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Saccharomyces boulardii

What is Saccharomyces Boulardii?

SaccharomycesBoulardii is a yeast and therefore a type of fungus. Saccharomyces Boulardii was originally identified as a separate species, but is now believed to be a strain of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, also known as baker's yeast. Saccharomyces Boulardii is also used as a medicine. Saccharomyces Boulardii is used to treat and prevent diarrhea including infectious types such as rotaviral diarrhea in children, diarrhea caused by excessive growth of "bad" bacteria in adults, traveler's diarrhea and diarrhea associated with artificial feeding. Saccharomyces Boulardii is also used to prevent and treat diarrhea caused by the use of antibiotics. In addition to treating diarrhea, Saccharomyces Boulardii is also used for general digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), Lyme disease, Clostridium Difficile colitis and excessive bacterial growth in short bowel syndrome. Saccharomyces Boulardii is also used by some people for lactose intolerance, urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast infections, high cholesterol levels, cold sores, hives, mouth ulcers and teenage acne.

How effective is Saccharomyces Boulardii?

Saccharomyces Boulardii may be effective in preventing diarrhea associated with antibiotics, preventing traveler's diarrhea, treating diarrhea in children, preventing diarrhea associated with HIV infection, preventing recurrent intestinal disease caused by a bacterium called Clostridium Difficile, treating acne in combination with other treatments, and reducing side effects of treatment for the ulcer-causing bacterium Heliobacter Plyori. There is not enough scientific information to assess the effectiveness of Saccharomyces Boulardii in the treatment of Crohn's disease. There is some evidence that Saccharomyces Boulardii in combination with mesalamine may help people suffering from Crohn's disease to stay in remission for longer. Remission is a period of time during which the symptoms of a disease can be controlled. Taking Saccharomyces Boulardii also appears to reduce the frequency of bowel movements in people suffering from Crohn's disease. There is also insufficient scientific data to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of Saccharomyces Boulardii in preventing yeast infections in the digestive tract in people with cystic fibrosis, urinary tract infections, yeast infections, high cholesterol levels, Lyme disease, cold sores, mouth ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis and lactose intolerance. Further scientific research is required in this area.

How does Saccharomyces Boulardii work?

SaccharomycesBoulardii is a probiotic, a "friendly" organism that helps fight disease-causing organisms such as bacteria and yeast in the digestive tract.

Are there any safety concerns?

Saccharomyces Boulardii is likely safe for most adults when taken orally. However, Saccharomyces Boulardii may cause flatulence in some people. In rare cases, Saccharomyces Boulardii can cause fungal infections that can spread throughout the body via the bloodstream.

SaccharomycesBoulardii may be safe for children. However, diarrhea in children should be evaluated by a physician before using Saccharomyces Boulardii.

Precautions and warnings

  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Not enough is known about the use of Saccharomyces Boulardii during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid Saccharomyces Boulardii to be on the safe side.
  • Weakened immune system: There are concerns that seriously ill people, people with a weakened immune system and people taking medications that alter immune system function may be at increased risk of developing a yeast infection that can spread throughout the body via the bloodstream if they take Saccharomyces Boulardii. Although Saccharomyces Boulardii does not generally cause disease, there have been numerous cases of yeast infections following the use of Saccharomyces Boulardii, primarily in people with weakened immune systems.
  • Yeast allergy: People who suffer from a yeast allergy may have an allergic reaction to products containing Saccharomyces Boulardii and should avoid such products for safety reasons.

Interactions with medication

Care should be taken when combining Saccharomyces Boulardii with the following medications

Medication for the treatment of fungal infections

Like all yeasts, Saccharomyces Boulardii is a fungus. Medication for the treatment of fungal infections helps to reduce fungi in and on the body. Taking Saccharomyces Boulardii in conjunction with medications to treat fungal infections may reduce the effectiveness of Saccharomyces Boulardii.

Are there any interactions with medicinal herbs or supplements?

There are no known interactions with medicinal herbs or supplements

Are there any interactions with food?

There are no known interactions with food.

Dosage

The following dosages have been scientifically investigated:

Oral:

  • For diarrhea associated with the use of antibiotics: 250-500 mg Saccharomyces Boulardii two to four times daily.

  • For diarrhea caused by Clostridium Difficile: 1 gram of Saccharomyces Boulardii daily for 4 weeks in combination with antibiotic treatment.

  • For Crohn's disease:

    • 250 mg Saccharomyces Boulardii three times daily for up to 9 weeks.
    • 1 gram of Saccharomyces Boulardii per day in combination with the usual treatment.

  • For ulcerative colitis: 205 mg Saccharomyces Boulardii three times a day.

  • For the treatment of infections caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, which causes stomach ulcers: A dose of 5 billion colony-forming units of Saccharomyces Boulardii per day in addition to the usual treatment.

References

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