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Supplement encyclopedia

Bacillus coagulans

Written by Pillintrip Editorial Team Updated

Bacillus coagulans, also known as Weizmannia coagulans, is a spore-forming bacterium. Results depend on the exact strain and product composition.

Recheck the conclusions and examine the sources before choosing a supplement.

Main conclusion

Potential benefits

Individual strains show preliminary signals for bowel regularity, sleep continuity and some sports tests. Effects depend on the strain and studied regimen; evidence for overall skin improvement is inconsistent. [1] [2] [3] [4]

What was studied

Bowel regularity: Four weeks; Sleep continuity: Four weeks; Strength alongside protein and training: 60 days; Skin condition and roughness: Eight weeks. [1] [2] [3] [4]

How to obtain it from food

Specially prepared spores of a specific strain may be added to foods. For GBI-30, 6086, GRAS materials describe beverages and juices, dairy products and plant-based alternatives, breakfast and grain products, baked goods and snacks. These are possible fortified-food categories, not a statement that every product in these categories contains the culture. Check the label for its presence and amount. GBI-30, 6086 does not replace Unique IS2 or IDCC 1201 from other studies. Inactivated cells of the same strain are a separate food ingredient. [1] [2]

Effects and studied questions

Goal or questionResultConfidenceStudiesPopulation studiedKey sources
Bowel regularityMay be considered for regularity in a similar group; the exact increase in bowel movements cannot be estimated from the published abstract.The authors reported improved stool frequency and consistency versus placebo (p=0.037 and p=0.018). Overall quality of life and gastrointestinal symptoms did not improve.2/51One direct trial described; the count refers to the named publication, not the entire literature.Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 improves stool characteristics in healthy adults with infrequent bowel movements: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial ↗144 healthy adults with 3–6 complete spontaneous bowel movements per week
  1. Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 improves stool characteristics in healthy adults with infrequent bowel movements: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial ↗
Sleep continuityThe preliminary positive result concerns IDCC 1201 and people with similar complaints.Polysomnographic sleep efficiency: +13.71 versus −0.15 percentage points; difference 13.86 percentage points. Sleep duration changed by +49.56 versus −0.50 minutes, a secondary outcome.2/51One direct trial described; the count refers to the named publication, not the entire literature.Efficacy and Safety of Bacillus coagulans IDCC 1201 for Sleep Improvement in Adults with Sleep Disturbance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Polysomnographic Study ↗80 adults aged 19–65 with sleep complaints; 78 completed; diagnosed significant sleep disorders were excluded
  1. Efficacy and Safety of Bacillus coagulans IDCC 1201 for Sleep Improvement in Adults with Sleep Disturbance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Polysomnographic Study ↗
Strength alongside protein and trainingThere is a preliminary signal for the studied combined regimen; it does not apply to all strains.Advantages in leg press and jump power were reported. These are individual tests within a protein regimen; a change in plasma amino acids does not establish additional muscle growth.2/51One direct trial described; the count refers to the named publication, not the entire literature.The effect of Bacillus coagulans Unique IS-2 supplementation on plasma amino acid levels and muscle strength in resistance trained males consuming whey protein: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study ↗56 young trained men
  1. The effect of Bacillus coagulans Unique IS-2 supplementation on plasma amino acid levels and muscle strength in resistance trained males consuming whey protein: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study ↗
Skin condition and roughnessThis trial cannot support a promise of an overall noticeable effect on appearance.Overall between-group changes in roughness, flaking and water loss through the skin were not significant. An individual brightness rating and flaking in a subgroup differed.2/51One direct trial described; the count refers to the named publication, not the entire literature.Improvement of skin condition and intestinal microbiota via Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258 intake: A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group comparative study ↗80 Japanese women aged 30–65 with roughness complaints; most measurements in 39 and 36 women
  1. Improvement of skin condition and intestinal microbiota via Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258 intake: A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group comparative study ↗

The study count refers to the cited source. Reviews with overlapping trials and outcomes from one study are not added together.

