Probiotic GanedenBC30 may boost protein absorption and utilization: Review

The probiotic may also improve the utilization of protein, particularly leucine absorption. Leucine is the most important amino acid to increase post-workout effects on muscle protein synthesis. This would allow athletes to use lower amounts of whey protein without losing the physiological benefit or to use protein sources with naturally lower leucine concentration such as soy and rice.

Commenting on the review, which is published in Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins​​,​ Howard Cash, Kerry Scientist  – GanedenBC30 and co-author of the review, told NutraIngredients-USA: “As with all probiotic strains, research is specific to that strain and cannot be generalized to probiotics as a whole. While we know that GanedenBC30 (​Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086) has many digestive benefits, early research shows a connection with protein utilization. This study takes the basic lab work that was conducted, demonstrates the effects in a human trial and shows when protein is consumed with GanedenBC30 versus alone, there was better utilization of the protein.”​

The science​

Data from an in vitro​ gut model showed that the probiotic can break down protein and a wide variety of carbohydrates, while a study using pigs revealed that B. coagulans ​GBI-30, 6086 supplementation for four weeks led to a 10% increase in protein utilization, wrote the review authors, led by Dr Ralf Jäger, PhD from Milwaukee-based Increnovo LLC.

Studies in humans support the ability of the probiotic strain to increase amino acid appearance in the blood when consumed with protein. This is linked to the strain’s production of digestive enzymes including proteases that can help digest protein.

Additional research in humans has shown that the strain is associated with improved performance and reduced muscle damage. Data from a pilot study of the effects of B. coagulans GBI-30, 6086 with casein (a slow-digested protein) in combination with a resistance training program, led to an increase in the vertical jump peak power (athletic performance), compared to casein alone, wrote Dr Jäger and his co-authors.

“The beneficial effects observed in vertical jump performance might be based on aiding muscle recovery through gut microbial modulation,” ​they wrote. “A follow-up study investigated if the co-administration of ​B. coagulans GBI-30, 6086 with protein has beneficial effects on muscle damage, performance, and recovery following a muscle-damaging exercise bout […] The muscle-damaging exercise significantly increased muscle soreness and reduced perceived recovery in the protein alone group. However, the co-administration of ​B. coagulans GBI-30, 6086 with casein significantly reduced soreness and increased perceived recovery.”​

Blood biomarkers of muscle damage supported the subjective results reported by the participants.

“Reduced muscle damage and faster recovery may lead to an enhanced adaptation rate to training and subsequent to a faster increase in hypertrophy and performance,”​ they wrote. “Exercise-induced skeletal muscle tissue damage occurs as a result of the forced lengthening of active muscle, which directly causes microtears of the myofibrils, resulting in muscle soreness and swelling, and decreased forced production. The initial reaction is followed by a secondary inflammatory response integral to skeletal muscle repair and recovery response. ​

“While muscle damage appears to be an important component of muscular adaptation to exercise, a reduction and not a complete prevention of muscle damage, as shown by the addition of ​B. coagulans GBI-30, 6086 to casein, might be optimal.”​

Further understanding the benefits of the strain​

Kerry’s Cash confirmed that the company is committed to continuing research into the strain. “With GanedenBC30 we are committed to providing a stable, effective and science backed ingredient. Now that we are part of the Kerry team, we have additional resources for future research initiatives and will be looking for ways to further our understanding of the benefits of our strain.”​

Source: Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins​​
DOI: 10.1007/s12602-017-9354-y
“Probiotic​ Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 Improves Protein Absorption and Utilization”​
Authors: R. Jäger et al.