Soil-Based Probiotics: Microorganisms for Gut Health

Among the thousands of probiotic species, soil-based probiotics are currently trending in natural and holistic health circles for their robust nature and phenomenal health benefits. Unlike regular probiotics, soil-based probiotics have a thick-walled structure, making them strong enough to survive the harsh environment of the stomach.

Regular probiotics are widely recognized for their role in maintaining a healthy, balanced gut microbiome. These beneficial “gut bugs” help keep your gut flora in harmony while boosting immunity and improving digestion. Do soil-based probiotics provide the same benefits?

In this blog, we’ll explore the numerous benefits of soil-based probiotics, their impressive resilience, and why ORGANIC INDIA’s Psyllium Pre & Probiotic Fiber features Bacillus coagulans, a well-studied and highly-regarded soil-based probiotic.

Contents

• What are Soil-Based Probiotics?
• Resilience of Soil-Based Probiotics
• Spotlight on Bacillus Coagulans
• Common Misconceptions
• How to Choose the Best
• Psyllium Pre & Probiotic Fiber
• The Power of Soil-Based Probiotiocs

What Are Soil-Based Probiotics?

Soil-based probiotics are bacteria found in soil that break down material and fight bad bacteria. There are over one hundred types of soil-based probiotics, and humans have been living and evolving with them for thousands of years.

Common types of soil-based probiotics include various species of the Bacillus genus. Bacillus coagulans is one of the most prominent, but there are many others. For instance, Bacillus subtilis, sometimes called “hay bacillus,” is found in the gastrointestinal tract of cows (as well as humans). Bacillus clausii can reduce nitrate in soil to nitrite, and Bacillus licheniformis is found on bird feathers.

Each of these soil-based probiotics is known to support a healthy gut microbiome while reflecting a nod to our ancestral roots of interacting with our natural surroundings and embracing the abundance offered by Mother Earth.

Since this unique class of probiotics is found in soil, it differs significantly from the commonly known lactic acid bacteria found in fermented foods. Soil-based probiotics are different in several ways:

• They produce spores that can survive harsh digestive conditions.
• They have a longer shelf life and don’t need to be refrigerated.
• They are derived from microbial strains that naturally occur in soil.
• They can help balance gut bacteria and support antioxidant production.

While there are benefits to both regular and soil-based probiotics, soil-based probiotics provide more diversity of bacterial strains. And, since they are hardier, they can make it all the way to the large intestine intact.

Through the ages, humans have naturally ingested these beneficial microbes through contact with their natural environment and consumption of foods grown on the bounteous earth. Today, organic and regenerative farming practices can improve soil health, which supports beneficial soil-based bacteria. Research has shown that organic soils have more diverse and higher numbers of beneficial bacteria. 

Unlike traditionally marketed probiotics, which often have a shorter lifespan and require refrigeration, soil-based probiotics are extremely hardy. They can withstand harsh conditions, including stomach acid and heat. This makes them particularly effective at reaching the gut alive, enabling them to germinate, grow, and increase the number of good bacteria in the small and large intestines.

When the bacteria multiply, they send out spores, called endospores. Endospores are a dormant form of bacteria highly resistant to physical and chemical influences. In other words, they’re very robust!

Many health experts now believe soil-based probiotics may have health benefits for the human microbiome. Research shows that this special type of probiotics may improve digestion, help improve the good bacteria in the gut microbiome, and support a healthy immune system.

Soil-Based Probiotics Are Resilient

One notable feature of soil-based probiotics is their remarkable resilience to a harsh environment. Unlike traditional probiotics that may require refrigeration to maintain their stability, soil-based probiotics are naturally shelf-stable and heat-stable.

This inherent resilience stems from their natural environment. These types of microbes are accustomed to surviving in the harsh conditions of soil where they endure varying temperatures as the climate changes from season to season.

Consequently, they have a high survival rate as they travel through the stomach and germinate in the small intestine. Withstanding the acidic environment of the stomach and reaching the intestines alive ensures they can perform their beneficial functions.

In contrast, many traditional probiotics are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and generally do not survive the transit through the stomach. If they reach the small intestine intact, they are degraded and destroyed by the ever-present enzymes and bile salts. Probiotic bacteria that don’t survive this journey, are rendered useless and won’t help improve your overall healthy gut microbiome.

