The Bloated Stomach Study – HBN Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097 Put to the Test

More and more people are reporting digestive problems. It is that typical bulge in the lower abdomen—along with other symptoms such as bloating, food intolerances, diarrhea, or abdominal pain—that may indicate that the composition of the gut microbiota is currently not optimal.

From a group of over 200 applicants, we selected 20 people to serve as testers for our bloated stomach study. Inclusion criteria for the study were current digestive discomfort, particularly bloating. All test participants agreed to take the exogenous probiotic HBN Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097 under controlled, consistent conditions over a period of 3 months.

All participants agreed to document the course of their intake in writing and with photos using standardized questionnaires. They received specific instructions on how to take the supplement, as well as guidance on lifestyle habits to support healthy digestion.

At the end of the study, we were able to complete the trial with 12 participants. Eight participants either stopped submitting their documentation without providing any feedback or withdrew from the study for personal reasons.

Of the 12 participants, 11 reported a significant improvement in the symptoms they had described before starting to take HBN Bacillus Subtilus DSM 21097 after 3 months.

 

Introduction

The importance of gut flora for human health is increasingly coming into the spotlight. While many years ago it was thought that the gut was solely responsible for the absorption, processing, and excretion of food, we now understand the systemic influence of gut flora on the entire body.

The following, for example, are considered well-established:

• a gut-muscle axis
• a gut-brain axis
• a gut-pancreas axis
• a gut-thyroid axis
• a gut-immune system axis

In addition to the systemic importance of the gut microbiota for human health, it is becoming increasingly clear that the bacterial colonization of the large intestine is a highly individualized process. Thus, the gut microbiota of one host never exactly matches that of another host. In addition to a certain genetic predisposition, each host influences its own specific gut microbiota.

Examples include:

• Existing overweight status
• Frequency of physical activity in daily life
• Dietary fiber intake
• Medication use
• Stress levels
• Selection and consumption of certain foods
• Proportion of animal products in the diet
• Dietary approach (ketogenic, low-carb, high-carb, high-protein, etc.)
• Intake of sweeteners
• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking

 

Common Ailments: Digestive Disorders

These days, many people complain of digestive discomfort. Although talking about flatulence, bloating, or diarrhea is considered a taboo topic in society, over the past few years I’ve had countless in-person and virtual conversations and collected testimonials from those affected. The relevance of this topic even prompted me to start my own Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/212132536838975) titled “BLÄHBAUCH ADE,” which serves as a platform for information and discussion among those affected.

 

Probiotics

In the three years since I began paying special attention to the topic of digestion—and the gut microbiota in particular—I have come to increasingly understand why, on the one hand, there are countless probiotics on the health market. On the other hand, there is still no clear definition of “healthy gut flora” to this day, which is hardly surprising given the individual differences already mentioned above. It also seems logical to me why the body of research on the use of the body’s own probiotic strains is still considered shaky and will most likely remain so.

Curtis Huttenhower, director of the Harvard Chan Center for the Microbiome in Public Health, has offered an apt comparison:
“A healthy forest is not defined by the presence of a specific tree species. Nor does a healthy forest need to contain every tree species. A forest can be healthy even without a typical forest environment.”

 

Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097

In the course of my research, I looked for an approach that seemed more promising. I ended up with an exogenous probiotic that is still relatively unknown in this country but has already gained widespread popularity in Russia: Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097!

This is a specific, non-human bacterium selected by scientists that can colonize the surfaces of the digestive tract for up to 2 weeks. During this time, Bacillus subtilis DSM 21097 produces more than 70 enzymes, more than 30 types of antibiotics, antimicrobial substances, vitamins, amino acids, and other macro- and microelements that are constantly being researched. In this way, Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097 is able not only to revitalize the gut flora but also to rapidly and selectively reduce pathogenic bacteria. On the one hand, this creates space for new, beneficial bacteria. On the other hand, it can thereby reduce the incidence of digestive complaints, allergies, food intolerances, or excessive immune reactions.

 

ATTENTION

To date, under European law, none of the statements made here qualify as so-called “health claims,” which is why all of these effects must still be labeled as not yet conclusively proven by science! I have done so here.

On the other hand, I can do much more than that: I can now point to hundreds of responses and testimonials, all of which indicate that people have regained a great deal of their zest for life thanks to Bacillus subtilis DSM 21097, which has helped reduce digestive discomfort and numerous other related symptoms. I’ve been documenting all the feedback since day one in THIS POST. It’s very interesting to take a look at it.

GOODBYE BLOATED STOMACH – Bacillus Subtilis for Healthy Digestion – Body Coaches (body-coaches.de)

 

The Study

In cooperation with PEAK PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, I’ve wholeheartedly added Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097 to my own supplement line as HBN BACILLUS SUBTILIS DSM 21097.

