Infections, food poisoning and antibiotic use are frequent causes of diarrhea. Maintaining a strong immune system is your best chance against these conditions, which often develop because of a disruption to intestinal flora. Trillions of bacteria live in your intestines and researchers are just starting to better understand their connection with your health. Gut-friendly bacteria can be taken as a supplement to help balance your gut flora. Saccharomyces boulardii is a type of probiotic now available on the market, but unlike some other probiotics, it is not a bacteria but a yeast.
Saccharomyces boulardii
Probiotic supplements comprise different strains or combinations of strains of gut-friendly bacteria. Saccharomyces boulardii, however, is often sold on its own. Because Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast, it is not affected by antibiotics. Moreover, yeast cells are larger in size compared to bacteria, which gives Saccharomyces boulardii more coverage in your gut. Saccharomyces boulardii is also more resistant to the acidity of your stomach and can survive to benefit your gut health. However, it does not stay in your intestines for long and it is eliminated in the 5 to 7 days after you stop taking it.
Antiobiotic Treatment
Saccharomyces boulardii is recommended to prevent the diarrhea often associated with the use of antiobiotics. Antibiotics not only kill the harmful bacteria present in your intestines, but they also destroy the good ones. If you take Saccharomyces boulardii while taking antiobiotics and in the period following antibiotic treatment, this yeast will protect your gastrointestinal tract to prevent harmful bacteria from colonizing it and promote a healthier gut flora.
Traveler's Diarrhea
Developing traveler's diarrhea is a potential threat that could interfere with your trip. A study published in 1993 in a German scientific journal called "Fortschritte der Medizin" showed that travelers taking Saccharomyces boulardii before their trip experienced less diarrhea. The protection effect appears to be dose-dependent, which means that the more you take, the greater the protection. However, you should follow the suggested dosage on your bottle of Saccharomyces boulardii to avoid side effects.
Acute Diarrhea in Children
Acute diarrhea can be very serious for children because they can get dehydrated very quickly. In a study published in 2005 in "Acta Pediatrica," children hospitalized for acute diarrhea and given Saccharomyces boulardii recovered faster. Saccharomyces boulardii reduced the duration of their diarrhea and hospital stay. Consult your doctor of pharmacist to determine whether Saccharomyces boulardii is a good option of your child.
References
- Florastor: Suggested Use
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; A randomized placebo-controlled trial of Saccharomyces boulardii in combination with standard antibiotics for Clostridium difficile disease; L.V. McFarland, et al.; June 1994
- "Fortschritte der Medizin"; Prevention of traveler's diarrhea with Saccharomyces boulardii. Results of a placebo controlled double-blind study; H. Kollaritsch, et al.; March 1993
- "Acta Pediatrica"; Effects of Saccharomyces boulardii in children with acute diarrhoea; Z. Kurugöl, et al.; January 2005
- Florastor: Maintain the Balance of the Intestinal Flora and Promote Intestinal Health
