Probiotics are living organisms that assist the body in maintaining a healthy balance between "good" and "bad" bacteria. Probiotics are naturally occurring healthy microflora in the intestine, also found in foods or supplement form. A diet that is rich in probiotics can assist you in fending off an overgrowth of Candida in your gastrointestinal tract or vaginal canal.
Probiotics
Probiotics are living microorganisms that benefit their host. They are "good" bacteria, having a reciprocal relationship with your body in that it receives nourishment while assisting you in digestion and absorbing nutrients. In a healthy intestine, there is both "good" and "bad" microflora present. Generally, the healthy bacteria are 85 to 90 percent, with a much smaller percentage of unhealthy, or dangerous bacteria. Probiotics can be taken to help boost your immune system and to treat a number of conditions, including yeast infections, urinary tract infections and irritable bowel syndrome.
Candida
Candida, more commonly known as yeast, is a microorganism that occurs naturally in your body. Some amount of yeast in the intestinal tract is normal and manageable for your body, if you have enough healthy flora growing to balance it out. Although an overgrowth of "bad" fungus, such as yeast, can cause health problems. Candida has received much attention in homeopathic circles in recent years with the introduction of the Candida diet, aimed at addressing what some refer to as yeast syndrome. The Mayo Clinic states that there is little evidence to support the existence of yeast syndrome but acknowledges the benefits of removing high sugar and processed foods from your diet. Yeast does, however, cause a host of internal problems, including yeast infections in the vaginal tract.
Candida Infections
A yeast infection is not only a source of discomfort and inconvenience, it can also be painful and hard to cure. You may note symptoms of bloating, vaginal discharge that appears like cottage cheese, burning, soreness and itching. Antibiotics are one of the leading causes of vaginal yeast infections. Antibiotics rob your intestine of the healthy bacteria, killing up to 99 percent of the good bacteria and leaving an abundance of the harmful bacteria.
Candida and Probiotics
According to the Mayo Clinic, some studies show that lactobacillus, available in some types of yogurt, reduced the amount of vaginal yeast cultures and provided symptom relief when taken orally or used intravaginally. As of 2011, the Mayo Clinic cautions that further research is required to corroborate this evidence due to small sample size and no control group. As a preventive measure, pharmacists frequently counsel patients on the adverse affects of antibiotics and encourage use of a probiotic to ensure that the healthy balance of beneficial bacteria is maintained. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine notes that probiotics continue to be an area of interest for researchers.
Cautions
Probiotics should not be used by you if you have a condition that has damaged the small intestine, such as celiac disease, without speaking to your doctor first. A Candida infection should be diagnosed by your physician if you have never had one before to ensure that it is, in fact, a yeast infection.
References
- National Center for Comlementary and Alternative Medicine: An Introduction to Probiotics
- Probiotic.org; Intestinal Flora; 2009
- Nature's Intentions Naturopathic Clinic: Your Candida Infection Center
- EMedicine Health: Candidiasis (Yeast Infection); Melissa Conrad Stoppler, M.D.
- MayoClinic.com: Yeast Infection (Vaginal)
