I’ve been silent about this for some time now…years actually. I just didn’t know how to properly convey it all to my followers on Instagram. But now that I have a blog I feel I can explain things a little better.
PLEASE READ EVERYTHING – trust me, I’m going somewhere with this!
During my huge flair, I of course was battling many digestive issues, one of many was an over growth of a possibly pathogenic yeast called Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (more commonly known as Nutritional Yeast or Brewer’s Yeast). It’s also another form of MSG. (source) I did test after test of blood work from different doctors and labs, and they all came back with no sign of infection. But obviously I wasn’t “fine” and something was wrong. So I paid to get an intense blood and stool study done from Genova Diagnostics where they look at things a little differently than the normal labs. Low and behold, the results showed a number of many disturbing things I won’t go into right now, but one severe overgrowth they detected was Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. It wasn’t just an overgrowth, it was basically taking over my entire body and the results (per the result consultation) were off the charts and one of only a few they’ve seen that were this high and severe. After a long, 3 month special and VERY intense and strict diet to “purge” yeast (see my 10 Steps To Heal Your Gut) I was then able to START the road to recovery AFTER the yeast cleared. (this post is not about that however so I will digress).
If you do have a yeast overgrowth, read THIS POST on how to get rid of it naturally!
Prior to the overgrowth, I was incorporating nutritional yeast into my diet: Adding it to soups, topping my salads with it, and using it in recipes. Everywhere you read you’ll find only positive reviews like “It’s loaded with B vitamins for energy” and “It contains tons of plant based protein.” Way back then, I just believed anything I read…and most of it I’m sure was from others thinking they were giving the correct information and no fault on their part. But sadly I was mislead as so many others are still to this day.
Ever heard of Fungemia? (note, I don’t typically use Wiwipedia as a source of info, however I am using it here just to state the definition)
To quote:
Fungemia or fungaemia is the presence of fungi or yeasts in the blood. The most common type, also known as candidemia, candedemia, or systemic candidiasis, is caused by Candida species, but infections by other fungi, including Saccharomyces, Aspergillus and Cryptococcus, are also called fungemia. It is most commonly seen in immunosuppressed or immunocompromised patients with severe neutropenia, cancer patients, or in patients with intravenous catheters. It has been suggested the otherwise immunocompetent patients taking infliximab may be at a higher risk for fungemia.
If you notice, Saccharomyces is one of the fungi included in the infection in the blood. Here’s proof to back this. Oh, yea…..Fungemia is SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE BLOOD IN YOUR ENTIRE BODY! It is said to be rare, and so I don’t want to scare you, however I do want to inform you that this is what I believe happened to me and can happen to others if you’re not careful, especially if you are prone to infections, have a weak immune system, or have had yeast infections in the past as are prone to yeast overgrowth. This is the main reason I stay away from Nutritional Yeast and any foods containing it.
Common food products that contain Nutritional Yeast are:
• Kale chips
• Vegan / dairy free cheese alternatives
• Chips and crackers that are “cheese flavored”
• Premade soups (canned, boxed, even “fresh”)
I always check ingredients in not only food, but also supplements (you’d be surprised).
By now you’re probably wondering what all this has to do with probiotics. Ok, here’s where all the above ties in…
Lately, many companies have been introducing and praising a probiotic strain called Saccharomyces Boulardii. Sound familiar? It’s of the same gene as Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, and so whenever I see the word “Saccharomyces” my heart skips a beat because of my near death experience with the yeast takeover of my body (that name is engraved in my mind!). So after researching more in depth, claims all over are stating that the probiotic Saccharomyces Boulardii has been proven to help people with digestion, in particular people with IBS, Crohns, and UC. Now that’s great news, right? Of course I would want to jump on the wagon and reap the benefits, however my past experience with it’s little cousin still had me wondering.
After more research, come to find out that many 3rd party sources (i.e. NOT from a company that sells a product) there have been disclosures stating that Saccharomyces Boulardii can been associated with Fungemia and “Caution should be taken in patients with risk factors for adverse events, such as immunocompromised patients.” (see the Conclusion)
See all these precautions from separate sites below stating basically the same thing that Fungemia (yeast taking over the entire body through your bloodstream!) has occurred in weakened immune system / immunocompromised bodies and this probiotic strain hold that risk factor.
