Bacillus Coagulans
- Bacillus coagulans is a type of bacteria. It is used similarly to lactobacillus and other probiotics as “beneficial” bacteria.
Contents
Uses
- People take Bacillus coagulans for diarrhea, including infectious types such as rotaviral diarrhea in children; traveler’s diarrhea; and diarrhea caused by antibiotics. Bacillus coagulans is also used for general digestion problems, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), a bowel disorder called Clostridium difficilecolitis, excessive growth of “bad” bacteria in short bowel syndrome, and infection due to the ulcer-causing bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
- Some people use Bacillus coagulans to prevent respiratory infections and ramp up the immune system. It is also used to prevent cancer or the formation of cancer-causing agents. There is also some interest in using it as an additive to vaccines to improve their effectiveness.
- Bacillus coagulans produces lactic acid and, as a result, is often misclassified as lactic acid bacteria such as lactobacillus. In fact, some commercial products containing Bacillus coagulans are marketed as Lactobacillus sporogenes or “spore-forming lactic acid bacterium.” Unlike lactic acid bacteria such as lactobacillus or bifidobacteria, Bacillus coagulans forms reproductive structures called spores. Spores are actually an important factor in telling Bacillus coagulans apart from lactic acid bacteria.
Benefits
- Some research in animals (but not yet in humans) shows that Bacillus coagulans might increase immune system function and decrease harmful bacteria.
Interactions
- Antibiotic drugs interacts with BACILLUS COAGULANS:Antibiotics are used to reduce harmful bacteria in the body. Antibiotics can also reduce other bacteria in the body. Taking antibiotics along with Bacillus coagulans might reduce the potential benefits of Bacillus coagulans. To avoid this potential interaction take Bacillus coagulans products at least 2 hours before or after antibiotics.
- Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with BACILLUS COAGULANS: Bacillus coagulans might increase the immune system. Taking Bacillus coagulans along with medications that decrease the immune system might decrease the effectiveness of medications that decrease the immune system.
- Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.
Other Names
B. Coagulans, Bacillus Bacteria, Bacillus Probiotics, Bactéries Bacilles, Bactéries à Gram Positif Sporogènes, Bactérie Gram Positive en Forme de Bâtonnet, Gram Positive Spore-Forming Rod, L. Sporogenes, Lactobacillus Sporogenes, Lactobacillus Sporogènes, Probiotic, Probiotique, Spore-Forming Lactobacillus
References
Source: WebMD, “Bacillus Coagulans”, www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/