The robustness of soil-based probiotics offers a significant advantage in this regard. Their shelf- and heat-stable properties make them incredibly easy to transport and store, providing a reliable source of beneficial bacteria without the need for refrigeration or special storage considerations. This makes them an ideal choice for supporting gut health in a convenient and user-friendly way.

Spotlight on Bacillus Coagulans

Bacillus coagulans is a live organism that isn’t naturally found in the human body. But, when ingested, it is strong enough to withstand the gastric juices in the stomach. Once it reaches the digestive tract, specifically the duodenum, or the first part of the small intestine, it begins to germinate.

Once it becomes active, this “good” bacteria produces digestive enzymes in the gut which may support a healthy digestive tract, contribute to regular bowel movements, and improve the intestinal environment by enhancing the number of good bacteria.

These powerful properties make Bacillus coagulans an ideal candidate for probiotic formulations aimed at delivering tangible health benefits. Due to its proven resilience and effectiveness, we’ve included Bacillus coagulans in our Psyllium Pre & Probiotic Fiber.

This powerful soil-based probiotic creates a synergistic effect with Psyllium, a natural prebiotic that is grown by regenerative practices. Together, this Ayurvedic formula gently detoxes and cleanses the digestive tract for smooth elimination and regularity.

Misconceptions Surrounding Soil-Based Probiotics

Even though soil-based probiotics have existed on the earth since the dawn of time, they have sparked some debate within the health and wellness community. And despite their growing acceptance and numerous health benefits, some misconceptions persist. Critics raise concerns about their safety and efficacy, questioning whether they pose any health risks.

One common misconception is that soil-based probiotics are inherently unsafe because they originate from the soil, which can harbor other harmful bacteria and pathogens. However, this concern is put at ease by the rigorous screening and testing processes that reputable manufacturers use to ensure the safety and purity of their products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have added Bacillus coagulans to the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) and Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) lists, respectively.

To address concerns that soil-based probiotics pose a risk, the scientific community has conducted research and clinical trials to provide substantial evidence supporting the safety of soil-based probiotics like Bacillus coagulans.

How To Choose a Safe and Effective Soil-Based Probiotic

When selecting a safe and effective soil-based probiotic, the most important factor is choosing a well-studied one. Safety and efficacy are the primary concerns when adding supplements to your regimen, especially probiotics, which interact directly with your gut microbiome. Look for reputable companies whose probiotics are backed by scientific research and have undergone rigorous testing.

In the world of soil-based probiotics, Bacillus coagulans stands out as a trusted and extensively researched option. It’s been proven to be a resilient probiotic with qualities that provide tangible benefits for the gut microbial community. ORGANIC INDIA prides itself on offering well-studied products so you can confidently incorporate probiotics into your health routine.

Product Highlight: Psyllium Pre & Probiotic Fiber Powder

ORGANIC INDIA’S Psyllium Pre & Probiotic Fiber Powder is a versatile supplement that combines the natural prebiotic of organic Psyllium with the robust soil-based probiotic Bacillus coagulans for a powerful detoxification and cleansing supplement. It also includes the classic Ayurvedic tri-herb formula known as Triphala to aid in digestive rejuvenation.

Dietary fiber is an important part of a healthy diet, yet according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 95% of Americans don’t get enough fiber. Both soluble and insoluble fiber are necessary for healthy digestion. Psyllium is innately rich in both types of fiber, making it a natural choice for encouraging regularity and smooth elimination.

Our Psyllium Pre & Probiotic Fiber comes in three flavors: Original, Cinnamon Spice, and Orange which can be easily added to smoothies, mixed into meals, and baked into breads.

Along with this rejuvenating colon cleansing supplement, be sure to eat a diet rich in foods that support healthy digestion. Some examples of high-fiber foods include chia seeds, beans, legumes, almonds, oats, and pistachios.

The Power of Soil-Based Probiotics

Are soil-based probiotics risky? For most of human history, people have tilled the earth, eating vegetables straight from the field. They did not know they were ingesting microscopic bacteria that were beneficial to their health.

In this blog, we’ve explored the unique benefits of soil-based probiotics, emphasizing the importance of selecting well-studied and resilient strains like Bacillus coagulans. Choosing effective probiotics is crucial for maintaining a healthy gut, and ORGANIC INDIA is committed to promoting healthy conscious living by offering Certified Organic and non-GMO verified supplements like our Psyllium Pre & Probiotic Fiber.