atcc numbers gbi 20 atcc designation number pta 6085 gbi 30 atcc designation number pta 6086 and gbi 40 atcc designation number pta 6087 see u s pat no 6 849 256 to farmer the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety a composition comprising bacillus coagulans bacteria in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier suitable for oral administration to the gastrointestinal tract of a mammal e g a human animal is disclosed bacillus coagulans bacteria are provided in amounts sufficient to colonize the gastrointestinal tract of a mammal the invention provides bacillus coagulans bacteria at a concentration of from about 1 u00d7 10 4 to about 1 u00d7 10 12 viable bacteria specifically about 1 u00d7 10 6 to about 1 u00d7 10 11 more specifically about 1 u00d7 10 8 to about 1 u00d7 10 10 and most specifically about 8 u00d7 10 8 bacillus coagulans bacteria are provided as vegetative cells spores or a combination thereof vegetative cells are formulated in a composition that protects the cells from being killed by the acid environment of the stomach cells formulated in this manner successfully traverse the stomach to colonize the small and or large intestine accordingly the invention includes a composition containing a bacillus coagulans bacterium in a pharmaceutically acceptable acid resistant u201c enteric u201d carrier by acid resistant is meant that the carrier or coating does not dissolve in an acidic environment an acidic environment is characterized by a ph of less than 7 the acid resistant carrier is resistant to acids at ph less than about 4 0 preferably the carrier does not dissolve in ph.