Evidence supporting the use of: Bacillus coagulans
For the health condition: Antibiotics (side effects of)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Bacillus coagulans is a spore-forming probiotic bacterium that has been studied for its potential to mitigate the gastrointestinal side effects associated with antibiotic use, such as diarrhea and disruption of the gut microbiota. Antibiotics can indiscriminately destroy beneficial gut bacteria, leading to dysbiosis, diarrhea, and other digestive complaints. Probiotics like B. coagulans are of interest because their spores can survive passage through the acidic environment of the stomach and germinate in the intestines, where they may help restore microbial balance.

Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have explored the efficacy of B. coagulans in reducing antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). For example, a 2016 double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that adults receiving antibiotics and B. coagulans (Unique IS2 strain) experienced significantly less diarrhea than those given placebo. Similar results have been observed in pediatric populations. Furthermore, a 2020 systematic review concluded that there is moderate evidence supporting the effectiveness of B. coagulans in preventing AAD and improving gastrointestinal symptoms.

However, the overall quality and number of studies are still limited compared to research on more established probiotics like Lactobacillus or Saccharomyces boulardii. While the evidence is promising and supports the use of B. coagulans for this purpose, further large-scale and high-quality trials are needed for definitive recommendations.

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