Which Probiotic Is Best For Candida

What You Should Look For In A Candida Supplement

Based on our research and feedback from our Smarter Shoppers, these are the things to look for in an exceptional candida supplement:

Formulated By A Doctor

It takes specific expertise to create an effective formulation. The right mixture of ingredients and probiotic strains determines the productâs quality. Look for real doctors specializing in gut health backing the product.

Clinically Proven Ingredients Proven To Support Fungal & Yeast Balance

The right candida supplement will include potent, all-natural ingredients that have been clinically proven to control overgrowth. The best include: Oregano oil, caprylic acid, coconut oil, and aloe vera.

Probiotic Strains

Supplementing your microbiome with probiotics is key to maintaining the right amount of candida. The bacterial strain clinically shown to help support this balance is lactobacillus acidophilus. Make sure your candida supplement contains this powerful and effective strain.

Digestive Enzymes

Unfortunately, most of the candida supplements we tested didnât contain the right combination of the antifungal ingredients above and digestive enzymes, which help break down yeast cells into waste that our bodies can easily eliminate. Look for ingredients like protease and cellulase, both of which are highly effective yeast-killing enzymes.

Probiotics Help Prevent Diarrhea

One of the best-known features of probiotics is their ability to reduce gas, bloating and diarrhea. This is especially important when traveling or taking antibiotics, both of which can cause major digestive upset.

Several studies suggest probiotics reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, with one study showing that taking probiotics reduced the incidence of diarrhea by up to 42%.

Taking probiotics can also prevent or treat infectious diarrhea caused by illness or bacteria. One major review of 35 different studies showed that probiotics helped to reduce the duration of infectious diarrhea by around 25 hours.

Probiotic supplements are often recommended for those traveling in unsanitary areas or working in environments where pathogens are present, such as schools or hospitals.

How Do Probiotics Restore The Dysbiotic Microbiome Of The Human Body

Because of limited research on the mechanism of probiotic action, there are only hypotheses about how probiotics help convert a dysbiotic microbiome into a symbiotic and stable one.

One such article lists some of the key mechanisms through which probiotics form a protective lining against opportunistic pathogens such as Candida.

Probiotics may compete for nutrients and receptors on cell surfaces with pathogens and prevent their colonization on internal mucosal walls. Through the production of biosurfactants, they also create an unpleasant environment for pathogenic aggregation and desorption.

Other than that, the release of the metabolites such as lactic and acetic acid can also be one of the probiotics attributes to work as a defense mechanism for our body.

Specifically, concerning candidal infection, probiotics were found to reduce filamentation and biofilm development in C. Albicans, 2 key virulence attributes of this fungus as suggested by the article mentioned earlier.

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Can Probiotics Help With Candida

Candida overgrowth can be a difficult condition to treat. If youve visited your doctor, youve probably been given a prescription antifungal medication. That can be helpful but it can also have some unpleasant side-effects. Worse, the effect may be only temporary, as the Candida yeast is known to mutate and become resistant to different medications.

Thats why its absolutely vital to attack your Candida overgrowth from several angles. The most important of these is with probiotics. Let’s take a look at what causes Candida, how probiotics can help, and how to choose the best probiotic for Candida.

The 4th Best Probiotic: Visbiome High Potency Probiotics

• Free from starch, gluten, and GMOs
• It contains the highest concentrations of live bacteria per capsule Ive seen
• Third-party tested
• Trusted manufacturer with a solid track record

Formulated 25 years ago by Professor Claudio De Simone, Visbiome was sold under the name VSL3 until recently. The company decided to relaunch with greener packaging and gave the product a new name in the process.

Over the past two decades, Visibiome has created a solid reputation for itself as being a high quality, research-backed supplement. A lot of people swear by it, particularly because its evidence-based.

The formula itself is backed by over 70 clinical trials and it contains a healthy balance of both Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus strains.

