9 things you need to know about the world’s best sporebiotic

Cura Sporebiotics™ is the first spore-based, broad-spectrum probiotic available in the UK.   Spore-based probiotics are much more effective than the more typical conventional-style probiotics because they are designed to survive through the harsh gastric system, colonise and increase microbial diversity in the gut. As these spores are so multi-functional, they can support a variety of functions in the body. They effectively recondition the gut by increasing microbial diversity and encouraging the growth of key commensal gut bacteria.

Background

Found naturally in the environment for millions of years, Bacillus spores have developed a symbiotic relationship with their human host. Our ancestors derived probiotic benefits from inadvertently consuming Bacillus spores on a regular basis. In fact, the oldest bacterial spore ever documented was 250 million years old and found inside salt crystals in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Though it sounds like science fiction, scientists were able to isolate and grow the 250-million-year-old spores!

Ingredients

 Cura Sporebiotics contains 3 strains of Bacillus spores including Bacillus subtilis HU58, Bacillus coagulans SC-208 and Bacillus clausii SC-109.  These strains were originally isolated at the Royal Holloway University of London by Professor Simon Cutting and his team.

The “HU” in the strain number represents Holloway University, and the “SC” represents Simon Cutting. The original bacterial strains are kept in a bacteria bank at Royal Holloway University of London.  When it is time for production, the bacteria are checked again for proper characterisation and DNA-verified to be the correct strains.

Along with the Bacillus spores, Cura Sporebiotics contains a specialised blend of 4 high-potency antioxidants: beta-carotene, astaxanthin, lutein and lycopene. Each of these antioxidants has a unique chemical structure and function.  Together they deliver powerful and comprehensive antioxidant support.

The antioxidant ingredients show up as dark red “flecks” and due to their natural pigment are clearly visible inside the Cura Sporebiotic capsule.

Cura Sporebiotics also contains hypoallergenic plant fibre (in the form of vegetarian cellulose) that acts as a prebiotic for gut bacteria.

Added Bonuses

Cura Sporebiotics has a 2-year shelf-life, does not require refrigeration and maintains efficacy during antibiotic therapy.

Why Bacillus Spores Are Top Rated Probiotics

Bacillus spores are naturally designed to survive digestion. The reason for their inherent survivability comes from their bi-phasic life cycle. This means that the Bacillus spores can transition interchangeably from their dormant form to their active form, depending on the environment. In its dormant spore form, Bacillus will surround itself with an endospore, which is a tough, natural outer shell that protects it from light, heat, pressure, acid, lack of oxygen and other environmental factors.1

This key feature allows Cura Sporebiotics to survive easily through digestion without the need for enteric-coated capsules or refrigeration. Once it reaches the intestines, Cura  Sporebiotics can increase microbial diversity by changing the pH, crowding out unwanted pathogens and increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids. Due to its inherent survivability and lasting health benefits, Cura Sporebiotics has become a revolutionary supplement to achieve restoration of the gut.

The Function of Probiotics

According to research by the National Institute of Health, the definition of a probiotic is as follows:

  1. The organism must be a normally occurring organism in the digestive tract.
  2. To consistently trigger a healthy boost in immune function the organism must be supplemented in concentrations higher than that which normally occurs in the digestive tract.
  3. The organism must be able to survive in the digestive tract as well as in the environment.

Interestingly enough there are almost no probiotics in the retail marketplace that meet all three of these criteria, which is one of the reasons why Cura Sporebiotics  is a top rated probiotic formula. The spores used in Cura Sporebiotics have been shown to effectively modulate the immune system, reduce intestinal inflammation and even reduce biomarkers of leaky gut.2-4

More About our Bacillus spores

Each pharmaceutical-grade Bacillus strain used in the Cura Sporebiotic formula have unique functions, which contribute to the overall effectiveness of the product.

Bacillus subtilis HU58

Bacillus subtilis has been extensively studied on a genetic and functional level. One very interesting function of Bacillus subtilis is its ability to produce 12 strong antibiotics that are potent fighters of opportunistic and harmful bacteria.10

Bacillus subtilis HU58 gives Cura Sporebiotics the ability to prevent harmful bacteria growth in a variety of conditions. In addition, B. subtilis HU58 produces a very beneficial proteolytic enzyme called nattokinase. This has been shown to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and excessive clotting through fibrinolysis.11  Along with nattokinase, Bacillus subtilis HU58 also produces a number of other nutrients that have systemic health benefits such as the full spectrum of B vitamins and vitamin K2-712

Bacillus subtilis HU58 offers Cura Sporebiotics the important function of fighting off pathogenic bacteria and producing key nutrients directly in the gut. In addition, Bacillus subtilis HU58 is an extremely potent immune modulator.3 It has the function of germinating in the small intestines to some degree and this offers the effect of broad-spectrum immune stimulation.13 Bacillus subtilis HU58 has been shown to ferment dietary starches into short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) such as butyrate, acetate and propionate which have effects in variety of health conditions.14 Butyrate is the major energy source for colonocytes and has been studied for its role in nourishing the colonic mucosa. Studies indicate that butyrate may play a significant role in the prevention of colon cancer and amelioration of intestinal inflammation.15 Therefore, a greater increase in SCFA production, specifically butyrate, in the distal colon may have a protective effect on the digestive tract.

