Saccharomyces Boulardii for SIBO? (Constipation, Leaky Gut)

saccharomyces_boulardii_sibo

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Can you use Saccharomyces Boulardii for SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)?

Saccharomyces Boulardii is useful for SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) because the probiotic decreases its symptoms. 

A study was conducted on the patients suffering from SIBO, where the patients were administered metronidazole alone, metronidazole in combination with S. Boulardii and S. Boulardii alone for 2 months. The study demonstrated that Saccharomyces boulardii alone or in combination with metronidazole was more effective and improved outcomes in SIBO as compared to the metronidazole alone. 

Saccharomyces Boulardii is especially useful for pediatric SIBO because it decreases hydrogen gas, it also improves the functioning of the intestinal barrier, and can maintain gut microbiota balance.


What is the Dosage of Saccharomyces Boulardii for SIBO?

A clinical trial shows that a dosage of 200 mg twice a day was effective in improving outcomes of patients suffering from SIBO. This dose was administered for two weeks followed by a 2 week rest period and again the same dosage for 2 consecutive months. 

Commercial preparations of Saccharomyces Boulardii were found to be containing about a 275 mg dosage with 5 billion CFU. However, regulatory agencies have not set a recommended dosage of the probiotic for SIBO. 

Consult your physician before consuming probiotic supplements for SIBO. 

In the video below, the YouTube channel “Encounter with Life” shows how Saccharomyces Boulardii can help if you suffer from diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis).

This is our recommended Probiotic Supplement with Saccharomyces Boulardii:

Biotics-8-Probiotic

Biotics 8 – Probiotic Formula For Overall Gut Health


Does Saccharomyces Boulardii help treat Constipation?

Saccaromyces Boulardii may be helpful for constipation because it reduces symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome, which can cause constipation. However, a clinical trial found that the probiotic did not help or reduce constipation in patients suffering from IBS although it relieved other symptoms. Often a combination of different probiotics having different benefits is used for gastrointestinal disorders. 

More clinical trials and studies are required before any claim regarding the use of Sacharomyces Boulardii for constipation can be made. 


Can you use Saccharomyces Boulardii for Leaky Gut syndrome?

Saccharomyces Bulardii can be useful for leaky gut syndrome because it preserves and restores the function of the intestinal barrier. A leaky gut syndrome is defined as increased intestinal permeability leading to leakage of intestinal contents into the bloodstream and tissues. 

Saccharomyces Boulardii helps with the leaky gut through various mechanisms, such as:

  • Antitoxinic effect against E. Coli
  • Antimicrobial effect
  • Affects and changes intestinal flora
  • Modulates metabolic activity
  • Improving secretion of digestive enzymes
  • Anti-inflammatory action.
  • Restores barrier integrity

Saccharomyces Boulardii can help leaky gut in the following conditions:

  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • In gastrointestinal disease
  • During Enteral or tube feeding
  • In immunocompromised HIV patients

Is Saccharomyces Boulardii useful for the treatment of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)?

Saccharomyces Boulardii is useful for the treatment of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) because the probiotics improve its symptoms. 

A clinical trial was performed on 60 patients to evaluate the effectiveness of Saccharomyces Boulardii in improving the symptoms of IBS. The patients were divided into two groups, one received Saccharomyces Boulardii and the other placebo. The trial revealed that the treatment group showed significant improvement in the IBS symptoms as compared to the placebo group.

In another trial, conducted on 67 patients suffering from IBS, Saccharomyces Boulardii and placebo were assigned randomly to the patients. The supplement was given daily for 4 weeks. After the trial researchers found out that supplementation with probiotics significantly improved the quality of life and symptoms of IBS in the patients as compared to the placebo.


Can Saccharomyces Boulardii cause Diarrhea?

Saccharomyces Boulardii does not cause diarrhea but it prevents diarrhea caused due to various conditions. 

Studies show that Saccharomyces Boulardii can prevent diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorder by various mechanisms that affect both the host and micro-organisms. It interferes with the ability of micro-organisms to colonize and infect the intestinal mucosa, improves secretion of digestive enzymes, affects the local immune system, and stabilizes the intestinal barrier improving absorption of nutrients.

Clinical trials show supplementation with saccharomyces Boulardii significantly decreases diarrhea. 

Saccharomyces Boulardii supplementation is beneficial in the following types of diarrhea:

  • Diarrhea associated with IBS
  • Antibiotic associate diarrhea
  • Acute diarrhea
  • Persistent diarrhea
  • Travelers diarrhea
  • Enteral nutrition-related diarrhea

Does Saccharomyces Boulardii cause Bloating?

Saccharomyces Boulardii may cause bloating in some people. It is mainly experienced in people suffering from constipation and digestive stress who take Saccharomyces Boulardii. A study shows that bloating and other symptoms were common who take probiotic supplements regularly. 

However, Saccharomyces Boulardii is safe for most people with some common side effects such as bloating, gas, and constipation. 

Surprisingly, some other probiotics such as Lactobacillus GG can be used to relieve bloating. Hence it is beneficial to use a product containing a combination of different probiotics that can counter side effects of each other. 


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Sources

This article makes use of information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  3. Choi CH, Jo SY, Park HJ, Chang SK, Byeon JS, Myung SJ. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial of saccharomyces boulardii in irritable bowel syndrome: effect on quality of life. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2011 Sep;45(8):679-83. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0b013e318204593e. Erratum in: J Clin Gastroenterol. 2011 Oct;45(9):838. PMID: 21301358.
  4. Rao SSC, Rehman A, Yu S, Andino NM. Brain fogginess, gas and bloating: a link between SIBO, probiotics and metabolic acidosis. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2018 Jun 19;9(6):162. doi: 10.1038/s41424-018-0030-7. PMID: 29915215; PMCID: PMC6006167.
Saccharomyces Boulardii for SIBO? (Constipation, Leaky Gut)
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