Bacillus coagulans

Bacillus coagulans , formerly incorrectly referred to as Lactobacillus sporogenes , is a gram-positive bacterium of the family Bacillaceae that has the ability to form spores . The spores allow it to multiply in the intestines for a certain period of time and thus show its effect for longer . It is generally considered safe by the FDA.  

What is Bacillus Coagulans for

Bacillus coagulans is used as a probiotic. Probiotics are living microorganisms that, in certain quantities, offer health benefits. Thanks to its ability to form spores, it has a better chance of survival than other traditional probiotics such as Lactobacillus for example. The beneficial effects of the bacterium that have been discovered so far and are interesting as a probiotic are:  

• Digestive aid: B. coagulans produces various enzymes that help us with digestion and bowel movements. Sometimes enzymes that can digest lactose, so that lactose intolerance can be relieved  
• Antibacterial activity: B. coagulans produces antibacterial substances that inhibit the growth of pathogenic intestinal bacteria and instead allow beneficial bacteria to grow better in our intestines  
• Immune system regulation: B. coagulans can normalize the activity of the immune system and thus have a positive effect on the immune system  

More specific health benefits found in studies  

• Cholesterol reduction: B. coagulans lowers blood cholesterol and has reduced weight gain on a fatty diet in mice.  
• Inhibition of inflammation: By regulating the immune system, adding B. coagulans to mice protected against inflammation and oxidative damage in the intestine. The probiotic also showed a positive effect on the immune system in immunosuppressed mice, as can happen after chemotherapy.  
• Rheumatism patients: This, together with the anti-inflammatory properties of the bacterium, indicated in a study that pain and symptom improvement in rheumatism patients whose joints are inflamed.  
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Since B. coagulans has a good regulating effect on our intestinal microbiome, with which many diseases are associated, taking this probiotic in patients with the chronic intestinal inflammation “Irritable Bowel Syndrome” (IBS), which causes pain and Significantly reduced flatulence and improved quality of life by reducing other symptoms of the disease. A possible trigger for intestinal-related diseases can sometimes be the more frequent use of antibiotics, as this can disrupt our microbiome.  
• Antibiotic-associated problems: B. coagulans prevented microbiome disruption and antibiotic-associated diarrhea in 71% of children, while in the experimental group it was only 38%.  
• Skin health: In addition, an improvement in skin appearance and skin aging was discovered in mice when B. coagulans was consumed.

Comparison with other probiotics  

Bacillus coagulans differs from other probiotics such as Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium in its ability to form spores. These spores are extremely heat and acid resistant, allowing Bacillus coagulans to survive passage through the acidic stomach and reach the intestines in active form. In comparison, many other probiotics are more sensitive to stomach acid and require special coating techniques to effectively enter the intestines.  

Recommended dosages and instructions for use  

The optimal dosage of Bacillus coagulans may vary based on individual health status and desired effect. Generally, dosages in dietary supplements are between 1 and 2 billion colony forming units (CFU) per day. For specific uses, such as the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, higher dosages may be appropriate.  

Nutritional recommendations to support the effect  

A diet rich in fiber supports the effects of Bacillus coagulans , as prebiotics such as fiber promote the growth and activity of probiotic bacteria in the intestine. Foods such as whole grains, vegetables and fruit are recommended. In addition, care should be taken to ensure adequate fluid intake.  

Which AgilNature® products contain Bacillus coagulans? 

*Nutrient Reference Value = Percentage of the reference value according to Appendix XIII of the Food Information Regulation (EC) No. 1169/2011.  

** No recommendation available.  

*** CFU = colony forming units  

Literature: 

1. Lee NK, Kim WS, Paik HD. Bacillus strains as human probiotics: characterization, safety, microbiome, and probiotic carrier. Food Sci Biotechnol. 2019 Oct 8;28(5):1297-1305.  
2. Jiang Cao, Zhiming Yu, Wenyin Liu, Jianxin Zhao, Hao Zhang, Qixiao Zhai, Wei Chen, Probiotic characteristics of Bacillus coagulans and associated implications for human health and diseases, Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 64, 2020, 103643, ISSN 1756- 4646.  
3. Aminlari, L., Shekarforoush, SS, Hosseinzadeh, S. et al. Effect of Probiotics Bacillus coagulans and Lactobacillus plantarum on Lipid Profile and Feces Bacteria of Rats Fed Cholesterol-Enriched Diet. Probiotics & Antimicro. Prot. 11, 1163–1171 (2019).  
4. Hun L. Bacillus coagulans significantly improved abdominal pain and bloating in patients with IBS. Postgrad Med. 2009 Mar;121(2):119-24.  
5. La Rosa M, Bottaro G, Gulino N, et al. [Prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea with Lactobacillus sporogens and fructo-oligosaccharides in children. A multicentric double-blind vs placebo study] Minerva Pediatrica. 2003 Oct;55(5):447-452.  
6. Gupta AK, Maity C. Efficacy and safety of Bacillus coagulans LBSC in irritable bowel syndrome: A prospective, interventional, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study [CONSORT Compliant]. Medicine (Baltimore). 2021 Jan 22;100(3):e23641.  
7. Wang Y, Lin J, Cheng Z, Wang T, Chen J, Long M. Bacillus coagulans TL3 Inhibits LPS-Induced Caecum Damage in Rat by Regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB and Nrf2 Signal Pathways and Modulating Intestinal Microflora. Oxide Med Cell Longev. 2022 Feb 7;2022:5463290.  
8. Zhao Z, Sun M, Cui X, Chen J, Liu C, Zhang Sci Rep. 2023 Jul 10;13(1):11181.  
9. Mandel DR, Eichas K, Holmes J. Bacillus coagulans: a viable adjunct therapy for relieving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis according to a randomized, controlled trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2010 Jan 12;10:1.  
10. Hiramoto K, Kubo S, Tsuji K, Sugiyama D, Iizuka Y, Hamano H. The Effect of Bacillus coagulans Induced Interactions among Intestinal Bacteria, Metabolites, and Inflammatory Molecules in Improving Natural Skin Aging. Dermatopathology (Basel). 2023 Sep 28;10(4):287-302.