Taking probiotic supplements with Saccharomyces boulardiifor Candida has been proven effective in clinical trials. S. boulardii is a strain of tropical yeast that was first discovered in the lychee and mangosteen fruit.
It has been found to confer a protective effect on the human digestive system and the urogenital tract when it is supplemented orally.
Saccharomyces boulardii helps to combat the pathogenic bacteria and yeast that can cause Candida infections, as well as other types of vaginal yeast infections.
This yeast works by colonizing the gastrointestinal tract, helping to protect beneficial bacteria strains while inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans. It may be particularly beneficial to take when the microbiome is disrupted due to antibiotic use, illness or when travelling.
Women take S. boulardii in combination with other probiotic strains to help eradicate the Candida yeast. Lactobacillus Acidophilus is one strain of probiotic bacteria that has also been found to prevent and treat vaginal yeast infections.
Using Saccharomyces boulardii for Candida treatment is considered safe for most people, but individuals who are immunocompromised should speak to their doctors to determine whether this product is okay for them to use.



- Supports a healthy immune system & microflora
- Promotes digestion & nutrient absoprtion
- Combats pathogenic bacteria; Improves metabolism
Saccharomyces Boulardii for Candida
Related Topics
- What are Probiotics?
- Probiotic Benefits
- Best Probiotic Strains
- Probiotic Side Effects
- Probiotic Supplements
- Probiotic Foods
- Best Probiotic Yogurt
- Probiotics for Children
- Probiotics for Women
- Yeast Infections
- What are Prebotics?
- Lactobacillus Acidophilus
- Lactobacillus Bulgaricus
- Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
- Bifidobacterium Bifidum
- Bifidobacterium Infantis
- Bifidus Regularis
S. boulardii produces caprylic acids that kill Candida albicans cells and inhibits its ability to adhere to and to form a biofilm onto the intestinal lining.
Candida infections occur when there is dysbiosis (an imbalance of beneficial probiotics and pathogenic bacteria in the gut). Some causes of this imbalance are antibiotic use, diet, oral contraceptives, steroids and stress.
Candida is a yeast infection that can be difficult to eradicate. Saccharomyces boulardii eliminates the infection by eliminating the pathogenic bacteria.
After taking the Saccharomyces boulardii treatment to eliminate the Candida infection, it is recommended to take L. Acidophilus to balance the microflora and to improve the immune system to prevent re-infection with Candida.
A good microflora balance makes relapse of the infection less likely because the conditions are not suitable for it to thrive.
Saccharomyces Boulardii and Yeast Infections
The Candida infection can cause oral or vaginal thrush and disrupt the GI (Gastrointestinal) tract. Symptoms include bloating and intestinal gas, diarrhea and constipation, recurrent thrush infections as well as extreme fatigue.
Other symptoms may include bladder infections, rectal itching, mouth sores (white patches on the tongue or inside of cheeks), tingling, and cravings for sugar-rich foods and sweets, and carbohydrates.
If the Candida breaches the intestinal barrier in the gut systemic Candida can cause skin conditions, oral thrush and cause an impaired immunity. Long term, this infection can also cause sinus congestion, brain fog and confusion as well as muscle pain and extreme fatigue.
Chronic Candida infection has been associated to arthritis, digestive disorders, IBS (Irritable Bowel Disease), ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), MS (Multiple Sclerosis), CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), Fibromyalgia and neurological conditions.
How Saccharomyces Boulardii Works for Candida
A clinical animal study on mice in the Journal of Infectious Diseases in November 1993 showed when immunosuppressed mice were given S. boulardii it decreased both the incidence and the number of translocating C. albicans to the MLN (Mesenteric Lymph Node), liver, and kidneys and spleen.
A clinical animal study on mice published in Medical Mycology in December 2007 showed S. boulardii decreased inflammation and proliferation of Candida albicans in a mouse model of chemically-induced colitis.
A clinical study published in FEMS Microbiology Letters in September 2010 showed S. boulardii significantly inhibited C. albicans adhesion to Candida albicans infected human intestinal cell lines Caco-2 and Intestin 407.
The study concluded that S. boulardii affects C. albicans adhesion and reduces the cytokine associated inflammatory host response.
How to Prevent Candida Infections
In addition to taking a probiotic supplement with S. boulardii, diet is an important factor to consider in controlling the Candida infection. Candida flourishes on sugar and processed carbohydrates. The infection can also cause cravings for these types of foods to feed the yeast infection bacteria.
It is advised to follow a Candida Diet for 28 days that eliminates all cow milk products, all yeasts, all sugar products, all ripe fruits, and high-sugar root vegetables like beetroots, carrots, parsnips and sweet potatoes.