As part of the launch, we decided to conduct a study with participants, which I’d now like to briefly describe.

In July 2020, we launched a call on social media to recruit potential participants for our study. We received over 200 responses within a few days, from which 20 people were selected for the study.

At the time of the survey, all participants reported acute bloating as well as various other digestive symptoms of varying severity.

All participants had agreed in advance to take 1 capsule of HBN Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097 twice daily with a main meal over a three-month trial period.

All participants were instructed not to make any other major changes to their lifestyle or eating habits during the test period. They were also prohibited from using any other probiotics. Applications from, for example, athletes in the midst of acute competition preparation were excluded from the test, as were individuals who were scheduled to undergo surgery, hospital stays, medical treatments, or other procedures during the test period.

Before beginning the trial, all participants were provided with standardized guidelines for maintaining a healthy gut flora.

All participants agreed to complete three standardized questionnaires: one BEFORE starting the supplement and three additional ones throughout the remainder of the trial until its conclusion.

The following were surveyed:

• Body weight
• Waist and hip circumferences
• Photographs of the abdomen from the front and side
• General subjective well-being and well-being related to digestion
• Regularity of product use
• Occurrence of side effects

 

The Results

Participants

Of the 20 participants originally enrolled in the study, 12 completed it.

Eight participants either discontinued their participation without further notice or withdrew from the study for personal reasons.

Weight

The participants’ body weight decreased by an average of 0.9 kg over the course of the 3-month trial period

Waist circumference

Participants’ waist circumference decreased by an average of 2.27 cm over the course of the 3-month trial

Hip Circumference

Participants’ hip circumference decreased by an average of 1.52 cm over the course of the 3-month trial

Effect

11 testers reported an overall positive effect from taking the product.

One female tester reported that taking the product had no effect

Side Effects

Two testers reported foul-smelling flatulence or loose stools within the first few days of taking HBN Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097. These symptoms subsided after a few days.

10 testers reported no side effects whatsoever from taking HBN Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097

 

Subjective Changes

Start of feedback	End of Feedback
My digestion is inconsistent; I often have loose stools, and my bowel movements are somewhat irregular. After meals, even though I’ve eaten normal portions, I feel very full and low on energy—rather tired or very uncomfortable. I frequently experience flatulence or a bloated stomach, especially during the day, and this limits my activities. I can hardly exercise or do similar activities until my bowels are relieved.	My digestion is regular and healthy. I don’t have any issues with a bloated stomach. I just feel like the extra weight is there and holding me back. But my digestion isn’t affected by it. I’ll keep taking the product even after the study ends because I feel like it’s good for me and helps maintain regular digestion, even with a high-protein diet.
Bloated, watery due to the heat, very bloated—it doesn’t get any better even in the morning after getting up.	Well, there are occasional mornings when my stomach is nice and flat—not always—but I feel like it’s getting better. My workouts go better in the evening, since my stomach no longer reaches its “peak” but just swells slightly.
Bloated, feeling unwell, sluggish bowel, cramps	Hardly any stomach pain, very rarely a bloated belly, no more cramps, rarely flatulence, regular bowel movements.
Diarrhea almost daily, flatulence, bloated stomach, pain, loud bowel sounds.	Digestion is good, regular bowel movements. Reduced bloating, rare bowel sounds.
Frequent mild flatulence after eating, no excessive feeling of fullness, frequent cramps	Significant improvement in symptoms. Occasional mild bloating, but this may be due to certain foods. No more cramps (very rare); overall, significant improvement.
The abdomen is always bloated, even in the morning after getting up. By evening, it’s a real ball. The upper and lower abdomen are bloated. Digestion tends to be sluggish. Without daily cardio, sometimes no bowel movements for two or three days.	The abdomen remains bloated. Sometimes just as bloated in the morning on an empty stomach as in the evening. Digestion is sluggish, especially with less physical activity. Unfortunately, still no noticeable positive effect.
Bloated, uncomfortable, constantly full, flatulence	Depends on how I’m feeling that day. Still get gas now and then, and that bloated feeling too. My digestion has improved a lot.
Very uncomfortable. Stomach is bloated, hurts, and “gurgles.” No bowel movements. Woke up this morning with a bloated stomach. Got worse after breakfast, but improved somewhat by evening.	Overall, my digestion has improved significantly—flatter stomach, hardly any bloating, and good digestion. But I still experience occasional minor issues with gas. I haven’t been able to figure out what’s causing it yet.
Diarrhea right after eating, bloated stomach	No more digestive problems, just slight bloating.
As soon as I eat a meal in the morning, my stomach swells with air, which is immediately visible in my lower abdomen and also triggers moving air in my intestines. This moving air generally causes mild lower abdominal pain, as it doesn’t dissipate for a very long time throughout the day. The gas is very difficult to pass, and I struggle with bloating throughout the day. In addition, I feel full because my digestion is very sluggish during the day; usually, I only have a short window in the morning when I can go to the bathroom easily, and in the evening, the feeling of fullness usually presses on my lower abdomen.	My bloated stomach has improved significantly compared to how I felt before the study. Especially in the morning, my digestion is usually good, and this happens regularly every day. On most days, I have almost no discomfort from trapped gas in my intestines. On rare days, the symptoms still occur now and then. Compared to how I was before the study, the gas passes much more easily and quickly. The typical bloated stomach has visibly decreased and only bothers me on a few days. It definitely no longer appears immediately after the first meal, as it did before I started taking the product. The feeling of fullness has also decreased significantly. On a few days, I still have problems with this only in the evening.
Bloated, severe abdominal distension	Although there were still occasional days when I felt more bloated, my condition has improved overall. The digestion of foods that usually cause me bloating and gas—such as cabbage (which I tested specifically)—went more smoothly. I definitely have significantly less gas overall; you could almost say there’s been a 99% improvement. I’ve also noticed my skin is clearer, which is likely related to taking this supplement, since I haven’t changed anything else in my diet or skincare routine.
Very bloated	I hardly feel bloated anymore—if at all, it’s only during my period. My digestion is much better, and food no longer feels as heavy in my stomach (at least that’s how it feels).

