Your body has about 3 lbs. of living microorganisms in your digestive tract that keep your immune system functioning, aid in digestion and help your body absorb nutrients from the food you eat. Some of the "friendly" bacteria in your gut helps keep less-friendly bacteria in check. Acidophilus is one such type of beneficial bacteria known as a probiotic. It can prevent an overgrowth of bacteria from causing yeast infections such as thrush.
Causes of Thrush
Thrush is caused by a Candida albicans overgrowth. Candida can repopulate too quickly if your immune system is weakened from illness or infection or from taking certain medications such as antibiotics, some birth control pills and oral corticosteroids. Uncontrolled high blood sugar or pregnancy can also be a factor. Infants and seniors are at higher risk for thrush, which is seen as a white coating on your tongue and in your mouth. It cracks at the edges of your mouth or forms lesions in your mouth that may bleed easily.
Acidophilus
Lactobacillus acidophilus is the probiotic that can help fight Candida, restoring the balance of beneficial bacteria in your body. You can get acidophilus from fermented dairy foods such a kefir or yogurt or by taking supplements. You may need up to 10 billion live cells daily to help treat thrush, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you choose to eat yogurt rather than use supplements, choose unsweetened yogurt, advises MayoClinic.com.
Treatment
Acidophilus alone can not cure your yeast infection. Probiotics can help treat your Candida overgrowth and prevent future outbreaks; but to treat your thrush, you may need an anti-fungal for severe cases, or for mild cases, a rinse of diluted hydrogen peroxide gargled several times daily will help. Removing the underlying cause, such as keeping blood sugar levels stable or switching birth control pills, will also help prevent further infections.
Dietary Changes
Candida thrive on sugar -- that's one of the reasons high blood sugar can cause thrush. Glucose in your saliva feeds the Candida living in your mouth. You can help starve the Candida by limiting the amount of simple sugars in your diet. This includes all forms of sugar, even natural ones such as maple syrup and honey. It also includes any foods your body can quickly convert to glucose -- refined grains and starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn. You don't need to stay away from these foods permanently, but do so until your thrush is gone and the balance of healthy bacteria in your body has been restored.
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