What is Bacillus coagulans?
Bacillus coagulans is a spore-forming, lactic acid producing, Gram-positive, facultative anaerobe.[1] It was formerly known as Lactobacillus sporogenes until it was reclassified due to its plurality as a spore-former and a lactic acid producing bacteria. Spore forming bacteria are unique, because of their vegetative life stage as a spore.[2] These spores are able to withstand harsh temperature and pH changes, making them the ideal probiotic as they can tolerate the acidic environment of the stomach and travel to the small intestine.[3] At the small intestine, they can metamorphose from vegetative spore to active bacterium. Suggested benefits of spore-formers include immune system stimulation, production of antimicrobial compounds, and assisting in metabolic activities.[4]
Benefits of Bacillius coagulans
When used as a probiotic, B. coagulans has wonderful benefits for those suffering from diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting associated with Clostridium, Shigella, or other microbial infections.[5] Its ability to combat microbial pathogens is especially important for sensitive groups receiving antibiotic treatment in hospitals or other care facilities.[6] In one study, when B. coagulans was combined with Streptococcus boulardii and the prebiotic fructo-oligiosaccharide (FOS), chances of contracting antibiotic associated diarrhea were reduced from 25-50% to 15-25% in elderly patients.[7] Importantly, this reduction was achieved without any side effects or adverse reactions induced by probiotic formula. Other clinical benefits include treatment of vaginosis as well as lowering serum cholesterol levels and reducing mucus, fat, and blood (red blood cells and white) content in stool.[8] B. coagulans has also been seen to stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Faecalbacterium prausnitzii, which is useful for reestablishing normal gut flora following antibiotic use, infection, or other causes of dysbiosis.[9]
Notable strains include B. coagulans Unique IS-2[10] and B. coagulans MTCC5856, isolated in Sabinsa’s patented formula LactoSpore®.[11] While both strains have been seen to reduce diarrhea and related discomfort, Sabinsa’s LactoSpore® has become much more prominent and is even used commercially as a food additive in “functional foods.” LactoSpore® stands out because of its outstanding shelf-life and ability to endure manufacturing without losing viability.[12] Studies show that 2 billion CFU per day of B. coagulans in LactoSpore® reduced bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and stool frequency associated with infection as well as IBS with diarrhea. Clinical trials suggest than anywhere from 2 billion CFU per day upwards ought to be enough to notice improvement in symptoms of IBS and pathogenic infection.[13] When considering a probiotic formula, a spore-former like B. coagulans, may be a worth-while choice to prevent and shorten abdominal discomfort and diarrhea caused by invading microbes.
References:
[1] Honda, H., Hoyles, L., Gibson, G. R., Farmer, S., Keller, D., & McCartney, A. L. (2011). Impact of GanedenBC30 (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086) on population dynamics of the human gut microbiota in a continuous culture fermentation system. International Journal of Probiotics & Prebiotics, 6(1), 65-72.
[2] Rogha, M., Esfahani, M. Z., & Zargarzadeh, A. H. (2014). The efficacy of a synbiotic containing Bacillus Coagulans in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Gastroenterology and hepatology from bed to bench, 7(3), 156.
[3] Op. cit. Honda et al. (2011); Majeed, M., Nagabhushanam, K., Natarajan, S., Sivakumar, A., Eshuis-de Ruiter, T., Booij-Veurink, J., … & Ali, F. (2016). Evaluation of genetic and phenotypic consistency of Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856: a commercial probiotic strain. World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology, 32.
[4] Op. cit. Honda et al. (2011).
[5] Op. cit. Honda et al. (2011); Op. cit. Rogha et al. (2014); Majeed, M., Nagabhushanam, K., Natarajan, S., Sivakumar, A., Ali, F., Pande, A., … & Karri, S. K. (2016). Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 supplementation in the management of diarrhea predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: a double blind randomized placebo controlled pilot clinical study. Nutrition Journal, 15(1), 21.
[6] Spielholz, C. (2011). Efficacy of a synbiotic chewable tablet in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Health, 03(02), 110-115.
[7] Op. cit. Spielholz (2011).
[8] Op. cit. Sudha and Bhonagiri (2012).
[10] Op. cit. Sudha and Bhonagiri (2012).
[11] Majeed, M., Majeed, S., Nagabhushanam, K., Natarajan, S., Sivakumar, A., & Ali, F. (2016). Evaluation of the stability of Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 during processing and storage of functional foods. International journal of food science & technology, 51(4), 894-901.
[12] Op. cit. Honda et al. (2011).
[13] Op. cit. Majeed et al. (2016).
Clinical Contributor
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Disclaimer: The information provided is only intended to be general educational information to the public. It does not constitute medical advice. If you have specific questions about any medical matter or if you are suffering from any medical condition, you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.
