Oral thrush is caused by a yeast infection, typically an overgrowth of Candida albicans. Candida normally lives harmlessly in your mouth and digestive tract, but if allowed to repopulate out of control can cause thrush, urinary tract infections, jock itch, diaper rash, vaginal yeast infections and athlete's foot. Acidophilus, a type of beneficial bacteria, can help fight candida and restore the balance of good bacteria that keep candida in check.
Candida and Thrush
Oral thrush occurs when something upsets the balance of bacteria in your body. Illness, infection, a weakened immune system, certain medications, especially antibiotics, and blood sugar problems, such as undiagnosed diabetes or a diet very high in added sugars can allow candida to flourish. The best treatment for candida is an anti-fungal medication combined with an increase in probiotics, beneficial bacteria that help keep harmful bacteria at bay.
Probiotics
Beneficial bacteria do everything from boosting your immune system to aiding digestion and helping your body absorb nutrients more efficiently. Any microbe that benefits it's host is probiotic, which means "for life." This includes bacteria, yeasts and fungi. There are two general types of bacteria, Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. Each type has several different species and strains. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a specific strain of bacteria used to help fight candida overgrowths.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus -- Dosage
Lactobacillus acidophilus won't destroy the fungal infection that causes oral thrush, but it can lessen the infection and help restore your normal bacterial flora, notes MayoClinic.com. Eating unsweetened yogurt, kefir or other fermented dairy product will supply some acidophilus; look for the number of living cells on the packaging. The National Institutes of Health suggests that typical doses should be between 1 and 10 billion live cells, which can be divided up over the course of the day. You can also take a probitoic supplement, if you choose not to eat dairy products.
Other Uses
Acidophilus can treat thrush and other types of yeast infections caused by a candida overgrowth. Not only can acidophilus be taken orally, it can be used topically. Inserting acidophilus suppositories vaginally can treat a vaginal yeast infection. The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide notes that yogurt can be inserted vaginally, but that lactobacillus work best in conjunction with conventional treatment. Persistent or recurring yeast infections could be a symptom of a more serious health issue. Talk to your doctor if your have frequent or multiple yeast infections.
