The need to find solutions for digestive health problems has led to extensive research on the subject. It is one of the most common concerns in recent years. The pace of life and stress levels of today’s society often hinder the digestive health of many people. Therefore, research is focusing on probiotics. Among them is Saccharomyces Boulardii.
This probiotic is on its way to becoming a promising solution to numerous digestion-related problems. Backed by scientific evidence, this yeast can offer great benefits without causing serious side effects. Therefore, today we will explain its origin, where we can find it, and which medications contain it.
What is Saccharomyces Boulardii?
The uniqueness of this probiotic lies in its outstanding properties. Its origin, although remote and quite uncertain, is documented. Around 1920, the use of litchi peel infusion as an agent to alleviate childhood diarrhea was noted in Vietnam. This event sparked great interest in Henri Boulard, a French researcher.
The scientist managed to detect the element in the infusion that aided digestion. He finally isolated a particular type of yeast that he called boulardii. Initially, it was presumed that this strain was simply a variant of S. Cerevisiae, the yeast used in bread or beer making. However, it has been confirmed that they are two different strains, as Saccharomyces Boulardii exhibits a notable ability to withstand higher temperatures, among other characteristics that we will present later. This disparity is what enables its survival in the gastrointestinal tract environment.
Despite efforts, Saccharomyces boulardii was not officially recognized until 1962, when it was finally marketed as an approved probiotic. Since then, its properties have helped countless people suffering from major or minor digestive issues. In fact, although gut health remains the area in which it helps the most, subsequent research has also demonstrated immunological benefits for skin health and metabolism.
Its size is incredibly small. Despite being a microfungus, its magnitude ranges between 5 and 10 times that of a common bacterium, which gives it considerable resistance to the effects of antibiotics. Hence, it is the focus of numerous pharmaceutical laboratories. However, its relevance is not limited to this capacity alone. In addition to surviving under optimal conditions, this probiotic also exhibits a remarkable ability to colonize the intestinal tract in significant quantities. This ability allows it to maintain stable levels over a prolonged period.
Most notably, Saccharomyces Boulardii exhibits selective behavior, intervening only when necessary. If an individual’s gut flora is in a state of balance, the organism itself will eliminate it without additional complications. Likewise, upon completing a current treatment, this probiotic leaves the body completely within approximately 2 to 3 days, preventing further complications.
Benefits
In addition to the previously mentioned benefits, which are especially relevant for patients needing to maintain digestive health while undergoing other treatments, other significant advantages have been observed in managing various gastrointestinal conditions:
Diarrhea
This could be considered the origin of the discovery. As mentioned earlier, litchi peel infusions, later found to contain Saccharomyces boulardii, were initially used to prevent and treat diarrhea associated with various factors, such as pathogenic bacterial infections, antibiotic use, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Current research has confirmed that this probiotic strain can indeed help restore the balance of gut microbiota and reduce both the duration and severity of diarrhea.
Intestinal Infections
As mentioned earlier, a prominent function of Saccharomyces boulardii is protection against infections, including those caused in the intestine by specific pathogens like Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium difficile. The key advantage of this probiotic yeast is its ability to combat these complications by depriving pathogens of essential nutrients for their survival and intestinal adhesion space. This mechanism effectively prevents intestinal colonization by these pathogenic agents.
Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea
Patients undergoing antibiotic treatments often experience episodes of diarrhea. These medications can be aggressive on the digestive system, and Saccharomyces boulardii can play a crucial role in preventing and treating symptoms associated with antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). By helping restore gut microbiota balance, the risk of developing diarrhea and other gastrointestinal side effects is reduced.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Clinical studies have suggested that Saccharomyces boulardii can counteract symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Some of them are commonly known, such as abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and alterations in bowel habits. The properties attributed to alleviating this syndrome’s problems are due to this yeast’s ability to modulate immune response and improve intestinal barrier function.
Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease
Some research suggests that this probiotic can reduce intestinal inflammation and improve symptoms of ulcerative colitis and/or Crohn’s disease. It has been observed to modulate immune response and promote mucosal healing in these disorders.
Immune Health
In addition to its beneficial effects on specific problems, mainly gastrointestinal, Saccharomyces boulardii can also positively impact the immune system. This probiotic strain has been shown to stimulate the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in a balanced immune response.
Clostridium Difficile Colitis
This infection occurs when bacteria produce toxins that cause colon inflammation. It usually appears after taking antibiotics to treat an infection. These medications alter the balance of gut bacteria. Thus, pathogenic bacteria like C. difficile proliferate and replace benign ones, which typically inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. Saccharomyces boulardii competes against it for nutrients and adhesion sites in the intestine, reducing the risk of infection and aiding recovery.
This probiotic can not only regulate but also help eliminate malignant bacteria from the digestive system. Its ability to withstand high temperatures and its habit of living and feeding in the same areas help ‘take territory’ from many types of inflammations caused by bacteria that must compete for a place to reside.
Are there foods that contain Saccharomyces boulardii?
This yeast is naturally found in some fermented foods, such as kombucha or kefir. However, unlike other similar probiotics found in foods like bread or beer, Saccharomyces boulardii is not present in significant amounts in the human diet. Due to its scarce presence in our dishes or foods, we cannot fully exploit its benefits.
Moreover, to reach a dose that has a therapeutic effect, it is recommended to consume it in the form of probiotic supplements. According to studies, an amount of 1 to 10 billion colony-forming units (CFU) administered to the patient for 5-10 days can be effective in treating specific problems such as acute diarrhea. However, there is no established standard dose for other conditions.
Medications
It is much easier to find Saccharomyces boulardii probiotics in “artificial” form than in their natural form. We must consider that this type of yeast needs to be cultivated and is not part of the usual diet. Therefore, when necessary or prescribed by a doctor, supplements are used.
These supplements can come in various formats, such as capsules, powders, or liquids, depending on the medical recommendation or patient comfort. They are readily available in pharmacies and specialized stores. Generally, these products contain a specific and standardized dose of Saccharomyces boulardii, ensuring their effectiveness and safety.
In terms of reliability, these supplements are generally safe for most people, as long as the leaflet or doctor’s instructions are followed. The dosage will vary depending on the condition treated. For example, for acute diarrhea, a dose of 1 to 10 billion units per day for 5-10 days was mentioned earlier, but each condition may require a specific dose. Here are some additional examples:
C. Difficile-induced Colitis
Higher doses of Saccharomyces boulardii may be used in this case (10 to 20 billion CFU per day). The duration of intake will depend on the severity of the infection and the response to treatment.
Preventing Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea
A dose of 5 to 10 billion CFU per day is recommended, as in the case of non-medication-induced diarrhea. This amount will need to be taken while the patient is under antibiotic treatment and for a few days after finishing it.
Traveler’s Diarrhea
In this case, the probiotic should be taken a week before traveling with a dose of between 5 to 10 billion CFU per day. It will need to be continued during the trip and for 5 days after it ends. This way, we help the body prevent diarrhea associated with dietary and environmental changes.
Ambar Lab
From Ambar Lab we want to specify that the doses mentioned above are indicative and general. Therefore, it is crucial to have a laboratory that can carry out the necessary tests to provide precise treatment that benefits the patient in the best possible way.
In addition to keeping up with medical advances, such as the applications of Saccharomyces boulardii, Ambar Lab offers a wide range of over 3,000 laboratory tests, as well as support services in business management and the development of new projects. If you have any questions or wish us to be part of your advisory team as a company, clinic, or laboratory, do not hesitate to contact us. We are committed to providing solutions tailored to your specific needs.
