Saccharomyces boulardii is a nonpathogenic, probiotic yeast with multiple mechanisms of action. S.boulardii is used to support gastrointestinal health in a wide variety of conditions ranging from autism spectrum disorders to irritable bowel syndrome. It has profound effects on protecting the intestinal epithelial cells and maintaining intestinal barrier function. In addition, it powerfully increases sIgA secretion. This is huge for boosting the immune system since sIgA is the body’s primary immune response.

S. boulardii is also used to treat Candida albicans. It has been found to inhibit translocation of C. albicans. It is now clear that Candida-related disease is biofilm mediated and S. boulardii can disrupt all the factors necessary for Candida vurulence, filamentation, adhesion, and biofilm formation.

Saccharomyces boulardii is also effective as an adjunct to antimicrobials in the treatment of parasites. S. boulardii alone was as effective as metronidazole in relieving symptoms and clearing the parasites from the stool.

H. pylori has been associated with chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, gastric adenocarcinoma, and gastric lymphoma. Treatment of H. pylori involves a lengthy multi-drug antibiotic regimen and is associated with a failure rate exceeding 20%. A recent meta-analysis of five randomized, clinical trials found that the addition of S. boulardii increased H. pylori eradication rates from 71% to 80%. The addition of S. boulardii significantly reduced the risk of adverse effects from triple therapy by 54%.

S. boulardii is truly a remarkable probiotic with many uses. Much of its expanding use has be related to the beneficial effects on the intestinal cells, intestinal barrier, and its pronouced effects on immune responses such as increasing secretory IgA. S. boulardii directly inhibits colonization of harmful bacteria, protects normal gastrointestinal system during antibiotic therapy, restores normal intestinal function in children and adults with diarrhea, and maintains normal bowel function during traveling and other exposures to potential intestional bacteria. There is no doubt that the clincal use of S. boulardii to support gastrointestinal health will continue to expand.

References

ProThera and Klaire Labs Update Summer 2011

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