What Is A Yeast Infection
A yeast infection, or candidiasis, is a fungal infection that occurs when too much yeast grows in a specific area of your body.
Yeast normally lives in many places within the body. One type of yeast that lives in the digestive tract, mouth, and vagina is candida albicans. When its in balance with the other natural flora in your body, candida does not cause any problems. But when candida overgrows, it can cause an infection.
A vaginal yeast infection, vaginal candidiasis, and vulvovaginal candidiasis are all the same thing: an overgrowth of yeast in the vagina. Vaginal yeast infections are a type of vaginitis, a condition that refers to an inflammation of the vagina. Yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis are among the most common types of vaginitis.
Most Women Suffer With Thrush Cystitis And/or Bacterial Vaginosis At Some Point In Their Life But A Simple Food Supplement Can Prevent All Of These Its The Wise Way To Get Intimate We Reckon
Rather than reaching for the Canesten to treat your cystitis or thrush, the secret to both treating and preventing problems down there is to address the underlying causes of your vaginal issue. Its all about having a good balance of friendly bacteria in your vagina as soon as theres an imbalance youre more likely to get a vaginal flare-up.
Having a good balance of friendly bacteria in your vagina is just as crucial as keeping your gut flora in fine fettle. And just as there are probiotics that can protect and sustain your gut, taking a high-quality probiotic specifically for womens intimate health can encourage this good balance of friendly bacteria, help to establish healthy pH levels and prevent infections.
Its essential to pick a strain of probiotics chosen specifically for this purpose, though, rather than just any old probiotic. Two specific probiotic strains, Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, are well documented for womens intimate health, with over 30 years of scientific evidence. Trials have revealed their ability to help prevent and treat common intimate health conditions, including thrush, cystitis and bacterial vaginosis . Once colonised in the vagina, these probiotics will help to prevent pathogens such as candida and E.coli from overgrowing.
Probiotics for womens intimate health
L. reuteri RC-14 and L. rhamnosus GR-1 have been shown to:
Other tips on preventing thrush, cystitis and BV
What Are Probiotics And Why Are Probiotics Important For Women
Probiotics are good bacteria found naturally in our bodies. Theyre often called friendly bacteria due to their role in keeping the bad bacteria in check. There are 100 trillion of these powerful living micro-organisms whizzing round our stomachs and intestines. Whats their job? To help keep our bodies in perfect microbial harmony.1
Probiotics can help our bodies with many important daily functions. Did you know that probiotics can help with fighting depression?2 Theyre also credited with boosting our mood, supporting weight loss and fighting colds and flu? And not only that, they can help lower blood pressure and provide relief from the discomfort of cystitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Thats impressive stuff for something that you cant even see.
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Which Probiotics Help With Thrush
Thrush is a very common health issue which affects 130 million women worldwide every year1. It can be a source of discomfort and frustration for many women. As such, more individuals are looking for natural options to help manage their symptoms and prevent recurrent infection. Probiotics have become a popular option. However, identifying the right probiotic to help combat thrush is important as some are much more effective than others. Find out more about the best strains for female intimate health in this article on our Probiotics Learning Lab ‘Which Probiotics are best for Women?‘
Some of the most well researched probiotic strains shown to help with thrush in clinical trials are Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1®. These interesting strains are discussed in detail below.
In this article we will look at:
Do Vaginal Probiotics Work
The research on probiotics for vaginal health is new and it seems, ever changing.
Traditional findings dismiss the effectiveness of vaginal probiotics. This includes a Harvard Health article of 2019 which said they were not particularly effective.
However even in this article, their expert Dr Caroline Mitchell conceded that women with BV could benefit from a probiotic.
When we take a look at the more recent studies, it seems that probiotics have been shown to work.
In one study, 57 women with BV were given either a probiotic or a placebo. While 0% of the placebo cases were cured, up to 57% of the women who were given a probiotic were cured after about a week.
In another study, women with BV were given either an antibiotic and a probiotic or an antibiotic and a placebo.
The women who took the probiotic experienced a 90% cure rate, while the placebo women only experienced a 40% cure rate.
So, based on the evidence coming in, it seems that probiotics are effective, especially for bacterial infections like BV and thrush.
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Probiotics With Antibiotics To Prevent Yeast Infections
Taking probiotics with antibiotics to prevent yeast infections was suggested by published human studies as a useful strategy to reduce the risks of developing yeast infections due to the antibiotics use. In one study, a mix of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and other probiotics strains was given to patients who were treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics. The study finding suggested that the probiotic mix was able to reduce the growth of Candida in blood and candida in urine .
Another published human study, showed that participants who took Lactobacillus probiotics during the antibiotic treatment, had reduced risk for developing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, a very known side effects of antibiotics .
Using antibiotics is one of the most common causes of yeast infections . If you are planning to take antibiotics, we encourage you to consult with your doctor, share this information and consider taking probiotics with antibiotics to prevent yeast infections.