Bacillus clausii SC-109

Bacillus clausii is among the most used probiotic strains for bacteriotherapy in a variety of applications. It has been used in the pharmaceutical industry for over 50 years with high efficacy and excellent tolerability.  Since the onset of clinical use of B. clausii in 1958, there have been a number of clinical studies demonstrating its efficacy and safety. Bacillus clausii is recommended for immune modulation and use during antibiotic treatment due to its ability to mitigate damage from a variety of common antibiotics.7

Bacillus coagulans SC-208

Bacillus coagulans has a long history of use for its health benefits. Bacillus coagulans is unique in that it possesses characteristics of both Bacillus and Lactobacillus species. Unlike other lactic acid-producing bacteria, B. coagulans produces L-lactate which has been shown to have a more profound effect on immune stimulation and gut defense than D-lactate produced by conventional probiotics.18,19  Lactic acid-producing bacteria have been extensively investigated for their role in the gut microbiome, and they appear to play an important role in maintaining a healthy digestive tract. B. coagulans is a strong coloniser in the gut and also plays a key role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, like lactose and dietary fats.20 B. coagulans possess the potent ability to soothe intestinal inflammation through the production of butyrate, aid in digestion and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.21

Probiotics and Leaky Gut Research

While many companies rely on single strain research to support their multi-strain probiotics it is important to look for human clinical trials performed with the ingredients. The Bacillus spores in Cura Sporebiotics were used as the treatment in a randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the ability of these spores to reduce or prevent metabolic endotoxemia, or leaky gut.4 In addition to assessing changes in dietary endotoxemia (low-grade inflammation due to elevated circulating endotoxins), the researchers also measured transient changes in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, other novel disease risk biomarkers and the immune system itself, following a high-fat challenge meal.

Microbiome Labs (the manufacturer of Cura Sporebiotics) is involved in over 10  clinical trials investigating the therapeutic effects of Bacillus spore blends on acne, triglycerides, liver protection, periodontal disease, cancer immunotherapy, weight loss, hepatic encephalopathy to name just a few, with exciting results that are awaiting publication.

Advantages of Cura Nutrition Sporebiotics

 Most probiotics on the market contain some combination of Lactobacillus and/or Bifidobacterium. However, these products are often single strain-single effect probiotics that have a difficult time surviving the harsh environment of the gastric system.

The strains found in Cura Sporebiotics are gut commensal organisms that are uniquely built to survive harsh environments like the digestive system, which is what allows them to effectively colonise in the gut.

Suggested Use

Nature has designed these spores to be a daily, foundational food. They are transient microorganisms, which means that they don’t stay in the gut forever. Instead, they enter the intestines, perform a function, stay for about 21-28 days, and then leave. This is important as this helps keep their abundance in the gut microbiome relatively low, making each dose of Cura Sporebiotics very effective. While most people notice the benefits of Cura Sporebiotics within the first 14-28 days, this spore-based probiotic will be most effective if taken at the suggested dose of 1 capsule per day for 4-6 months or until unwanted symptoms subside. Reconditioning the gut microbiome after a round of antibiotics or following a severe gut infection may take 6-12 months. Unlike most probiotics on the market, Cura Sporebiotics will not lose efficacy after a few months, so there is no need to rotate it with other probiotics – which tends to be a marketing ploy and has no basis in science.

The recommended time to stay on the full dose of Cura Sporebiotics will vary by individual, but there is no known upper limit or contraindications to taking Cura Sporebiotics at the dose of 1 capsule per day indefinitely.

While there is no known upper limit for Cura Sporebiotics, the ideal dose is 1 vegetarian capsule per day in order to stimulate the Peyer’s patches and encourage immune modulation.

Cura Sporebiotics is most effective when taken with a meal, but it will not cause an upset stomach if taken without food. The amino acids and carbohydrates in food can help the spores move from their dormant (spore state) to their active (vegetative state) form in the GI tract, so it is ideal to take Cura Sporebiotics with a meal.

Because the encapsulated probiotics are in their spore form, they do not need the capsule in order to survive digestion. For this reason, the capsules can be pulled apart, and the powder can be mixed into nearly any food or drink for convenience.  There is no real taste impact of the powder, which makes it easy to give to children.

