Many things can leave you feeling drained and fatigued, but Candida is probably not something that automatically comes to mind. However, it could be the culprit that is weighing you down. If the right gut conditions are present, the Candida fungus has the potential to overgrow. This can be problematic for your health, but probiotics for Candida can help provide the remedy you need.
Candida albicans is a kind of naturally occurring yeast that is found inside your body. Usually, Candida lives on your skin and inside your body. It can live in the gut, mouth, throat, and vagina. It doesn't automatically cause issues. However, Candida can grow out of control under certain conditions.
Overgrowth can occur when the immune system malfunctions. It can also occur when there is a low level of competing good bacteria in the gut.
Candida albicans fungus can grow beyond normal levels in the body and can cause several symptoms. These may include digestive issues, brain fog, headaches, dryness, burning, bloating, and mood changes. You may also experience fatigue, leaky gut, skin issues, oral thrush, and yeast infection. On occasion, the overgrowth of Candida can result in critical health issues, including inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, and diabetes.
One major factor that contributes to the overgrowth of Candida is an excessive amount of sugar in the diet that creates the ideal environment that supports the growth of yeast. Also, a lack of good bacteria in the diet can also allow Candida to overgrow. Other factors include a compromised immune system, chronic stress, and a background of antibiotic use.
Probiotics refer to live microorganisms - a mix of yeast and/or bacteria that naturally occurs in the body. They are commonly called "good bacteria," and they are beneficial in helping to restore gut balance and out-compete bad bacteria strains. They are usually a key element of natural Candida remedies.
Several different probiotic strains can prove helpful for Candida-related issues. However, some may be more effective in the benefits they exert. Probiotics take different forms, such as capsules, fermented foods, and powders. It is important to maintain these forms at the appropriate temperature to avoid killing the helpful probiotics.
Since probiotics are similar to the healthy bacteria that live in the gut, sufficient intake can aid in restoring balanced gut bacteria by limiting the level of yeast present in the gut. In the process, they could also boost your immune system, minimize inflammation in the body, and improve symptoms of certain Candida-associated health issues.
Probiotics work by reducing Candida overgrowth, boosting your body’s immune system, preventing Candida from infesting the gastrointestinal tract, and enhancing the lining of your gut and the function of your gut barrier. Highly effective types of probiotics for Candida contain particular strains:
Lactobacillus acidophilus is beneficial for the restoration of naturally balancing gut bacteria and through the production of lactic acid that hinders the proliferation of yeast. This hinders the overgrowth of Candida. Also, this probiotic strain helps with the production of enzymes that play a role in the breakdown of carbohydrates like sugars that yeast is attracted to and tends to feed on. As such, a lactobacillus acidophilus probiotic can help with preventing and remedying the overgrowth of Candida.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus naturally lives in the gut and it is beneficial in the prevention of Candida growth. It works by hindering the attachment of other bacteria to your gut walls, producing yeast-killing enzymes, and boosting the body’s immune system.
Also, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, specifically, prevents Candida albicans growth by acting as a competitor for both nutrients and space against pathogenic microbes inside your gut. It takes up space on the lining of the epithelial wall, which stops pathogens from sticking to your gut cells. Competition for nutrients also makes it tougher for Candida to grow
Lactobacillus plantarum is a bacterium that’s beneficial in promoting gut healing by attaching to the walls of your intestine. It’s effective at fighting off bacteria, yeast, and Candida albicans. It acts as a protective agent for the membrane surrounding the gut. L. plantarum can be taken simultaneously with antibiotics and may help to avoid yeast overgrowth.
Furthermore, L. plantarum has the potential to boost nutrient absorption from food, reduce inflammation, and enhance factors associated with digestive health.
Bifidobacterium longum is beneficial in the maintenance of the balance of organisms that live in your intestine. It is able to achieve this by creating lactic acid, which creates an acidic and hostile environment that is not conducive to the growth of yeast.
The body may not readily absorb the nutrients from foods when Candida overgrowth occurs. In this regard, a Bifidobacterium longum probiotic for Candida can also be effective by helping to break down the foods consumed and improving the absorption of vital nutrients.
Additionally, Bifidobacterium longum also acts as an immune booster that can aid in keeping Candida infections at bay.
Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast; however, its anti-Candida properties lend to its probiotic potential. S. boulardii has been shown to prevent the growth of Candida and prevent it from taking root in the intestines. It may also prove beneficial in minimizing the risk of Candida yeasts moving from the digestive tract to other parts of the body. It appears that S. Boulardii produces a type of acid, caprylic acid, which is an antifungal substance that is effective at fighting against Candida yeasts according to research.
