Study finds specific probiotic strain safe for human consumption

CLEVELAND The results of a safety study to be published in the May issue of Food and Chemical Toxicology demonstrated that the probiotic strain bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 is safe for human consumption, even in massive amounts.

Many experts recognize the health benefits of probiotics, but some have stressed that probiotic strains must first demonstrate safety before recommendations can be made about their widespread use.

“Some probiotics manufacturers want things both ways, suggesting, for example, that clinical studies done on their particular strains apply only to their probiotics, but then staking claim to safety studies conducted on different strains,” stated Andrew Lefkowitz, president and CEO of Ganeden Biotech, which sponsored the study. “It is our belief that both the benefits and the safety of probiotics are specific to individual strains and should be demonstrated by studies.”

Probiotics, also referred to as friendly bacteria, are becoming increasingly popular with consumers for several health benefits. However, safety studies do not exist for many strains of probiotics. Most food manufacturers require some evidence of safety for any ingredient they put into their products, but few probiotic manufacturers are able to cite safety testing on their particular probiotic strains and instead refer to the safe history of use of probiotic strains in general.

“While Bacillus coagulans has always intrigued me as a probiotic strain due to its ability to survive commercial conditions and gastric acidity, I didn’t know much about its safety and efficacy because there was little published data to review,” stated Gary Huffnagle, author of The Probiotics Revolution. “Now that the studies are being published, it will be much easier to recommend it to consumers and to food manufacturers looking to enhance their foods with probiotics.”