Saccharomyces boulardii is a specific form of yeast. It is used as a probiotic to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the stomach & intestines.

Description

Saccharomyces boulardii is a specific form of yeast also known as Brewer's Yeast. Saccharomyces boulardii is used as a probiotic to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the stomach & intestines and also increases intestinal populations of healthy bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Studies of probiotic activity in recent years provide evidence that probiotics counter experimental and human gastrointestinal inflammation (human inflammatory bowel disease) by their effects on epithelial cell function, including epithelial cell barrier function, epithelial cytokine secretion, and their antibacterial effects relating to colonization of the epithelial layer. It reduces gastrointestinal pH through the stimulation of lactic-acid-producing bacteria; and provides a direct antagonistic action on gastrointestinal pathogens. Moreover, it competes with pathogens for binding and receptor sites. In addition, there is emerging evidence that probiotics induce regulatory T cells that act as a break on the effector T cells that would otherwise cause inflammation.