A newly published study appearing in the journal Beneficial Microbes found that the administration of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis DE111 can modify the composition of the microbiome in preschool-aged children, with the researchers suggesting that these modifications can be beneficial to supporting the maintenance of a healthy gut.
 
Children in this age group who attend daycares are at higher risk of developing gastrointestinal infections compared to children cared for at home, the authors said, especially in winter months, often leading to the need for antibiotics. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether a blend of potentially beneficial probiotics strains would show signs of benefit to parameters of immune and inflammatory health in the gut, based upon the changes to the makeup of gut bacteria induced by daily supplementation.
 
The IRB-approved, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial which lasted four weeks involved 91 children between the ages of 2 and 6. The results of the study showed that daily consumption of the probiotic strain positively modulated the gut microbiome profile without changing the overall microbiome equilibrium.
 
After 8 weeks of daily probiotic consumption, the researchers reported that they “saw an increase of alpha-diversity [the richness, evenness, and biodiversity of bacterial strains in the gut] at the phylum level, suggesting an expanded functional diversity of the microbiome compared to that of the children in the placebo group. Specifically, there were 9 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.”
 
Those six Bacteroidetes which flourished are evidenced to be involved in immune regulation and reduction of inflammation, based on clinical trials in which these bacteroides were used for people suffering from inflammatory bowel disease. This modulation of the firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio of the microbiome in children was a positive indication for healthy gut function, the authors of the study said.
 
“In addition to individual genera, the overall F/B ratio has been extensively studied, with an increased F/B ratio correlating with increased prevalence of obesity and diabetes,” the authors wrote. “The association between the F/B ratio and the immune system has also been assessed, where an increase in the F/B ratio negatively correlated with immunoglobulin G and M levels. Overall, the results from this current study suggest that B. subtilis DE111 intake has an impact on the microbiome, supporting the growth of microbes involved in inflammation reduction and suppressing the growth of genera implicated in inflammation and GI disturbances.” The authors concluded that the changes made to gut microbiota in the children who participated in the trial were “subtle but positive,” and did not change the overall microbiome equilibrium.
 
“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,” John Deaton, vice president of science and technology at Deerland, said. “Focusing on supporting a healthy microbiome will result in more robust and effective immunity as children get older.”