Will taking lactic acid bacteria (LAB) "promote cancer growth and mold growth in humans?" No, that's not true: On the contrary, research has pointed out that LAB could enhance immunity, improve gastrointestinal function, increase resistance to obesity and increase antioxidant abilities, as well as reduce blood glucose concentration and cholesterol. In addition, a number of studies are focusing on the possible anti-cancer role of lactic acid bacteria and their potential to inhibit mold growth.
The claim appeared in a TikTok video (archived here) on June 12, 2023, under the title: "Why do you think the organic and natural food shop owners always end up getting cancer?" (translated into English from Japanese by Lead Stories staff).
It opened (translated into English from Japanese by Lead Stories staff):
Ingestion of lactic acid bacteria promotes cancer growth and mold growth in humans.
This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:
(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Tue Jun 20 12:43:31 2023 UTC)
A study on the inhibitory effect on cancer metastasis of "LFK", an enzyme-treated lactic acid bacteria material developed by professor Moriaki Kusakabe and patented on October 4, 2022, found:
In a mouse experimental model, the effect of suppressing cancer metastasis was obtained with the enzyme-treated lactic acid bacteria material 'LFK.'
It is expected to improve the survival rate and QOL (Quality of life) of cancer patients by suppressing cancer metastasis.
Recent research has also revealed that intestinal bacteria can play a role in enhancing the response rate to immunotherapy for patients with certain types of cancer, such as advanced melanoma.
The Showa University U Bank project has also focused on the positive effects on cancer treatments of intestinal bacteria.
An excessive intake of dairy products rich in lactic acid bacteria, though, might increase the risk of certain lifestyle-related diseases.
As for LAB allegedly causing mold growth, a Google search performed by Lead Stories on June 23, 2023, using the query: "Do lactic acid bacteria cause mold" did not show any relevant results corroborating the claim. On the contrary, data have shown that many LAB can inhibit mold growth, and experimental results have shown that mold is inhibited by dripping it onto lactic acid bacteria, rather than the opposite -- lactic acid bacteria causing mold.
