Description
Saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic yeast that survives stomach acid and colonizes the intestinal tract. It promotes the health of the intestinal tract‚ helps to encourage a healthy gut flora balance‚ and supports a balanced intestinal response to normal internal and environmental stressors. Saccharomyces boulardii has also been shown to support proper gastrointestinal function during temporary disruptions to the normal balance of gut flora.
S. boulardii increases populations of healthful bifidobacteria and reduces numbers of pathogenic clostridia and supports immunity by boosting intestinal secretion of IgA and increasing crypt cell immuno-globulin receptors.
SFI Ther-Biotic S. boulardii is American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) certified and freeze-dried to maintain maximum potency and viability. Many manufacturers substitute brewer’s or baker’s yeast and use lactose in production.
Each capsule of SFI Ther-Biotic S. Boulardii contains 320 mg (3+ billion CFUs) S. Boulardii.
Other ingredients include vegetarian capsule (hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, water), and L-leucine.
This product is free of the following common allergens: milk/casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat/gluten, corn and soybeans. Contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement take one capsule twice daily with a meal or as directed by a physician. S. Boulardii is generally well-tolerated however, a few contraindications exist. People with known allergies to Saccharomyces cergisiae should avoid use of S. boulardii. Currently no clinical studies on the safety of S. boulardii during pregnancy are available. Pregnant women should consult a healthcare professional before use. There have been reports of opportunistic infections in severely immunocompromised patients and in patients with indwellingvascular catheters after supplementation of S. boulardii. In rare cases, people with an indwelling vascular catheter sharing a hospital room with a person taking S. boulardii have developed catheter and blood stream S. boulardii infections. It is likely these catheter and blood infections were related to careless handling of the S. boulardii and poor hand washing by the medical staff. S. Boulardii should be used with caution in severely immunocompromised patients. People with chronic indwelling vascular catheters should not use S. Boulardii.
Each bottle of SFI Ther-Biotic S. Boulardii contains 60 capsules.
What is Saccharomyces boulardii?
S. boulardii is a unique, non-pathogenic yeast supplement that has been utilized worldwide as a probiotic to support gastrointestinal health. International Nutrition uses only certified S. boulardii to ensure maximum potency, efficacy and safety.
Does Saccharomyces boulardii colonize the intestinal tract?
S. boulardii does not colonize the human intestinal tract and is not one of the micro-organisms that normally inhabit the intestines. It is transient yeast that passes through the intestines after ingestion. S. boulardii does not attach to the mucosal cells lining the intestinal lumen, but exerts its beneficial effects on the host as it moves through the gastrointestinal tract.
Is Saccharomyces boulardii the same as Saccharomyces cervisiae?
No, S. boulardii is not S. cerevisiae. S. boulardii is a wild, tropical yeast while S. cerevisiae is commonly known as brewer?s or baker?s yeast. Closely related to S. cerevisiae, S. boulardii is officially classified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae var boulardii Hansen CBS 5926. The two strains have different genetic make-up and enzyme profiles. Unlike S. cerevisiae, S. boulardii does not make a certain type of reproductive spore called an ascospore and does not use the sugar galactose. It is very resistant to heat and acid and secretes a number of unique physiologically active factors. Only S. boulardii has proven gastrointestinal supportive effects.
Is Saccharomyces boulardii the same as the yeast that causes yeast infections or overgrowth?
No, S. boulardii is completely unrelated to Candida albicans, C. tropicalas, C. krusie and other Candida species that cause disease and overgrowth in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Candida species decrease the acidity of the gastrointestinal mucosal environment, ultimately making the intestinal mucosal membrane susceptible to invasion by disease-causing bacteria and yeast. S. boulardii exerts the opposite effect producing lactic and other acids known to inhibit disease-causing Candida yeast species. Animal studies have actually shown that S. boulardii plays a role in preventing the Candida yeast from reproducing in the gut.
What are the primary uses for Saccharomyces boulardii?
S. boulardii has been used to maintain and restore normal gastrointestinal function in the following situations: support healthy bowel microflora during antibiotic therapy; support in people with diarrhea during or following antibiotic therapy; support in children and adults with acute diarrhea; support against traveler’s diarrhea; support during C. difficile bowel disorders; support in AIDS-associated diarrhea; support tube-fed patients with diarrhea; support in children with autism; and support in people with inflammatory bowel diseases
How does Saccharomyces boulardii work?
S. boulardii supports the gastrointestinal tract in a variety of ways. S. boulardii increases intestinal populations of healthy bifidobacteria while decreasing numbers of disease-causing organisms. It inactivates bacterial toxins, inhibits toxin binding to intestinal receptors and lessens toxin-induced inflammation. It reduces the ability of disease-causing micro-organisms to adhere to and invade intestinal cells. S. boulardii stimulates host immune defenses and intestinal enzymes that enhance nutrient digestion and absorption. It produces acids that combat disease-causing micro-organisms, assist in mineral absorption and nourish the colon.
How much Saccharomyces boulardii should I take?
