Probiotics for Candida Overgrowth
World Health Organization (WHO) describes probiotics as “live micro-organisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” More importantly though, these friendly microbes compete with Candida for space in the digestive tract and reduce yeast overgrowth in the body.
We are all walking around with about three pounds (nearly 100 trillion) of live bacteria in our system, which is ten times the total number of cells in the body. This microscopic menagerie of critters affects every aspect of your health – from helping the digestion and producing important vitamins to supporting the immune system.
Live micro-organisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.
In fact, scientists estimate that over 70 percent of our immunity is located in the gut.
The problems arise when our intestinal flora becomes imbalanced, which allows the yeast cells to take over and replace the beneficial organisms in the gut.
Many health-care experts therefore recommend Candida sufferers to use a good probiotic supplement to restore the body’s proper bacterial balance with various probiotic strains such as lactobacillus, bifidobacterium and boulardii.
Health Benefits of Probiotics
It is believed that a healthy intestinal tract should contain an 85% / 15% ratio of good to bad bacteria. However, this balance in the intestines is lost as the Candida colonies proliferate – probiotics need to be reimplanted to help restore equilibrium in the gut. Health benefits of probiotics include:
- Help break down and digest food
- Compete with Candida for space and nutrients
- Support a healthy immune system
- Reduce occasional yeast overgrowth in the GI and vaginal tracts
Most health stores today have caught on and offer a wide variety of different brands that you can choose from.
As a rule of thumb, you want supplements with enteric-coated capsules. The coating acts as a protection from stomach acids, so that the bacteria enter your small intestine unharmed. See our Probiotic Buying Guide for more tips on how to choose the right probiotic supplement.
When the beneficial bacteria and flora are flourishing in your body, they keep Candida in check and in the right amounts. On the other hand, a disruption of the balance in your gut can lead to Candida overgrowth – the greater the imbalance, the greater the symptoms.
Factors That Can Disrupt Intestinal Balance:
- Diet – high in sugar
- Stress – physical and/or psychological
- Illness – AIDS, cancer
- Medication – antibiotics, steroid drugs, etc.
'ThreeLac' is a probiotic product that has helped thousands of people to overcome Candida overgrowth
A significant research field has recently been established around probiotics. However, more scientific research is still needed to fully understand them.
As with any dietary or herbal supplement, consult a medical professional before starting any new treatment.
The bottom line: If you have Candida overgrowth it might be necessary to take some probiotics in order to restore the body’s proper bacterial balance.
70 percent of our immunity is clustered around the gut. By keeping the gut healthy and immune system strong you will be well on your way to better health.
Deciding which probiotic to buy? This guide might be helpful.
