Candida makes life miserable for many people! However, if you are a sufferer, don’t despair; you can get control over it. Probiotics for candida yeast infections has proven one effective part of the strategy. But to regain control over the digestive tract, you need more than probiotics for Candida.
Please keep in mind:
- In most cases, it’s not enough to just grab any probiotic supplement thinking this will eliminate the candida infection. Please read the entire post first!
- This post is not a treatment plan. It’s just a collection of studies and recommendations on the role of probiotics and other strategies for candida.
What is candida?
There are several different candida yeast species in our bodies, most are harmless. In fact, a healthy human will have a small amount of candida in the gut, on the skin, in the respiratory system and female genital tract.
- Candida albicans is a normal inhabitant of our body, but if uncontrolled, turns into a band of thugs creating havoc
Candida overgrowth can be caused by imbalances in the digestive tract. [Image courtesy of yodiyim at FreeDigitalPhotos.net]
The intestines are responsible for keeping yeast and bacteria under control in the gut. But it is a delicate balance. The intestines host a complex community of thousands of different bacteria and yeast, both good and bad. But if this delicate balance is ruined, there can be an uncontrolled growth of the bad bacteria or candida.
What causes candida overgrowth?
When candida overpowers the beneficial gut bacteria, the yeast takes control of the gut (or mouth). The reasons can be complex. Here are a few of common ones.
- Antibiotics can wreak havoc in the gut and ruin the delicate balance between good and bad microorganisms.
- Chronic stress can cause gut inflammations, imbalances.
- Consuming to much sugar.
- Connected to inflammatory conditions (Crohn’s, IBS).
Symptoms of candida overgrowth
Both men and women can experience candida overgrowth. A lab culture and stool test can show if this is the case.
- A major symptom is cravings for sugar and carbs
A fast growing colony of candida yeast in the gut feeds on sugar; they LOVE sugar and must have it to stay alive and grow! This creates a vicious circle—the more sugar you eat, the more you feed the yeast until candida is completely out of control.
Candida is able to release a large number of toxins (50-80 different types), and this causes a wide array of symptoms throughout the body.
- Tiredness, low energy, sluggish, chronic fatigue
- Difficult to lose weight (might even gain weight)
- Feeling depressed, irritable, or anxious
- White-yellow patches in the mouth
- Burning pain in mouth, throat
- Annoying skin problems
- Stomach problems
- Food allergies
- Headaches
- Asthma
- PMS
- IBS
- Gas
- Much more…
NOTE: Women experiencing yellow mouth patches, vaginal itching, burning with urination, thick, white discharge, should check for yeast infections.
Probiotics for Candida
Probiotics for candida is one way to promote gut balance. One reason is that probiotic bacteria produce lactic acid that lowers the pH (more acidic) in the gut and mouth, which improves the environment. People with candida overgrowth has a higher pH (less acidic) which promotes yeast growth. Therefore, probiotics and candida are antagonists, on opposite sides.
Good probiotic supplements:
- Dr. Mercola Complete Probiotics: trusted brand
- Hyperbiotics: many reports of good success with candida
- Bio-Kult: designed for candida sufferers
Probiotics for candida works well, studies confirm
The lactobacilli probiotic bacteria strains have proven effective for candida. In several studies done in 2010 and 2012, Lactobacilli plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri proved very effective to prevent candida. Probiotic bacteria effectively killed off the yeast. (References end of post.)
Probiotic-rich foods
Fermented foods contain different probiotic bacteria species. Most often they include the lactobacilli used in the studies above. Therefore, fermented vegetables, yogurt or kefir are all good choices. Probiotic foods help rebalance the gut, lower the pH, and add good bacteria and enzymes.
Additional strategies for candida
To control candida requires resolute action and compliance. Sufferers need to control the reasons behind the yeast infection to prevent it from growing out of control again. Many report success by depriving candida of nourishment and promoting a healthy (lower) pH in the gut.
