importance for microbiome health:

1. Gut health: Lactobacillus johnsonii contributes to the maintenance of a healthy gut environment. It helps to maintain the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, supports proper digestion, and may enhance nutrient absorption. Apart from living in the gut Lactobacillus johnsonii also lives in the oral cavity and the vagina.¹Wang H, Ni X, Qing X, Zeng D, Luo M, Liu L, Li G, Pan K, Jing B. Live Probiotic Lactobacillus johnsonii BS15 Promotes Growth Performance and Lowers Fat Deposition by Improving Lipid Metabolism, Intestinal Development, and Gut Microflora in Broilers. Front Microbiol. 2017 Jun 12;8:1073. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01073.²Buhnik-Rosenblau, K., Matsko-Efimov, V., Jung, M. et al. Indication for Co-evolution of Lactobacillus johnsonii with its hosts. BMC Microbiol 12, 149 (2012). doi: 10.1186/1471-2180-12-149³Falsen E, Pascual C, Sjödén B, Ohlén M, Collins MD. Phenotypic and phylogenetic characterization of a novel Lactobacillus species from human sources: description of Lactobacillus iners sp. nov. Int J Syst Bacteriol. 1999 Jan;49 Pt 1:217-21. doi: 10.1099/00207713-49-1-217.
2. Immune system support: Research suggests that Lactobacillus johnsonii can modulate the gut’s immune system, promoting a balanced immune response. It has been associated with improved gut barrier function and the production of certain immune-modulating substances, which may help support immune health.⁴Wan Z, Zhang X, Jia X, Qin Y, Sun N, Xin J, Zeng Y, Jing B, Fang J, Pan K, Zeng D, Bai Y, Wang H, Ma H, Ni X. Lactobacillus johnsonii YH1136 plays a protective role against endogenous pathogenic bacteria induced intestinal dysfunction by reconstructing gut microbiota in mice exposed at high altitude. Front Immunol. 2022 Oct 10;13:1007737. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1007737.⁵Marcial GE, Ford AL, Haller MJ, Gezan SA, Harrison NA, Cai D, Meyer JL, Perry DJ, Atkinson MA, Wasserfall CH, Garrett T, Gonzalez CF, Brusko TM, Dahl WJ, Lorca GL. Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2 Modulates the Host Immune Responses: A Double-Blind, Randomized Trial in Healthy Adults. Front Immunol. 2017 Jun 12;8:655. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00655.⁶Mazziotta C, Tognon M, Martini F, Torreggiani E, Rotondo JC. Probiotics Mechanism of Action on Immune Cells and Beneficial Effects on Human Health. Cells. 2023 Jan 2;12(1):184. doi: 10.3390/cells12010184.
3. Other potential health benefits: Studies have indicated the potential health benefits of Lactobacillus johnsonii in various conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and diarrhoea. It may also have a role in supporting vaginal health, oral health, and even cognitive function.⁷Jia DJ, Wang QW, Hu YY, He JM, Ge QW, Qi YD, Chen LY, Zhang Y, Fan LN, Lin YF, Sun Y, Jiang Y, Wang L, Fang YF, He HQ, Pi XE, Liu W, Chen SJ, Wang LJ. Lactobacillus johnsonii alleviates colitis by TLR1/2-STAT3 mediated CD206⁺ macrophages^IL-10activation. Gut Microbes. 2022 Jan-Dec;14(1):2145843. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2145843.⁸Sun N, Ni X, Wang H, Xin J, Zhao Y, Pan K, Jing B, Zeng D. Probiotic Lactobacillus johnsonii BS15 Prevents Memory Dysfunction Induced by Chronic High-Fluorine Intake through Modulating Intestinal Environment and Improving Gut Development. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2020 Dec;12(4):1420-1438. doi: 10.1007/s12602-020-09644-9.⁹Kaburagi T, Yamano T, Fukushima Y, Yoshino H, Mito N, Sato K. Effect of Lactobacillus johnsonii La1 on immune function and serum albumin in aged and malnourished aged mice. Nutrition. 2007 Apr;23(4):342-50. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2007.02.001.¹⁰Pridmore RD, Berger B, Desiere F, Vilanova D, Barretto C, Pittet AC, Zwahlen MC, Rouvet M, Altermann E, Barrangou R, Mollet B, Mercenier A, Klaenhammer T, Arigoni F, Schell MA. The genome sequence of the probiotic intestinal bacterium Lactobacillus johnsonii NCC 533. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Feb 24;101(8):2512-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0307327101.

What are the best sources of Lactobacillus johnsonii?

Lactobacillus johnsonii is found as part of the natural microbiota of the gut, the oral cavity and the vagina. As of the publication date of this entry, there aren’t any known food sources of it.

What foods can Lactobacillus johnsonii feed on?

Based on the research available for Lactobacillus johnsonii, it is expected that its feeding behaviours are no different to other species in the Lactobacillus genus. Lactobacillus is a versatile group of bacteria that can derive energy from various sources. A diet that contains plenty of foods rich in prebiotic fibres, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and pulses/legumes, can help support the growth and metabolic activity of Lactobacillus. Additionally, galactooligosaccharides (GOS) have been found to promote the growth of Lactobacillus species like Lactobacillus acidophilus.¹¹Thongaram T, Hoeflinger JL, Chow J, Miller MJ. Prebiotic Galactooligosaccharide Metabolism by Probiotic Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. J Agric Food Chem. 2017 May 24;65(20):4184-4192. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b00851.

