Understanding IBS-D and Gut Microbiome: Benefits of Florastor for Managing Symptoms

The lining of our GI tract is home to trillions of bacteria, viruses, and yeasts, known as the gut microbiome. It is key to keeping us healthy as it plays a vital role in immune response, among many other functions. Eating foods containing fiber and carbohydrates feeds the gut bacteria to make it stronger and healthier. 

Understanding Different Types of Gut Bacteria

Individuals living with IBS-D (diarrhea) tend to have lower bacterial diversity in their GI tracts and are prone to more opportunistic or pathogenic bacteria. These individuals are also more sensitive to certain types of fibers and carbohydrates (also known as FODMAPs) and typically benefit from diet modifications to help manage IBS-D symptoms like abdominal cramping and diarrhea.

The Double-Edged Sword: Why Antibiotics Disrupt Gut Health in IBS-D

What happens when you have to take antibiotics? It’s inevitable that at some point down the road, you will potentially have to take antibiotics to help kill a bad bacterial infection in your body. Anti- means against, and -biotic means life/origin; basically, you’re killing the bacterial life inside your body (both good and bad). Essentially, antibiotics are a double-edged sword, having both good and bad functions, and they are sometimes necessary to fight bacterial infections. Generally, people who take antibiotics will often experience diarrhea, and this can be worse in individuals already prone to diarrhea, like those with IBS-D.

Can Probiotics Thrive During Antibiotic Therapy?

For decades, scientists have been studying the use and effects of probiotics and how they can potentially help people, especially those who have had recent antibiotic exposure. Many studies have tried to identify the best type of probiotics to use during or following antibiotic use- the recommended ones are identified from the Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces phylum. In many cases, your doctor might recommend eating cultured yogurt following antibiotic use to help replenish the good bacteria in your gut; they may even recommend starting a daily probiotic. However, there are still research gaps to support the duration of use and when to start probiotics (during antibiotic use or initiating after use).

Introducing Florastor: A Unique Probiotic for Antibiotic Use

Florastor or Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 comes from the Saccharomyces species and is a type of yeast commercially available since the 1950s. French microbiologist Henri Boulard first identified the specific strain used in Florastor while studying tropical diseases like cholera in Asia. Natives would drink a beverage made from native tropical fruits, lychees, and mangosteens to help with symptoms of cholera, and the yeast was found in this drink. Saccharomyces boulardii was found to withstand high acidity. Because it is a yeast, it works with your body to promote the growth of the good bacteria that are already present and does not introduce new bacteria to your gut. 

Furthermore, physicians will recommend using Florastor simultaneously with antibiotics, as research suggests that it does not alter the effects of antibiotics or promote antibacterial resistance. Also, it may reduce the incidence of dysbiosis by restoring the gut microbiome after antibiotic therapy is completed.

Benefits of Florastor for IBS-D Management

How Florastor May Help Reduce Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD)

As previously mentioned, Florastor works with your gut by feeding the healthy bacteria already present to promote the growth of good bacteria, restoring gut equilibrium before antibiotic therapy. Because healthy bacteria are restored, your gut can digest and metabolize nutrients correctly, preventing inflammation that leads to diarrhea. A recent study found that Saccharomyces boulardii significantly reduced levels of opportunistic bacteria grown during antibiotic treatment.

Potential Benefits of Florastor for Long-Term IBS-D Management

Outside of antibiotic therapy, Saccharomyces boulardii has also been shown to be effective in reducing bacterial overgrowth and improving digestive symptoms in individuals with IBS-D. Furthermore, a recent review identified several studies that demonstrated positive benefits in individuals with IBS-D, more specifically, relief of abdominal pain, some normalization of stool consistency, and improvement in quality of life.

Important Considerations: Consulting a Healthcare Professional

If you want to try Florastor to manage IBS-D, talk with your provider to learn more and see if it is right for you. Also, consider taking it if you are on antibiotics for an infection. Florastor has several different products based on age/need, including products safe for children. If you have tried Florastor and have not had success with managing symptoms or resolution of diarrhea after antibiotic therapy, it is important to discuss that with your doctor so they can identify other possible triggers.

If you’ve had a positive experience with Florastor, we’d love to hear about your experience below!

1. _{About Florastor ® History | 70 years of safe use & research. (n.d.).}
2. _{Antibiotics can temporarily wipe out the gut microbiome. (2024, February 23). UCLA Health.}
3. _{Doar, N. W., & Samuthiram, S. D. (2023). Qualitative analysis of the efficacy of probiotic strains in the prevention of Antibiotic-Associated diarrhea. Curēus.}
4. _{Fernández, L. M. B., Man, F., & Lasa, J. S. (2023). Impact of Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 on Bacterial Overgrowth and Composition of Intestinal Microbiota in Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients: Results of a Randomized Pilot Study. Digestive Diseases, 41(5), 798–809.}
5. _{Kaźmierczak-Siedlecka, K., Ruszkowski, J., Fic, M., Folwarski, M., & Makarewicz, W. (2020). Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745: A Non-bacterial Microorganism Used as Probiotic Agent in Supporting Treatment of Selected Diseases. Current Microbiology, 77(9), 1987–1996.}
6. _{Meng, X., Zhang, G., Cao, H., Yu, D., Fang, X., Vos, W. M., & Wu, H. (2020). Gut dysbacteriosis and intestinal disease: mechanism and treatment. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 129(4), 787–805.}
7. _{Spatz, M., Wang, Y., Lapiere, A., Da Costa, G., Michaudel, C., Danne, C., Michel, M., Langella, P., Sokol, H., & Richard, M. L. (2023). Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 supplementation during and after antibiotic treatment positively influences the bacterial gut microbiota. Frontiers in Medicine, 10.}
8. _{Selig, D. J., DeLuca, J. P., Li, Q., Lin, H., Nguyen, K., Scott, S. M., Sousa, J. C., Vuong, C. T., Xie, L. H., & Livezey, J. R. (2020). Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 probiotic does not alter the pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin. Drug Metabolism and Personalized Therapy, 0(0).}