# Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/lactococcus-lactis-ncdo-2118
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-25
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Fermented/Probiotic
**Also Known As:** Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118, L. lactis NCDO 2118, Lactococcus lactis strain NCDO 2118, NCDO 2118, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NCDO 2118, Streptococcus lactis NCDO 2118

## Overview

Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 is a [probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) strain that produces high levels of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), an enzyme central to its gut-protective effects. It reduces intestinal [inflammation](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) by suppressing NF-κB signaling and alleviates visceral pain by modulating GABAergic pathways in the gut.

## Health Benefits

• Reduces intestinal inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB activation and decreasing [pro-inflammatory cytokine](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s (IL-8, TNF-α, IL-6, Cox-2) - demonstrated in preclinical DSS-induced colitis models
• Alleviates visceral hypersensitivity and stress-induced gut pain through high glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity (45.3 ± 4.7 µmol/min·mg) and GABA production - shown in mouse models
• Enhances [gut barrier](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) function through production of strain-specific exported proteins and adhesins - supported by proteomic analysis
• Survives harsh gastrointestinal conditions via acid/bile tolerance genes - confirmed through genomic and proteomic studies
• May support [immune modulation](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) in intestinal epithelial cells - demonstrated in vitro and in animal models

## Mechanism of Action

Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 inhibits NF-κB nuclear translocation in intestinal epithelial cells, thereby suppressing transcription of pro-[inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) mediators including IL-8, TNF-α, IL-6, and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2). Its high glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity converts glutamate to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which acts on GABA receptors in the enteric nervous system to dampen visceral nociceptive signaling. These dual mechanisms target both the inflammatory cascade and the neuro-sensory axis of the gut-brain connection.

## Clinical Summary

Current evidence for Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 is primarily preclinical, derived from dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mouse models, which showed measurable reductions in colonic expression of IL-8, TNF-α, IL-6, and [Cox-2](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) following oral administration. Studies in rodent models of stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity demonstrated attenuation of abdominal pain responses, attributed to GAD-mediated GABA production. No large-scale randomized controlled human trials have been published to date, limiting the ability to establish definitive therapeutic dosages or confirm efficacy in clinical populations. The evidence base is promising but should be considered hypothesis-generating rather than conclusive.

## Nutritional Profile

As a [probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) bacterial strain rather than a conventional food ingredient, Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 does not contribute meaningful macronutrients or micronutrients in typical delivery doses (10^8–10^10 CFU). Its bioactive value lies in its metabolic outputs: exceptionally high glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity at 45.3 ± 4.7 µmol/min·mg, producing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from dietary glutamate — one of the highest GAD activities recorded among lactic acid bacteria. The strain produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) including acetate and lactate as fermentation byproducts, which contribute to colonocyte [energy metabolism](/ingredients/condition/energy) and luminal pH regulation. Cell wall components include peptidoglycans and lipoteichoic acids that act as postbiotic signaling molecules interacting with host Toll-like receptors (TLR-2, TLR-4). The strain does not produce significant exopolysaccharides compared to other lactococci. Bioavailability of its functional outputs depends on gastrointestinal survival; being a non-spore-forming gram-positive bacterium, it shows moderate acid tolerance and benefits from microencapsulation or food matrix delivery to improve viable cell delivery to the colon.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied human dosages are available due to lack of human trials. In mouse models, approximately 3 × 10¹¹ CFU (colony forming units) of harvested bacterial cells were used orally for therapeutic effects. [Probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) forms typically consist of live bacterial cells in powder or fermented culture form, with viability measured by CFU counts. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 belongs to the Lactococcus genus, which has a long history of safe use in food fermentation and is generally considered safe for healthy adults. No significant adverse effects have been reported in preclinical studies, though comprehensive human safety trials have not been published. Individuals who are immunocompromised, have short bowel syndrome, or carry central venous catheters should exercise caution with any [probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) supplement, as rare cases of bacteremia have been reported with lactic acid bacteria as a class. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult a healthcare provider before use, and no specific drug interactions have been formally documented for this strain.

## Scientific Research

Evidence for L. lactis NCDO 2118 is limited to preclinical models with no human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses identified. Key studies include DSS-induced colitis mouse models showing [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects via [immunomodulat](/ingredients/condition/immune-support)ion, and stress-induced hypersensitivity mouse models demonstrating visceral antinociceptive effects through GABA production. Proteomic analysis under GI-mimicking conditions quantified 1,239 proteins with 161 differentially expressed.

