Deerland Probiotics and Enzymes has announced the publication of a clinical study demonstrating efficacy of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis DE111 in promoting healthy endothelial function and support of healthy cholesterol levels.
The study, “Bacillus subtilis DE111 intake may improve blood lipids and endothelial function in healthy adults” published in Beneficial Microbes, is an IRB-approved, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled four-week trial involving 43 participants aged 18 to 65.
The goal of this parallel arm trial was to determine if various cardiovascular parameters in healthy adults could be altered by probiotic supplementation. This research was based on findings from previous studies that showed clear correlations between certain probiotic strains and healthy vascular function, reduced systemic inflammation and glucose tolerance, as well as evidence that the species Bacillus subtilis can support healthy cholesterol levels with positive cardiovascular effects in animal models.
The research team found that B. subtilis DE111 supplementation of 1 billion CFU per day resulted in significant reduction in total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol relative to baseline measures. The 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, increased by 9.14%.
“To our knowledge, this is the first randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of B. subtilis supplementation on these parameters in a human population,” the principal investigators of the study stated. The authors of the study believe that B. subtilis supplementation may have an indirect effect on enhancing the generation of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) leading to this cholesterol lowering effect.
“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,” commented Dr John Deaton, Vice President of Science and Technology at Deerland.
Deaton noted the spore-forming properties of the probiotic DE111 allow formulating in consumer products beyond supplement capsules, including gummies, chocolates, functional beverages and fitness nutrition powders.
