I have lately been discussing the impressive effects that were observed in an elegant series of mouse experiments conducted at MIT with supplementation of the probiotic species Lactobacillus reuteri strain ATCC PTA 6475. Among the effects they observed were:
- Failure to gain weight on an obesogenic diet
- Thicker dermis and overall skin thickness, increased collagen
- Increased testosterone in males
- Increased oxytocin
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Accelerated wound healing
The increase in oxytocin—a doubling of blood levels—is especially interesting. Oxytocin is a hypothalamic gland hormone that has been shown to increase bone density, encourage feelings of empathy, and has an anorexigenic effect—it turns off appetite, even circumventing common leptin resistance that can develop in overweight people and interferes with weight control. In a recent human clinical trial, intranasal oxytocin (24 units four times per day) yielded 19 pounds of weight loss over 8 weeks compared to placebo and it did so without side-effects.
In an effort to assess whether any such effects develop in humans, I made yogurt with this strain of Lactobacillus (obtained here). The Swedish company BioGaia provide it as chewable tablets with relatively low CFUs of only 100 million per tablet. I therefore crushed 10 tablets to obtain one billion CFUs, then made yogurt from organic half-and-half and inulin, the method I’ve been using to increase microbial counts and generate an unusually rich and thick yogurt. (I tried to make yogurt starting with only 400 million CFUs and was unsuccessful, thus the higher amount on this second attempt.) I did indeed obtain yogurt, though thinner than the usual result, more like cottage cheese. I consumed this for a few days, a few tablespoons at a time, but also used it as the basis for making another batch. This second batch was more like prior efforts: thick and smooth.
I have noticed that, after taking a few tablespoons every morning mixed with a half-cup of blueberries, I completely lose interest in food for about 6 hours. I’ve previously discussed how you can use MCT oil (or oil powder) as a tool to turn off appetite to facilitate fasting, what I call “assisted fasting” that makes the fasting process easier. The disinterest in food with the L. reuteri yogurt was more prominent than with MCTs: I completely lost interest in food, even felt an aversion towards eating, something I’ve not experienced before. If I have another serving of yogurt at, say, 2 pm, I extend the period of complete indifference to food until after dinner time.
Unfortunately, I did not monitor my testosterone or oxytocin levels, but shall in future (after a period of yogurt/L. reuteri abstinence). Should anyone else give this idea a try, please share your experience.
I have used this strain of L. reuteri in the past successfully and noticed an unmistakle improvement in my testosterone levels and well-bring. Great idea to turn this into yogurt. I will definitely try this approach.
Fructose and fructose containing polymers, like inulin are very poor substrates for the strains found in Gastrus. If you did your homework better, you would know. See PMID 21559529.
I ordered the supplements Gastrus L Reuters and they came as chewable. Do you recommend crushing them and adding it to my milk when it’s incubating to make yogurt? If so how many?
Jacquie Stegeman wrote: «Do you recommend…»
Keep in mind that this L.reuteri series is just a report, and not yet a recommendation.
re: «…Gastrus L Reuters and they came as chewable. Do you recommend crushing them and adding it to my milk when it’s incubating to make yogurt?»
That’s exactly what Dr. Davis reported in the article above.
re: «If so how many?»
He reports 10 tablets above, and that using just 4 didn’t work.
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I’m keen to try this – can it not be taken without going to the trouble of making yoghurt. For example Swanson probiotics have L. Reuteri Plus 200mg capsules with reportedly 5 billion Lactobaccillus Reuteri in each?
Think I’ve just answered my own question – needs to be particular strain ATCC PTA 6475 – only available as per article in the tablet form
Does the fact that the L. reuteri strain is being delivered via yogurt vs tablet form alone make a difference? If I just took 1 billion CFUs daily in tablet form alone – without the yogurt – would I see the same appetite suppression, and testosterone and oxytocin boosting effects?
Benjamin Hodge wrote: «Does the fact that the L. reuteri strain is being delivered via yogurt vs tablet form alone make a difference?»
Yogurt aside, perhaps the question is: does fermenting prior to consumption make a difference? It clearly does in terms of CFU amplification, and being able to feed them things (e.g. lactose) that we don’t want to consume to excess.
As these bacteria live and grow, they are producing byproducts, which presumably also accumulate in whatever growth medium is provided.
I haven’t been running this experiment myself, so I have no personal insight on it.
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Does anyone know what yogurt recipe Dr. Davis uses?
Shannon wrote: «Does anyone know what yogurt recipe Dr. Davis uses?»
See: Turn your yogurt into a SUPER PROBIOTIC
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