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Lactospore Bacillus Coagulans

Also known as: Lactospore®, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856

Overview

Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856, commonly known as Lactospore®, is a specific strain of a gram-positive, spore-forming, lactic acid-producing bacterium. It is naturally found in soil and the human gastrointestinal tract. Unlike many traditional probiotics, this strain forms highly resistant spores that can withstand harsh conditions like stomach acid, heat, and humidity, ensuring its viability through the digestive system without requiring refrigeration. It is primarily utilized as a probiotic supplement to enhance gut health, alleviate symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and reduce common digestive discomforts such as bloating and gas. Research indicates its effectiveness in improving overall digestive function. The evidence supporting its use is moderate, with several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, particularly focusing on its benefits for IBS and general digestive well-being. Its unique spore-forming characteristic is key to its efficacy and stability.

Benefits

Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily for digestive health. Its most significant effect is the reduction of IBS symptoms, including bloating, gas, and abdominal pain, with statistically significant improvements reported in adults. A network meta-analysis highlighted its strain-specific efficacy in managing IBS. Controlled trials have also confirmed its ability to improve functional gas and bloating symptoms in adults. While its primary benefits are digestive, it also leads to minor, beneficial modulation of gut microbiota, increasing genera like Prevotella and Faecalibacterium without disrupting overall microbial balance. Adults with IBS or functional gastrointestinal disorders are the primary beneficiaries, though healthy individuals also show safety and minor microbiome changes. Meta-analyses indicate moderate effect sizes for symptom relief in IBS, with reliable benefits compared to placebo. Clinical improvements are typically observed within 4-12 weeks of consistent daily supplementation.

How it works

Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 operates by surviving the acidic environment of the stomach as spores. Once in the intestines, these spores germinate and become metabolically active. The active bacteria then produce lactic acid, which helps lower the gut's pH, creating an environment less favorable for pathogenic bacteria. This probiotic modulates the gut microbiota composition, promoting a healthier balance of beneficial bacteria. It also enhances the mucosal barrier function of the intestines, which is crucial for gut integrity and protection. Furthermore, it may modulate immune responses within the gut. Its effects are likely mediated through microbial competition, the production of antimicrobial substances, and the modulation of host immune signaling pathways. As a spore-forming probiotic, it acts locally within the gastrointestinal tract and is not absorbed systemically.

Side effects

Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 is generally considered safe for consumption in healthy adults and individuals with IBS, with no serious adverse events reported in clinical trials. Mild gastrointestinal discomfort, such as minor bloating or gas, is occasionally reported but is rare. There are no consistently reported uncommon or rare side effects. When considering drug interactions, antibiotics may reduce the efficacy of Bacillus coagulans; therefore, it is recommended to take the probiotic at least 2 hours apart from antibiotic doses to minimize interaction. Contraindications include caution in immunocompromised individuals due to a theoretical, though unproven, risk of infection. There is limited data regarding its use in children, pregnant women, and severely immunocompromised patients, so caution is advised in these populations.

Dosage

The minimum effective dose for Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 is approximately 1 billion Colony Forming Units (CFUs) daily. Optimal dosage ranges from 1 to 2 billion CFUs daily, based on clinical trials for IBS and general digestive health, with benefits typically observed after 4-12 weeks of consistent use. There is no established maximum safe dose, and doses up to 2 billion CFUs daily have been well tolerated in studies. This probiotic can be taken with or without food, but it is crucial to avoid concurrent administration with antibiotics, maintaining at least a 2-hour separation. As a spore-based formulation, it ensures stability without refrigeration and is commonly available in capsules or powders. The spore form is critical for its efficacy, protecting the bacteria from gastric acid and bile salts, thereby enhancing its delivery and activity in the intestines. No specific cofactors are required for its absorption or efficacy.

FAQs

Is Lactospore® safe to take with antibiotics?

Yes, it can be taken with antibiotics, but it's recommended to space the doses at least 2 hours apart to maintain the probiotic's viability and effectiveness.

How long does it take to see benefits from Lactospore®?

Clinical improvements are typically observed within 4 to 12 weeks of consistent daily use, especially for digestive symptoms like those associated with IBS.

Does Lactospore® need to be refrigerated?

No, due to its spore-forming nature, Lactospore® is highly stable and does not require refrigeration, making it convenient for storage and travel.

Will Lactospore® drastically change my gut microbiome?

No, it causes minor beneficial shifts in the gut microbiota, promoting beneficial bacteria without disrupting the overall microbial balance.

Can Lactospore® cause side effects?

Side effects are rare and generally mild if they occur, typically limited to minor gastrointestinal discomfort like bloating or gas.

Research Sources

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37686889/ – This network meta-analysis by Xie et al. (2023) evaluated various probiotic strains for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) treatment. It identified Bacillus coagulans among the strains demonstrating significant symptom relief, with moderate effect sizes and statistical significance (p < 0.05). The study included high-quality Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) with adequate sample sizes, despite some heterogeneity in study designs.
https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2023/05190/probiotic_modulation_of_gut_microbiota_by_bacillus.53.aspx – Majeed et al. (2023) conducted a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) on healthy adults, demonstrating that Lactospore® (Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856) is safe and does not disrupt gut microbiota balance. The study found an increase in beneficial bacterial genera and reported no adverse events, supporting the probiotic's safety and mild modulatory effects on the microbiome.
https://lactospore.com/research/clinical – This source provides clinical summaries and references to multiple meta-analyses that confirm the efficacy of Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 in reducing functional gas and bloating in adults. These reviews consistently show statistical significance and clinically meaningful outcomes, emphasizing the strain's effectiveness in digestive health.
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1185/bacillus-coagulans – This source provides general information on Bacillus coagulans, including its usage and safety profile. It highlights the recommendation to take probiotics at least 2 hours apart from antibiotics to maintain their efficacy, a common guideline for probiotic supplementation.
https://www.avivahealth.com/blogs/articles/lactospore – This article discusses the characteristics of Lactospore®, particularly emphasizing its spore-forming nature. It explains that this unique property protects the bacteria from gastric acid and bile salts, ensuring its survival through the digestive tract and eliminating the need for refrigeration, thus enhancing its stability and delivery.