Saturday, April 26, 2014

Prebiotics, Probiotic and Fermented Foods to Keep Candida in Control

Candida Albicans bacteria under microscope
Candida Albicans
Candida albicans is a yeast that belongs to a persons body’s normal flora. Flora are the microbes that normally reside on a person’s body, including Yeast, bifidobacteria and also the lactobacilli. Yeast is generally kept in balance with a healthy human body's defence mechanism, “good” bacteria in normal body flora, and occasional levels of moisture in a few limbs, like the skin, since Candida needs moisture to cultivate. Candida has two forms that it could take: a harmless yeast as part of the normal flora or being a harmful fungus. Unfortunately, Vaginal yeast infections sometimes decides to look wild and infect certain parts of the body in the fungal form, specially in women. This may be caused by a few factors, including illness, a pH imbalance in areas of the body, taking antibiotics, eating an increased sugar or high carbohydrate diet, or using chemicals of the epidermis. Strategies you could keep up with the balance of your respective normal flora which will help prevent the opportunistic fungus from getting out of hand. They are prebiotics, probiotics and fermented foods.

Prebiotic Foods/Supplements and Candida 

Prebiotics do not contain any live bacteria, or bacterial cultures. Prebiotics foods are abundant in soluble fiber. Unlike insoluble fiber that helps keep the bowels moving, soluble fiber is fuel for your “good bacteria” that live in the human gut. Fibers contains these compounds: inulin, lactulose, oligofructose, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS) along with other oligosaccharides. These prebiotic molecules within foods promote development of probiotic bacteria within your colon whilst keeping any unwanted organisms under control. Consequently, maintaining healthy intestinal flora can help keep Candidiasis at bay within you. Some prebiotic foods that contain high amounts of fiber content include: greens, legumes, raw artichokes, oats, garlic, raw asparagus, barley, acacia gum, chicory root, leeks, whole wheat, wheat bran, flax seed, brown rice, rye, psyllium, and raw onions.
Some additional important things about adding prebiotics on your diet are:
  • Optimize the absorption of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium
  • Prevent and/or control occasional diarrhea or bouts of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Alleviate occasional constipation
  • Supply approximately 10% of daily energy requirements
  • Surge in bioavailability of minerals, for example magnesium and calcium
  • Promote fullness to help in healthy weight loss
As well as prebiotic foods, these day there are a number of prebiotics supplements open to consumers. These supplements could have a mixture of soluble fiber from different sources, plus some insoluble fiber. Also, some prebiotic supplements are not listed as “prebiotics”, and can offer the names from the compounds stated earlier, so you may have to read labels carefully. Some more commonly known prebiotic supplements are: flaxseed, wheat bran, garlic, and acacia gum. Currently there aren't any specific guidelines regarding volume of prebiotic supplement to adopt for optimal benefits. Research has suggested that 25-30 grams of prebiotic fiber total per day, with 5-10 grams from a supplement, is sufficient provide the full-benefits of prebiotics.

Probiotic supplements in hand Probiotics and Candida

Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain live bacteria or bacterial cultures that conserve the body. Yogurt is certainly a familiar probiotic food which has lactobacilli cultures. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are two kinds of bacteria that play an essential role in healthy digestion and so are considered “good” bacteria for the body. These “good” bacteria can also help to keep Yeast manageable as well as prevent yeast infections. Even though yogurt can be a tasty method to obtain probiotics, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria can be found in much greater quantities probiotics.
Taking probiotic supplements will suppress Candida overgrowth often: they correct the acidity level within your stomach they boost your immunity system: as well as the bacteria actually crowd out the yeast. However, not all probiotics are top quality so it is very important know what forms of probiotics are best against Candida infections. Optimal supplements contain specific strains of bacteria that were verified as effective. These bacteria will have names with some letters or numbers to point a certain strain. Two most effective strains are Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 and Lactobacillus GG. There must be no less than 500 billion organisms per gram. The capsules, powders, or tablets should stored in dark bottles to prevent deterioration by heat and, and they ought to be trapped in a refrigerator. Dosage is dependent upon the consumer product, so refer to the instructions around the label on an appropriate dose.
An all-inclusive set of probiotic supplements are available at the following link: List of probiotic supplements

Fermented Foods and Candida

Eating certain fermented foods also can help out with controlling Candida overgrowth and stalling a infection. They act like probiotics in that they contain high numbers of beneficial bacteria. The effectiveness of fermented foods against infection lies in the fermentation process. In the process called lacto-fermentation that develops in many foods, including cabbage and yogurt, two bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus and plantarum prey on sugars found in the foods. Because Candida only survive on sugars, this doesn't really enjoy the fermented results. Also, these bacteria are probiotic anyway, hence they help re-establish the balance of ordinary flora in your body.
Along with their probiotic action, these types of food contain high amounts of vitamins essential for a healthy immune system. Foods like sauerkraut and kimchi are an excellent source of vitamins C and B12. Yogurt can be a “fermented” food that has lots of calcium and protein. There are numerous other fermented foods that have the same nutrients and vitamins as yogurt, sauerkraut and kimchi, yet no too known.
Here are some more anti-Candida foods: fermented probiotic foods list

Prebiotics, probiotics and fermented foods are the defenses against a Candida infection. By providing the body with immune-boosting nutrients, beneficial bacteria, and fuel for all those bacteria, these three natural fungus fighters will help return your body’s flora towards the balanced state which help take care of the Candida rolling around in its harmless yeast form. Keep in mind, view your doctor before beginning any new food, supplement or diet program to tackle any health concern or serious infection.