top of page


299v
Lactobacillus plantarum 299v
Iron Deficiency + Poor Iron Absorption
Improves the Intestinal Barrier
Indicated for SIBO: Bloating + Gas
Clinically effective for Ulcerative Colitis
Iron deficiency or Poor Absorption
Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v) enhances iron absorption through several complementary mechanisms. It produces p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid, a microbial metabolite that reduces dietary ferric iron (Fe³⁺) into the more absorbable ferrous form (Fe²⁺).
Lp299v also increases intestinal mucin production, improving the contact and uptake of iron by enterocytes, and exerts anti-inflammatory immunomodulatory effects that help suppress hepcidin, the hormone that blocks iron absorption. Together, these actions create an intestinal environment that significantly boosts non-heme iron bioavailability. [27]
Intestinal Permeability
Lactobacillus plantarum 299v is a highly researched probiotic strain that helps improve intestinal permeability by strengthening the gut’s epithelial barrier, calming mucosal inflammation, and supporting a healthier balance of the intestinal microbiota. Research shows that L. plantarum 299v increases important tight-junction proteins such as zonulin and occludin, which are responsible for sealing the spaces between intestinal cells and preventing unwanted substances like endotoxins from passing into the bloodstream.
It also reduces low-grade inflammation, an important driver of barrier dysfunction, by modulating immune activity in the gut and increasing IL-10 (an anti-inflammatory cytokine). L. plantarum 299v also enhances mucin production and protects the gut lining from microbial pathogens, while its ability to survive stomach acid and adhere to the intestinal mucosa allows it to directly influence epithelial function. [8]
ClInical Results
Ulcerative Colitis
Lp299v supplementation was administered to participants with ulcerative colitis. The results demonstrated improved mucosal inflammation, reduced stool calprotectin and indicator of inflammation, enhanced microbial diversity, and supported symptomatic improvement. These findings suggest a clinically relevant mechanism in autoimmune management via cytokine suppression and improved Treg-mediated regulation of mucosal immunity. [8]
SIBO - Bloating + Gas
Lp299v contributes to small-intestinal microbial balance by reducing pathogenic bacterial load, specifically lowering counts of E. coli and Salmonella through competitive adhesion to the intestinal mucosa and displacement of pathogenic organisms. The strain enhances mucin production, strengthening the physical barrier that prevents bacterial translocation and overgrowth within the small intestine.
Additionally, Lp299v produces antimicrobial peptides, including plantaricins, that inhibit gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens, thereby decreasing luminal bacterial burden and limiting biofilm formation. Through these combined effects, Lp299v supports restoration of a healthier microbial community and mitigates mechanisms that contribute to SIBO-related symptoms. [8]
Iron Absorption
In clinical research, across multiple human trials Lp299v increased iron absorption by an average of 20 - 70%, depending on the study design and test meal. When pooled in the meta-analysis, Lp299v produced a 40 - 70% improvement in iron absorption compared to control. This makes Lp299v the only probiotic with consistent, measurable, and clinically meaningful enhancement of iron absorption in humans. [27]
Intestinal Permeability
Studies have shown that supplementing with Lactobacillus plantarum 299v can significantly improve markers of intestinal permeability. Serum zonulin, a key indicator of tight-junction opening, decreased by 15 - 25 percent, reflecting stronger tight-junction integrity and reduced leakiness of the gut barrier. Additionally, inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, both of which contribute to increased permeability, were lowered by 10 - 30 percent after supplementation, further supporting improved gut barrier function. [8]
Supplement
Supplements containing 299v
References
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6704184/
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21983070/
[3] https://au.sfihealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/THER_WellMood_RO_APRIL24_v2-1.pdf
[4].https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0016508517355579
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29380647/
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31413153/
[7] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5658588/
[8] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10165082/
[9] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14626627/
[10] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8306447/
[11] https://www.metagenicsinstitute.com.au/tech-data/lactobacillus-plantarum-299v
[12] https://www.metagenicsinstitute.com.au/tech-data/high-strength-researched-probiotic
[13].https://designsforhealth.com.au/wp-content/uploads/DFH_Saccharomyces-Boulardii_White-Paper_NEW_v1-1.pdf
[14].https://journals.lww.com/jcge/fulltext/2014/11001/can_lactobacillus_fermentum_lf10_and_lactobacillus.27.aspx
[15] https://brill.com/view/journals/bm/10/5/article-p483_1.xml
[16] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5592098/
[17] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4406132/
[18] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7770962/
[19] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8850513/
[20] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6494655/
[21].https://www.metagenicsinstitute.com.au/tech-data/Lactobacillus-rhamnosus-GR-1-and-Lactobacillus-reuteri-RC-14-liquorice-womens-urogenital-health
[22] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330572707_
[23] https://www.metagenicsinstitute.com.au/tech-data/lp33-lgg-immune-control
[24].https://assets.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltaf9269dac47f331a/blt77e65e5bd4cea986/66bc64647cb3ffcecd23bb61/Saccharomyces_boulardii.pdf
[25] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13223-024-00922-7
[26].https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312202040
[27] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6949908/
[28].https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/assessment-of-psychotropiclike-properties-of-a-probiotic-formulation-lactobacillus-helveticus-r0052-and-bifidobacterium-longum-r0175-in-rats-and-human-subjects/2BD9977C6DB7EA40FC9FFA1933C024EA
[29] https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/16/2779
[30] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8110190/
[31].https://academic.oup.com/femspd/article/55/3/324/496928
[32] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4733292/
Metagenics, Ultra Flora GI Regulate
Metagenics, UltraFlora IBS Soothe Probiotic
bottom of page