The following recommendations are what some specialists have found work well. They might sound rather strict, and they must be for a few weeks, or until symptoms subside.
What to avoid
- Candida loves sugars and carbs and need it to thrive. Specialists recommend avoiding foods like alcohol, bread, aged cheese, mushrooms, dried fruit, nuts, ketchup, soy sauce, BBQ sauce, dressings, fruit juices, soda, pasta etc.
- Avoid harmful chemicals found in skin care products, food and in the environment (as passive smoking). Such toxins can weaken the body’s defence mechanisms.
- Electric fields, EMF like WiFi can in some promote candida.
- Avoid stress! It triggers reactions in the body that undermine efforts to reduce candida.
What to try first
- A high quality, multi strain probiotic supplement
- Oregano oil. Studies (and many users) confirm that 2-6 dropp per day for 10 days is extremely effective.
- Cystus incanus tea (Rockrose). Contains high levels of powerful antifungal substances. Start off slow; drink for a few months.
- Check for mercury in the body; especially in difficult cases and relapses. A metal detox might be needed.
- Chlorella binds many toxins and metals that can be an underlying cause of many infections
Additional tips
- Extra virgin coconut oil contains capric acid (ozonated oil is even more powerful)
- Consume fresh vegetables, sprouts, meats, eggs, seeds
- Krill oil
- Physical exercise stimulates the immune system
- Some report that Pau D’Arco tincture works well
- Raw apple cider vinegar, 1 -2 tablespoons per day
- Try also dill seeds, cinnamon, curcumin, lemongrass, lemon, basil, cloves, thyme, raw organic honey.
How long until results?
Many report that the first 2-4 weeks are critical, but in some cases several months may be needed. When feeling better, many try to reintroduce one food at the time. If there’s no reaction, then they continue with the next, until things are back to normal.
NOTE: There are different approaches among health practitioners on how to treat candida. Candida yeast overgrowth is a complex problem and it is wise to consult a health care practitioner specialized in the holistic treatment of candida. In any case, probiotics for candida has proven beneficial and safe.
References
¹ Biomedcentral
² Probiotic Interference with the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans
“Avoid chemicals and exercise.” do you mean avoid chemicals and avoid exercise, or avoid chemicals and do some exercise?
thanks
Hello, Elinor.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Not sure what happened there, but it is an obvious error; sorry about that. I’ve now corrected the text. Avoiding chemicals is an important advice because synthetic substances tend to add more work for the body that is already struggling with the candida overgrowth. Exercise is very beneficial because it stimulates and strengthens the body.
Yeah well, I started taking a probiotic last Dec 2015, for diarrhea. I took them for several weeks, they made me bloat and had pain and now June 2016, I still have the problem. The doctor just looks at me and prescribed some mess that did not work. It’s very painful and caused my relationship to fail as my stomach swells till I look as if I am with child at 5 months.
I go to the gym and still nothing helps. I have tried several different probiotics and small amounts but all cause me to completely not go to bathroom. Funny they did help with the diarrhea but caused a complete shutdown of my GI tract. The swelling is high up and even makes my ribs feel sore. I am at a loss as to what might help.
Any advice is welcomed.
Hello Tatianna
I’m really sorry to hear about your problem. It sounds very unpleasant. If such a reaction occurs when taking probiotics, you should try reducing the dose until symptoms disappear. This might mean a very small dose, or in a few cases, to stop completely. In case of an infection, candida overgrowth or parasites it can cause a strong reaction.
Try dissolving a probiotic capsule in a glass of water or juice and drink a little now and then during the day. If you ferment your own vegetables, take a teaspoon of juice with every meal. If there are no symptoms you can take more.
Whatever is causing the reaction, many people report good results with bone broths. Broths are excellent to heal a leaky gut, alleviate symptoms of infections and many other problems in the digestive tract. In case of candida you need to stay away from all sugars. If you have a juicer, then drinking fresh vegetable juice is great. Especially ginger root can be beneficial for certain gut problems.
