For most of the history of mankind, we lived in close contact with the Earth. The majority of our diet consisted of foods and water that had soil clinging to it. This soil was not an inert substance; it was a dynamic mineral rich, probiotic infused source of electrochemical energy. The unique, soil-based probiotic, bacillus subtilis, was one of the key components that gave the soil its powerful nutritional benefits.
Humans are the only species on the planet that does not intentionally consume soil. Our ancestors always had soil in their diet through picking produce out of the ground and drinking from lakes, rivers, and streams. Many original doctors and medicine men used dirt in their various healing concoctions. Today, we intentionally attempt to sterilize our food and avoid the consumption of soil.
Bacillus Subtilis and Our Immune System
Bacillus subtilis is an ubiquitous bacterium that is commonly found in water, soil, air, and decomposing plant residue. This bacterium is called a human soil organism (HSO) and has an extraordinary ability to survive harsh environments. It produces an endospore that allows it to endure extreme conditions of heat, dryness, humidity, and acidity in the environment.
B subtilis is fully resistant to bile salts and can handle the harsh stomach acid environment, which allows it to get into the digestive system and colonize. It has beneficial effects in the digestive system. 1,2,3 Research has revealed that supplemental B subtilis improves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. 4
B subtilis is able to suppress the growth of harmful pathogens, strengthen the mucosal biofilm, and enhance the growth of other good probiotic strains such as lactobacillus species in the gut microflora. 5,6
Soil Based Organisms and Our Innate Immunity
As our ancestors were exposed to trillions of organisms every day through their dirt consumption, they were strengthening their microbiome and their immune system. They were exposed to many different pathogenic organisms to which their immune system learned how to adapt and destroy.
If the pathogenic load was too strong, the individual would get sick and sometimes they would die. This was obviously tragic and was a leading cause of death. However, those who didn’t die often had robust immune systems that were well-adapted to the harsh pathogens around them.
Modern Technology and Improving Immunity
With modern technology, we are not exposed to these natural microbes. The use of our technology can reduce the pathogenic load we are exposed to in order to prevent sickness and infectious fatalities, meanwhile, providing the proper stimulation to our immune system.
One such way to gain these benefits is the inclusion of human soil organisms in our natural diet. This would include growing much of our own food in gardens and consuming it right out of the ground with little cleaning. We could also drink water from clean rivers, lakes, springs, and streams. (Editor’s note: If we could find clean sources. Most are contaminated with giardia and other parasites as well as pollutants.)
Finally, one can use naturally fermented foods and supplement with probiotics containing HSO’s such as bacillus subtilis. Most probiotics on the market only contain the lactobacillus and bifido bacterium species. These are fantastic for the health of the small and large intestine, but some individuals struggle with a sensitivity to these microorganisms.
It is wise to find a probiotic supplement with HSO’s such as bacillus subtilis, which is hyposensitive and easy for most individuals to tolerate.
Sources:
- Improved growth and viability of lactobacilli in the presence of Bacillus subtilis (natto), catalase, or subtilisin – Pub Med
- Improved growth and viability of lactobacilli in the presence of Bacillus subtilis (natto), catalase, or subtilisin – Pub Med
- Evaluation of Bacillus subtilis strains as probiotics and their potential as a food ingredient. – Pub Med
- Effect of Bacillus subtilis PB6, a natural probiotic on colon mucosal inflammation and plasma cytokines levels in inflammatory bowel disease. – Pub Med
- Sticking together: building a biofilm the Bacillus subtilis way – Pub Med
- Soil Organisms: Bacillus Subtilis – Organic Fitness