This blog post is based on a podcast episode with Jini Patel Thompson, international bestselling author and founder of Listen To Your Gut, and Natasha Trenev, founder of Natren Probiotics.
In their discussion, they examine the dangers of soil-based organisms (SBOs) and why they should not be considered true probiotics.
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Why soil-based organisms are not true probiotics
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Chapters (main topics)
- Introduction to Soil Based Organisms (SBOs)
- The survival abilities and pleomorphic nature of SBOs
- Why SBOs are not true probiotics
- FDA Regulatory and Safety Concerns
- The aggressive nature of SBOs in the human body
- Comparing Traditional Probiotics to SBO Supplements
- Cultural Context: How Bacillus subtilis is Used in Japan (Natto)
- Why quick solutions can be dangerous to your health in the long term
- The risks for people with weakened immune systems
- Misleading marketing surrounding SBO probiotics
- What real probiotics look like (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria)
- Jini and Natasha call for informed, long-term healing
Many people believe that soil-based organisms (SBOs) are probiotics.
This belief has spread widely. It is even promoted by many supplement companies. However, this idea is not supported by science. Soil organisms are not the same as regular probiotics.
In fact, they can be harmful to your gut and your overall health.
In this article, we explain why SBO probiotics should not be used as a replacement for traditional probiotic supplements.
You will learn the differences between beneficial and harmful bacteria.
We'll also look at the risks associated with taking soil-based probiotics.
What are soil-based organisms?
Soil organisms are bacteria found in the soil. They belong to the genus Bacillus. A common type is Bacillus subtilis. These bacteria can form spores. This spore coat allows them to survive in harsh environments. They can even survive high temperatures like 400° Fahrenheit.
For this reason, many companies promote them as probiotic supplements. They claim that SBOs support gut health. However, this claim is not supported by long-term human studies. The truth is that soil-based probiotics are different from beneficial bacteria that live in the human gut.
How do regular probiotics work?
Traditional probiotics include species such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. These probiotic strains have been used for decades. They help maintain a healthy microbiome in the digestive tract.
These beneficial bacteria support the immune system. They also help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the small intestine and large intestine.
These bacteria are supported by clinical and human studies. They help with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis.
Why SBO supplements are risky
SBO supplements introduce foreign bacteria into the digestive system.
These bacillus strains did not evolve in the human intestine. They have not developed a beneficial relationship with the human microbiome. Some experts believe that these organisms are too aggressive.
Natasha Trenev explains that these bacteria are “opportunistic” and their only goal is to multiply. She says: “They are pleomorphic. They can shed their cell wall and transform into other shapes. They are not stable and not safe.”
Soil bacteria compete with fungi and molds in the soil. To survive they have to be strong.
This potent nature can make them dangerous in the human digestive tract. They can kill both good and bad bacteria. This can lead to long-term side effects.
They can also rest in the intestines. Their spores lie in wait.
When the immune system is weakened, these spores can be activated. This could lead to health problems years later. Because these side effects are delayed, most people do not associate their health problems with SBO supplements.
FDA and safety concerns
The FDA has approved the sale of these products. But many experts are surprised by this. Soil-based probiotics have not undergone long-term human safety testing. Most companies approve their products themselves without appropriate clinical studies. This lack of regulation puts your digestive health at risk.
Jini Patel Thompson recalls: “I blogged about it and the CEO of a major company reached out. I asked for 20 years of human security studies. He didn't send me anything and I never heard from him again.” This alone raises serious concerns about the legitimacy and safety of these products.
Soil organisms are not generally considered safe for everyone. People with autoimmune diseases or weakened immune systems should be particularly careful. Using SBO supplements in these cases can make the situation worse.
Are there safe ways to use it?
Some cultures use Bacillus subtilis in foods such as natto. This is a fermented soybean dish from Japan. But the way it is eaten is very different from ingesting a capsule containing billions of spores. A single serving of natto can be shared by many people. It is eaten occasionally, not daily.
Jini, who lived in Japan for two years, explains: “It smells. It's slimy. People eat a small portion occasionally. It's not the same as taking capsules every day.”
In these cultures, the microbiome has adapted over generations. Your digestive system can handle this particular type of bacteria. But the American gut microbiome has not developed the same tolerance.
Consuming high doses of soil-based bacteria daily is not the same as consuming traditional probiotic foods.
Problems with SBO marketing
Many companies market soil-based probiotics as miracle supplements. They promise quick results.
They say SBOs will cure your gut problems, boost your immune system, and restore your healthy gut. However, this is not supported by any real science.
Some doctors even recommend these supplements. They say SBOs work when nothing else works. But just because something works in the short term doesn't mean it's safe.
Killing candida or bad bacteria quickly might feel good. But what happens to your healthy microbiome in the long term?
As Natasha points out: “The stronger the organism, the more questionable its use in the body.”
A better way to heal the gut
If you want to support gut health, use probiotics regularly. Choose strains that have been studied in clinical trials. Look for products containing lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. These strains have a long history of safe use in the human intestine.
Additionally, support your digestive system with natural nutritional supplements. Wild oregano oil and elemental diet shakes are helpful. They can support the immune system and reduce inflammation. Probiotic foods are also a great addition to your diet. Fermented foods offer a natural way to build a healthy microbiome.
Diploma
Soil organisms are not true probiotics. They are not part of the natural human gut microbiome. Their safety has not been established in long-term human studies. SBO supplements can disrupt the delicate balance of your digestive tract. They may cause unknown side effects.
The discussion between Jini and Natasha highlights the dangers of blind trust in the marketing of nutritional supplements. Natasha reminds us: “This is not a marketing argument. This is a scientific argument.”
Always choose well-researched, traditional probiotics. Your gut health is too important to put at risk. Don't fall for marketing claims. Understand the science. Listen to your gut feeling.
Your body is wise. It can heal. But it needs the right support. Use proven probiotic supplements. Avoid risky SBO products. Choose health with knowledge and care.
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Jini Patel Thompson is an internationally recognized expert in natural healing for digestive diseases. She healed herself from widespread Crohn's disease and has been medication and surgery free for over 25 years. Jini has appeared on numerous podcasts, TV and radio shows in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, giving people hope and vision on how to heal their colitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) using all-natural methods. Her books on natural healing of digestive diseases have been sold in over 80 countries worldwide. Jini is married and has three children, nine sheep, 11 horses, a cat and three dogs.