Lactobacillus anti-candida properties
Could Probiotics Help With Oral Thrush
When it comes to their vaginal health most women are only too aware of the rather irritating symptoms of thrush but few people realise the same yeast that causes vaginal thrush, can also flourish in the warm, moist environment of the mouth, causing oral thrush. Given that this pesky yeast is readily able to colonise the mouth in the same way it colonises the vagina, it is worth asking whether the management of these two conditions should be the same. I have been looking at available scientific research into the use of probiotics as a component of an oral thrush clearing protocol and have summarised the symptoms & findings below.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Candida In The Gut
Symptoms of this yeast overgrowth can manifest in such a wide variety of ways that it can sometimes be as tricky to identify as it can be to address. In the first instance, any undiagnosed symptoms should always be discussed with a doctor, so that any appropriate clinical tests can be conducted, and more serious conditions ruled out.
Candida overgrowth in the gut can be associated with a history of high sugar consumption , severe stress or taking antibiotic/steroid/birth control medication. Anything that upsets the delicate balance of beneficial vs pathogenic microbes in the gut microbiome can be a factor.
Symptoms can include diarrhoea/constipation, bloating, belching, rectal itching, a white coating to the tongue, food intolerances, and a propensity towards stomach upsets. These local symptoms can be uncomfortable enough, however, another possible side effect of Candida overgrowth is intestinal permeability . As the Candida yeast burrows into and compromises the delicate intestinal mucosa, Candida can eventually leach through into the bloodstream. Once it has become systemic, it can affect multiple body organs and other areas beyond the digestive system.
What Is The Best Probiotic For A Woman To Take
For females, in particular, research shows that certain strains of probiotics may be better for helping maintain the health of the female reproductive system and urinary tract. For example, researchers have found that many women whose vaginal canals are colonized by lactobacilli have never had a UTI, compared to women who do not have this strain.
In another 2016 study, treatment with probiotics helped improve and prevent a number of urogenital infections both on its own and together with other treatments.
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Take Any Other Medications Into Account
If you are taking antibiotics, it is highly recommended to take a good probiotic supplement to maintain your gut and digestive health.
However, you need to be extra careful when you take your probiotic. Leave at least two hours between taking your probiotic supplement and taking your antibiotic. That avoids any chance of the antibiotic killing the probiotic bacteria before they reach your gut.
The same goes for any other supplements with antibiotic properties, such as olive leaf, oregano oil, or caprylic acid. These natural antifungals are commonly taken by those suffering from Candida, but many dont realize that they can kill bacteria too. Make sure that you leave 2 hours between taking your antifungal and your probiotic.
What Should I Look For
Considering all of the attributes listed above, weve compiled a list of the three essential criteria you should look for when choosing your turmeric curcumin supplement.
Includes Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus
The probiotic supplement you choose should have at least two strains. As mentioned above, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are two of the most effective probiotic species found in probiotic supplements. Moreover, research has shown that they are both highly beneficial for immune and gut health. Both of these species have several strains that are clinically proven to help with digestion and immunity.
Clinically-studied strains
It goes without saying, but its essential that the supplement you take contains strains that are clinically-studied. There are hundreds of probiotic strains, but not all of them work. Make sure the supplement you buy has strains that have proven to be beneficial.
Look for probiotics with around 10 billion CFU
Numerous studies have shown that most people feel the benefits of probiotic supplements when they take a capsule that contains between 5 and 10 billion CFU .
CFU simply refers to the number of live microorganisms that are found in each dose of your probiotic supplement12.
When purchasing a probiotics supplement, choose one that has between 5 and 10 billion CFUs and contains quality strains.
Money-back guarantee.
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Question #: Will The Bacteria In The Probiotic Reach Your Gut
When you take other supplements or medication such as vitamins, antibiotics, or analgesics, they reach the acidic environment in your stomach and quickly begin to break down. For most types of medication, that is exactly what you want to happen. This process does not damage the medication, and it will still deliver the desired effect.
The challenge with supplements containing live bacteria is that you dont want them to deliver their contents into the stomach. You need those probiotic bacteria to safely reach the intestine, where they can begin to do their job and restore balance to your gut.
For this reason, we recommend using probiotics that have a system for getting their bacteria past stomach acid. The best of these systems is BIO-tract. Its the only controlled-release technology available for probiotics on the market today, and its by far the best option for your probiotic.
Traditional probiotics use vegetable capsules which are not really suited to probiotic bacteria. Tests have shown that they deliver only around 4% of their probiotic bacteria to the intestines. The remaining 96% are exposed to stomach acid and die before they reach your gut.
Have you taken probiotics in the past and found that they had no positive effect? Youre not alone. If hardly any of the bacteria getting where they need to be, it would be unrealistic to expect results.
Choosing The Right Probiotic Supplement
With so much choice on the market, finding the right probiotic supplement can be challenging. Weve done extensive research to determine what criteria you should look for when choosing your probiotic supplement.
