Saccharomyces boulardii is a powerful probiotic used to treat, and even prevent, many conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. It’s one of the few probiotics that isn’t destroyed by antibiotics, aiding in maintaining healthy gut flora during and after antibiotic use. S. boulardii benefits include: it’s inexpensive unlike many probiotics, it’s a natural yeast that can easily pass through stomach acid where it can then make its way to the intestinal tract to work its magic.
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The Healthy Yeast
Consider taking S. boulardii if you’re on antibiotics, have been on antibiotics, are struggling with less-than-optimal digestion or have the dreaded C. difficile, a dangerous bacterial infection.
S. Boulardii is a tropical species of yeast that functions like a probiotic. It comes from lychee and mangosteen, and is thought to be a strain of saccharomyces cerevisiae. Henri Boulard, a French scientist, is responsible for its discovery. This was back in 1923 so it’s been around awhile.
Antibiotics are life-saving, and, boy, aren’t we blessed to have them. However, there is a cost. Very effective against dangerous bacteria, no one can dispute the fact that antibiotics have saved countless lives. They’ve also disrupted the flora of countless GI tracts. Thank goodness for supplements that can repair, and prevent, the damage caused by using antibiotics.
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S. Boulardii For Gut Repair
Antibiotics are certainly necessary at times. If you have no other choice but to use them, at the very least protect your intestinal health from fungal overgrowth by using S. boulardii in conjunction with your medication. Antibiotics are no respecter of bacteria – meaning, they wipe out the good and the bad, resulting in the ugly.
There are exceptions, however, as antibiotics do not kill Candida albicans, a yeast native to the GI tract. During a round of antibiotics, this normal yeast can become opportunistic, adhering to intestinal membranes, causing leaky gut, inflammation, autoimmunity, and a host of other conditions. S. boulardii prevents compromised gut function, replenishing crucial gut flora disrupted by antibiotics.
C. Difficile and S. Boulardii
If you’re not familiar with Clostridium difficile, be glad. It’s a miserable, life-threatening bacterial infection caused by the C. difficile bacterium. It’s highly contagious, frequently occurring after treatment with antibiotics. C. diff commonly affects immune-compromised patients in hospitals and other care facilities.
The infection causes severe diarrhea and inflammation of the colon, and is becoming increasingly common with the overuse of antibiotics, making it increasingly more difficult to treat. The most common symptom is frequent diarrhea, which can occur up to 15 times a day. Other warning signs include fever, nausea, dehydration. and weight loss. C. diff can lead to Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, kidney failure, sepsis and even death.
S. Boulardii restores intestinal microflora disrupted by antibiotic use. Its biggest advantage in fighting dangerous infections, such as C. diff, is the fact that it’s not destroyed by antibiotics, making it safe to take during treatment. Not only does S. Boulardii clear the infection, it also boosts the immune system preventing future occurrences.
Probiotics and Skin Health
Studies are showing promising results of S. boulardii for skin health, specifically non-cystic acne. In one study, 75% of patients receiving probiotic treatments improved considerably. Some were completely healed. That’s pretty astounding.
Skin conditions, such as, rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema are all inflammatory in nature, and indicative of deeper problems, like inflammation and infections in the gut. S. boulardii decreases inflammation, treats infections, and restores a depleted microbiota, all factors contributing to leaky gut, and which often manifest as skin problems.
Healthy intestinal bacteria is important for eliminating the toxins and free radicals that are known to damage skin. This is a classic case of “treat the cause, alleviate the symptom.”Lactic acid production is beneficial for the skin. S. boulardii increases lactic acid, making it an effective tool in any skin-care arsenal. The skin has a microbiome just as the gut does, and can benefit immensely from the healthy yeast, S. boulardii.
S. Boulardii Benefits
- Anti-inflammatory
- Immune supporting – boosts SigA
- Combats bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections
- Beneficial for IBD – Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
- Relieves diarrhea
- Calms symptoms of IBS
- Promotes healthy digestion
- Treats C. difficile, H. Pylori and Giardia
- Is not destroyed by antibiotics
- Supports skin health
How To Use The Healthy Yeast
Take two capsules of S. boulardii twice daily to decrease yeast overgrowth while on antibiotics. Continue supplementation for at least two weeks after completing a round of treatment. Severe infections, such as, C. diff. require hefty doses of S. boulardii to push out the infection.
For the first two weeks, take four capsules (3Xs) daily. Reduce the dosage to nine capsules a day – three (3Xs) daily for two weeks. For the remaining four weeks, reduce the dose again to six a day – two (3Xs) a day. A huge benefit of this probiotic is that it rarely causes a Herxheimer reaction. This is fortunate since these kinds of reactions are difficult for those who are already struggling with the aftermath of an infection.
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One capsule daily is a sufficient maintenance dose to support beneficial flora and inhibit yeast overgrowth. Take S. boulardii on an empty stomach, two hours away from antibiotics. You can open a capsule of S. boulardii and add it to your Neti pot to alleviate sinus infections.
Key Points
S. boulardii is a probiotic yeast that combats pathogenic agents which cause disease in the intestinal tract. If you’ve been on antibiotics, have IBS or IBD, struggle with digestion, or just want to reduce inflammation. Saccharomyces boulardii can help.
Have you used S. boulardii? What condition were you treating? Let me know in the comments:)
I have never heard of S. Boulardii. I didn’t realize a probiotic, or healthy yeast, could have so many benefits.
Truth be told, I haven’t used probiotics before, but your post has opened my eyes to what they are all about. This is a well written post, and I have learned a lot. I’ll be bookmarking your website and this article in particular. Thank you!
Hi Payton,
Many people aren’t aware of the benefits of S. Boulardii. It’s both a probiotic and a healthy yeast that is highly effective at crowding out unhealthy yeast and bacteria, as is the case with conditions, such as H. Pylori and C. diff.
Thanks for bookmarking my site and article. I’m glad you learned something from my post.