saccharomyces boulardii

What does the research say about saccharomyces boulardii?

2 health outcomes synthesised

Research on Saccharomyces boulardii has been conducted for 2 health outcomes: reduced stool frequency and reduced diarrhea. The strongest evidence comes from 3 studies each, both with moderate evidence strength, showing beneficial effects. Key dosing patterns include 250 mg twice daily in children with acute diarrhea and 500 mg four times a day in critically ill or hospitalized patients.

Strongest evidence Both research syntheses show moderate evidence strength. For reduced stool frequency, 3 of 3 studies reported beneficial effects, with a moderate effect size; the highest-quality RCT found a large reduction (1.6 vs 3.3 stools/day by day 6 at 250 mg twice daily). For reduced diarrhea, 3 of 3 RCTs reported moderate beneficial effects across critically ill tube-fed patients, those with antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and patients on triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori (dose 500 mg four times a day in one study).

Effective dose patterns No single dose covers both outcomes. The most studied doses are 250 mg twice daily (for stool frequency in children) and 500 mg four times a day (for diarrhea in varied adult populations). One diarrhea study did not report the dose.

Population insights Research on stool frequency focuses exclusively on children (2 months to 12 years) with acute diarrhea. The diarrhea studies involve adults – critically ill tube-fed, hospitalized, and those undergoing H. pylori therapy. This split limits direct cross-population comparisons.

Notable caveats

Applicability of the stool-frequency findings to adults or non-infectious causes is uncertain.
Two stool-frequency studies had unreported sample sizes, and the 2014 systematic review noted moderate heterogeneity.
The diarrhea evidence base is small (3 studies) and dated (1989–2007); one study did not specify the dose.
No harmful effects were reported in either synthesis, but the evidence is insufficient to assess safety across all populations.

Frequently asked

What is Saccharomyces boulardii good for according to research?
Research shows beneficial effects for two outcomes: reducing stool frequency in children with acute diarrhea (3 studies, moderate evidence) and reducing diarrhea in critically ill or hospitalized patients (3 studies, moderate evidence).
What dose of Saccharomyces boulardii is typically used in studies?
Doses vary by condition. For reducing stool frequency in children, 250 mg twice daily was used. For reducing diarrhea in adult patients (e.g., critically ill, antibiotic-associated), 500 mg four times a day was reported in one study; other studies did not specify the dose.
Who benefits most from Saccharomyces boulardii?
The strongest evidence points to two populations: children aged 2 months to 12 years with acute diarrhea, and adults who are critically ill tube-fed, hospitalized with antibiotic-associated diarrhea, or undergoing triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori. Applicability outside these groups is uncertain.
Does Saccharomyces boulardii help reduce stool frequency in children?
Yes, 3 of 3 studies reported beneficial effects. The highest-quality trial showed a large reduction (1.6 vs 3.3 stools/day by day 6) at 250 mg twice daily. The evidence is rated moderate, with caveats including unreported sample sizes in some studies and moderate heterogeneity in the systematic review.
Does Saccharomyces boulardii help reduce diarrhea in critically ill or hospitalized patients?
Yes, 3 of 3 randomized controlled trials found moderate beneficial effects. Populations included critically ill tube-fed patients, hospitalized patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and those on triple therapy for H. pylori. The evidence is limited by small size, dated studies (1989–2007), and one study not reporting the dose.
Are there caveats or limitations in the research on Saccharomyces boulardii?
Yes. For stool frequency, all studies involved children with acute diarrhea, so applicability to adults or non-infectious causes is unclear. For diarrhea, only 3 older studies are available, one missing dosing details. Additionally, the stool-frequency synthesis noted moderate heterogeneity, and two studies had unreported sample sizes.