Oxford Academic
Webmd
US National Laboratory of Medicine
Do you see where I’m going with this? By now you’ve already grasped that this probiotic strain (Saccharomyces Boulardii) is the one I stay away from, despite all the positive test results, studies, claims, and testimonies. I’m not saying it can’t help you, in fact, if it can then GREAT! But for me, having a weak immune system, a history of yeast overgrowth, having gotten the shingles twice in my lifetime (all before the age of 25), and the mere fact that I did have an overgrowth of S. Cerevisiae (S. Boulardii’s “cousin”) that took over my body, it’s not worth it to me. There are plenty of other probiotcis out there that have been shown to help with IBS, Crohns, UC and digestion in general, so why take the risk if I have other options?
Now, I may be bias a little here, but that’s only because of my past. If you are a healthy human being with a strong immune system, no history of yeast, and feel you have a pretty good health history then you may benefit immensely from this specific probiotic strain. But again, I personally stay away from it (along with nutritional yeast). I am solely explaining what I look for (or more so, what I say away from) when choosing a probiotic and giving you the facts so that you can make an informed decision yourself.
Probiotics I recommend are:
First, getting them from high quality cultured yogurt. Cultured yogurt was the first thing my holistic dr advised me to load up on and I still consume it on a daily basis (about 1 cup per day at least).
In addition to yogurt, I also highly recommend my probiotic protein powders because they contain the probiotic Bacillus Coagulans. Bacillus Coagulans can actually fight off candida and has been one of the few probiotics to stand firm against the yeast, as well as one of the only probiotics that DO NOT need to be refrigerated (if you are buying a non-refrigerated probiotic that is not bacillus coagulans, you are wasting your money!).
And lastly, if you are looking for probiotics in pill form, below are a few I would recommend. Note, just because one brand sells a bottle NOT containing S. Boulardii and S. Cerevisiae (yes, some companies put in S. Cerevisiae as well) does not mean that all the bottles they sell don’t contain them. So look at each type of bottle. For example, Garden Of Life has probiotics that contain these strains and also ones that do not.
Natren Trinity
Garden Of Life
Renew Life Ultra Flora Extra Care Probiotic 100 Billion
Final Thoughts
Again, I must emphasize this is why I PERSONALLY stay away from the Saccharomyces family and that many have also benefited from it. Now that you know where I stand and why, feel free to make your own informed decision when choosing a probiotic, the type, AND form. I hope this post was helpful for you as you decide on the right probiotics for YOUR OWN body. I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts/comments on THIS Instagram post. See you there!
Side note: Did you know stress can affect yeast overgrowth?! I talk about it HERE …so make sure to de-stress yo!
hi bethany i want to kill my yeast overgrowth too. i have been dieting to keep it under control for a couple years but i would love to get rid of it. can i get a test from the same lab u got urs even if i live in kauai can i do it through the mail etc? or should i find someone ear me. also for the diet to kill my yeast wondering if i should not have any caffiene in general or jut quit coffee and have matcha or chai instead. also shoul i be drink ng apple cider vinegar in my water in the morn on yeast kill diet or hold off. also should i drink juice even though that is raw veggies or no?
Hi Josie,
I have an entire separate post about how to get rid of a yeast overgrowth which is linked in this post. I hope it helps. oxox
Thank you so much for posting!
I checked my probiotics after reading and was fine but I’ve been sick and taking a bunch of zinc and have been really bloated, I looked at the ingredients (garden of life while food zinc) and at the bottom there it was added in! The only probiotic they add! I threw them away and will for sure not be getting again!
Curious What is your reasoning for not drinking kombucha, does it contain this yeast probiotic? We home brew our own and wasn’t sure if it still contained it.
Hi Leslie,
Yes, I don’t consume kombucha because it usually contains this type of bacteria and kombucha in general can cause yeast overgrowth.
