Have you ever seen claims online that soil-based probiotics (SBOs) like Bacillus coagulans might be dangerous because they colonize your gut? These ideas have been circulating widely, causing understandable concern. Let's set the record straight with clear, science-backed information.

Understanding Bacillus coagulans and LactoSpore®

Bacillus coagulans is a beneficial probiotic known for its remarkable ability to withstand harsh environments—like stomach acid—and deliver meaningful support to your digestive health. At Adapt Naturals, our Biome Protect supplement uses a specific strain of this probiotic called LactoSpore®. This strain has an extensive track record of safety and effectiveness.

What the Science Actually Shows

Despite widespread myths, extensive research consistently confirms the safety of Bacillus coagulans, specifically the LactoSpore® strain:

• Healthy adults, children, and even infants show no adverse effects or health risks associated with Bacillus coagulans supplementation [1,2].
  
  
• GRAS—Generally Recognized As Safe—for use in foods and dietary supplements [3].
  
  
• Safe for human consumption under their Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) criteria [4].
  
  
• Seven very high doses of Bacillus coagulans are safe, showing no harmful impacts on human health [5].
  
  

Addressing the Colonization Myth Directly

A common concern about soil-based probiotics is the idea that they colonize the gut permanently, potentially leading to health issues. However, scientific evidence clearly does not support this claim for Bacillus coagulans.

Multiple studies demonstrate that Bacillus coagulans does not permanently colonize your gut microbiome. Rather, it functions as a transient probiotic, meaning it temporarily interacts with your digestive system without establishing permanent residence. One study specifically found that Bacillus coagulans typically passes through and leaves your system naturally within approximately one week after supplementation stops [6].

Further research highlights that Bacillus coagulans spores exhibit only weak adhesion to intestinal cells. This low adhesion significantly limits their ability to colonize or permanently occupy your gut lining, further demonstrating their transient nature [7].

Moreover, clinical trials examining the gut microbiota before and after Bacillus coagulans supplementation have shown that this probiotic does not negatively disrupt or significantly alter the balance of beneficial bacteria. On the contrary, it leads to highly beneficial shifts without causing any permanent microbiome changes [2,8].

For example, one mouse study found that supplementing with Bacillus coagulans increased the richness and diversity of gut microbiota. More specifically, it increased Firmicutes and decreased Bacteroidetes abundance. It also increased the prevalence of beneficial species like Lactobacillus, Prevotella and Bifidobacterium, and decreased the level of harmful bacteria Odoribacter and Shigella [9].

The idea of dangerous colonization is also debunked by toxicology research, which consistently shows Bacillus coagulans lacks harmful properties such as toxin production or antibiotic resistance that would enable it to behave aggressively or harmfully in your gut [5]. Unlike pathogenic organisms, Bacillus coagulans does not have the invasive traits required to penetrate your intestinal barrier or cause infections, making it a safe and beneficial presence in your digestive system.

Lastly, historical usage provides additional reassurance. Bacillus coagulans has been consumed safely by humans for decades through fermented foods and probiotic supplements, consistently demonstrating a high level of safety without reports of harmful colonization or related health issues [10].

Imagine Bacillus coagulans as a helpful visitor—arriving, offering beneficial support for your gut health, and then gracefully leaving your system better than before.

Bacillus coagulans is a highly effective probiotic

We’ve established that Bacillus coagulans is safe. It’s also an incredibly effective probiotic—even for people with digestive issues. See the articles below for more information and research on the clinical efficacy of Bacillus coagulans.

• Why Bacillus coagulans Is My Go-To Probiotic for IBS and SIBO
• Bacillus coagulans: A Versatile and Safe Probiotic for Gut Health and Beyond

Why Adapt Naturals Chooses LactoSpore®

At Adapt Naturals, we selected LactoSpore® specifically because of its:

We created Biome Protect to deliver these benefits safely and reliably, offering you confidence along with improved gut health.

Ready to Experience Safe, Proven Gut Health Support?

You don't have to worry about the myths you've heard online. The science is clear: Bacillus coagulans and LactoSpore® are safe, effective, and non-colonizing. Feel confident in your choice and try Biome Protect today to support your digestive well-being.

References

[1] Majeed, M., et al. (2016). Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 supplementation in diarrhea-predominant IBS: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. Nutrition Journal, 15(1), 21.

[2] Jayasena, S., et al. (2023). Probiotic modulation of gut microbiota by Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 in healthy subjects. JGH Open, 7(5), 447–457.

[3] FDA CFSAN. (2016). GRAS Notice No. GRN 000601 – Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856. Agency Response Letter, April 28, 2016.

[4] EFSA BIOHAZ Panel. (2008). Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS)—List of recommended biological agents. EFSA Journal, 587, 1–16.

[5] Endres, J. R., et al. (2009). Safety assessment of a proprietary preparation of a novel probiotic, Bacillus coagulans, as a food ingredient. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 47(6), 1231–1238.

[6] Liang, J., et al. (2024). Progress of research and application of Heyndrickxia coagulans (Bacillus coagulans) as probiotic bacteria. Frontiers in Microbiology, 15, 1155213.

[7] Doron, S., & Snydman, D. R. (2015). Risk and safety of probiotics. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 60(suppl_2), S129–S134.

[8] Majeed, M., et al. (2018). Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 for the management of major depression with IBS: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Food & Nutrition Research, 62, 1218.