Saccharomyces Boulardii

What Is Saccharomyces Boulardii?

Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast, which makes it unusual: nearly every other organism sold as a probiotic is a bacterium. It was first isolated from the skins of lychee and mangosteen. The strain here is Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii I-3799, at 10 billion CFU per serving.

How It Works in the Body

Most yeasts used in food prefer cooler conditions. This one grows well at body temperature, so it stays active as it travels through the digestive tract.

It is also transient. It does not settle in or join the resident microbial community, and it clears within days once someone stops taking it. While it passes through, it interacts with the cells lining the intestine and with the bacteria already living there, and it brings enzyme activity of its own.

What It Supports

• Digestion: The yeast carries its own enzyme activity and contributes to the breakdown of carbohydrates in the small intestine.
• The gut lining: It supports the epithelial cells that line the intestine.
• The resident community: It supports the balance of microbes already living in the gut.
• Fiber alongside: Organic inulin, a fermentable fiber in the capsule, supports regularity.

Who It May Suit

This suits people who prefer a yeast to a bacterial probiotic, and people who want a single organism rather than a multi-strain blend. The capsule is cellulose and the other ingredients are inulin and guar gum, both plant fibers, so it suits vegetarians and vegans.

Good To Know

For a live organism the meaningful measure is CFU, or colony-forming units, rather than milligrams, because what counts is the number of viable cells. Talk with your provider before use if your immune system is suppressed, if you are seriously ill, or if you have a central venous catheter, because live yeast has been linked to bloodstream infection in those situations.