Viridian Travel Biotic 30 Capsules

Saccharomyces boulardii is a non-pathogenic yeast that has been used for the past 30 years for the prevention and treatment of digestive illness, especially diarrhoea, bacterial infection, parasitic infection and traveller’s diarrhoea.

Saccharomyces. boulardii was first discovered by French microbiologist, Henri Boulard in 1920. He noticed that Lychee fruit skins were a traditional treatment for diarrhoea. The anti-infectious properties of S. boulardii appear to be in part due to its ability to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the gut, while improving the profile of beneficial microflora and subsequently, the health of the gastrointestinal system. This remarkable yeast is one of the great success stories in probiotic therapy.

Experimental studies support S. boulardii’s ability to bind to pathogenic bacteria, inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and reduce inflammatory mediators. In the case of Shigella flexneri, a highly infectious bacteria, S. boulardii demonstrated the maintenance of gastrointestinal epithelial integrity whilst reducing the inflammatory response. Furthermore, S. boulardii demonstrated prevention of rotavirus-induced oxidative stress and the inhibition of the diarrhoeal signalling cascade. Likewise, S. boulardii prevented weight loss, inhibited bacterial translocation, bound pathogenic bacteria, reduced inflammatory signallers and stimulated immune function in a Salmonella model.

A review that discussed the evidence for S. boulardii and the healthy regeneration of the microbiota after diarrhoeal dysbiotic infections reported mechanisms that include the neutralisation of bacterial toxins and the dephosphorylation of lipopolysaccharides that led to a rapid and improved recolonised microbiota profile.

TRAVELLER’S DIARRHOEA - is estimated to affect more than 60% of travellers to developing countries, accounting for 40,000 travellers daily, or >15 million travellers annually. In terms of frequency and economic impact it is the number one health problem for international travel. Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever and diarrhoea, while a spontaneous cure usually occurs after four days, some patients may have symptoms that last weeks and some may develop irritable bowel syndrome.

The efficacy of S. boulardii for preventing traveller’s diarrhoea has been demonstrated in a large cohort of travellers (1016 subjects) who visited Northern Africa, the Middle East and the Far East.

Treatment with S. boulardii commenced five days prior to travel and during the entire trip which lasted on average three weeks. Patients were assigned to placebo, S. boulardii at 250mg per day, or S. boulardii at 1000mg per day. S. boulardii was shown to significantly reduce the incidence of diarrhoea in a dose dependent manner, see figure 1.11 A second randomised, controlled trial with S. boulardii enrolled 1231 Austrian tourists travelling to hot climates and randomized them to either one of two doses of S. boulardii (250 or 500mg/d) or placebo for 3 weeks. The treatment started 5 days prior to the trip and continued through the duration of the trip. 43% of the placebo group developed traveller’s diarrhoea, but significantly fewer in either 250mg/d of S. boulardii (34%) or 500mg/d (32%). A further meta-analysis analysed 12 studies and subsequently concluded that S. boulardii showed significant efficacy in the prevention of traveller’s diarrhoea.

• GIARDIA INFECTION - Giardiasis is the infection by the protozoa Giardia lamblia that is characterised by long lasting diarrhoea, weight loss, abdominal pain and weakness. A study investigated the adjunctive treatment of 750mg metronidazole thrice daily along with 250mg (5 billion) S. boulardii compared to metronidazole only for 10 days in a group of individuals that tested giardiasis positive. It was reported that 100% of the adjunctive group tested negative for the infection two weeks later compared to 82.9% of the metronidazole group. At week 4 of follow up, consistent outcomes were reported, thus leading the authors to conclude that adjunctive use of S. boulardii alongside metronidazole was efficacious in treating giardiasis.13

• ACUTE DIARRHOEA -

• IMMUNITY - The ability of probiotics to treat and protect against recurrent gastrointestinal infection may be due to the enhancement of local immune defences and its ability to bind pathogenic bacteria. In children with acute gastroenteritis the administration of S. boulardii (250mg twice daily for seven days) resulted in a significant increase in CD8 lymphocytes and serum immunoglobulin A, furthermore a significant decrease was reported in C-reactive protein levels and stool frequency. The authors concluded that S. boulardii treatment enhances the immune response.

• DIGESTIVE HEALTH – the rhizome of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has a long history of traditional use for digestive health. It is suggested that ginger confers direct effects on the gastrointestinal tract via its anti-bacterial, spasmolytic, carminative properties. A meta-analysis explored ginger’s anti- analgesic properties to conclude that ginger significantly exerted anti-analgesic effects, consequently such effects that may address to diarrhoeal-induced pain. A systematic review that incorporated 6 research papers to investigate ginger’s anti-nausea effect concluded that ginger overall was effective for reducing nausea.

Ingredients: Each capsule provides: Saccharomyces boulardii (500mg) 10 billion

In a base of sustainably grown Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) powder*

Dosage: For adults, as a preventative intervention, take one capsule daily for 5 days prior to travel, continue for the duration of the trip.

For general use, adults take one to two capsules daily.

For 6-14 years, take one capsule daily for 5 days prior to travel, continue for the duration of the trip.

Safety : Saccharomyces boulardii has safe consistent use for adults and children.
Ginger has safe consistent traditional use in adults and children at 100mg daily there is no evidence of negative interactions.

Contraindications : Professional supervision is recommended in people taking immunosuppressant medications or who are immunocompromised e.g. infants, elderly or critical illness.

Probiotics and ginger are considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions : None known.

As a food supplement, take one capsule daily for five days before travel and continue for duration of trip. For general use, take one to two capsules daily, or as directed by your healthcare professional.

One capsule provides