Health benefits of Bacillus subtilis CU1 acknowledged

THE positive effects of Bacillus subtilis CU1’s in supporting immune health, including decreasing the frequency of upper respiratory infections was recognized in a peer-reviewed paper written by researchers from the University of Bordeaux, Biofortis-Mérieux NutriSciences, Paris 7 University and Lesaffre Human Care.

Bacillus subtilis CU1 comes from an exclusive and patented strain of Bacillus subtilis, registered with the French National Collection of Microorganism Cultures as CNCM I-2745. The product which incorporates in food and beverage, can help support immune health, especially in people with weakened natural defenses.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 100 healthy volunteers, aged between 60 and 74 years old and with a history of winter infections, to participate in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The purpose of this trial, conducted in collaboration with Pr. Philippe Marteau¹ – independent expert in the area of Gastroenterology –, was to investigate the effect of Bacillus subtilis CU1 on winter respiratory and gastrointestinal infectious episodes in elderly people.

The target group was purposely selected as natural defenses weaken as we age and, among other things, a decrease in secretory IgA (sIgA) concentrations can be observed. Gastrointestinal and respiratory sIgA are the first line of immune body defenses and a deficiency can lead to increased risks of infections. Seniors are therefore a relevant population to assess Bacillus subtilis CU1’s efficacy in boosting the immune function.

This trial was performed in the winter within a period of over 4 months, alternating 10 days of consumption of Bacillus subtilis CU1 (2x109 spores of the bacteria/day) or the placebo, followed by 18-day without consumption. Findings of this clinical study were recently published in the renowned ‘Immunity & Ageing’ journal².

In a sub-group of 44 participants, consumption of Bacillus subtilis CU1 was found to significantly decrease the frequency of upper respiratory infections versus consumption of the placebo (-45 percent). Further analysis of the data also showed a significant and durable increase in sIgA concentrations with consumption of Bacillus subtilis CU1 versus the placebo. “Increased SIgA levels of 87 percent and 45 percent in feces and saliva respectively are most probably of physiological significance in ameliorating the health status of seniors receiving B. subtilis CU1”, researchers concluded. It is worth noting that no side effects were reported during the study. “These results provide evidence that consumption of B. subtilis CU1 may be a safe and effective prevention strategy to stimulate immune responses and provide long-term support to people at risk of sIgA deficiency such as the elderly, people suffering from chronic stress/sleep deprivation, professional athletes, etc.”, said Elodie Ruffin - Probiotics Marketing Manager at Lesaffre Human Care.

Food and beverage applications

Since it is derived from spore-forming bacteria, Bacillus subtilis CU1 is different from many other bacteria which are often vulnerable to manufacturing processes or gastric acid and intestinal bile. Bacillus subtilis CU1 is indeed highly stable and able to survive exposure to the human gastrointestinal tract as well as extreme conditions. It can thus be incorporated into a diverse range of food and beverage applications (e.g.: hot tea, cereal bar, etc…) and deliver its health benefits no matter how harsh the environmental conditions may be.

In addition, Bacillus subtilis CU1 is compatible with all kinds of dietary restrictions. It is gluten and lactose free, non-GMO, as well as Halal and Kosher certified; and therefore suited for virtually any healthy individual that wants to boost their natural defenses³.

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[1] Pr. Philippe Marteau - Gastroenterologist, Head of the medico-surgical department of hepato-gastroenterology at Lariboisière Hospital (Paris) and Professor of gastroenterology at Paris 7 University.

2 Lefevre M, Racedo S, Ripert G, Housez B, Cazaubiel M, Maudet C, Jüsten P, Marteau P, Urdaci M. Probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis CU1 stimulates immune system of elderly during common infectious disease period: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Immunity & Ageing (2015) 12:24; DOI 10.1186/s12979-015-0051-y

3 As for all probiotics, the use of Bacillus subtilis CU1 in patients in fragile health conditions (such as high-risk immune-compromised patients, critically sick infants, pre-term infants...) is contraindicated.