Probiotic Bacillus subtilis may help improve occasional constipation: Deerland study
Data from 50 people revealed that B. subtilis DE111 consumption was associated with improvements in gastrointestinal discomfort and increased frequency of normal type stools, compared to placebo.
“Bacteria make up more than 50% of the composition of a healthy person’s stool, and play a major role in the quality and frequency of bowel movements. Determining specific strains, such as DE111, that support regular and healthy bowel movements is beneficial in developing a probiotic formulation for digestive health.” said Dr John Deaton, VP of science and technology at Deerland Enzymes and Probiotics, and co-author on the new paper in the Journal of Probiotics & Health.
Study details
The scientists recruited 50 people with occasional constipation and/or diarrhea and randomly assigned them to receive either B. subtilis DE111 (1 billion CFU) or placebo daily for 105 days. Stools were scored based on the Bristol Stool Chart index and safety was assessed using blood markers.
The results showed that people in the DE111 group moved to a healthier bowel index, while no change was observed with those in the placebo group.
In addition, probiotic consumption was associated with a reduction of alternating constipation and diarrhea, compared to placebo. The proportion of normal stools increased from 54% to 64% in the DE111 group, while the proportion of normal stools decreased from 56% to 48% in the placebo group. In male participants specifically, the proportion of normal stools increased from 56% to 80%, reported the researchers.
“[A] B. subtilis DE111 dose at 1 billion CFU/day may improve occasional constipation and diarrhea while helping to maintain gastrointestinal health,” they concluded.
The ingredient
According to Deerland, DE111 is a genome sequenced strain of Bacillus subtilis. The genome sequencing confirmed the strain contained no plasmids, antibiotic resistant or deleterious genes; the human clinical studies showed the strain’s ability to control microbial populations, aid in digestion and maintain general health. Because the strain is a spore former it remains viable under a wide temperature and pH range, making it ideal for use in supplements as well as food and beverages.
Source: Journal of Probiotics & Health
2017, 5:4, doi: 10.4172/2329-8901.1000189
“The Effect of Bacillus subtilis DE111 on the Daily Bowel Movement Profile for People with Occasional Gastrointestinal Irregularity”
Authors: A.M. Cuentas et al.
