The present subject matter provides, inter alia, compositions and methods comprising inactivated, non-viable, or dead Bacillus coagulans bacteria such as whole dead bacterial spores and/or cells and/or particles that comprise inactivated, non-viable, or dead Bacillus coagulans bacteria. Compositions and methods comprising Bacillus coagulans peptidoglycan and/or lipoteichoic acid are also provided.