I can only find one human study with soil organisms published in a reliable peer reviewed medical journal. This page will be updated if such research becomes available. The term " homeostatic soil organisms " is used, but I have no idea what people mean by the word " homeostatic " as it relates to soil organisms. This term may just be a marketing ploy. 

What are homeostatic soil organisms?
There is no explanation made as to the composition of the homeostatic soil organisms. What are these homeostatic soil organisms? What soil do they come from? How are they processed? Are homeostatic soil organisms from one soil region different than another region, state, country, etc? How do we know there are no harmful bacteria, fungi, or other organisms that could cause long term infection? How do we know homeostatic soil organisms are any better than regular probiotics or any other natural treatment with more research backing findings? How are homeostatic soil organisms sold by one company different than the ones sold by another?

Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Twice a month you will receive an email with reviews of several studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D. If we come across published research on soil organisms research, we will discuss these findings.

Soil bacteria can influence immune system
Exposure to a soil bacteria could improve mood by influencing the immune system. Researchers exposed mice to a harmless soil microbe called Mycobacterium vaccae and had the rodents perform a behavioral task commonly used to test the efficacy of antidepressant drugs. The mice were placed in a large beaker of water for five minutes and watched to see how long they continued swimming and searching for an exit before giving up. The researchers found that the Mycobacterium vaccae bacteria-exposed mice continued paddling around much longer than the control mice. Results from the new study are similar to those from a medical trial a few years ago in which human cancer patients treated with Mycobacterium vaccae bacteria reported increases in mood and their quality of life. However, Mycobacterium vaccae use in these cancer patients was not studied any further because it didn’t prolong life. Mycobacterium vaccae bacteria may affect the brain indirectly by causing immune cells to release chemicals called cytokines which influence neurotransmitters such as serotonin. Could the use of small amounts of 5-HTP offer the same benefit?.

Soil Organisms Emails
Q. Recently, I purchased a product containing bacterial soil organisms. I found an article today by Jini Patel Thompson, author of the book, the "IBD Remission Diet." In the article she quotes Natasha Trenev who she says is a "world renowned expert on microorganisms and maintains one of the largest research libraries on that topic in the world." She says, "Tenev outlines why it is not safe to consume bacterial soil organisms ." She states, "To summarize the research briefly, soil organisms (SO) are spore formers, so they make make good competitors for yeast, fungus and other pathogens. This is why so many people taking soil organisms will initially experience very favorable results. However these spores are are extremely difficult to kill, surviving sterilants, disinfectants, acceleration forces, heat, pressure, radiation and many antibiotics. Strong antibiotics -- like Vancomycin -- can suppress certain spores. Spores are so persistent in the intestines that another round of germination may occur after the the drug is stopped. Soil organisms can also adapt loose genetic material and incorporate it into their cellular structure - the ramifications of which are yet unknown. Various soil organisms can also produce harmful peptides, affecting hemoglobin in the blood. It's important to keep in mind that virtually all antibiotic drugs were were initially developed from soil organisms and as antibiotics become more potent, they cause more damage to the host, not just in the immediate gut environment, but systematically as well. There are simply too many questions and unknowns to sanction the use of soil organisms for human consumption and one can certainly cannot qualify them as safe at this time."
     Is this true? I'm very concerned about my health, and, after reading this article, I'm hesitant to take the products I've ordered. There is so much misinformation in the alternative health field that it is hard to know what to believe. I appreciate any assistance you can give in this matter.
   A. I have come across only one reliable human study regarding a particular soil organism called Mycobacterium vaccae, and hence it appears that any claims made for or against the use of soil organisms are premature and not based on any solid clinical evidence.

Q. I read on a website about homeostatic soil organisms. This is what is says: HSOs optimize the digestive terrain and immune function as they move through the digestive tract and form colonies along the intestinal walls. What is your opinion?
   A. I have no idea what it means to call these supplements  "homeostatic "soil organisms. I have only seen one good human study regarding soil organisms let alone " homeostatic soil organisms." It appears to me, at first glance, that marketing of soil organism supplement is far, far ahead of any clinical studies.

Q. There is plenty of positive anecdotal comments on homeostatic soil organism according to Jordan Rubin, founder of Garden of Life products. I realize anecdotes do not carry the same weight as carefully controlled research, but it should not be dismissed out of hand. Depending on the sources, this type of information can be very informative.
   A. Yes, anecdotes can be helpful, depending on the source and the integrity of the source. It's helpful if the source of the anecdotes is not the person or the company selling the products. If you come across additional published studies on homeostatic soil organisms, please let us know.

Q. Are homeostatic soil organisms supplement preferable to acidophilus or probiotics for gastrointestinal disorders?
   A. Since I have not seen any independent published studies with homeopathic soil organisms, and none comparing homeopathic soil organisms to a probiotic supplement, it is impossible to say.

