Tolerance and Efficacy of a Probiotic Supplement Delivered in Capsule Form

Probiotic supplementation may promote a healthy microbiome, alleviate diarrhea and constipation, and improve some metabolic parameters. Bacillus subtilis, used in fermentation of some foods, may also be tolerated and effective in a concentrated supplement form. Forty healthy male and female adults (23 ± 3.9 years of age) were randomly assigned, in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, to probiotic (approximately 1.9 x 109 CFU/capsule) or placebo groups for an average of 20 days. Subjects were instructed to maintain their usual diet and activity levels over the course of the study. Fecal and fasted serum samples were collected before and after capsule consumption. Dietary and daily bowel movement (BM) frequency and consistency records were reported by subjects. Fecal DNA was subject to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR) for microbial detection and quantification. Metabolic, lipid, and C reactive protein levels remained within normal ranges from pre- to post- capsule consumption, ho...