Given that the microbiota of children is highly susceptible to environmental influences, researchers examined the effects of probiotic supplement Bacillus subtilis DE111 on the microbiome composition of preschool-aged children attending daycare.
Deerland Probiotics and Enzymes announced the publication of the IRB-approved, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 'Daily intake of probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis DE111 supports a healthy microbiome in children attending day-care.' The Deerland-sponsored study was recently published in the journal Beneficial Microbes.
Study details
The trial involved 91 healthy children aged 2 to 6. The kids were randomized to receive either probiotic or placebo once a day for 8 weeks.
Findings
After 8 weeks of daily probiotic consumption, no significant changes of the overall microbiome equilibrium were seen between the two groups or from baseline to week 8. However, alpha diversity was increased in the probiotic group from baseline to week 8, with no change in the placebo group. The increase in alpha-diversity at the phylum level suggests an expanded functional diversity of the microbiome compared to that of the children in the placebo group. Specifically, there were nine differentially abundant taxa at the genus level found in the probiotic group, six (of the phylum bacteroidetes) grew in abundance while three (of the phylum firmicutes) were reduced. The six taxa of bacteroidetes that flourished are involved in immune regulation and reduction of inflammation. This modulation of the firmicutes/bacteroidetes ratio is a positive indication that the probiotics work.
The report noted, “Together with a reduction of the F/B ratio observed in the probiotic group, these results suggest probiotic supplementation with Bacillus subtilis DE111 introduce subtle but positive changes in the microbiome of children aged 2-6 years old.”
“On the dawn of a new highly modified school year where health takes center stage, this study is highly encouraging to formulate natural, safe products for young children to promote immunity and overall well-being so they can concentrate on learning,” said John Deaton, PhD, vice president of science and technology at Deerland. “Focusing on supporting a healthy microbiome will result in more robust and effective immunity as children get older.”
Beyond immunity
The daycare study comes on the heels of another Bacillus subtilis DE111 study.
The study found that Bacillus subtilis DE111 supplementation of one billion CFU per day resulted in significant reduction in total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol relative to baseline measures. The research team also observed a strong trend toward reduction in LDL cholesterol, as well as improvement in endothelial function; reactive hyperemia index (RHI), an indicator of blood flow and heart health.
“Notably, these effects were observed in a population of healthy individuals, and the results strongly suggest that B. subtilis supplementation may help support cardiovascular health,” Deaton explained in a recent NutraVideo.
“In terms of how this impacts the industry, probiotics have really only been looked at in only two major areas -- digestion and immunity,” said Deaton, who agreed that we’re just at the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we’re learning about probiotic capabilities.
Source: Beneficial Microbes
2020; 11(7): 611-620 doi/epdf/10.3920/BM2020.0022
"Daily intake of probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis DE111 supports a healthy microbiome in children attending day-care"
Authors: A. Paytuví-Gallart et al.