 

Photo comparison

(left: before taking HBN Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097 / right: after 3 months of taking HBN Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097)

 

Evaluation

This is now the second study I’ve conducted on Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097, and in my opinion, it provides a good cross-section of the feedback I’ve received from other users as well.

The overall only slight change in the participants’ average body weight, combined with the changes in waist and hip measurements, suggests that taking the test product—and not diet-related weight loss—led to improved bloating symptoms.

As for the effects, I observe them in my general practice in a similar proportion to what emerges from the study. A large proportion of people with typical symptoms benefit from taking HBN Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097. Nevertheless, there are also cases in which, despite obvious bloating in the lower abdominal region, no improvement occurs with HBN Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097. In the vast majority of these cases, patients are taking antidepressants from the SSRI class or other medications that have been shown to slow intestinal peristalsis and, so to speak, make the intestines “sluggish.” A history of surgery or pelvic floor dysfunction can also be contributing factors. In these instances, the gut flora is not necessarily the primary issue.

The study also provides valuable insight into the general picture regarding side effects. Most users experience no negative side effects whatsoever with HBN Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097. A few users initially report a mild to moderate worsening of symptoms, as noted. In most cases, this can be managed. In very few instances, I have recommended temporarily reducing the dosage from 2 to 1 capsule per day for a few days.

The participants’ subjective feedback indicates that, at the outset, all of them associated significant distress with their digestive system. Bloating, flatulence, abdominal pain, or diarrhea represent not only a physiological problem but, at some point, also a psychological one. This makes me all the more pleased with such feedback at the end of the study. It is worth noting here that, in practice, the feedback received regarding HBN Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097 goes far beyond just reduced bloating. Reflux, gastritis, skin problems, irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerances, improved mood, reduced menstrual cramps, or allergies are all health issues for which I have already received reports of positive changes in connection with taking HBN Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097. This underscores the systemic influence of the gut microbiota on the entire body.

It is important to note that using the product for 3 months is not sufficient for all users! This is also evident from the feedback provided by the testers. While 3 months is a sufficient period in some cases, I am also aware of situations where users experienced a minor relapse after discontinuing a 3-month course. In such cases, use should initially be extended for another 3 months. In general, HBN Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097 should be used at least 1 to 2 times a year in course-based regimens.

It is of enormous importance for the outcome to also keep an eye on the other factors that contribute to a healthy digestive tract.

These include:

• Adequate fiber intake
• Adequate fluid intake
• Avoiding highly processed foods
• Avoiding stress or practicing good stress management
• Avoiding the accumulation of environmental toxins or heavy metals

 

Summary

Taking HBN Bacillus Subtilis DSM 21097 can, in many—though not all—cases, be very effective in reducing or even eliminating bloating and other digestive complaints. This exogenous probiotic is generally superior in effectiveness to the body’s own probiotics. Although no conclusive scientific evidence has yet been provided for these effects, this assessment is based on the findings of this study, as well as countless user reports collected in recent years regarding the use of HBN Subtilis DSM 21097.

 

Best regards
, Holger Gugg

www.body-coaches.de