Probiotics for Gut Health : The Science behind Bacillus Clausii

Over recent years probiotics have been touted for their health benefits and many people supplement them in pursuit of improved health. Unsurprisingly medical science has emphasised the crucial role gut health plays in our wider health, and probiotics and gut health go hand-in-hand.

Your gut microbiome is a hidden world living within you. It is a complex ecosystem comprising billions of microbes each contributing and competing for resources. As with all ecosystems, a harmonious environment free from harmful pathogens is necessary, and probiotics help to achieve that outcome.

Additionally, research proves that the right strains of friendly bacteria can treat medical conditions, nursing us back to good health. This is particularly true of Bacillus Clausii, which is effective at treating acute diarrhoea in children and helps prevent stomach upset and abdominal cramping.

This article explains the research on Bacillus Clausii and why this important strain should be supplemented for good health.

What is Bacillus Clausii?

Bacillus Clausii is a strain of friendly bacteria that is often found in the human gut. It is considered a ‘friendly bacteria’ because having rich colonies provides health benefits to their hosts or at the very least causes them no harm.

It is a spore-forming bacteria, which means it can protect itself in harsh conditions ensuring its survival. It achieves this by transforming itself into highly resistant structures called ‘endospores’ that lie dormant until favourable conditions arise, triggering its revival by reinitiating its metabolism. 

In their dormant state, endospores can survive conditions that would otherwise kill them, including:

• Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold
• Chemicals, including harsh acids found in the stomach
• Radiation, and exposure to radioactive substances
• Dehydration from very dry conditions
• Lack of nutrition

They can lie dormant for several years - sometimes decades. They resume activity through germination by rehydrating themselves and breaking down their external coat layer to reveal a new growing cell. The spore-forming nature of Bacillus Clausii makes it ideal for supplementation as it survives the harsh conditions of the passage to the intestines.

What are the benefits of Bacillus Clausii?

The most notable benefits of Bacillus Clausii revolve around its ability to alleviate symptoms of acute diarrhoea in children. Several studies prove that supplementing it shortens the duration of the condition and reduces the frequency and intensity of diarrhoea bouts. It has even been shown to reduce the number of nosocomial incidents - cases requiring hospital admission and the duration of hospitalisation.

Beyond diarrhoea, Bacillus Clausii has shown promise in alleviating symptoms from other conditions, including:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Ulcerative colitis
• Chron’s disease
• Lactose intolerance
• Helicobacter pylori infection

How does Bacillus Clausi alleviate diarrhoea?

Research on this topic is constantly evolving, however, three mechanisms have been identified as being crucial to Bacillus Clausii’s efficacy in treating diarrhoea. These are:

• Colonising free ecological niches
• Competition for epithelial cell adhesion
• Secretion of enzymes or antibiotics into the intestines

Ecological niches are areas or ‘neighbourhoods’ in the intestines that have favourable conditions like nutrients, oxygen, reduced acidity and competition. These spots are like desirable real estate for Bacillus Clausii to settle and colonise. 

Epithelial cells stick to the intestinal wall, much like a Velcro strap. The intestinal wall is nutrient-dense, so Bacilus Clausii loves to accumulate there. They form colonial structures to keep out other microbes competing for the same space.

Once a colony of Bacillus Clausii has formed a structured colony it synthesises and releases compounds that inhibit the growth of competing microbes, allowing them to dominate and maintain a healthy balance. This contributes to a healthy immune system because some of those compounds also fend off infections and promote the growth of other beneficial bacteria.

This is how Bacillus Clausii helps alleviate diarrhoea and other tummy disturbances. It inhibits unfriendly bacteria strains like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, and Clostridium difficile. Additionally, it strengthens the intestinal barrier, improves nutrient absorption, and modulates immune responses.

What is the evidence around Bacillus Clausii in alleviating diarrhoea and other gut symptoms?

Bacillus Clausii is proven to significantly reduce the amount of time children experience symptoms of diarrhoea and reduces the extent of symptoms, like stomach upsets and how frequently they need to pass stools and how loose they are when they do. It is among the most studied probiotics with children in clinical trials.

Some cases showed cessation of symptoms within 48 hours and at all stages those supplementing showed faster recovery with greater alleviation than a control group at intervals of 72 and 96 hours from the first supplement.

Supplementing Bacillus Clausii twice per day with oral capsules appears to be the optimum approach.

Should my child supplement Bacillus Clausii?

They say an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. Bacillus Clausii is proven safe and effective for treating acute diarrhoea and gut health-related symptoms like cramping and even an upset tummy. However, it is the underlying mechanisms that make this strain so interesting. Bacillus Claussi contributes to and enhances the immune system, supporting a notable improvement in the overall gut health of its subjects, as such the scientific literature asserts that supplementation is worth considering.

After all, it is better to start as you mean to go on - with good health, rather than waiting to correct it when it goes wrong.

Final thoughts

Children are vulnerable and prone to gut health challenges because their immune systems are undeveloped.  It is precisely why they fall ill with conditions like fever and diarrhoea and experience uncomfortable symptoms like cramping and stomach upsets.

Supplementing with Bacillus Clausii optimises your child’s gut microbiome for good health from an early age giving them a head start in the arms race between immunity and pathogens. It is recognised that gut health affects overall health, including mental health and should not be underestimated. That said, give your child the gift of lasting health, the Biogut Happy Tummies way.