I have Lupus & Celiac. I recently have been had several various infections that required antibiotics. After every dose of antibiotics I would get a horrible yeast infection. I just don’t have the energy I used to. Which of the Garden of Life do you recommend? I just bought the Vaginal Care one. Is that sufficient to start with ? Also, did you take the recommended dose or increase it? You are awesome! I’ve been struggling with this for over 10years and only wish more people had the courage to “be real” 🙂 Thank You!!
Hi Bethany – great post! Definitely thinking twice now about the nutritional yeast I have been using. Do you have an opinion on acquiring too much lactobacilli? I have recently read about females, specifically, being affected by this which can produce symptoms similar to yeast infections while it’s really “lactobacillus overgrowth syndrome.” I’ve been feeling unsure lately of what probiotics are doing more harm than good, including those found in yogurt, which is a bummer because it’s one of my favorite foods. :/
Hi Kate,
No I’ve never hear of that nor have I experienced it myself.
Bethany I had the same results on my Genova test. Super high Sacc cervasis which by the way is used to brew beer. My stomach looked 6mons pregnant. Bloated and horrible. I need an anti fungal but I had no
Idea that I was getting this in my probiotic. So yes I won’t ever take it either. I didn’t know however that nutritional yeast was the same thing so thank you for that info.
How did you all get the test?
Hi Lindsay,
I linked the company in this post. 🙂
Absolutely agree and can completely relate. I’ve been battling this for months and months! Doctors are too quick to say nothing’s wrong which leads us as patients to be lost and unsure. Best decision Ive ever made was working with a functional medicine practitioner who gets this! All of your posts keep me so encouraged that I’m not alone and that I’m not crazy! Thank you so much!!!
Do you have a Dr you recommend? I’m currently having issues and also have been taking a probiotic with this in it for almost two years. Now what
Hey Jennifer! There is actually a website to find certified functional medicine practitioners if you search it 🙂
Thank you for all the wisdom! I have celiac and IBS and was told to steer clear of agave, as it could be a trigger for flare ups. I just looked up the vital proteins beauty water and it contains agave inulin. What are your thoughts? Give it a try or still avoid any and all agave?!
I personally have not had any trouble with the beauty water hun 🙂
After my chronic yeast infections(6 months later) is when I Saturday having stomach issues. I started taking the probiotics with the ingredients you mentioned above too help me treat them. Should I be concerned this is what has happened or just stop taking them? I haven’t had a yeast infection besides yesterday for about a year and a half. Having stomach issues still though. Any advice would be helpful. I’m a little worried now
so sorry hun! I suggest reading the post on my blog. They’re full of advice and tips! oxox
I have thank you. Just not sure that alone will do the trick. Thanks again for the post
Since I don’t know your location hun, I cannot say a dr I would recommend in your area.
I live in Michigan Bethany.
Hi Jennifer, I don’t live in Michigan 🙂
Thank you, truly. Please continue to share these types of posts, they are informative and extremely helpful in promoting me to do more research.
This post has me all freaked out. I had some major IBS issues a few years ago that lasted a couple years until I visited a Naturopath. I also took the Geneva test and discovered I was borderline SIBO and that my mycology section listed a fungus overgrowth called geotrichum species in the potential pathogen color as it was found in high levels in my gut which is very abnormal apparently.
My Naturopath put me on a probiotic and I went to check it after reading this and the probiotic you are speaking about was the first and main one listed on the bottle. Not to mention I have been eating nutritional yeast on everything lately. When I take my probiotic I seem to have less tummy sensitivity but they do seem to constipate me. I’m not sure what to do now. I would totally try yogurt but I don’t eat dairy because my Naturopath also figured out I have a sensitivity to whey. What would you recommend? Please help!
try the ones I reccomend in the post hun. I hope they help
This post could not have come at a better time for me. I had what I thought was allergies but it then morphed into a cold. After 1 month I went to the MD. Got an Rx for Augmentin with no improvement. I was about to buy Garden of Life Primal Defense Ultra which has the S Boulardii at the recommendation of a friend. Currently I am drinking Kombucha twice a week and eating kimchi on the other days. Can you make some recommendations on a good probiotic? I’m thinking of looking into Dr. Mercola’s. TY. I really need to get over this b/c I can’t visit my brother in hospital until I am better.
