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Bacillus Coagulans

What is it?

Bacillus coagulans (B. coagulans) is a type of probiotic ("good" bacteria). It isn't naturally found in the body, but it produces lactic acid in the gut.

B. coagulans is now known as Weizmannia coagulans. However, most products continue to use the name Bacillus. Also, some products containing B. coagulans are marketed as Lactobacillus sporogenes. Although both lactobacillus and B. coagulans produce a compound called lactic acid, unlike lactobacillus, B. coagulans forms spores. Spores are important for telling B. coagulans apart from other lactic acid bacteria.

People take B. coagulans for constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is also used for diarrhea, gas, indigestion, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

Don't confuse B. coagulans with other probiotics, or with fermented food products such as fermented milk, kefir, or yogurt. These are not the same.

How effective is it?

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for BACILLUS COAGULANS are as follows:

Possibly effective for...

  • Constipation. Taking B. coagulans by mouth seems to help relieve constipation.
  • A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS). Taking B. coagulans by mouth seems to help relieve symptoms of IBS.
There is interest in using B. coagulans for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Is it safe?

When taken by mouth: B. coagulans is possibly safe. It's been used safely in doses of up to 6 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily for up to 3 months. Lower doses have been used safely for up to 1 year.

Special precautions & warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if B. coagulans is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: B. coagulans is possibly safe when taken by mouth by most infants and children. It's been used safely in infants in doses of up to 100 million CFUs daily for up to one year. However, there isn't enough reliable information to know if Bacillus coagulans is safe for very small premature infants.

Are there interactions with medications?

Moderate
Be cautious with this combination.
Antibiotic drugs
B. coagulans is a type of friendly bacteria. Antibiotics are used to reduce harmful bacteria in the body. Taking antibiotics along with B. coagulans can reduce the effects of B. coagulans. To avoid this interaction, take B. coagulans products at least 2 hours before or after antibiotics.

Are there interactions with herbs and supplements?

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Are there interactions with foods?

There are no known interactions with foods.

How is it typically used?

B. coagulans has most often been used by adults in doses of 1-2 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) by mouth daily for 4-12 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

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, Weizmannia coagulans.

Methodology

To learn more about how this article was written, please see the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database methodology.

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Last reviewed - 11/08/2023