Where to find Lactobacillus in the Chuckling Goat Microbiome Test

The Chuckling Goat Microbiome Test features a general score for Lactobacillus as a group (genus). It also provides readings for several Lactobacillus species known to have an impact on human health, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus delbruekii, Lactobacillus helveticus, and Lactobacillus johnsonii. You will find your Lactobacillus scores in the “lactic acid bacteria” section of the “Probiotics” report.

Synonyms: Lactobacillus johnsonii, L. johnsonii, LAB, Lactobacilli, lactic acid-producing bacteria, Lactobacillales, lactic-acid-producing microorganisms, Lactobacillus species

Version and date: Version 1. 20th June 2023

Reviewed by: Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas BSc (Hons) MSc DProf MRSB

Important disclaimer

The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Handbook is an educational resource built to translate complex science into plain English. The information provided on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Always check with your GP for interactions with medications/health conditions before changing your diet or starting to take food supplements.

References

• 1
  Wang H, Ni X, Qing X, Zeng D, Luo M, Liu L, Li G, Pan K, Jing B. Live Probiotic Lactobacillus johnsonii BS15 Promotes Growth Performance and Lowers Fat Deposition by Improving Lipid Metabolism, Intestinal Development, and Gut Microflora in Broilers. Front Microbiol. 2017 Jun 12;8:1073. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01073.
• 2
  Buhnik-Rosenblau, K., Matsko-Efimov, V., Jung, M. et al. Indication for Co-evolution of Lactobacillus johnsonii with its hosts. BMC Microbiol 12, 149 (2012). doi: 10.1186/1471-2180-12-149
• 3
  Falsen E, Pascual C, Sjödén B, Ohlén M, Collins MD. Phenotypic and phylogenetic characterization of a novel Lactobacillus species from human sources: description of Lactobacillus iners sp. nov. Int J Syst Bacteriol. 1999 Jan;49 Pt 1:217-21. doi: 10.1099/00207713-49-1-217.
• 4
  Wan Z, Zhang X, Jia X, Qin Y, Sun N, Xin J, Zeng Y, Jing B, Fang J, Pan K, Zeng D, Bai Y, Wang H, Ma H, Ni X. Lactobacillus johnsonii YH1136 plays a protective role against endogenous pathogenic bacteria induced intestinal dysfunction by reconstructing gut microbiota in mice exposed at high altitude. Front Immunol. 2022 Oct 10;13:1007737. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1007737.
• 5
  Marcial GE, Ford AL, Haller MJ, Gezan SA, Harrison NA, Cai D, Meyer JL, Perry DJ, Atkinson MA, Wasserfall CH, Garrett T, Gonzalez CF, Brusko TM, Dahl WJ, Lorca GL. Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2 Modulates the Host Immune Responses: A Double-Blind, Randomized Trial in Healthy Adults. Front Immunol. 2017 Jun 12;8:655. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00655.
• 6
  Mazziotta C, Tognon M, Martini F, Torreggiani E, Rotondo JC. Probiotics Mechanism of Action on Immune Cells and Beneficial Effects on Human Health. Cells. 2023 Jan 2;12(1):184. doi: 10.3390/cells12010184.
• 7
  Jia DJ, Wang QW, Hu YY, He JM, Ge QW, Qi YD, Chen LY, Zhang Y, Fan LN, Lin YF, Sun Y, Jiang Y, Wang L, Fang YF, He HQ, Pi XE, Liu W, Chen SJ, Wang LJ. Lactobacillus johnsonii alleviates colitis by TLR1/2-STAT3 mediated CD206⁺ macrophages^IL-10activation. Gut Microbes. 2022 Jan-Dec;14(1):2145843. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2145843.
• 8
  Sun N, Ni X, Wang H, Xin J, Zhao Y, Pan K, Jing B, Zeng D. Probiotic Lactobacillus johnsonii BS15 Prevents Memory Dysfunction Induced by Chronic High-Fluorine Intake through Modulating Intestinal Environment and Improving Gut Development. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2020 Dec;12(4):1420-1438. doi: 10.1007/s12602-020-09644-9.
• 9
  Kaburagi T, Yamano T, Fukushima Y, Yoshino H, Mito N, Sato K. Effect of Lactobacillus johnsonii La1 on immune function and serum albumin in aged and malnourished aged mice. Nutrition. 2007 Apr;23(4):342-50. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2007.02.001.
• 10
  Pridmore RD, Berger B, Desiere F, Vilanova D, Barretto C, Pittet AC, Zwahlen MC, Rouvet M, Altermann E, Barrangou R, Mollet B, Mercenier A, Klaenhammer T, Arigoni F, Schell MA. The genome sequence of the probiotic intestinal bacterium Lactobacillus johnsonii NCC 533. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Feb 24;101(8):2512-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0307327101.
• 11
  Thongaram T, Hoeflinger JL, Chow J, Miller MJ. Prebiotic Galactooligosaccharide Metabolism by Probiotic Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. J Agric Food Chem. 2017 May 24;65(20):4184-4192. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b00851.

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