Hi I’m Sue
Going on 60 and I’m trying to change bad eating habits etc. for the better me Thank you so much for the excellent advise on gut healing etc. ,I’m attempting to make my first home made organic bone broth today I got recipe through dr Mercola and the gaps nutritional sites. Firstly as i need calcium I’m assuming since I gave up sugar tea and milk as that’s how I use to drink tea and was the only milk I ever had in tea as I have glaucoma and a very over sensitive nose to smells and have had constipation problems for too many yrs. I decided to give up caffeine and sugar
Anyway I have gone to herbal teas at organic shops one i seem to handle ok is digest with ginger, lemon grass and peppermint but needed to sweeten some and have been using raw clover honey , I’m guessing now after researching gut probs with you and other sites that most probably the raw honey could be adding to my gas and bloat problem as well as too side effect of probiotic that I can only take now and then as that ads to bloating and gas, and yes I’ve read about the side effects now of die off etc. man its a lot of learning but thank goodness for sites like yours . I’ve done the mineral clay cleanse about 2 months ago and I’ve found half a large golden kiwi fruit twice a day is helping with letting go better, I am attempting to give up bread and grains as of their side effects of them and yes I will be pushing myself into doing more Tapping more often to help with all underlying probs. I’ve noticed with Tapping that I get encouraged to do more research which is how I found you. Thank you Ken. Thank you Universe.
Hello Sue
Nice to see you determination! Keep it up! Something I’m preparing to write about too is fasting. This is something I’ve discovered can have a profound effect on the digestive tract and overall health. There are different kinds of fasting like vegetable juice fasting and fasting on bone broth and they are both great. However, water fasting has by far the strongest effect. It might be something to try as many people report excellent results. Experts recommend starting with one or two days per week which can have a tremendous effect on the body.
I started taking lactobacillus gasseri as a probiotics a few days ago, and have started experiencing eye and sinus pain on the left side of my face. I’m wondering if this is a normal reaction? A few years ago, I gained a significant amount of weight out of nowhere. I’ve been on serious exercise and diet regimens and my weight does not change. I was a woman who was typically weighing at 115-120 after two kids and all of a sudden gained 40 pounds after dropping post pregnancy weight. I am hoping maybe this will my give my body a push in the right direction towards losing weight. I’m just wanting to know if the eye pain is a sign I should stop taking the probiotic?
Hello Larissa
Sorry to hear about your sinus problem. Infection in the sinuses often affects eyes, ears and even the mouth. Reasons can be viral, bacterial or allergy. Some studies indicate that probiotic bacteria support the growth of antibacterial substances in the body and this can alleviate sinusitis. However, in some cases symptoms increase before there is improvement. However, if this is so in your case, I cannot tell.
Generally, some specialists recommend adding a wider range of probiotic strain instead of just one. This is because bacteria work in synergy and more diversity adds many more benefits to the body. It’s also very hard to determine exactly what bacteria are needed for each individual. Therefore, a supplement containing eight or more strains might be more beneficial. This applies also to weight loss, though this includes other factors as well.
I have been struggling with continuous yeast infections for a year now before it was continuous bacterial vaginitis. I just purchased probiotic gummies and I do need to change my sugary diet. I was doing well at first, then I just recently started back my bad habits like 2 weeks ago. Your article really encourages me to do better and change my diet. Im going to try this and see how things turn out. Thank you.
Dear Kayla
Please be aware that your struggle is a hard one so setbacks are normal. Many people experience several setbacks before winning the battle against yeast infections; but it can feel very hard. Motivation is a key factor, as is self-discipline. Take one step at the time. And no matter how hard it seems, you can do it! Many others have. The strict diet is only for a relatively short time. Keep in mind the positive outcome–you will get control of your health and enjoy a normal life!