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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
B. coagulans vs L. casei Shirota: B. coagulans has the stronger overall evidence (5 vs 5/10); they're alternatives for improve digestion — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
B. coagulans wins 1 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both B. coagulans and L. casei Shirota have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
1-2 billion CFU (spores) daily. The IBS-D and gas/bloating trials used 2 x 10^9 CFU/day of MTCC 5856 (LactoSpore); the GBI-30 6086 (BC30) studies used 1 x 10^9 CFU/day.
any
Tablet or capsule delivering a named strain — MTCC 5856 (LactoSpore) for IBS, GBI-30 6086 (BC30) for the exercise and amino-acid claims
One 65-100 mL bottle of the fermented milk drink daily, delivering roughly 6.5 x 10^9 to 1 x 10^11 CFU depending on the product. Doses across trials span this whole range with no dose-comparison study to separate them.
any
Fermented milk drink containing L. casei Shirota (Yakult), 65-100 mL daily
4-12 weeks
4 weeks
n/a
n/a
4 weeks
2 weeks
2-12 weeks
8 weeks
Outcome-Specific Efficacy of Different Probiotic Strains and Mixtures in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.
Nutrients (2023) · Meta analysis
B. coagulans MTCC 5856 (SUCRA 96.9%) and B. coagulans Unique IS2 (SUCRA 92.6%) were among the most effective probiotics for improving abdominal pain
Probiotics and synbiotics in chronic constipation in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Clin Nutr (2022) · Meta analysis
Probiotics increased stool frequency overall (SMD 0.71, 95% CI 0.37-1.04, P<0.00001), with Bifidobacterium lactis driving the effect
The effects of Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 on functional gas and bloating in adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Medicine (Baltimore) (2023) · Rct · n=70
GSRS indigestion score fell from 8.91 to 3.06 in the probiotic group versus 9.42 to 8.43 on placebo; between-group P<0.001
Efficacy of daily intake of Lactobacillus casei Shirota on respiratory symptoms and influenza vaccination immune response: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy elderly nursing home residents.
Am J Clin Nutr (2012) · Rct · n=737
PRIMARY ENDPOINTS ALL NULL: no effect on days with respiratory symptoms, probability of respiratory symptoms, or post-vaccination antibody titre
Probiotics and synbiotics in chronic constipation in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Clin Nutr (2022) · Meta analysis
Probiotics overall increased stool frequency (SMD 0.71, 95% CI 0.37-1.04, p<0.00001) — but the effect was driven by Bifidobacterium lactis, 'not mixtures of probiotics, Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 or Lactobacillus casei Shirota'
A study into the effect of Lactobacillus casei Shirota in preventing antibiotic associated diarrhoea including Clostridioides difficile infection in patients with spinal cord injuries: a multicentre randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
EClinicalMedicine (2021) · Rct · n=359
PRIMARY ENDPOINT NULL: antibiotic-associated diarrhoea at 30 days 45% vs 42.1% (RR 1.071, 95% CI 0.8-1.4, p=0.639)
B. coagulans has a higher evidence score (5/10 vs 5/10) and wins in 1 of 3 categories.
For improve digestion, B. coagulans has a higher relevance score (58 vs 52).
No known interactions between B. coagulans and L. casei Shirota have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.