What's a Bacillus?

“Probiotics are bacteria that help your gut. But wait, isn’t bacteria bad?”

When we hear the word bacteria, our automatic reaction is to think of a dirty doorknob in a public place. This is why when we hear people referring to probiotics as “good bacteria” it can be confusing.

More and more people are starting to take probiotic supplements and are choosing to incorporate “probiotic foods” into their diets. But how many of you really understand what probiotics are and what benefits they offer? Although the answer “they’re good for your gut” is a good enough reason for most people to start eating probiotic foods and taking probiotic supplements, there are so many other great reasons to up your probiotic intake. Probiotics can help you digest food, produce vitamins, promote the growth of other beneficial microorganisms and even regulate your metabolism. There are so many different species of probiotics that you can benefit from in a multitude of ways. Our focus, however, is on Bacillus Coagulans, a fairly new species that has recently come to the forefront of studies and the top of the list for the most commonly supplemented.

Bacillus is a species of bacteria that is highly resistant to heat, moisture and light. This particular species is highly resistant to stomach acid and is readily colonized in the small intestine, allowing the good bacteria to also reside for longer periods of time within the body. Bacillus coagulans, or B. coagulans is a lactic acid producing strain of the Bacillus species. They produces enzymes that can aid in the digestion of lactose and also in the body’s ability to absorb and use important minerals and vitamins while stimulating the GI tract. Although fairly new to the probiotic world, B. coagulans is becoming one of the most popular strains of probiotics, and for good reason.

Here are 7 Health Benefits of Bacillus Coagulans:

1. B. coagulans have the ability to kill a variety of pathogenic bacteria, including Listeria and other antiobiotic resistant bacteria. This is why it is important to take probiotics before, during and after taking antiobiotics.
2. Studies have shown that B. coagulans can help to prevent and reduce the symptoms related to diarrhea and even symptoms associated with arthritis.
3. This strain of Bacillus helps to reduce gas.
4. B. coagulans can reduce symptoms of IBS. There was a study done on individuals who suffered from IBS who were given B. coagulans on a daily basis. As the study went on, the individuals showed a reduction in the frequency of symptoms associated with IBS such as bloating, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
5. This strain of Bacillus is able to survive stomach acid while retaining their potency in the intestines. Because of this, They can also able to promote a healthy gut flora.
6. B. coagulans is also referred to as Lactobacillus sporogenes, meaning that unlike other probiotic supplements, they have the ability to produce lactic acid.
7. Because B. coagulans is able to withstand, heat moisture and light they’re also able to maintain their potency throughout the journey into and through the stomach. This is unlike many Lactobacillus probiotics who are killed before they can be of any use.

1. Coagulans’ unique ability to resist high heat, moisture and light has made them the perfect probiotic for us to enhance our superfoods with. Typically probiotics are compromised when met with high temperatures, moisture and sunlight however the nature of this specific strain of Bacillus is not compromised when met under these circumstances. At Organic Traditions we carry a variety of superfood blends that each contain 1 billion Bacillus Coagulans Probiotics per serving that can also be served both hot and cold! You can enjoy your usual matcha latte or golden mylk plus one billion probiotics per serving with our Matcha Latte and Turmeric Latte mixes. Or next time you’re making a smoothie, kick it up a notch by adding a serving of our Probiotic Smoothie Mixes. Even if you’re not making a smoothie, our Probiotic mixes can also be used to top off your fruit, cereal and yogurt! When it comes to probiotics, it’s hard to go overboard, so if you ask us, the more the merrier!