Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745: it prevents, treats and helps to recover from diarrhea and its causes

Diarrhea, loose or watery stools along with increased frequency of bowel movements, is a common problem in both developing and industrialized countries.¹ Diarrhea occurs when too much fluid is drawn into the bowel and cannot be reabsorbed by the intestine.²

Most commonly, diarrhea is caused by infections due to viruses, bacteria or parasites.¹

The main cause of acute diarrhea in both industrialized and developing countries are viruses, which cause one third of diarrhea hospitalizations.³ These generally peak during wintertime.³

In developing countries, bacterial infections that occur peak during warmer weather/summertime are the most common causes of diarrhea.³ They spread via contaminated food or drinking water.³

Diarrhea can also have non-infectious causes such as underlying medical conditions or drugs such as antibiotics.²

Causes

Infectious³

• Bacteria (e.g. Clostridium difficile, Escherichia coli, Shigella, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella)
• Virus (e.g. Rotavirus, Norovirus)
• Parasites (e.g. Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia intestinalis)

Non-infectious²

• Underlying condition (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome)
• Medications (e.g. antibiotics)

In fact, antibiotics can cause both infectious and non-infectious diarrhea.⁴ First, it can cause diarrhea due to disruption of the composition and diversity of gut microbiota.⁴ Secondly, because of the change in microbiota, there can be an overgrowth of infectious opportunistic bacteria such as C. difficile.⁴ This can lead to recurrent infections and bouts of diarrhea.⁴

Diarrhea can be self-limiting and resolve in less than 14 days.² However, in some instances, diarrhea can last over 14 days leading to dehydration and persistent malnutrition.²

Duration

• Acute diarrhea (<14 days)³
• Persistent diarrhea (>14 days)³
• Chronic diarrhea (>1 month)²

Did you know?

The causes and symptoms of diarrhea can be addressed by the single-strain yeast probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745.⁵ This specific strain can prevent, treat and help recover from diarrhea.⁵

It was discovered when a French microbiologist visiting South East Asia in 1923⁵ noticed that people who drank a concoction made of the skins of litchis and mangosteens, did not get diarrhea during an outbreak.⁶ The yeast S. boulardii CNCM I-745 was identified as the reason these people did not develop diarrhea.⁶  The yeast has since been demonstrated to have multiple ways in which it can act on diarrhea, including : ⁵

• Stimulate the immune system to destroy harmful bacteria
• Prevent inflammation which can damage the gut
• Stop harmful bacteria and their toxins
• Promote normal gut cell function
• Restore the normal gut microbiota population

These effects of S. boulardii CNCM I-745 can reduce how often and long diarrhea occurs as well as prevent recurrent infections.⁵

Since it was discovered S. boulardii CNCM I-745 has been investigated in more than 100 clinical studies, leading to its recommended use by several international guidelines for several types of diarrhea, including World Gastroenterology Organization⁷ and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition guidelines for:^7,8*

• Prevention and recovery from antibiotic-associated diarrhea
• Prevention of recurrent diarrhea due to Clostridium difficile
• Treatment of acute diarrhea in adults and children

*The prescribed usage of Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 for different conditions varies country to country. Please refer to your local Product Information, or speak with your doctor.