Daily doses ranging from 250 to 1000 milligrams taken once to four times per day have been reported in the medical literature. Up to 3000 milligrams per day have been used in people with recurrent C. difficile disease. There is no one standard supplement regimen for S. boulardii. It is prudent to consult a knowledgeable healthcare practitioner for advice on how much S. boulardii to take and for how long.
How long should I supplement with Saccharomyces boulardii?
S. boulardii is generally used for short-term gastrointestinal support. Often the S. boulardii has been used for up to two weeks after diarrhea has resolved. A common supplement regimen lasts 3 to 4 weeks. S. boulardii has been taken continuously for 6 months in the setting of Crohn?s disease with no side-effects notes.
How should Saccharomyces boulardii be taken?
The S. boulardii capsules should be taken with beverages or meals. If a person cannot swallow the capsules, they may be opened and the contents mixed with semi-solid foods such as applesauce or beverages. Avoid the use of hot foods or beverages as this may adversely affect the potency and activity of the supplement.
Can Saccharomyces boulardii be taken along with other probiotics?
Laboratory and clinical testing have demonstrated S. boulardii to be compatible with various lactic acid bacteria including the lactobacilli and bifidobacteria frequently used as probiotic supplements. Clinical studies suggest S. boulardii may work synergistically with other probiotics.
Can Saccharomyces boulardii be taken along with antibiotics?
S. boulardii is naturally resistant to all antibacterial antibiotics and can be taken along with antibacterial antibiotics without adversely affecting its potency and efficacy. In fact, several clinical trials have used S. boulardii in conjunction with standard antibiotics in the treatment of C. difficile disease and have demonstrated that S. boulardii enhances the success of antibiotic therapy in this setting. Additional studies have shown that S. boulardii can be taken along with antibiotics to support the gastrointestinal microflora thereby reducing the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Can Saccharomyces boulardii be taken along with antifungals?
S. boulardii can be sensitive to a number of commonly prescribed antifungals including nystatin, Diflucan (fluconazol) and Sporonox (itraconazole) and these antifungal agents are known to kill the S. boulardii organisms. If anti-fungals are prescribed with S. boulardii then both products should be taken at different times. S. boulardii should be taken at least 1 hour before and 2 hours after any antifungal agent.
Can Saccharomyces boulardii be taken along with natural or herbal antifungals?
There is debate within the healthcare community on this issue. However, there are no studies that show natural antifungal therapies such as garlic, grape seed extract, Oregon grape or berberine affect the potency or actions of S. boulardii. It presently appears that S. boulardii can be taken along with natural antifungals.
Can Saccharomyces boulardii be taken with prescription medications or other dietary supplements?
There is no known interaction between S. boulardii and prescription medicines except for antifungals. S. boulardii has no adverse interaction with other dietary supplements and can be added to any supplement regimen as needed.
Are there any conditions in which Saccharomyces boulardii should not be taken?
S. boulardii is generally well tolerated however few contraindications exist. People with known allergies to Saccharomyces cervisiae should avoid use of S. boulardii. Currently no clinical studies on the safety of S. boulardii during pregnancy are available. Pregnant women should consult a health care professional before use. There have been reports of opportunistic infections in severely immunocompromised patients and in patients with indwelling vascular catheters after supplementation with S. boulardii. In rare cases, people with an indwelling vascular catheter sharing a hospital room with a person taking S. boulardii have developed catheter and blood stream S. boulardii infections. It is likely these catheter and blood infections were related to careless handling of the S. boulardii and poor hand washing by the medical staff. S. boulardii should be used with caution in severely immunocompromised patients. People with chronic indwelling vascular catheters should not use S. boulardii.
Is Saccharomyces boulardii safe to use in infants and children?
S. boulardii has been shown to be safe in infants and children. In a clinical trial intended to evaluate the efficacy and safety of S. boulardii for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in infants and children, 250 mg was administered orally twice daily in 269 children aged 6 months to 14 years. No adverse effects were observed during the course of the study.
What improvements can be expected with supplementation?
Generally, clinical response is considered positive when the number of stools decrease and improvements in stool consistency, from being watery and foul-smelling to more formed and less odorous, are observed. Also lessening of abdominal discomfort or cramping, along with reduction in stool urgency, and restoration of normal bowel movements provides clinical evidence of improvement.
How long will it take for Saccharomyces boulardii to clear from the gastrointestinal tract after discontinuing use?
Clinical studies have demonstrated S. boulardii is usually eliminated from the healthy gastrointestinal tract within 6 days after discontinuation of supplementation. People with C. difficile disease generally clear the S. boulardii more rapidly form the intestines, but occasionally S. boulardii may be cultured from the stool up to 4 weeks after discontinuing the supplement.
Is SFI Ther-Biotic Saccharomyces boulardii a hypoallergenic product?
Yes. this product is free of lactose, casein, gluten, corn, soy, egg, sugar and maltodextrin. It is safe for use in children and adults following a gluten-free or casein-free diet. SFI Ther-Biotic S. boulardii contains no artificial additives, colorings, flavoring, preservatives or salicylates.
