What is Saccharomyces Boulardii (SB)?
Candida Albicans is a pathogen that leads to intestinal infection in patients with lower levels of immunity. It causes serious candidiasis. Saccharomyces Boulardii or SB as popularly known is a probiotic product apparently effective in minimizing candida. It can be bought from the medical store without having prescription of a medical practitioner.
History of Saccharomyces Boulardii
The French scientist Henry Boulard observed that the natives of Southeast Asia chew the skin of lychee and mangosteen to reduce the effect of cholera. In 1923 he isolated the yeast from lychee and mangosteen fruits and strained it at tropical temperature and later named it as Saccharomyces Boulardii.
Why Saccharomyces Boulardii is categorized as Probiotic
As Saccharomyces Boulardii was found to regenerate and maintain the natural flora in both small intestines as well as large intestines, it is categorized as a probiotic. It was also found to be non-pathogenic and non-systemic. It does not spread in the body. It confines to the gastrointestinal tract. It grows at a tropical temperature of 37oC. Saccharomyces Boulardii is available as a probiotic in a lyophilized (frozen-dry) form and hence it is referred as Seccharomyces Boulardii Lyo.
How does Saccharomyces Boulardii work
Theres research going on in Europe and the United States to find out how Saccharomyces Boulardii works. Test tube results reveal that Saccharomyces Boulardii doesnt attack the bacteria, fungi or parasites directly. It does not kill these bugs. Scientists assume that:
1.SB prevents inflammation of the gut. This reduces diarrhea.
2.SB increases the immune proteins that kill the bugs.
3.SB is stronger than the amebas and candida of the intestine. At the same time it is non toxic.
Dosage of Saccharomyces Boulardii
1.The dosage of SB ranges from 250mg to 100mg a day. The dosage depends upon the condition of the patient. In case of diarrhea because of an unknown cause, the
dosage given is 3000mg a day. After considerable improvement, the dosage is reduced to 2000mg and then to 1000mg. The dosage is further reduced till the patient finds his or her own maintenance dose.
2.SB given along with antibiotics clindamycin and amoxicillin increases the level of SB in the gut. The combination of standard antibiotics and SB is found
effective and safe for patients with recurring clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDD). But this combination is found not effective on those with an initial episode of CDD.
Side Effects of Saccharomyces Boulardii
People with yeast allergies should not take SB because it is made from live yeast.