All the Dirt on Soil-Based Organisms — Why They’re Not Real Probiotics
This blog post is based on a podcast episode featuring Jini Patel Thompson, international best-selling author and founder of Listen To Your Gut, and Natasha Trenev, founder of Natren probiotics.
In their discussion, they explore the dangers of soil-based organisms (SBOs) and why they should not be considered true probiotics.
You can either watch the video:
Or listen to the podcast:
Chapters (Main Topics)
- Introduction to soil-based organisms (SBOs)
- The survival abilities and pleomorphic nature of SBOs
- Why SBOs are not true probiotics
- FDA oversight and safety concerns
- The aggressive nature of SBOs in the human body
- Comparing traditional probiotics with SBO supplements
- Cultural context: How Bacillus subtilis is used in Japan (natto)
- Why quick fixes can be dangerous for long-term health
- The risks for people with weakened immune systems
- Misleading marketing around SBO probiotics
- What real probiotics look like (lactobacillus, bifidobacteria)
- Jini and Natasha’s 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. But this idea is not supported by science. Soil-based organisms are not the same as regular probiotics.
In fact, they can be harmful to your gut and overall health.
In this article, we will explain why SBO probiotics should not be used as a replacement for traditional probiotic supplements.
You will learn about the differences between beneficial bacteria and harmful bacteria.
We will also look at the risks involved with taking soil-based probiotics.
What Are Soil-Based Organisms?
Soil-based organisms are bacteria found in the soil. They belong to the bacillus genus. One 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, such as 400° Fahrenheit.
Because of this, many companies promote them as probiotic supplements. They claim that SBOs support gut health. But this claim is not backed 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 like 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 bad bacteria in the small intestine and large intestine.
These bacteria are supported by clinical trials and human studies. They help with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis.
Why SBO Supplements Are Risky
SBO supplements introduce foreign bacteria into the digestive system.
These bacillus strains have not evolved inside the human gut. They have not developed a beneficial relationship with the human microbiome. Some experts believe 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 drop their cell wall and turn into other forms. They’re not stable, and they’re not safe.”
Soil-based bacteria compete with fungi and molds in the soil. To survive, they must be strong.
This strong nature may 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 remain dormant in the gut. Their spores lie in wait.
If the immune system weakens, these spores can activate. This could lead to health problems years later. Because these side effects are delayed, most people do not link their health issues to SBO supplements.
FDA and Safety Concerns
The FDA has allowed these products to be sold. But many experts are surprised by this. Soil-based probiotics have not gone through long-term human safety tests. Most companies self-approve their products without proper clinical trials. 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 safety studies. He sent me nothing and I never heard from him again.” That alone raises serious concerns about the legitimacy and safety of these products.
Soil-based organisms are not generally recognized as safe for everyone. People with autoimmune diseases or compromised immune systems should be especially careful. Using SBO supplements in these cases can make things worse.
Are There Any Safe Uses?
Some cultures use Bacillus subtilis in foods like natto. This is a fermented soybean dish from Japan. But the way it is eaten is very different from taking a capsule with billions of spores. A single serving of natto may be shared by many people. It is eaten occasionally, not daily.
Jini, who lived in Japan for two years, explains, “It stinks. It’s slimy. People eat one tiny portion occasionally. That’s not the same as taking capsules daily.”
In these cultures, the microbiome has adapted over generations. Their digestive systems can handle this specific species of bacteria. But the American gut microbiome has not developed the same tolerance.
Taking high doses of soil-based bacteria daily is not the same as eating 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 issues, boost your immune system, and restore your healthy gut. But this is not supported by real science.
Some practitioners even recommend these supplements. They say that SBOs work when nothing else does. But just because something works short-term does not mean it is safe.
Killing candida or bad bacteria quickly might feel good. But what happens to your healthy microbiome in the long run?
As Natasha points out, “The stronger the organism is, the more questionable its use in the body is.”
A Better Way to Heal the Gut
If you want to support gut health, use regular probiotics. Choose strains that have been studied in clinical trials. Look for products with lactobacillus and bifidobacteria. These strains have a history of safe use in the human gut.
Also, support your digestive system with natural 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.
Conclusion
Soil-based organisms are not real probiotics. They are not part of the natural human gut microbiome. They have not been proven safe through long-term human studies. SBO supplements can disrupt the delicate balance of your digestive tract. They may lead to unknown side effects.
Jini and Natasha’s discussion highlights the dangers of blindly trusting supplement marketing. 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 risk. Do not fall for marketing claims. Understand the science. Listen to your gut.
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.
You May Also Be Interested In:
- What You Need to Know About Probiotics
- Avoid Bacterial Soil Organisms If You Have Auto-Immune Disease
- Bacterial Soil Organisms – HSO’s, SO’s, SBO’s – Research Data
- What Makes Probiotics So Special?
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