 

References

  1. Cutting SM. Bacillus probiotics. Food Microbiol. 2001;28(2):214-20.
  2. Dound YA, Bayne T, Krishnan K, et al. The effect of Probiotic Bacillus subtilis HU58 on Immune Function in Healthy Human. Indian Practitioner. 2017;70(9): 15-20.
  3. Huang JM, La Ragione RM, Nunez A, Cutting SM. Immunostimulatory activity of Bacillus spores. FEMS Immune Med Microbial. 2008;52:195-203.
  4. McFarlin BK, Henning AL, Carbajal KM. Oral spore-based probiotic supplementation was associated with reduced incidence of post-prandial dietary endotoxin, triglycerides, and disease risk biomarkers. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2017 Aug 15; 8(3): 117–126.
  5. Khaneja R, Perez-Fons L, Fakhry S, Cutting SM, et al. Carotenoids found in Bacillus. J of App Microbiol. 2010;108:1889-1902.
  6. Perez-Fons L, Steiger S, Khaneja R, et al. Identification and the developmental formation of carotenoid pigments in the yellow/orange Bacillus spore-formers. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. 2011;1811:177-185.
  7. Nista E, Candelli M, Cremonini F, et al. Bacillus clausii therapy to reduce side effects of anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment: randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Alimentary Pharmacology Therapeutics. 2004; 20:1181-1188.
  8. Ciprandi G, Tosca MA, Milanese M, et al. Cytokines evaluation in nasal lavage of allergic children after Bacillus clausii administration: a pilot study. Pediatr. Allergy Immunol. 2004;15(2):148-151.
  9. Ciprandi G, Vizzaccaro A, Cirillo I, et al. Bacillus clausii exerts immune-modulatory activity in allergic subjects: a pilot study. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005;37:129-133.
  10. Stein T. Bacillus subtilis antibiotics: structures, syntheses, and specific functions. Molecular Microbiology. 2005;56(4):845-857.
  11. Cho YH, et al. Production of nattokinase by bath and fed-batch culture of Bacillus subtilis. N Biotechnol. 2010;27(4):341-6.
  12. Kolchinskaia ID, Kvasnikov EI, Dryndina LP. Biosynthesis of vitamins and amino acids of Bacillus subtilis and Bac. mesentericus. Mikrobiol Zh. 1970;32(4):419-23.
  13. Casula G, Cutting SM. Bacillus probiotics: spore germination in the gastrointestinal tract. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2002;68(5):2344-52.
  14. Possemiers PD, Van de Genachte N. Evaluation of the Bacillus subtilis strain HU58 in the SHIME technology platform. ProDigest. 2013:1-40.
  15. Vinolo MAR, Rodrigues HG, Nachbar RT, and Curi R. Regulation of Inflammation by Short Chain Fatty Acids. Nutrients. 2011; 3(10): 858–876
  16. Froyshov O, Laland SG. On the biosynthesis of bacitracin by a soluble enzyme complex from Bacillus licheniformis. Eur J Biochem. 1974;46(2):235-42.
  17. Hanlon GW, Hodges NA. Bacitracin and protease production in relation to sporulation during exponential growth of Bacillus licheniformis on poorly utilized carbon and nitrogen sources. J Bacteriol. 1981;147(2):427-31.
  18. Bergey B. Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. 9thBaltimore, MD: The Williams and Wilkens Company; 1993.
  19. Bomko TV, Nosalskaya TN, Kabluchko TV, et al. Immunotropic aspect of the Bacillus coagulans probiotic action. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2017;69(8):1033-1040.
  20. Kim YM, et al. Studies on the production of beta-galactosidase by Bacillus coagulans. Properties and applications of beta-galactosidase. Korean J Applied Microbiol Bioeng. 1985;13:355-360.
  21. Jurenka S. Bacillus coagulans: monograph. Altern Med Rev. 2012;17(1):76-81.
  22. Suva MA, Sureja VP, Kheni DB. Novel insight on probiotic Bacillus subtilis: Mechanism of action and clinical applications. J Curr Res Sci Med. 2016;2:65-72.
  23. Alcock J, Maley CC, Aktipis CA. Is eating behavior manipulated by the gastrointestinal microbiota? Evolutionary pressures and potential mechanisms. Bioessays. 2014;36(10):940-949.
  24. Rodriguez JM, Murphy K, Stanton C, et al. The composition of the gut microbiota throughout life, with an emphasis on early life. Microb Ecol Health Dis. 2015;26:2605

 

 

 

 

 

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Cura Sporebiotics

Cura Sporebiotics™ is the first spore-based, broad-spectrum probiotic available in the UK.
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