Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic yeast with significant scientific evidence supporting its use in the prevention and adjunct treatment of certain bacterial infections, particularly those affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated its efficacy in reducing the duration and severity of acute infectious diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by bacterial pathogens such as Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile), Escherichia coli, and Salmonella. S. boulardii exerts its beneficial effects by multiple mechanisms: it interferes with pathogen adhesion to intestinal mucosa, degrades bacterial toxins (such as C. difficile toxins A and B), modulates the immune response, and restores the balance of gut microbiota disrupted by infection or antibiotics.

Importantly, S. boulardii is one of the few probiotics with consistent evidence supporting its use in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and recurrent C. difficile infection, conditions that often arise from bacterial overgrowth or infection. While it is not a standalone treatment for bacterial infections, it is commonly used as an adjunct to antibiotics to reduce gastrointestinal side effects and recurrence rates. The overall quality of evidence is high for these indications, with several well-conducted randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews supporting its efficacy and safety profile in most populations, except for severely immunocompromised individuals. Thus, the use of S. boulardii in the context of bacterial infections is strongly supported by scientific evidence.

More about saccharomyces boulardii
More about Infection (bacterial)

Other ingredients used for Infection (bacterial)

Other health conditions supported by saccharomyces boulardii

Products containing saccharomyces boulardii

Designs For Health FloraMyces™
Douglas Laboratories Multi-Probiotic Spore
Designs For Health ProbioMed Kids
Pure Encapsulations PureBi•Ome™ Intensive
Douglas Laboratories S.B.C.
Pure Encapsulations Saccharomyces Boulardii
Thorne Sacro-B
Metagenics UltraFlora Acute Care Probiotic
Metagenics UltraFlora Spectrum
Metagenics UltraFlora Spectrum Probiotic