Celiac disease is an autoimmune intestinal disorder that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals when they consume gluten—a protein found in wheat, oats, barley, and rye. The current treatment involves completely eliminating gluten from the diet. Research has shown that the gut microbiota—the community of microorganisms, mainly bacteria, that inhabit our intestines—and particularly probiotics, may play an important role in the prevention and management of the disease. While lactic acid probiotics are beneficial, they are sensitive to digestive conditions and may not reach the intestine in an active form. In contrast, spore-forming probiotics from the Bacillus genus, such as Bacillus subtilis DG101 (Kyojin), are more stable and resilient. Incorporating spore-forming probiotics could be a promising strategy to improve the quality of life for people with celiac disease, beyond a strict gluten-free diet. This potential benefit comes from two main factors: first, Bacillus subtilis DG101 helps restore eubiosis (balance) in the gut microbiota, improving digestion and food tolerance; and second, Bacillus subtilis DG101 produces nattokinase, a protease that has been shown (at least in vitro) to degrade gliadin—the main gluten protein responsible for triggering symptoms and discomfort in celiac disease.
Related Papers:
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