How effective are probiotic supplements for candida yeast infections in women? Yeast infections emerge from proliferation of candida, a bacterial fungus naturally existing in the human body.
Most species of candida are harmless and only cause disease when the immune system is weakened or mucosal barriers cannot prevent growth of the bacterial fungus.
Standard treatment for candida is Azole antifungal agents in ointment form. However, since vaginal yeast infections are known for recurring even after using Azoles, the use of probiotics for candida is becoming a popular alternative treatment.
Probiotics are living, beneficial bacteria that restore the balance of gut flora in the intestines. Yeast infections such as thrush and bacterial vaginosis are thought to occur when populations of “bad” bacteria overwhelm populations of “good” bacteria in the intestines and colon.
Current research studies indicate that probiotics for candida is a viable option to help treat and prevent common yeast infections. [1]
Gut Health
Digestion
Immune Function- Supports a healthy immune system & microflora
- Promotes digestion & nutrient absoprtion
- Combats pathogenic bacteria; Improves metabolism
Signs of Yeast Infections
Related Topics
- What are Probiotics?
- Probiotic Benefits
- Best Probiotic Strains
- Probiotic Side Effects
- Probiotic Supplements
- Probiotic Foods
- Best Probiotic Yogurt
- Probiotics for Children
- Probiotics for Women
- Yeast Infections
- What are Prebotics?
- Lactobacillus Acidophilus
- Lactobacillus Bulgaricus
- Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
- Bifidobacterium Bifidum
- Bifidobacterium Infantis
- Bifidus Regularis
Oral yeast infections (esophageal candidiasis) or “thrush”, present a whitish or yellowish, curd-like layer on the tongue and inside of the mouth, especially the top of the tongue and inner cheeks.
Cracks may appear at the corners of the mouth that split open, bleed and cause pain (“angular cheilitis”). Thrush can also infect the throat, esophagus and possibly spread to the bloodstream through esophageal capillaries. [2]
Vaginal yeast infections (bacterial vaginosis) are associated with a bacterial imbalance in the vagina.
Although doctors aren’t completely sure what causes this imbalance, they do know that having multiple sex partners, douching and smoking may increase a woman’s risk of being diagnosed with a vaginal yeast infection.
Specifically, it is a lack of lactobacilli probiotic bacteria that causes vaginal yeast infections. [3] Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include:
- Itching and burning
- Whitish/yellowish vaginal discharge
- Soreness/redness/swelling
- Nausea/vomiting and pain in the pelvic area (in advanced stages of yeast infections
Yeast Infection Symptoms for Men
Yeast infections are typically only thought of as affect females, but they can also affect males.
The most common type of yeast infection diagnosed in men is colloquially known as “jock itch”. Generally caused by tight-fitting underwear, pants or jockstraps, candida-driven yeast infections in men thrive in areas that are consistently moist, warm and dark.
Men who work out regularly or heavily involved in sports can easily get a yeast infection if their genital region is not kept dry and cool. Signs of a yeast infection in men are scaly, reddened, raised patches of skin itch and blister and skin discoloration that could be permanent. [4]
Top Probiotic Supplements
Probiotics for Candida Yeast Infections
Taking probiotic supplements that can fight against the growth of the candida bacteria may help to prevent yeast infections or improve treatment when used with traditional therapies.
Bacteria in the human intestinal tract significantly influence general health. [5] Moreover, gut bacteria populations composed predominantly of “good” bacteria have positive effects on cholesterol levels, resistance to gastroenteritis (chronic diarrhea) and even may even exert anti-tumor properties.
Under natural conditions, humans develop and retain populations of “good” gut microflora that protect us against a variety of diseases.
However, we now live under conditions in which we are constantly bombarded with unnatural substances, from food additives to pollution to overuse of antibiotics. These substances can disrupt the normal probiotic bacterial composition of the intestines and incite yeast infections. [6]
Probiotics for yeast overgrowth contain beneficial bacteria that prevent proliferation of candida bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.