But, what prompted us to include this probiotic here is the fact that it contains 8 strains of live bacteria and a whopping 112.5 billion bacteria per capsule . Yes, you read that right: 112. 5 billion.

This is the most potent probiotic on our list and its definitely made for those with serious gut issues.

It also has solid reviews with a 4.6 average rating and over 1,000 reviews:

The reason it didnt get a higher spot on the list is the fact that it only has 8 strains of bacteria. While this is decent, for a lactobacillus/bifidobacterium probiotic, having one that has 14 strains like our #1 option with Amy Myers, gives you the best chance for healing candida overgrowth.

Pros

Cons

• Does not offer any delayed-release properties

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Best Probiotic For Vaginal Yeast Infections

Gastro Armor by Sovereign Laboratories Contains the research-backed Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and lactoferrin from its bovine colostrum. It is also enteric-coated. While this doesnt contain the highest concentration of probiotics at 5 billion per serving, this is the only probiotic on the market that contains lactoferrin from colostrum and the clinically verified spore-based probiotic called Lactospore®.

Because this product contains spore-based probiotics called Bacillus coagulans, a lower concentration can be used for and still achieve the best benefits for candida.

That is why it is the best probiotic for yeast overgrowth.

Another great feature of this product is that it contains Hidrox®, which is an antioxidant derived from pressed olives. This antioxidant may help provide neuroprotection.

Of note, this product does not contain prebiotics, which is important for people who are sensitive to prebiotics.

Another perk is that Gastro Armor product has a 45-day money-back guarantee return policy too. Other ingredients include gelatin and silicon dioxide.

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The Best Probiotic For Your Candida

Probiotics are acknowledged as very healthy for anyone but for Candida patients, they are especially important to repopulate the gut immune system with healthy bacteria.

Unfortunately, probiotics are the wild west of medicine no one seems to be able to say with authority which ones are effective and which ones are a waste of money.

I have been doing my own research on the probiotics available and believe some are of greater value to my Candida patients.

When You Were Young

First, some embryology: when you were in your mothers womb you had a sterile gut this means no bacteria were present. During a normal vaginal delivery, you were exposed to Bacteroides, a bacteria in the vaginal tissue and along with your mothers breast milk your digestive immune system began to evolve.

Unfortunately, not everyone in the past few decades was delivered vaginally and not many babies were breastfed for a very long period, if at all. Add to this our poor Western diet laden with sugar and processed foods, and our gut is out of balance. Also, antibiotics and hormones created drastic changes in gut immunity. Hence, many women and even men are Candida victims.

What Are Probiotics

Probiotic supplements are designed to guard against belly acids making them a more effective method of getting more good bacteria in our body. When gut bacteria is imbalanced it leads to inflammation which promotes conditions like candida yeast overgrowth and leaky gut.

How Probiotics Help

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Gaps In Our Understanding Of Biotherapeutic Application Of Probiotics For Candida Infection

Probiotic yeasts yield several positive outcomes in in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo readouts during colonization of Candida species. Information about their effect during systemic infection is an area that needs further investigation. Numerous animal and handful of clinical experiments have revealed that probiotics and metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, tryptophol and phenylethanol play an abundant role in human health and diseases. However, the origin of these metabolites is ill-defined and their effects on clinical manifestations of Candida infection need further investigation. These studies would provide substantive information to improve biotherapeutic properties of beneficial microbes against Candida infections.

Emergence of drug resistance and complications associated with side effects have sparked interest in alternative therapies. Applications of food-derived yeasts have been shown to have positive outcomes against C. albicans and non-albicans Candida species virulence and infection in pre-clinical and clinical settings. Food-derived beneficial yeasts are also generally safe and pose an effective alternative to traditional antifungals. They may also be used in combination therapy with conventional antifungal drugs since the synergistic effect of probiotics and antifungal agents would prevent emergence of drug resistance.

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.

