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Why Your Body Needs Prebiotics and Probiotics to Effectively Fight Candida

RKMD Blog 7 years ago

Did you know that the average adult gastrointestinal system, has more than 100 trillion instances of healthy bacteria, essential for digestion and nutrient absorption?  Clinical sources have shared that your digestive tract is responsible for more than 70% of the successful functioning of your immune system. Keeping the flora of good bacteria working to eliminate bad bacteria (and inflammation) in your digestive tract, is essential to wellness, and healthy aging.  We’ll share some quick facts about candida, and how it impacts health, dietary choices, and the supplements you choose t balance bacteria in your digestive tract and bloodstream.

Why Candida Is More Serious Than You Think

When it comes to candida, most people immediately think of feminine infections, or ‘yeast’. There are many over the counter treatments available without a prescription to address yeast infections for men and women, but the root cause can sometimes be more serious.

Did you now that Invasive Candidiasis, is a serious infection of the fungus candida, that results in a serious and potentially life-threatening infection, that is distributed through the blood stream?  Once system, a Candidemia (bloodstream infection) can impact the heart, brain, eyes and bones, and result in hospitalization.Candidiasis is resistant to antibiotic treatment, and can occur after several failed attempts to address candida internally, or reduce the volume of the fungus in the body.  It can be accompanied by symptoms that mirror the flu, including chills and fever.

Science has identified over 150 different species of candida, but health experts believe that only 15 of them are at the root of infections in humans. Those are the C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. troipicalis, and the C. krusei strains of candida.  Individuals with certain health conditions, like Type II Diabetes, may be more susceptible to candida infections, as the bacteria thrives in high-glucose environments.

Natural Dietary Sources of Prebiotics

Prebiotics put simply, are a non-digestible compound fiber.  Some of the healthiest foods are high sources of prebiotics, including garlic, dandelion greens, certain types of onions, artichokes and more.   These foods resist digestion in the upper tract (stomach) but are processed after passing through the small intestine, where they are fermented by microflora in the colon.   The fiber is categorized as an oligosaccharide, and include inulin and polysaccharides.

Other high dietary sources of prebiotics include:

  • Chicory root. It tastes similar to coffee and 47% of the root is composed of inulin, a prebiotic fiber.  Chicory is also thought to improve fat digestion and bile production, and it is also high in antioxidants.
  • Depending on the source, a 3.5 oz serving of asparagus may contain as much as 3 grams of inulin, and about 2 grams of protein.
  • About 50% of the volume of a single apple, is pectin, which increases short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, that help to feed healthy intestinal bacteria, while reducing harmful strains in your digestive tract.   An ‘apple a day’ is a great healthy choice for balanced digestion.

Green tea is another way you can naturally add more probiotics and prebiotics to your day.  Green tea contains up to 40% water-extractable polyphenols, while white and black teas offer a reduced benefit, of 3% to 10% prebiotics.

How to Prebiotics and Probiotics Successfully Fight and Reduce Candida?

Prebiotics are healthy, but research studies have suggested that combining prebiotics with probiotics, is the most effective way to reduce and manage the candida fungus, and discourage its growth inside the body.

Focusing on increasing your intake of prebiotics, both dietary and through probiotic and prebiotic combination supplements, offers a number of health benefits, and they are linked to:

  • Balanced cholesterol levels
  • Improved digestion and nutrient absorption
  • Better hormonal balance
  • A lowered risk of cardiovascular diseases
  • Strengthened immunity
  • Improved weight management and lower risk of obesity
  • Reduced inflammation and negative autoimmune reactions

While a daily supplemented probiotic offers numerous health advantages, combining prebiotics from supplements and dietary sources, in addition to your daily probiotic, is a healthy change that can help reduce issues with candida. What is the difference between probiotics and digestive enzymes?

Consult with Your Physician About Topical or Internal Candida Issues

Fungal infections of candida around the mouth, or inside the throat (thrush) or frequent outbreaks of yeast on the skin (particularly in warm areas prone to moisture and sweat) should always be reviewed with your physician.   Unresolved internal or external yeast (candida) infections, can point to a growing imbalance of the fungus internally, which may lead to more serious infections and health complications.

Learn more about Dr. Keller’s shelf stable G.I. Balance™, which includes inulin, bifidobacterial longum, lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis to balance and help restore healthy bacteria to your digestive tract.

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2 Comments

  1. Confused a bit. My condition is that i dont hardly have any large bowel left so wanting to know if probiotics or prebiotics are any good to me at all. Have had glabrada and candida. Glabrada gone through intravenious hospital. Taking atm 1 billion 15 strain probiotics

    Reply
    1. Karen, thank you for commenting on our blog. The best place to start would be a conversation with your doctor about daily nutritional supplements. He or she will be able to advise you on the best choice for your health needs.

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