While the bacteria in the intestine are helpful for digesting food and fighting infections, they have long been suspected to play an essential role in triggering rheumatoid arthritis. This chronic inflammatory disorder affects the joints.
The short answer seems to be “quite a while.” This strain was used as an indicator for RA but the research wasn’t clear if it played a role in causing it or what other relationship it had.
I love seeing research about the human microbiome, but it seems like there is quite a ways to go. Each person can have their own mix of bacteria, which changes throughout their life, and how each other strain may help or hinder a person is even further off. I don’t think there will be one probiotic that will fit for everyone’s scenario.
It’s like saying “What plant can I plant anywhere in the world?” Well, that’s pretty tough because there are so many temperate zones and seasons.