Learn
Delve into dermatology diseases with new approaches from conventional to complementary care.
Topics
Explore a broad spectrum of dermatological conditions and topics to enhance your practice.
Training Programs
Expert led instruction for every level of patient care.
Log in to see enrolled program content.
Conferences
Gain practical insights and meet new colleagues.
Hover over a conference to view recordings.
Join Us
The largest integrative dermatology community.
Levilactobacillus brevis
Overview
Levilactobacillus brevis (L. brevis) is a type of probiotic ("good" bacteria) found naturally in the human body. It's also found in fermented foods.
"Good" bacteria such as L. brevis might help the body break down food, absorb nutrients, and fight off "bad" organisms that might cause diseases. These bacteria are sometimes added to fermented foods like yogurt and also found in dietary supplements.
People use L. brevis for alcohol-related liver disease, overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina (bacterial vaginosis), common cold, dry skin, gum disease, insomnia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse L. brevis with other probiotics, or with fermented food products such as fermented milk, kefir, or yogurt. These are not the same. Also note that L. brevis used to be classified under the Lactobacillus genus. But Lactobacillus was split up into 25 different genera in April 2020. Some product labels might still list this species as Lactobacillus brevis rather than its new name, Levilactobacillus brevis.
"Good" bacteria such as L. brevis might help the body break down food, absorb nutrients, and fight off "bad" organisms that might cause diseases. These bacteria are sometimes added to fermented foods like yogurt and also found in dietary supplements.
People use L. brevis for alcohol-related liver disease, overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina (bacterial vaginosis), common cold, dry skin, gum disease, insomnia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse L. brevis with other probiotics, or with fermented food products such as fermented milk, kefir, or yogurt. These are not the same. Also note that L. brevis used to be classified under the Lactobacillus genus. But Lactobacillus was split up into 25 different genera in April 2020. Some product labels might still list this species as Lactobacillus brevis rather than its new name, Levilactobacillus brevis.
NatMed disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. Except for any possible exceptions written into your License Agreement, no reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. Unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
For the latest comprehensive data on this and every other natural medicine, health professionals should consult the Professional Version of NatMed. It is fully referenced and updated daily.
© Copyright 1995-2019. Therapeutic Research Center LLC, publishers of NatMed, Prescriber's Letter, and Pharmacist's Letter. All rights reserved.
All material on this website is protected by copyright. Copyright © LearnHealth Inc. 2025.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
SUBSCRIBE
To Get Posts Directly In Your Inbox!