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Probiotics Produce Valuable Nutrients

Probiotics in your gut not only support digestion, but also create valuable nutrients to maintain your health and energy levels.

These nutrients are essential for healthy function. The nutrients produced include B vitamins, vitamin K, and short-chain fatty acids. The fermentation process also encourages the production of enzymes that help to break down foods .

Without these nutrients, your bodys energy production is likely to be compromised. It also needs these nutrients for tissue repair and maintenance, cognitive function, and hundreds of other processes.

Best Natural Sources Of Lactobacillus Probiotics For Yeast Infections

Probiotics can be found in many foods, mainly those that have been fermented. Some of the best Lactobacillus probiotic-rich foods are:

• Kefir A fermented milk drink made from cow or goat milk combined with numerous cultures of yeast or lactic acid bacteria.
• Yogurt Milk fermented with lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacteria
• Kimchi Lactobacilli are normally present on napa cabbage.5 Fermenting the cabbage allows these populations to grow. The cabbage also acts as a good prebiotic and supports the growth of probiotics in your gastrointestinal tract.

Kefir tends to have more probiotics than yogurt so we recommend kefir more than yogurt.

Lactobacilli

Probiotic supplements can deliver a high dose of probiotics and can utilize a delayed-release delivery mechanism to protect the probiotics inside from stomach acid, such as Nexabiotic® for Women. Each serving of Nexabiotic® for Women contains 17.25 billion Colony Forming Units of probiotics and 23 different strains of probiotics including:

Lactobacillus helveticus

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Using Probiotics For Candida

The numerous benefits of probiotics extend well beyond treating Candida overgrowth. Clinical evidence has shown that probiotic supplements are a vital step in reducing the ability for this nasty yeast to take hold. Even better, probiotics help to prevent Candida infections from recurring.

At the same time, these helpful bacteria will be supporting your overall digestive function and boosting your immune system, helping you to ward off other pathogenic bacteria.

No matter what age you are, or what stage of life youre at, probiotics are hugely important to your health and wellbeing. Investing in a probiotic-rich diet and/or a quality supplement could mean improved brain function, better energy levels, stronger immunity, and more!

Here are a few key benefits of our probiotic:

• Time-release tablets that deliver 15 times more bacteria past stomach acid, when compared to regular probiotic capsules.
• Probiotic bacteria are released slowly over 8-10 hours.
• 12 probiotic strains chosen for their effect on gut health and immunity.
• 15 billion CFUs of probiotic bacteria.
• 60 tablets per bottle .
• Free of nuts, dairy, gluten, soy. Non-GMO and vegan. Made in the USA.

Bacterial Species Tested As Probiotics In Clinical Trials And Basis For Their Selection

Ideally, when probiotic strains are chosen for clinical trials involving OPC, it would be on the basis of experimental results, either in vitro, or in animal models, or both, that demonstrate their activity against Candida species. Typically, research begins with in vitro studies on the interactions between probiotic species and Candida species, proceeds to in vivo animal model studies to examine aspects of the interaction between probiotics, Candida, and the host, and then moves on to human clinical trials of the probiotic species that show promise. However, probiotics in fermented foods have been part of the human diet since ancient times and scientific study into the clinical benefits of probiotic bacteria for human health began in the late 19th century when scientific methods of inquiry were not well-developed . In addition, much of the early work in the study of probiotics to treat or prevent disease has focused on gastro-intestinal conditions . Because of their presumed safety and benefits in intestinal mucosal diseases, some probiotic species have been tested in humans for their ability to prevent OPC without any prior experimental evidence supporting their anti-Candida activities .

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When To Get A Professional Opinion

If youve never had a yeast infection before, its an especially good idea to see a pro. What you think is a yeast infection could be a sexually transmitted disease or bacterial vaginosis in disguise.

If youre experienced with yeast infections and want to try home treatment, contact your doctor if your symptoms havent improved in 1 to 2 weeks. You may need to try a prescription antifungal medication for especially tough yeast infections.