Q. Dr. Sahelian, I came across marketing information about a product called Primal Defense. The person at the health food store who was trying to sell it to me claimed that HSO homeostatic soil organisms make this a unique product better than prebiotics or probiotics on the market. What are your thoughts about Primal Defense? They also say something about Poten-Zyme and ionic plant based minerals. It was confusing. I wanted your opinion since I trust what you say.
    A. I prefer not to comment products from other companies, but I can comment about ingredients in products. It appears that this product has probiotics and HSO homeostatic soil organisms. I have no idea what they mean by homeostatic, it appears to be a marketing sales term, I also have no idea what they mean about Poten-Zyme, and Ionic plant based minerals. What do they mean about 'Ionic' plant based minerals? The word ionic used in this context makes no sense to me as a medical doctor with a bachelor's of science degree in Nutrition. Perhaps someone reading this web page can explain to me what Poten-Zyme or ionic plant based minerals are. As to other ingredients in Primal Defense, it appears to have good probiotics such as lactobacilli and bifidobacterium. But then again, there are countless good probiotic products available but many different companies.

Q. I noticed on your web-site that you were asking for research on Homeostatic Soil Organisms. I found an article on the web that claims to have done research on Homeostatic Soil Organisms from Jordan S. Rubin version of this medication. This is the link to the article. The article was published in the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients written by Dr. Paul Goldberg in Nov. 2002. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_2002_Nov/ai_93736412
   A. Thanks. We reviewed the article. We're surprised it has not been submitted to peer review process in a medical journal. A brief review of this article raises a number of suspicions about the objectivity of the researcher and the accuracy of the findings themselves. Here are some of the ones I mean:
    Dr. Goldberg, a chiropractor, says, "I respect that the president of the company that produces Primal Defense, Dr. Jordan Rubin, had himself experienced serious illness, and that the product was developed because of his own problems with chronic disease."
          Response: Jordan Rubin is not a doctor, and if Dr. Goldberg believes that Jordan Rubin cured his "illness" with Primal Defense, then he is more gullible than it initially appears. What proof is there that Jordan Rubin cured his illness with homeostatic soil organisms? His word alone? Does Dr. Goldberg believe everything a marketer tells him?
   Dr. Goldberg continues, "The study results were significant. There were impressive clinical improvements in most clients without any side effects, as noted in the study that follows. Despite these findings, I do not believe the product to be of significant value unless the patient is also willing to make the needed dietary / hygienic / lifestyle reforms."
        Response: This makes no sense. Either a product works by itself, or it doesn't. If the product does not have significant value, how can Dr. Goldberg say that the study results were significant. This is shoddy research, at best.
   Dr. Goldberg continues: "It has been suggested, that bacteria found in the soil referred to as Homeostatic Soil Organisms (HSOs), when ingested orally in a probiotic formulation, may have advantages over non-HSO probiotic formulas, due to their ability to implant and survive in the gut. The value of HSOs reportedly lies in promoting positive intestinal function, with corresponding systemic improvements in the patient's overall nutritional, immunological and gastrointestinal status."
        Response: "it has been suggested...." is not a good enough statement when writing a research paper. What proof does Dr. Paul Goldberg have regarding the statements he makes?
   Dr. Goldberg says: "Subjects were told to take adequate care of your general health, by avoiding processed foods, getting sufficient rest and sleep, and not engaging in toxic habits, specifically alcohol, tobacco, or any drugs other than needed prescription medications."
        Response: This alone can make a difference in health. There was no placebo controlled arm of the study.
        Summary: Rather than good science, Dr. Paul Goldberg appears to me to be just a marketing extension for Primal Defense. His bias is apparent and in my opinion this "research" cannot be relied on. There is no explanation made as to the composition of the homeostatic soil organisms. What are these homeostatic soil organisms? What soil do they come from? How are they processed? Are homeostatic soil organisms from one soil region different than another region, state, country, etc? How do we know there are no harmful bacteria that could cause long term infection? How do we know homeostatic soil organisms are any better than regular probiotics that are a fraction of the cost of Primal Defense?

Q. Google sent me first to your page on " homeostatic soil organisms. "  Thank you for your restraint in reviewing much-hyped topics.

Q.  I am emailing you in regard to the soil organisms information on your web site. Have you seen this article on Homeostatic Soil Organisms - Clinical Studies a at http://www.crohns-disease-probiotics.com/HSOs.html I find that they have some interesting studies. Three single-blind, placebo-controlled studies on HSOs seems pretty good evidence.
   A. In September of 2007 we did a search on Medline for " Primal Defense :and could not find any published studies. We also did a search for " Homeostatic Soil Organisms " and again no studies were found. If such studies regarding Homeostatic Soil Organisms  have been done, we are puzzled that they have not been submitted to peer reviewed and independent medical or scientific journals.