An ideal probiotic for a healthy gut microbiome

The gut microbiome is associated with a number of chronic illnesses such as obesity, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, inflammation, blood sugar, colorectal cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, allergies, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Research suggests that consumption of probiotics is associated with a range of health benefits, including maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the gut, immune support, protection against diarrhoea, providing nutritional benefits to the host and preventing the growth of harmful bacteria.

According to Stokes and Pillsbury, emotional state might alter the normal intestinal microflora, increase intestinal permeability and contribute to systemic inflammation. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is closely associated with depression and anxiety.

Sabinsa’s LactoSpore (Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856) is a shelf-stable gram-positive bacteria that produces only L (+) lactic acid. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 30 day supplementation of B. coagulans MTCC 5856 (2x10⁹ CFU/day) was found to be safe and well-tolerated in healthy adults (n=40) when given orally .

In another double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study, 36 subjects diagnosed with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), received B. coagulans MTCC 5856 (2x109 CFU/day) or placebo for 90 days. B. coagulans MTCC 5856 group showed a significant decrease in clinical symptoms, such as GI discomfort, bloating, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and stool frequency compared to placebo (Fig. 1A and 1B). Additionally, decreased disease severity (i.e. Physician’s global assessment) and better IBS quality of life was seen in the B. coagulans MTCC 5856 group (Fig. 1C and 1D) .

In continuation of the above study, 20 adults with IBS co-existing with major depressive disorder (IBS-MDD) were given B. coagulans MTCC 5856 and another 20 subjects were on placebo. At 90 days, subjects receiving B. coagulans MTCC 5856 reported a significant change in their depression along with a decrease in IBS, improvement in sleeplessness as compared to subjects receiving placebo. Hence, B. coagulans MTCC 5856 effectively improves the gut microbiome by suppressing the growth of pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella, which are the root cause of IBS.

In a 21-day weight loss programme with pre-post intervention design, regimented supplementation with B. coagulans MTCC 5856 (2x10⁹ CFU/day) demonstrated a clinically significant decrease in body weight, BMI and waist circumference. Additionally, pre-post intervention decreased the levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.