To arrive at the best probiotics for Candida, certain criteria have to be met. Deciding on the best probiotics will likely be dependent on your individual needs and the severity of your Candida overgrowth.
One of the best probiotics on the market utilizes BIO-tract technology, contains 15 billion CFUs of bacteria, possesses 12 probiotic strains, and is manufactured in the USA. A product containing a high CFU count, several strains, and that is independently tested for efficacy is likely best. A Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic is one that is commonly recommended for optimal benefits.
Also be sure to follow handling recommendations, as many probiotics need to be refrigerated and should not be heated or frozen to avoid killing the beneficial bacteria.
How severe is your infection? This is perhaps the most important question in determining the recommended dosage of probiotics for Candida.
In the instance of mild cases, a daily dosage of 10-20 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) is recommended for adults. It should be roughly 5 billion CFUs for children.
However, in cases of severe infections, you may need a higher amount, as much as 60 billion CFUs daily.
Generally, the higher the CFU count of the probiotic, the greater its effectiveness. However, be mindful of the number of bacteria the probiotic will send to the gut. Overdosing on probiotics can have digestive side effects.
The time it will take to alleviate Candida overgrowth altogether with probiotics also depends on how severe of an infection you are dealing with, your overall health, and the actual regimen established by your healthcare provider. However, it usually takes roughly 3 to 6 months to get rid of the Candida from your body.
One potential cause of Candida overgrowth is the inflammation and reduced immune response associated with adrenal fatigue.
Adrenal fatigue (AF) is a common condition caused by chronic stress. After a long period of producing high levels of stress hormones, the adrenals become weakened, triggering an inflammatory response and altering the body's immune system through the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response system. This condition has the potential to increase Candida overgrowth in people with Adrenal fatigue by negatively impacting the immune system.
A rebalancing of the NEM stress response system can help to control Candida. However, this process can take time, and many health professionals are unaware of adrenal fatigue. If you think your Candida could be connected to chronic stress, be sure to consult an experienced healthcare provider that is aware of Adrenal fatigue to develop a comprehensive plan to manage both the stress and the Candida.
There are some points to be aware of when considering taking probiotics for Candida.
One of the critical things with probiotics, most of which contain live bacteria, is that you need them to deliver their content to your intestine and not into your stomach, where the acidic environment can kill the beneficial bacteria. They need to reach your intestine, where they can start their job effectively restoring balance to the gut.
To avoid the bacteria being destroyed in the stomach, you will need to find probiotics that are equipped with a system that enables their bacteria to safely move past the acid within the stomach.
BIO-tract is perhaps the best system of the kind. It has a controlled-release technology for probiotics, delivering 60% of bacteria to the gut by making it past stomach acid. This way, your gut gets the benefits of the probiotic bacteria.
It’s important to pay attention to the CFUs in probiotics supplements to ensure that the desired level of live and active bacteria is present in one probiotic dosage. Use the CFUs to compare probiotics when you are shopping around, and remember that a higher level of CFU count will deliver the best results.
Be wary of probiotics for Candida that don’t inform you of the level of CFUs contained in a dosage. A probiotic should contain at least 10 billion CFUs for it to be useful for an adult, or at least 5 billion CFUs for children.
Sometimes, included in probiotics are additional ingredients that act as fillers. This tends to be the case for capsules and tablets. Filler ingredients usually serve to lengthen the shelf life of the probiotics for Candida. However, it can also sweeten it, or create ease of pouring into capsules. Be sure to read the label and pay attention to the list of ingredients. Some of these ingredients may negatively impact your gut health.
There are several different helpful strains of probiotics for Candida, and it also comes with different delivery methods. You’ll have to think about your specific needs and the benefits that you are looking for to make the best choice. Consider the delivery method of your probiotic and ensure that it can make it past the stomach acid and into the gut where it is needed.
If you think that you are suffering from a Candida overgrowth and are experiencing symptoms, speak to your doctor. Get a proper assessment at your healthcare provider’s office if you have doubts about the cause of your suspected illness.
If you are concerned about a Candida infection and would like additional ideas on how to alleviate symptoms, the team at Dr. Lam Coaching can help. We offer a free** no-obligation phone consultation at +1 (626) 571-1234 where we will privately discuss your symptoms and various options. You can also send us a question through our Ask The Doctor system by clicking here.
Rebalance with Pro-Y: Your Candida Solution!
Probiotics work by minimizing Candida overgrowth, enhancing your immune system, preventing Candida infestation in the gastrointestinal tract, and improving the lining of your gut and the function of your gut barrier. The best probiotics for Candida on the market use BIO-tract technology, contain 15 billion CFUs of bacteria, and have 12 probiotic strains.
