Bacillus coagulans

Studies in people

• Open question

  Probiotic health benefits³

  Bacillus coagulans is sold as a probiotic, but human studies of its benefits are few and small.

• Benefit

  IBS symptoms⁴

  In people with IBS, Bacillus coagulans LBSC eased bloating, pain, diarrhea, constipation and nausea better than placebo.

• Benefit

  Gut bacteria in older adults⁵

  In adults aged 65-80, taking Bacillus coagulans daily increased helpful gut bacteria and may raise anti-inflammatory signals.

• No harm found

  Diarrhoea in children⁶

  In children with diarrhoea, Bacillus coagulans did not change how long it lasted or how much fluid they needed.

• Benefit

  IBS diarrhea symptoms⁷

  In people with diarrhea-predominant IBS, Bacillus coagulans cut daily bowel movements compared with placebo.

• No harm found

  Gut bacteria balance⁸

  In healthy adults, Bacillus coagulans left gut bacteria mostly unchanged, with no side effects reported.

• Benefit

  Gas and bloating⁹

  In adults with gas and bloating, Bacillus coagulans eased symptoms more than a placebo over four weeks.

• Benefit

  IBS symptoms in adults¹⁰

  In adults with IBS, Bacillus coagulans eased belly pain and helped more complete bowel movements.

Animal and lab studies only

• Benefit

  Muscle recovery after exercise¹¹

  In lab and animal studies, Bacillus coagulans with protein increased protein absorption and use.

• Open question

  Gut inflammation¹³

  In lab studies, Bacillus coagulans spores reduced a gut inflammation signal, but scientists do not yet know whether this helps people.

• Benefit

  Probiotic bone density¹⁴

  In mice whose ovaries were removed, Bacillus coagulans improved bone density and strength.

• Benefit

  Gut side effects of chemo¹⁵

  In mice, Bacillus coagulans eased diarrhea and gut damage caused by a chemotherapy drug.

• Benefit

  Gut health and diarrhoea¹⁶

  In animal studies, Bacillus coagulans helped reverse diarrhoea and repaired damaged gut lining.

• Benefit

  Gut damage from lead¹⁷

  In mice given lead, Bacillus coagulans R11 helped reduce gut damage and kept gut germs more normal.

How it’s made and used

• Gut survival¹²

  In lab models, Bacillus coagulans spores germinated in the small intestine and about half survived the upper gut.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.