Alcohol, processed meats, high salt foods and soy products, mushrooms, quorn, saturated fats and health supplements with lactose, gluten or citric acid should also be avoided.
Omega 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids should be part of the Candida diet. Alfalfa sprouts, bean sprouts, bell peppers, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, endive and fennel and can be eaten. Green beans, greens, hot chilli peppers, kale, lettuce, onions, parsley, radishes, spring onions, spinach, Swiss chard and yellow beans are also vegetables included in this diet.
Free range eggs, fresh fish and lamb, veal, poultry in small amounts are also recommended. Supplementing with 1 Tbsp of ground flaxseed (also known as linseed) daily and eating fresh garlic helps the rid the body of Candida. It is also recommended to drink 8 glasses of water a day to help flush out the toxins.
Saccharomyces Boulardii Adverse Effects
Most individuals who use Saccharomyces Boulardii do not experience side effects. However, in some cases gas, bloating and diarrhea may be experienced when first using this product.
While safe for the majority of healthy adults, probiotics such as Saccharomyces Boulardii should not be taken by those with impaired immune systems or those using a catheter. Those with open surgical wounds should also avoid probiotics.
People allergic to yeast should also avoid this probiotic. Saccharomyces Boulardii for yeast infections should also not be taken with anti-fungal medications.
Unless directed by a medical care professional probiotics should not be taken whist pregnant or while breastfeeding. Probiotics could potentially interact with antibiotic pharmaceutical medications and should be taken at least two hours apart.
When using Saccharomyces Boulardii for Candida, it is generally recommended to build up to the recommended dosage. This is due to the Herxheimer’s reaction of the yeast infection cells which can release up to 70 different toxins into the body.
Symptoms of the infection may appear worse the first couple of days of taking probiotics. Taking milk thistle along with this probiotic is recommended to help ease the die off symptoms and to detox the body of the toxins.
Saccharomyces boulardii for candida is a well established treatment that eradicates yeast infection by preventing the pathogenic bacteria from thriving. This probiotic yeast also helps reduce the inflammation caused by the Candida infection.
- Berg R, Inhibition of Candida albicans translocation from the gastrointestinal tract of mice by oral administration of Saccharomyces boulardii. J Infect Dis. 1993 Nov;168(5):1314-8.
- Jawhara S, Saccharomyces boulardii decreases inflammation and intestinal colonization by Candida albicans in a mouse model of chemically-induced colitis. Med Mycol 2007 Dec;45(8):691-700.
- Pothoulakis C. Review article: anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action of Saccharomyces boulardii. Ailment Pharmacol Ther 2009 Oct 15;30(8):826-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2009.04102.x. Epub 2008 Jul 23.
- Murzyn A, The effect of Saccharomyces boulardii on Candida albicans-infected human intestinal cell lines Caco-2 and Intestin 407. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2010 Sep 1;310(1):17-23. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2010.02037.x. Epub 2010 Jun 16.
- Pothoulakis C. Review article: anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action of Saccharomyces boulardii. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2009 Oct 15;30(8):826-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2009.04102.x. Epub 2008 Jul 23.
- Demirel G, Prophylactic Saccharomyces boulardii versus nystatin for the prevention of fungal colonization and invasive fungal infection in premature infants. Eur J Pediatr 2013 Oct;172(10):1321-6. doi: 10.1007/s00431-013-2041-4. Epub 2013 May 24.
Article last updated on: April 6th, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
After going through tons of information and doctors saying the best probiotic is s boulardi I found a compilation of the research here:
taking probiotics dot com/saccharmyces-boulardii-effect-against-candida-albicans/
Basically all of the studies and articles are compiled and you begin to see a pattern. That S.Boulardii slightly slows down the infection by candida albicans but is promptly overwhellmed and the candida takes over regardless of if you continue taking boulardii or not.
The 4 studies listed and investigated showed all the same results though 2 touted their results as positive and showing less ammounts of candida than plecebo one only showed this after 2 weeks which is when the first study of mice showed that the candida would begin to take over and stabalize.
“S. boulardii was also given for 2 and 4 weeks to mice fed chow containing Candida albicans. S. boulardii in the gut did not affect Candida GI colonization. These findings suggest that oral administration of S. boulardii induces a substantial but short term increase of this yeast in the intestinal lumen and administration of the probiotic does not prevent subsequent GI colonization by C. albicans.”
what this means for you?
S. Boulardii is probably not going to do much for you, it has anti inflamatory properties and may reduce diarrhea you have from the yeast overgrowth but it will not reduce the population of the yeast sorry :(. It could though be a supplement to take after taking your antifungals for a small effect of slowing any possible regrowth.