Die Off Symptoms From Probiotics

Die off symptoms from probiotics are very common. Having die offs from probiotics is not a sign that the probiotics are effective in killing candida. What it usually mean is that you are either:

• Sensitive to the probiotics or the added ingredients.
• The Probiotics are too aggressive.

This is a common misconception. Die off symptoms do not mean that the treatment is working. What It means that the amount of toxins released by the dying candida is more than what your body can safely handle. Choosing probiotics to kill candida is not enough. They have to be safe too.

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What Causes Candida Yeast Overgrowth

The health of your microbiome is vitally important for the overall function of your digestive and immune health and when you damage the gut a whole host of issues can occur.

An imbalance in gut bacteria is called Gut Dysbiosis and it has been well studied in the past. Candida overgrowth can best be described as Dysbiosis since there is too much yeast and not enough good bacteria to balance things out.

Swansons Probiotics For Daily Wellness

Image courtesy Swanson

Hectic lives can all team up to disrupt your natural balance. Supportive supplements such as Probiotic for Daily Wellness by Swanson Health help support general health with a higher population density in beneficial strains which will help restore harmony throughout your entire body.

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Probiotics Support Mental Health

Researchers have found that a direct line of communication exists between the brain and your enteric nervous system. This has been termed the gut-brain axis.

This line of communication links the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with peripheral intestinal function.

Because your gut bacteria interact closely with your nervous system, dysbiosis in the gut can severely affect the bodys response to stress and anxiety. It can even affect memory function and mood. Supplementing with probiotics has been shown to reduce depression, anxiety and other mood disorders.

How Do You Know If Your Probiotic Is Working

Signs Your Probiotics Are Working When you take a high-quality probiotic supplement, you may notice several positive changes in your body, ranging from improved digestion and more energy, to improved mood and clearer skin. Oftentimes, the first and most immediate change individuals notice is improved digestion.

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How Do You Know If You Have Candida Overgrowth

All of us have a yeast strain known as candida and it plays an important role in our internal ecosystem. Although its supposed to be there, candida should be kept under control.

Candidiasis is when this yeast overgrows and starts eating nutrients that should go towards supporting the body. At this point, it also starts to poop out toxins that overburden the liver while causing inflammation throughout the body, brain, and skin.

The spread of the candida yeast in the mouth and throat leads to a condition called thrush. Its the most common fungal infection of the mouth and its prevalent among people with weakened immune systems.

When the yeast spreads to the genitals, it is referred to as a genital yeast infection. When the yeast enters the bloodstream and spreads to other parts of the body, such as the kidney, spleen, bones, muscles and joints, or eyes, it is called invasive candidiasis.

Other indicators of candida overgrowth are:

• White tongue and bad breath
• Itching in or around the private areas
• Increased acne or even bacne
• Dandruff flakiness around the scalp. Some people get it around the mouth or nose.
• Digestive problems like bloating after meals and abdominal discomfort.

These are signs that your microbiome is in dysbiosis.

Factors That Promote Yeast Overgrowth

Like all fungi, Candida thrives in warm, moist areas. Under normal conditions, candida exists within us in a healthy balance, and the bodys immune system keeps it from spreading. If you take broad-spectrum antibiotics or other medications, good bacteria is compromised and candida yeasts are not affected. This results in the yeasts multiplying and releasing toxins that further weaken the immune system. Consequently, you may experience repeated infections, which may be treated with another round of antibiotics, encouraging further growth of candida .and so the vicious cycle begins. .

Below is a list of factors that promote Candida overgrowth.

• Frequent or long-term use of antibiotics, such as tetracycline for acne
• Infections that lower the immune system, creating an imbalance in innate flora.
• Stress or trauma
• Humid climates.

If you would like to know if your health problems are yeast-related, take the comprehensive Candida Questionnaire test taken from the book by W. G. Crook M.D., The Yeast Connection .

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