DE111TM

DE111TM (Bacillus subtillis)

Your gut is a home to billions of good and bad bacteria. Among them is Bacillus subtilis, which has more than one hundred species. Experts at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consider Bacillus subtilis as one of the most beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract and have included it on the list of GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) food supplements.^[1] They found that this bacteria is a natural part of a healthy digestive system and it can safely survive in the gut for decades.

Benefits of Bacillus subtillis

DE111TM, a classic Bacillus subtilis strain, crowds out other harmful bacteria in the gut and is clinically proven to regulate the delicate balance between good and bad bacteria in the digestive tract. The following are some of the outstanding health benefits of Bacillus subtilis:

Promotes Healthier Digestion

In laboratory experiments, Bacillus subtilis increases the production of other beneficial bacteria in the gut including Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus acidophilus. ^[2] This can help promote better digestion and absorption of nutrients when taken in adequate amounts.  

Treats Mild Gastrointestinal Disorders

Spore probiotics, particularly Bacillus subtilis, are usually taken as an over-the-counter supplement for the treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea,^[3-4] constipation^[5] and other adverse effects related to the use of antibiotic.

Protects Against Cellular Damage

Cellular damage, particularly DNA damage, is associated with faster aging and onset of various illnesses. Interestingly, Bacillus subtilis has DNA protective and antioxidant properties which help protect intestinal cells against free radical-induced damage and loss of barrier function.^[6]

Fights Infection

Research suggests that Bacillus subtilis has antimicrobial properties. In one study, researchers found that Bacillus subtilis inhibited the growth of different microorganisms including Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella and Proteus species in wound swabs of diabetic foot ulcer patients.^[7] Similarly, other studies have shown that Bacillus subtilis supplementation decreased the frequency of respiratory infections in elderly subjects^[8] and inhibited disease transmission in patients with urinary tract infections.^[9]

Detoxifies the Body

One study found that in patients with liver cirrhosis, Bacillus subtilis supplementation was able to shift the intestinal environment back towards levels observed in healthy subjects.^[10] This effect was also accompanied by a significant reduction in the circulating levels of endotoxin (bacterial toxin), suggesting that the treatment can help cleanse the body.

Combats Cancer

Bacillus subtilis supplementation can be beneficial in various types of cancers such as liver cancer, cervical cancer, and leukemia. A large body of evidence suggests that Bacillus subtilis supplementation can help kill cancer cells and prevent its progression by inhibiting cancer cell growth and inducing programmed cell death among malignant cells.^[11-15]

References:

1. Sampo Lahtinen; Arthur C. Ouwehand; Seppo Salminen; Atte von Wright (13 December 2011). Lactic Acid Bacteria: Microbiological and Functional Aspects, Fourth Edition. CRC Press. pp. 424–. ISBN 978-1-4398-3678-1.
2. Hosoi T, Ametani A, Kiuchi K, Kaminogawa S. Improved growth and viability of lactobacilli in the presence of Bacillus subtilis (natto), catalase, or subtilisin. Can J Microbiol. 2000;46(10):892-7.
3. Mazza P. The use of Bacillus subtilis as an antidiarrhoeal microorganism. Boll Chim Farm. 1994;133:3–18.
4. Hickson M. Probiotics in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and Clostridium difficile infection. Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology. 2011;4(3):185-197. doi:10.1177/1756283X11399115.
5. Liu YP, Liu X, Dong L. [Lactulose plus live binary Bacillus subtilis in the treatment of elders with functional constipation]. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2012;92(42):2961-4.
6. Williams P. Bacillus subtilis: a shocking message from a probiotic. Cell Host Microbe. 2007;1(4):248-9.
7. Joseph B, Dhas B, Hena V, Raj J. Bacteriocin from Bacillus subtilis as a novel drug against diabetic foot ulcer bacterial pathogens. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2013;3(12):942-946. doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60183-5.
8. Lefevre M, Racedo SM, Ripert G, et al. Probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis CU1 stimulates immune system of elderly during common infectious disease period: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Immunity & Ageing : I & A. 2015;12:24. doi:10.1186/s12979-015-0051-y.
9. Pushkarev AM, Tuĭgunova VG, Zaĭnullin RR, Kuznetsova TN, Gabidullin IuZ. [Use of antagonistic Bacillus subtilis bacteria for treatment of nosocomial urinary tract infections]. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol. 2007;(2):90-3.
10. Tompkins TA, Xu X, Ahmarani J. A comprehensive review of post-market clinical studies performed in adults with an Asian probiotic formulation. Benef Microbes. 2010;1(1):93-106.
11. Cheng W, Feng YQ, Ren J, Jing D, Wang C. Anti-tumor role of Bacillus subtilis fmbJ-derived fengycin on human colon cancer HT29 cell line. Neoplasma. 2016;63(2):215-22.
12. Kim SY, Kim JY, Kim SH, et al. Surfactin from Bacillus subtilis displays anti-proliferative effect via apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest and survival signaling suppression. FEBS Lett. 2007;581(5):865-71.
13. Abdel-fattah AM, Gamal-eldeen AM, Helmy WA, Esawy MA. Antitumor and antioxidant activities of levan and its derivative from the isolate Bacillus subtilis NRC1aza. Carbohydr Polym. 2012;89(2):314-22.
14. El-sersy NA, Abdelwahab AE, Abouelkhiir SS, Abou-zeid DM, Sabry SA. Antibacterial and anticancer activity of ε-poly-L-lysine (ε-PL) produced by a marine Bacillus subtilis sp. J Basic Microbiol. 2012;52(5):513-22.
15. Wang CL, Ng TB, Yuan F, Liu ZK, Liu F. Induction of apoptosis in human leukemia K562 cells by cyclic lipopeptide from Bacillus subtilis natto T-2. Peptides. 2007;28(7):1344-50.