The organisms that cause a yeast infection—Candida albicans and Candida glabrata—are opportunistic fungal pathogens, meaning that they like to proliferate in the vagina, where they swiftly create symptoms (vulvar burning, itching, and redness). Candida is not a foreigner; it naturally resides in the body without causing issues. However, an imbalance between bacteria and yeast encourages Candida to take over.
Why conventional probiotics are not the solution
When the symptoms of a yeast infection begin, women often turn to OTC anti-fungal products or a prescription, which can further disturb the overall balance of the vaginal microbiota.
When women seek natural product solutions to manage Candida's presence, they often use probiotic supplements. Research has shown that probiotic strains such as Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri may inhibit the growth of C. glabrata by forming aggregates that stop bacterial colonisation.
But there are downsides: Stomach acids often vanquish probiotic strains, degrading and destabilising them before they can arrive at their destination to work. Antibiotics can also overpower them.
A reliable alternative to probiotics is a probiotic yeast strain, which acts like probiotics without downsides.
A Saccharomyces strain that supports vaginal health
Several strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S.cervisiae) can function as probiotics. Although they share many genetic similarities, each probiotic yeast strain exhibits specific phenotypic differences, providing distinct health benefits.
One such specialised probiotic yeast strain, S. cerevisiae CNCM 1-3865 (as Quatreflora™ from Gnosis by Lesaffre), is shown to protect vaginal health by inhibiting Candida.
Probiotic yeast has been shown to survive the stomach and then migrate intact from the intestine into the vagina, where it can battle Candida species. This was proven in a clinical study detecting the recovery of orally consumed S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 in vaginal and fecal samples in 60 women volunteers after 4 weeks. This is the first clinical study demonstrating the migration of yeast from the intestine to the vagina, where it may exert its benefits.
Yet combatting Candida infections isn’t the only vaginal-friendly action of this probiotic yeast strain: earlier studies have linked S. cerevisiae CNCM 1-3856 to protection of the vaginal epithelium through barrier formation, reduction of inflammation caused by Candida infection, reduction of the vaginal load of Candida albicans by 57% versus 33% in a placebo group, inhibit recurrence of vaginal infections by 54%, and providing an anti-bacterial effect versus Gardnerella vaginalis.
The last thing a healthy, active woman wants is to suffer vaginal indignities. S. cerevisiae CNCM 1-3856 as Quatreflora™ can provide confidence by vanquishing opportunistic Candida.