Guidance for each goal

Bowel regularity

Confidence2/5

May be considered for regularity in a similar group; the exact increase in bowel movements cannot be estimated from the published abstract.

Study findings. The authors reported improved stool frequency and consistency versus placebo (p=0.037 and p=0.018). Overall quality of life and gastrointestinal symptoms did not improve.

Studied regimen2 billion CFU/dayLive Unique IS2 spores
Duration and populationFour weeks144 healthy adults with 3–6 complete spontaneous bowel movements per week

The confidence scale assesses the reliability of this conclusion, not the probability of an individual result.

Why confidence 2/5?
  • One direct randomized double-blind trial.
  • An abstract is available without the absolute difference or full risk-of-bias analysis; company employees are among the authors.

Effect: 2/5

Sources
  1. Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 improves stool characteristics in healthy adults with infrequent bowel movements: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial ↗

Sleep continuity

Confidence2/5

The preliminary positive result concerns IDCC 1201 and people with similar complaints.

Study findings. Polysomnographic sleep efficiency: +13.71 versus −0.15 percentage points; difference 13.86 percentage points. Sleep duration changed by +49.56 versus −0.50 minutes, a secondary outcome.

Studied regimen5 billion CFU/dayLive B. coagulans IDCC 1201 strain
Duration and populationFour weeks80 adults aged 19–65 with sleep complaints; 78 completed; diagnosed significant sleep disorders were excluded

The confidence scale assesses the reliability of this conclusion, not the probability of an individual result.

Why confidence 2/5?
  • An objective primary outcome and a double-blind comparison.
  • One small short trial, registration after completion and manufacturer involvement reduce confidence.

Effect: 2/5

Sources
  1. Efficacy and Safety of Bacillus coagulans IDCC 1201 for Sleep Improvement in Adults with Sleep Disturbance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Polysomnographic Study ↗

Strength alongside protein and training

Confidence2/5

There is a preliminary signal for the studied combined regimen; it does not apply to all strains.

Study findings. Advantages in leg press and jump power were reported. These are individual tests within a protein regimen; a change in plasma amino acids does not establish additional muscle growth.

Studied regimen2 billion CFU/day; identical whey protein and training in both groupsLive Unique IS-2 strain together with whey protein
Duration and population60 days56 young trained men

The confidence scale assesses the reliability of this conclusion, not the probability of an individual result.

Why confidence 2/5?
  • One small randomized study in trained men.
  • The full magnitude of between-group differences and the protocol have not been independently checked; some authors have links to the manufacturer.

Effect: 2/5

Sources
  1. The effect of Bacillus coagulans Unique IS-2 supplementation on plasma amino acid levels and muscle strength in resistance trained males consuming whey protein: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study ↗

Skin condition and roughness

Confidence2/5

This trial cannot support a promise of an overall noticeable effect on appearance.

Study findings. Overall between-group changes in roughness, flaking and water loss through the skin were not significant. An individual brightness rating and flaking in a subgroup differed.

Studied regimen1 billion CFU/dayLive SANK70258 strain
Duration and populationEight weeks80 Japanese women aged 30–65 with roughness complaints; most measurements in 39 and 36 women

The confidence scale assesses the reliability of this conclusion, not the probability of an individual result.

Why confidence 2/5?
  • Many skin outcomes and a positive result in a subgroup.
  • Post-allocation exclusions and manufacturer interests limit confidence.

Effect: 2/5

Sources
  1. Improvement of skin condition and intestinal microbiota via Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258 intake: A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group comparative study ↗
How to read the confidence scale 1–5

The rating considers study quality, directness and applicability to the stated group and regimen. It is an editorial scale, not the probability of an individual result.

Safety and limitations

In short trials in healthy adults, the studied preparations were generally well tolerated. Gas and digestive discomfort may occur. Safety in vulnerable groups is considered separately. In immunodeficiency and severe illness, discuss live microorganisms with the treating team. Do not give them independently to premature infants; adult regimens do not apply to children, pregnancy or breastfeeding. Vulnerable groups, particularly premature infants, should not independently use adult probiotic regimens. The new genus name Heyndrickxia does not make different strains, or live and inactivated preparations, equivalent.