Comprised of living microorganisms beneficial to overall health, probiotics predominantly contain the following “good” bacteria for candida: lactobacillus, L. acidophilus, bifidobacteria, L. rhamnosus, L. reuteri, L. bulgaricus and S. boulardii. [7]
Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria Probiotic for Candida
What are the best probiotics for Candida treatment? Lactobacilli found in probiotics for yeast infections not only enhance the body’s resistance to infections but also mediates release of proinflammatory cytokines, a chemical responsible for inflammatory illnesses such as candidiasis.
Probiotics for yeast overgrowth containing lactobacillus further supports our ability to absorb nutrients from foods critical to good health by reducing the population of “bad” bacteria in intestines responsible for candida infections.
Species like Lactobacillus acidophilus work by breaking down sugars in the urogenital and gastrointestinal tract and producing lactic acid. This acid makes the environment inhospitable to pathogenic bacteria, like those responsible for vaginal yeast infections.
Probiotic supplements for yeast infections also promote production of metabolic compounds (antimicrobial agents) that naturally suppress growth of “bad” bacteria.
Lactobacilli, for example, reinforce the robustness of the intestinal barrier to significantly decrease the ability of “bad” bacteria to translocate across the barrier and enter the bloodstream.
- 5 billion live probiotic cultures per capsules
- Balanced blend of Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium
- Supports a healthy immune system & intestinal flora
Do Probiotics Work for Candida Treatment?
Clinical studies over the past 20 years support the efficacy of probiotics for yeast infections.
A 2007 investigation into the benefits of probiotics for treating thrush in the elderly found that “probiotic bacteria can reduce…oral candida in older people and diminish risk of hyposalivation (dry mouth) conducive to oral yeast infections”. [8]
Another study reported that “use of probiotics was associated with improvements in oral health, including a significantly reduced level of cariogenic and periodontal pathogens”. [9]
An examination of the benefits of the probiotic yeast S. boulardii on suppressing activity of C. albicans further supports the fact that “probiotic microorganisms, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a variety of health benefits while reducing candidal virulent factors”. [10]
How to Use Probiotics for Candida
The American Nutrition Association states that daily intake of probiotics can be from one billion units (colony forming units, or CFUs) to 100 billion CFUs. [11]
The ANA further explains that although lower doses of probiotics work well to maintain general health, higher doses may be needed to treat existing yeast infections or other conditions attributed to an imbalance of gut bacteria.
Before using probiotics to prevent or treat Candida yeast overgrowth, check with a doctor for safety information and guidance on how to use these supplements.
- http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/lactobacillus-acidophilus
- http://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/thrush/index.html
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/symptoms-causes/dxc-20198414
- https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000876.htm
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3983973/. Quigley, E. Gut Bacteria in Health and Disease. Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2013 Sep; 9(9): 560–569.
- http://www.health.harvard.edu/vitamins-and-supplements/health-benefits-of-taking-probiotics
- http://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/1101/p1073.html
- http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.502.9578&rep=rep1&type=pdf. K. Hatakka et al. Journal of Dental Research. 2007: 86: 25
- http://www.medicinaoral.com/pubmed/medoralv15_i5_p677.pdf. Antonio-Juan Flichy-Fernández et al. Probiotic treatment in the oral cavity: An update. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2010 Sep 1;15 (5):e677-80
- http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0012050. Anna Murzyn et al. Capric Acid Secreted by S. boulardii Inhibits C. albicans Filamentous Growth, Adhesion and Biofilm Formation. Published: August 10, 2010
- http://americannutritionassociation.org/newsletter/science-probiotics
1 Comment
There are a surprisingly good number of probiotic products for feminine health out there. I suppose it’s because it’s easier to intuitively view probiotics as efficacious to that effect. There’s Vagisil, and also several other companies.