Probiotics are considered "friendly" intestinal bacteria that can fight against and eliminate bad intestinal bacteria. Candida albicans is considered a yeasty bacterial overgrowth located in your intestines. It can cause symptoms in other areas of your body, such as vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, dandruff, abdominal bloating and gas, along with other digestive issues.
Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
Unfiltered apple cider vinegar is made from crushed and fermented apples. According to Dr. D.C. Jarvis, M.D., author of "Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor's Guide to Good Health," apple cider vinegar's fermentation process produces probiotics in the form of strands of helpful bacteria called the "vinegar mother," which is the reason it is important to consume the unfiltered version. He recommends drinking 1 tbsp. in a glass of water each morning before eating, so that your intestines are as empty of food as possible. There is limited scientific research as to the medicinal effects of apple cider vinegar as of 2010.
Supplements
If you need a large amount of probiotics, try probiotic supplements. Candida can be caused by taking antibiotics, because antibiotics kill the good intestinal bacteria along with the bad bacteria they are designed to kill, which leaves the candida to quickly multiply and cause health issues. Probiotic supplements should be taken each time you take antibiotics, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). You can find live probiotic supplements in the refrigerated section of the vitamin department at health food stores. Certain brands carry supplements that contain about eight different strains or types of good bacteria, with billions of bacteria per serving.
Plain Yogurt
Plain organic yogurt is a preferred probiotic to eat if you have candida, because it contains minimal sugar and helpful bacteria. Its important to eat foods without any sugar, so having fruits, granola and sweeteners in your yogurt is off limits, unless it is sweetened with stevia, an herb-based nonsugar sweetener. According to certain candida diets, yogurt is the only dairy that is allowed occasionally if you are on the candida diet, because it contains lactose, which is a form of sugar.
References
- NCCAM: An Introduction to Probiotics
- "Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor's Guide to Good Health"; Dr. D.C. Jarvis, MD; 1970
