Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic--a live beneficial bacteria--that can help fight the Candida albicans overgrowth that causes oral thrush. Thrush is a type of yeast infection caused by candida, the same bacteria that causes vaginal yeast infections, jock itch, diaper rash, urinary tract infections, athlete's foot and canker sores. Taking acidophilus supplements or eating fermented foods such as yogurt that contain acidophilus can help restore the balance of good and bad bacteria in your body. Talk to your doctor before taking probiotics to treat thrush.
Candida
There are more than 100 trillion living microorganisms in your body, a combination of bacteria, yeast and other microbes. Your body can usually maintain a balance of beneficial and less-than-friendly bacteria, but sometimes an opportunistic microbe such as Candida albicans can flourish. The best treatment for Candida is a combination of an antifungal medication used in conjunction with probiotics, specifically Lactobacillus acidophilus , which helps restore the balance of good bacteria and prevent future outbreaks.
Probiotics
Probiotc literally means "for life;" he World Health Organization says probiotics are "live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host." There are more than 500 types of probiotics that your body uses to help digest food and absorb nutrients and to bolster your immune system, keeping harmful bacteria in check. The main groups of probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and there are many species and strains in each group. Each strain has a unique benefit, and not all strains will help fight Candida.
Oral Thrush
Thrush occurs when Candida albicans repopulates, usually because something has upset the balance of bacteria in your body. Using antibiotics can upset that balance. Antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria; unfortunately some microbes such as Candida can repopulate faster than the probiotic microorganism that keep candida under control. Illnesses that weaken your immune system can also cause thrush. Candida thrive on sugar, so uncontrolled diabetes and a diet high in added sugars can lead to oral thrush.
Dose
Lactobacillus acidophilus can help treat all types of Candida overgrowths, but you need a sufficient number of living probiotic cells to be helpful. The National Institutes of Health recommends you take from 1 to 10 billion living organisms divided into three to four doses daily. When eating yogurt or other fermented dairy product, look to see if the label lists the number of living cultures.
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