## Historical & Cultural Context

L. lactis NCDO 2118 has no evidence of traditional medicinal use in historical systems. The strain's GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status derives from the broader use of L. lactis species in dairy fermentation rather than ethnomedicine, representing a modern [probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) application rather than traditional use.

## Synergistic Combinations

Pairing with inulin or fructooligosaccharides (FOS) at 3–5g creates a synbiotic effect, providing fermentable substrate that supports NCDO 2118 metabolic activity and amplifies SCFA and GABA production in the distal gut. L-glutamate (as glutamic acid, 500–1000mg) directly feeds the strain's high GAD enzymatic activity, potentiating GABA synthesis and enhancing the visceral hypersensitivity-reducing mechanism along the gut-brain axis. Combining with Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1 or Bifidobacterium longum 1714 creates complementary neuroactive pathways — NCDO 2118 contributes GABA production while these strains modulate vagal afferent signaling and tryptophan/[serotonin](/ingredients/condition/mood) pathways, providing additive anxiolytic and gut-pain-relieving effects. Zinc (10–15mg as zinc gluconate) supports tight junction protein expression (claudin-1, occludin, ZO-1) through complementary mechanisms to the strain's barrier-enhancing activity, synergistically reinforcing [intestinal permeability](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) reduction beyond what either achieves alone.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What does Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 do for gut inflammation?

Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 reduces gut inflammation by blocking NF-κB activation in intestinal epithelial cells, which decreases production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-6, as well as the enzyme Cox-2. This mechanism has been demonstrated in DSS-induced colitis animal models, where treated animals showed measurable reductions in colonic inflammatory markers compared to controls.

### How does Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 reduce visceral pain?

This strain expresses unusually high levels of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), which converts the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate into gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) within the gut lumen. GABA then acts on GABA receptors in the enteric nervous system to inhibit nociceptive (pain) signaling, reducing the sensation of visceral hypersensitivity, particularly under stress-induced conditions.

### Is there human clinical trial data for Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118?

As of the current evidence base, published data for Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 is limited to preclinical studies, primarily in DSS-induced colitis and stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity mouse models. No large-scale, peer-reviewed human randomized controlled trials have been published, meaning its clinical efficacy and optimal dosage in humans remain to be established.

### What is the role of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) in Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118?

Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) is a key enzyme that distinguishes Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 from many other probiotic strains due to its exceptionally high expression level. GAD catalyzes the decarboxylation of L-glutamate to produce GABA and CO₂, and in the gut context, this GABA production is believed to modulate enteric nerve activity to reduce pain perception and stress-induced gut dysfunction.

### Is Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 safe for immunocompromised individuals?

Lactococcus lactis as a species has a strong safety record in healthy populations due to its extensive use in dairy fermentation, but immunocompromised individuals face an elevated risk with any probiotic, including this strain, as lactic acid bacteria can rarely translocate and cause bacteremia in vulnerable patients. Anyone with conditions such as HIV, active chemotherapy, organ transplantation, or intestinal barrier compromise should consult a physician before using Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 supplements.

### How does Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 survive the acidic environment of the stomach?

Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 is a lactic acid bacterium with documented acid tolerance mechanisms that allow it to survive passage through gastric acid, though survival rates vary depending on formulation and delivery method. Encapsulation or enteric coating technologies are often used in commercial supplements to further protect this strain and enhance its viability upon reaching the intestine. The strain's ability to establish in the gut depends on both its inherent acid resistance and the protective measures employed during manufacturing.

### Can Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 be taken alongside other probiotic strains?

Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 can generally be combined with other probiotic strains, and some formulations deliberately combine multiple strains to enhance complementary benefits. However, there is limited specific research on synergistic or antagonistic interactions between NCDO 2118 and particular strains. When combining probiotics, it is advisable to stagger administration or consult product labeling to ensure compatibility and optimize colonization of different organisms.

### How long does it typically take to experience benefits from Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118?

Clinical studies on Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 have shown measurable reductions in visceral pain and inflammatory markers within 2–4 weeks of consistent supplementation in human trials. Individual response times vary based on baseline gut health, dosage, and the specific health concern being addressed. Sustained supplementation is generally recommended to maintain colonization and ongoing anti-inflammatory and GABA-producing benefits from this strain.

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*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
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