Probiotics and Candida
August 7, 2009 by Jennifer
Filed under Probiotics
When you are suffering from candida, you want to learn everything you can that may help alleviate your problem, but sometimes understanding how our bodies work becomes a little confusing. There are so many terms to understand and functions to comprehend. One
word we hear frequently mentioned is probiotics. What are they and where do they fit in the candida puzzle?
The scientific definition for probiotics is “A live microbial feed supplement, which beneficially affects the host by improving its intestinal microbial balance”. The literal translation of the word probiotics is “for life”. Technically, a probiotic is an organism which boosts the health and balance of the intestinal track.
As you’ve gathered information about candida, you’ve probably already learned it is a condition which is created by an imbalance of the microorganisms in the intestinal track. Probiotics are a strong weapon in the battle against candida.
There are many ways that the balance of the delicate intestinal flora can get thrown off. One of the ways is by the consumption of chlorine and sodium fluoride, both substances commonly found in city drinking water. Other culprits include antibiotics, birth control pills, stress, poor diet and a host of other instigators. Any of these things can cause the weakening of beneficial bacteria and the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in our systems. When that happens, we need to take steps to check that population explosion. Probiotics is one means of doing so.
Probiotics are the guys in white hats, riding in to round up the bad guys and stop them from rampaging through your body. They help digest your food for you, produce helpful chemicals including needed vitamins and help prepare waste for elimination. They are heroes in the digestive system. Without them, you’re in serious trouble.
So how do you get more probiotics into your system? Eating certain foods can add some probiotics to your system. Live yogurts are especially helpful as are other cultured dairy products such as buttermilk, acidophilus milk, sweet acidophiles milk and kefir, some cheeses, sauerkraut, Kashi cereal and a few others.
Many people choose to take probiotic supplements. Before you choose a probiotic supplement, talk to those who are knowledgeable on the subject and can guide you towards the most effective supplements available. Consult your naturopathic physician and shop at reputable sources. We’ll learn more about probiotics in future posts at this site.
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I’m a huge fan of probiotics as a supplement (I like Flora Source because it has multiple strains, a high potency, and it’s dairy free). It is essential to keep the balance in favor of beneficial microbes in our body. While Candida is a yeast that is always present in our bodies, an overgrowth causes a very unpleasant infection. Probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, compete with other microbes like Candida yeast for space and resources therefore keeping the balance in check and helping stop Candida from growing out of control. There is little better than probiotics for regular maintenance and keeping yourself Candida free (plus low sugar diet).
- Anna M
blog.nutri-health.com