An imbalance in microbiota highlights how important microbiota is for a healthy gut

Trillions of microbes can be found in the gut, predominantly in the colon (called gut microbiota).¹

An unfavourable imbalance of microbiota composition and diversity is referred to as dysbiosis.² During an imbalance of the gut microbiota, pathogenic species such as Clostridium difficile³ or other species increase in number (such as Enterobacteriaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, and Clostridiaceae), while there is a reduction in the number and diversity of some microbiota population (Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Bacteroidaceae, and Prevotellaceae) by at least one order of magnitude.³

Dysbiosis can occur due to improper diet, exposure to pathogenic microbes (e.g. bacteria, viruses or parasites), stress, environmental factors, old age or drugs such as antibiotics.³ For example, an animal-based diet can quickly alter the composition of the intestinal microbiota and decrease bacteria that metabolise diet-introduced plant sugars.⁴ Or, following antibiotic treatment, some pathogenic species can increase rapidly by exploiting microbiota-induced sugar production to promote their growth.⁵ Furthermore, studies into the microbiota diversity and composition of elderly people have shown differences in composition between healthy and frail individuals.⁶

During dysbiosis, processes that are influenced by the normal gut microbiota can be altered.³ This disruption can often result in diarrhea due to:

• reduced fermentation and metabolism of nutrients which increase the amount of water moving into the gut³ ;
• increased inflammation that damages the tight junctions between cells and allows water and electrolytes to leak out³ ; 
• damage to the protective mucous layer, allowing harmful bacteria to attach to the gut cells³ ;
• release of toxins by harmful bacteria such as Clostridium difficile that causes increased water secretion and damage to cells resulting in diarrhea.⁷

Finally, the diarrhea associated with dysbiosis can result in loss of the normal microbiota, further reducing diversity.³

Therefore restoring the balance of microbiota is important to reduce the effects of gut imbalance, but also to reduce longer-term symptoms such as persistent inflammation.³ Taking a  probiotic such as the single-strain yeast probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 can restore the balance of microbiota as well as reduce the symptoms of diarrhea.³

S. boulardii CNCM I-745 has been demonstrated to prevent diarrhea of different origins. The yeast has been shown to have a positive effect in many different situations that cause a gut imbalance thanks to its unique properties : ³

• naturally resistant to antibiotics ;
• does not permanently stay in the gut, so does not upset the balance of microbiota ;
• prevents harmful bacteria from accessing the lining of the gut ;
• destroys harmful toxins ;
• secretes substances that have an anti-inflammatory effect ;
• stimulates the growth of gut cells.

Clinical studies have shown that S. boulardii CNCM I-745 treatment increases the levels of beneficial bacteria.³ S. boulardii CNCM I-745 treatment has also been demonstrated to reduce the frequency and duration of diarrhea during antibiotic treatment¹, and the risk of harmful C. difficile infection following antibiotic treatment.¹

The action of S. boulardii CNCM I-745 creates a favourable environment for beneficial gut bacteria, to restore the balance following dysbiosis.³