subject: Probiotics - Can They Help Control Candidiasis? [print this page] We all know what anti-biotics areWe all know what anti-biotics are. The word antibiotic means "against life". They are drugs that kill harmful forms of life, such as harmful bacteria.
Probiotics are the counterpart to antibiotics. Probiotics such as Acidophilus and Bifidus are part of the gut flora, or bacteria that are beneficial to the human body. While antibiotics kill off the good bacteria in the body, probiotics restore them.
Why is this important? Because Candida infections can be brought on by the use of antibiotics. When too many of the good bacteria are destroyed, healthy balance is disrupted. Then the bad bacteria, like Candida Albicans have an opportunity to proliferate and take up residence in the gastrointestinal, vaginal and urinary tracts of the body. This takeover can cause an overgrowth of yeast and cause an imbalance in the body.
Probiotic microbes suppress the growth of Candida in the gastrointestinal tract, vagina and bladder. They also inhibit the adherence of Candida to body tissue. Two probiotic microbes, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria have the ability to inhibit Candida growth. These probiotics compete with the disease-causing organisms in the gastrointestinal tract and aid in the recolonization of intestinal bacteria. This is important for controlling yeast overgrowth.
Probiotics also improve digestion and kill harmful bacteria in the intestinal tract by depriving them of nutrients. The production of antifungal enzymes is another benefit of probiotics. These enzymes can literally dissolve the cell walls of yeast and other fungi, killing them.
Beneficial bacteria thrive on foods rich in fiber and chlorophyll, which increases their numbers. One of those foods is Jerusalem Artichokes, which are high in a type of sugar call Fructo-oligo-saccharides, or FOS. This sugar is an excellent food source for the beneficial bacteria that alter the gut pH to a more alkaline state in which Candida cannot survive. Sugar-hungry yeast and fungi including Candida can't utilize the FOS form of sugar.
If you can't eat Jerusalem Artichokes, FOS sweetener is also available as a syrup in health food stores. As you see, Probiotics can be a valuable tool in the prevention and elimination of the Candida Albicans fungus. For best results, make sure you use a high potency, high quality probiotic that contains Lactobacillus, Bifobacterium, and Acidophilus.
Probiotics are not a magic cure for Candida. They should be used in combination with a good yeast free diet. I take a probiotic as a daily supplement to maintain balance in my digestive tract, to prevent yeast overgrowth.