Finding a quality probiotic supplement starts with choosing one that contains the best probiotic strains. When buying your supplement, you should seek one that has strains of both Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Not only are they two of the most researched species, but different strains of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus also offer extensive health benefits, including:
Bifidobacterium:
- Prevents you from catching the flu and common cold
- Supports digestion and alleviates symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases
- Promotes healthy weight management
- Supports womens health, such as preventing yeast infections and urinary tract infections11.
There are numerous probiotic supplements you can take for gut health, however, the only real way to reap the benefits from them is to choose the right one. Keep reading to see our picks for the top 5 best probiotics on the market.
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Foods To Help Support Your Immune System
Supporting your bodys own defences is one of the best ways to try to steer clear of colds and flu.
And a healthy, balanced diet rich in vitamins is the ideal starting point.
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Eggs: A source of selenium, to support the immune system
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Dried apricots: High in Iron to support your bodys immunity
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Spinach, Kale and other dark leafy greens: Rich in vitamin C
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Meat and Shellfish: Both good sources of zinc, which helps support a normal immune system
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Sweet potato and winter squashes: Both are rich in vitamin A which helps to maintain the health of the nasal passages.
Evaluation Of The Risk Of Bias For Rcts
The results of the risk of bias evaluation are reported in Figure 2.
Risk of bias summary and graph. Green: low risk, yellow: unclear risk, red: high risk. In total, 50% of RCTs appropriately described the random sequence generation process, but only one reported the allocation concealment in detail. In most studies , participants and personnel were blinded in five studies, the outcome assessors were also blinded. Six studies out of eight had a low risk of incomplete data, with only one being classified as having a high risk because 30% of participants dropped out during the study. Regarding selective reporting, one study was judged to have a high risk because, in the article, the outcome of interest was incompletely reported. However, after e-mail contact with the authors, the reviewers received the data required. Finally, the reviewers assigned high risk to Keller et al., 2018 , because, as declared by authors, fewer participants completed the study as projected, and the study was terminated before completion because of recruitment problems.
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Oral Thrush And Fungal Infection Is An Immune Problem
If you have oral thrush, your body is sending you signals. Its telling you your immune system isnt coping well. Its also a sign of microbiome dysbiosis .
Oral candidiasis is most common in elderly people and those with conditions that weaken the immune system.
You are at highest risk of oral thrush if you:
- Have recently taken antibiotics, particularly a long course or high dose.
- Are taking steroid medication .
- Are taking the oral contraceptive pill.
- Have iron or vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Wear dentures , particularly if they dont fit well.
- Have poor oral hygiene.
- Are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy to treat cancer.
- Have HIV.
Oral thrush is commonly treated with an anti-fungal medication such as Nystatin or Fluconazole. These may be in a liquid, lozenge, tablet, capsule or topical cream form.
Try Swapping Your Underwear For 100% Cotton Underwear
Yeast thrives in damp, warm environment so wet underwear may perpetuate the problem. Instead, many experts recommend wearing a natural fabric like cotton on a daily basis as it’s breathable. Dr. Alyssa Dweck, a gynaecologist who has coauthored three books about feminine wellness and is a brand ambassador for Monistat, tells WH: Breathability is key. Cotton absorbs moisture and allows evaporation”
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Question #: How Many Different Strains Of Bacteria Are Included
Your gut microbiome can consist of 1000 different species of bacteria. So, when you pick a probiotic, it makes sense to opt for one that has a variety of strains. Your gut microbiome works as a team, with the different strains of bacteria having different talents. You should try to replicate this as far as possible with the probiotic that you choose.
Research which strains would be the most advantageous to you personally and then select the probiotic that has the greatest proportion of these different species. The different strains will act in harmony to heal you.
Look for a probiotic that has at least 5 strains of bacteria, and preferably many more.
Renewlife Health & Wellness Ultimate Flora Probiotic
Image courtesy RenewLife
Renew Life is here to help you feel lighter, brighter and more energized. Our #1 selling women’s probiotic contains 10 specially selected strains designed for digestive support as well as immune health. Additionally, they use a potent Lactobacilli formula so that your vaginal environment can be optimal as well!
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Oral Probiotics For Halitosis/bad Breath
3 studies on dental probiotics for halitosis found that good probiotics can reduce VSCs that cause bad breath. An additional study saw no VSC improvement although breath odor improved.
Oral probiotics are a much better remedy for bad breath than mouthwash. Most mouthwash kills not only bad bacteria but good along with it.
Dental probiotics may stop bad breath by reducing the compounds that cause halitosis.
The best dental probiotics for bad breath include:
- S. salivarius K12
- L. casei
How We Evaluated The Top 5
Over the last few years, the demand for probiotic supplements has surged as scientists and researchers continue to discover their many health benefits. While this means you have many options to consider when choosing your supplement, it can also be difficult to narrow down which ones will deliver the best results.
We researched the top rated probiotics on the internet to find the best ones available on the market and evaluated them based on product quality, customer service, and pricing.
Here are our top 5 probiotic supplement picks for 2020.
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