Saccharomyces Boulardii
What is Saccharomyces Boulardii?
Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) is a nonpathogenic species of yeast (yeast is a type of fungus). Yeast naturally lives on our skin and in our gastrointestinal tracts and is part of our microbiome. A healthy microbiome is one in which beneficial/symbiotic microorganisms are abundant and keep the pathogenic microorganisms in check.
S. boulardii is a beneficial yeast commonly used to treat and prevent diarrhea. It enhances the body’s ability to absorb certain minerals and B vitamins and prevents pathogens, such as Candida, from colonizing the gastrointestinal tract.
Children with autism often have gastrointestinal dysfunction and an altered microbiome, which can contribute to pain and inflammation, abnormal stools, immune dysfunction, mood disorders, sleep disturbances, and other behaviors. Current therapies for Autism often included targeting the gut and particularly the microbiome.
S. boulardii survives at body temperature and the gastric environment is naturally resistant to antibiotics and benefits acute gastrointestinal illness.[3]
S. boulardii is commonly used for treating and preventing diarrhea, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea in adults and children, H. pylori and C. difficile infections, and especially rotavirus diarrhea in children and has been shown to reduce the duration of illness by 1 day. [1,5,11]
The use of S. boulardii can enhance the body’s ability to absorb certain minerals and B vitamins. It also breaks down potentially harmful antinutrients called phytates, often found in beans and nuts. [2]
There is debate regarding the safety of using S. boulardii with immunocompromised and critically ill patients.
Is Saccharomyces Boulardii Beneficial for Autism?
Saccharomyces boulardii is an effective probiotic because it regulates the balance of bacteria in the gut, interferes with the ability of pathogens to colonize and infect the gut lining (mucosa), modulates local and systemic immune responses, stabilizes gastrointestinal barrier function, and enhances enzymes that support greater nutrition and absorption.[3]
Prevention of Yeast Overgrowth
Probiotic yeasts inhibit virulence traits such as adhesion (sticking to the gut lining), filamentation (elongated growth), and biofilm formation of several non-albicans Candida species. The yeast strains studied in this report work as well as or better than S. boulardii. [6]
S. boulardii inhibits C. albicans adhesion to epithelial cell lines and reduces cytokine-mediated inflammatory host response. [7,8]
In Children
Preventative S. boulardii supplementation in premature infants is as effective as nystatin in reducing fungal colonization and invasive fungal infection, more effective in reducing the incidence of clinical sepsis and number of sepsis attacks, and has a favorable effect on feeding intolerance.[9]
Treatment with S boulardii successfully reduced obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and self-injurious behavior (SIB) symptoms in a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. [10]
Supplementation
Some of our favorites:
Powder
Klaire Labs Saccharomyces Boulardii Powder
Note: The powder is very expensive. To save money, you can use the capsule option below and just open the capsule and use the powder inside.
Aspire Probiotic Powder (contains S. boulardii)
Capsule/Softgel
DISCLAIMER: Before starting any supplement or medication, always consult with your healthcare provider to ensure it is a good fit for your child. Dosage can vary based on age, weight, gender, and current diet.
Note: Most supplements are linked to Amazon for convenience, however, buying supplements on Amazon does not guarantee quality, as there are many “unverified resellers” selling nutrition supplements. To buy supplements that are verified to be sent directly to the consumer, you can create an account on the Autism Dietitian FullScript and search for the respective supplement under “Catalog”.
Authors
Edited & reviewed by: Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD, CLT
References
[1] Saccharomyces boulardii: Allergic reaction: case report. React Wkly. 2014;1530(1):13-13.
[2] Lazo-Vélez MA, Serna-Saldívar SO, Rosales-Medina MF, Tinoco-Alvear M, Briones-García M. Application of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii in food processing: a review. J Appl Microbiol. 2018;125(4):943-51.
[3] Kelesidis T, Pothoulakis C. Efficacy and safety of the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii for the prevention and therapy of gastrointestinal disorders. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2012;5(2):111-25.
[4] Pais P, Almeida V, Yılmaz M, Teixeira MC. Saccharomyces boulardii: What Makes It Tick as Successful Probiotic. J Fungi (Basel). 2020;6(2):E78.
[5] Szajewska H, Kołodziej M. Systematic review with meta-analysis: Saccharomyces boulardii in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2015;42(7):793-801.
[6] Kunyeit L, Kurrey NK, Anu-Appaiah KA, Rao RP. Probiotic Yeasts Inhibit Virulence of Non-albicans Candida Species. mBio. 2019;10(5):e02307-19.
[7] Murzyn A, Krasowska A, Augustyniak D, Majkowska-Skrobek G, Łukaszewicz M, Dziadkowiec D. The effect of Saccharomyces boulardii on Candida albicans-infected human intestinal cell lines Caco-2 and Intestin 407. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2010;310(1):17-23.
[8] Kunyeit L, K A AA, Rao RP. Application of Probiotic Yeasts on Candida Species Associated Infection. J Fungi (Basel). 2020;6(4):E189.
[9] Demirel G, Celik IH, Erdeve O, Saygan S, Dilmen U, Canpolat FE. Prophylactic Saccharomyces boulardii versus nystatin for the prevention of fungal colonization and invasive fungal infection in premature infants. Eur J Pediatr. 2013;172(10):1321-6.
[10] Kobliner V, Mumper E, Baker SM. Reduction in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Self-Injurious Behavior With Saccharomyces boulardii in a Child with Autism: A Case Report. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2018;17(6):38-41.
[11] McFarland LV. Common Organisms and Probiotics: Saccharomyces boulardii. In: Floch MH, Ringel Y, Allan Walker W, eds. The Microbiota in Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology. Elsevier; 2017:145-164.
