Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans -- a yeast-like fungus that normally inhabits your digestive system and can live on the surface of your skin. Healthy probiotic microorganisms prevent candida from growing out of control, but if something upsets the balance of bacteria on your system, candida can flourish. Acidophilus is a type of probiotic that can help treat and prevent future candida outbreaks. Taking acidophilus, either as supplements or in fermented foods such as yogurt, combined with conventional anti-fungal medication can speed your recovery from a yeast infection.
Candida Albicans
Vaginal yeast infections are just one type of yeast infection caused by an overgrowth of candida. Athlete's foot, oral thrush, diaper rash and jock itch are all manifestations of Candida albicans. Normally kept in check by friendly bacteria in your body, candida can repopulate very quickly if your immune system is weak, if you have an illness or infection, if you have diabetes or eat a diet high in sugar -- which feeds the candida -- or if you use antibiotics. Antibiotics kill all of the bacteria in your body -- helpful and harmful. Candida can quickly multiply without helpful probiotic bacteria to prevent the overgrowth.
Probiotics
"Probiotic" literally means "for life," and probiotics can help support general wellness, boost your immune system, aid in digestion and even help to prevent or shorten the duration of the common cold. Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and pickled vegetables such as kimchi. Foods that have been pasteurized do not contain probiotics -- the heating process destroys all bacteria, good and bad. You can also take specific strains of probiotics as supplements.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus
There are two groups of probiotic bacteria -- bifidobacterium and lactobacillus. Acidophilus is a strain of lactobacillus bacteria and is often found in yogurt and other cultured dairy products. To treat an oral yeast infection, the Mayo Clinic says you can eat unsweetened yogurt that contains acidophilus or take an oral supplement. The National Institutes of Health say you can treat a vaginal yeast infection by using an acidophilus suppository that has 1 billion live cells. Use the suppositories twice daily in conjunction with an anti-fungal cream.
Preventing Future Yeast Infections
Continue to take oral probiotic supplements or eat probiotic foods daily to ensure the balance of healthy gut flora and prevent future candida outbreaks. Only use antibiotics if absolutely necessary and limit the amount of added sugar in your diet. Candida thrive on sugar; if you can cut off their food supply, you can help control their growth. Although acidophilus can help treat a current infection, two other strains of lactobacillus -- Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus rhamnosus -- can lengthen the time between vaginal yeast infections.