Probiotics — Health Professional Fact Sheet (NIH ODS) ↗ · Efficacy and Safety of Bacillus coagulans IDCC 1201 for Sleep Improvement in Adults with Sleep Disturbance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Polysomnographic Study ↗ · Healthy subjects gut microbiome modulation by Bacillus coagulans BCP92: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial ↗ · Bacillus infections in patients with cancer ↗ · GRAS Notice No. 660: Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 ↗

Forms

Live spores of a specific strain: Check the strain, viable CFU per daily serving, expiry date and storage conditions. Inactivated cells: Not equivalent to live spores or their CFU counts. Mixtures with protein or other microorganisms: Results concern the study formulation and background; the contribution of a single component may be inseparable.

Food sources

Specially prepared spores of a specific strain may be added to foods. For GBI-30, 6086, GRAS materials describe beverages and juices, dairy products and plant-based alternatives, breakfast and grain products, baked goods and snacks. These are possible fortified-food categories, not a statement that every product in these categories contains the culture. Check the label for its presence and amount. GBI-30, 6086 does not replace Unique IS2 or IDCC 1201 from other studies. Inactivated cells of the same strain are a separate food ingredient.

GRAS Notice No. 660: Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 ↗

Studies

PublicationWhat was studiedParticipantsForm and doseResult
Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 improves stool characteristics in healthy adults with infrequent bowel movements: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial ↗Bowel regularity144 healthy adults with 3–6 complete spontaneous bowel movements per weekLive Unique IS2 spores: 2 billion CFU/day. Four weeksThe authors reported improved stool frequency and consistency versus placebo (p=0.037 and p=0.018). Overall quality of life and gastrointestinal symptoms did not improve.
Efficacy and Safety of Bacillus coagulans IDCC 1201 for Sleep Improvement in Adults with Sleep Disturbance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Polysomnographic Study ↗Sleep continuity80 adults aged 19–65 with sleep complaints; 78 completed; diagnosed significant sleep disorders were excludedLive B. coagulans IDCC 1201 strain: 5 billion CFU/day. Four weeksPolysomnographic sleep efficiency: +13.71 versus −0.15 percentage points; difference 13.86 percentage points. Sleep duration changed by +49.56 versus −0.50 minutes, a secondary outcome.
The effect of Bacillus coagulans Unique IS-2 supplementation on plasma amino acid levels and muscle strength in resistance trained males consuming whey protein: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study ↗Strength alongside protein and training56 young trained menLive Unique IS-2 strain together with whey protein: 2 billion CFU/day; identical whey protein and training in both groups. 60 daysAdvantages in leg press and jump power were reported. These are individual tests within a protein regimen; a change in plasma amino acids does not establish additional muscle growth.
Improvement of skin condition and intestinal microbiota via Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258 intake: A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group comparative study ↗Skin condition and roughness80 Japanese women aged 30–65 with roughness complaints; most measurements in 39 and 36 womenLive SANK70258 strain: 1 billion CFU/day. Eight weeksOverall between-group changes in roughness, flaking and water loss through the skin were not significant. An individual brightness rating and flaking in a subgroup differed.

Sources

Sources
  1. GRAS Notice No. 660: Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 ↗
  2. Probiotics — Health Professional Fact Sheet (NIH ODS) ↗
  3. Bacillus infections in patients with cancer ↗
  4. The effect of Bacillus coagulans Unique IS-2 supplementation on plasma amino acid levels and muscle strength in resistance trained males consuming whey protein: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study ↗
  5. Improvement of skin condition and intestinal microbiota via Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258 intake: A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group comparative study ↗
  6. Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 improves stool characteristics in healthy adults with infrequent bowel movements: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial ↗
  7. Efficacy and Safety of Bacillus coagulans IDCC 1201 for Sleep Improvement in Adults with Sleep Disturbance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Polysomnographic Study ↗
  8. Healthy subjects gut microbiome modulation by Bacillus coagulans BCP92: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial ↗