Bacillus Coagulans

Bacillus coagulans is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium that was first isolated in 1906 by Japanese researchers. It is a member of the genus Bacillus, which includes other well-known bacteria such as B. subtilis and B. cereus. Unlike many other members of this genus, B. coagulans is not pathogenic and is actually considered to be a probiotic, meaning that it has health benefits when consumed.

B. coagulans was first used as a probiotic in the 1930s in Japan and has been used for this purpose ever since. It is commonly found in fermented foods such as pickles, soy sauce, and tempeh. It is also available in supplement form.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Bacillus Coagulans?

Bacillus coagulans has a number of potential health benefits. These include:

Improving digestive health- B. coagulans may help to improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders thought to be due to gut dysbiosis. This might include the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria or yeast. This may also be beneficial in correcting regularity issues such as chronic constipation or diarrheal bouts.

Prevention of vaginal dysbiosis- vaginal dysbiosis, often manifesting as bacterial vaginosis, is a condition characterized by an imbalance in the vaginal flora. This can lead to symptoms such as itching, burning, and discharge. B. coagulans may help to prevent or treat this condition by restoring the balance of bacteria in the vagina.

Enhancing immune function- B. coagulans may help to protect against infection by stimulating the production of white blood cells and antibodies. Not only that, but the gut flora actually comprises a significant portion of the body's actual immune system.

Reducing inflammation- B. coagulans may help to reduce levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein. This effect is thought to be due, at least in part, to the production of short-chain fatty acids by this bacterium from the metabolism of prebiotic carbohydrates.

Supporting cardiovascular health- B. coagulans has been shown to lower cholesterol levels in animal studies. The possible mechanism behind this effect is the production of short-chain fatty acids, which have been shown to decrease cholesterol synthesis in the liver.

Enhancing cognitive function- Some studies suggest that B. coagulans may help to improve cognitive function in older adults. The possible mechanism behind this is the ability of this bacterium to reduce levels of inflammation.