Candida and Probiotics
Every person has approximately one pound (0.4kg) of bacteria in their system. At any one time
there are billions of bacteria living inside your intestine, most of which are beneficial. One effect
of Candida is to knock this system out of balance.
Because Candida is such a fast growing yeast, it rapidly reproduces after any negative shock to the intestine. So after a course of antibiotics that cleans all the beneficial bacteria out of your gut, it is Candida that will likely fill the space.
Probiotics are effective because they introduce colonies of helpful bacteria to your gut. These bacteria work by creating large, healthy colonies that crowd out the Candida yeast. They also increase the acidity of the stomach, killing off harmful microorganisms like Candida that depend on an alkaline environment to survive.
The most important thing to remember about probiotic supplements is that they must come with a specially coated outer shell. Without this shell, these bacteria will quickly be killed in your stomach, and never make it to the intestine where they are needed! So always buy probiotic supplements with an ‘enteric coating’.
Here is a summary of the options you have for Probiotics:
Acidophilus
Acidophilus is the general name for a class of probiotics frequently used to aid digestion and fight the Candida yeast. These bacteria are:
Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Lactobacillus Casei
Lactobacillus Bulgaricus
Bifobacterium Bifidium
Streptococcus Thermophilus
Lactobacillus Probiotics
Some of the above types of Lactobacillus are used for the production of yoghurt, pickles, sauerkraut and cheese. They are present in the human intestine, where they comprise a large proportion of the ‘helpful’ bacteria that reside there. They are symbiotic bacteria that help in degrading plant matter.
A lack of Lactobacillus bacteria can result in gas, constipation and bloating, as well as Candida and other fungal infections.
Bifobacterium Bifidium
Bifobacterium Bifidium is important for the production of Vitamins B and K, in addition to pushing out the Candida yeast. A deficiency of Bifobacterium can lead to high levels of Ammonia in the blood, in turn causing nausea, vomiting and a loss of appetite.
Milder than Lactobacillus, Bifobacterium is often given to children or adults with liver problems.
Streptococcus Thermophilus
Lastly, Streptococcus Thermophilus is found mainly in milk and milk products. For those who are reminded of ‘strep throat’ the term Streptococcus refers only to the shape of the bacteria, not its action.