Hi Sharon,
DEf get off all kombucha – it causes yeast! Just get on some good probiotic yogurt and the beauty waters I mentioned in the post. 🙂
Thank you for this post!! I COMPLETELY agree! 🙂 I am a person who CONSTANTLY got yeast infections (in the past before I ate healthy). I have my bachelors of science in biological sciences and in the labs, we ALWAYS watched yeast grow and see what they did with other bacteria (bad and good) and they ALWAYS took over. Saccharomyces Cerevisiae was the one we watched most and IT ALWAYS TOOK OVER. I always stayed away from it as much as I could just because I knew ti had the potential to overrun other good bacteria and because of that, it scared me lol.
Really?! Ahhh! Well Im glad to hear that you have that past experience in the labs and applied it to your own life. Girl, I had a feeling you already stayed away from it just from getting to know you over Instagram and seeing what you create! oxox
I do drink about 1 bottle of homemade kombucha once a week because I love it but that about it for yeast. But i havent had it in a while since im doing the candida cleanse. Hopefully 1 bottle a week doesn’t do too much damage 😯 I know you stay away from it. My husband and kids are addcited to sauerkraut and kombucha so I don’t know what to do about all that yeast they are getting lol
What are your thoughts on kombucha? I know some can just be sugar bombs, I’ve been drinking it for years, sometimes a bottle every day, sometimes a bottle every other day, sometimes not for a while. So not as regularly as I’d like, I used to drink it daily once upon a time. But it became more popular and the price went up. I stay away from brands that add sugar after the fermentation, and there are lots of long bacterial names proudly listed on the bottle, but is drinking them a great way to get your probiotics?
Hi Kate,
IF you notice, I never drink kombucha in my Instagram stories for this very reason. I stay away from them all. They can cause yeast overgrowth.
Super interesting . Thank you for sharing such an amazing information.
I’ll definitely go over to IG to post my comments! I also wanted to thank you for putting this entire post together!. Well worth the read and I’ve already shared the link with someone else that i know can benefit from reading this! xo
Great…. The one I’ve been taking for years that I started on to help with my yeast infections contain these 😱. I just got a yeast infection yesterday after almost two years with out. I have severe ibs issues as well. Do you have any probiotics you’ve used that help with yeast? The one I currently am taking is Garden of Life Vaginal care. Thank you for bringing this to light and sharing your experience with us.
Hi Jennifer,
Im sorry to hear of your current battle, but I suggest getting on the baccilus coagulans (vital proteins beauty waters mentioned in this post) and seeing if it helps.
Along with just a regular probiotic and not one dedicated to yeast? Thank you for all the wonderful information you provide. This is a long road
yes thats fine
Hi. Wow. I am prone to yeast infections and have a horrid history of IBS and all the fun symptoms that come along with it. Since July I have been in the throws of a huge flare up. Gaining weight, bloating, crippling and cramping pain… I’ve seen multiple doctors and have so many tests done (blood, scopes, stool, urine, allergy, etc.). They keep telling me nothing is “wrong.”
A month ago I started using vital proteins collagen every day thanks to you and started to notice a difference!!! However, I’m still not “normal” or feeling like my “typical” self.
But I also started putting nutritional yeast on my food every day a few months ago!! Now reading this post, I believe it could be contributing to my symptoms!!
Any more tips for how to clear it out?? I’d be grateful for any advice.
Hi Ashley,
I have many tips (linked in this post) that can help. I hope you find them useful and glad to know you are doing better than you were before and that Vital Proteins is helping! 🙂
Thank you SO MUCH for this. As of lately I’ve been dealing with yeast overgrowth, especially since breastfeeding my son. We both have been battling thrush and it’s good to know which probiotics to avoid.
I’m so sorry you have to learn the hard way so I’m even more thankful for everything you do. You’re amazing!
Wow that’s so eye opening ! Thank you so much for this post ! I’ve had yeast overgrowth on and off for over 12 years and I’ve been making organic popcorn for my children ( and obviously me) and topping it with turmeric and black pepper and nutritional yeast . And I thought I was giving them a healthy snack . Now I’ll rethink that and avoid it