Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG – are all “strains” the same?

As the saying goes oils ain’t oils, so it is for probiotic strains. We have learnt that we need to understand the genus, species and strain in order to make decisions on probiotic supplementation, and that the strain is the identifying factor. Since lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is a strain of lactobacillus rhamnosus, it’s easy to assume that all strains are the same. It is clearly documented in the literature, however, that it is a vulnerable strain if not sourced or handled correctly - genetic alterations and the manufacturing process can create strain differences that may affect therapeutic properties and therefore, clinical outcomes.There is one strain that is authenticated, validated and derived from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), and used in all the research and human clinical trials. This strain originates from the human intestinal microbiota and was first isolated in 1983 by Professor Sherwood Gorbach and Professor Barry Goldin. The ATCC houses this specific strain and ensures strict processes are followed from the growth mediums the strain is grown on, to how the strain is manufactured, encapsulated, handled and transported. Most research and human clinical trials use this strain sourced from the ATCC, so it is this one that can reliably be used to produce the same clinical outcomes as documented in the research. At Bio Concepts, we have sourced the ATCC 53103 verified GG from a laboratory that is monitored and verified by the ATCC. This was not an easy process, it took more than a year and contact with five laboratories before we found the one we felt comfortable using. The first three laboratories could not confirm their strain was from the authenticated ATCC 53103 collection. The fourth verified the correct culture number, but used a corn derived maltodextrin carrier. This did not make sense as the strain is so beneficial for atopy and for those needing to avoid commonly consumed allergens. Finally, we found the correct validated and authenticated strain, free from corn and other commonly used carriers. It is this one that finally made it into the product that is Ultra Pure GG. ... the rest of this article is only available to approved practitioners