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Candida 1-2-3: Probiotics (Step 3 of 3)

By Debby Padilla-Hudson and Sarah Wittekind

Probiotics (literally meaning "for life") are beneficial organisms that aid digestion and help maintain a healthy balance in the intestinal tract. In Candida sufferers, these "good" bacteria are often lacking because the Candida overgrowth destroys them.

After you've changed your diet and added strong, natural antifungals to your regimen, it's important to restore these probiotics to your gut. These organisms work with your immune system to keep the Candida (as well as other harmful organisms) from "taking over" and making you sick.

It's important to note that without following the MOVES plan, without an adequate supplement regimen to support your immune system, and without having used stronger, natural antifungals like grapefruit seed extract or oil of oregano, adding probiotics won't do much good. Trying to re-seed your gut flora when Candida is still an issue won't hurt anything, but it won't help either.

Probiotic Foods

There are several types of foods that can help to re-seed your gut with beneficial bacteria. For Candida sufferers, not all probiotic foods are created equal though. It's important to choose probiotic foods carefully because you don't want to risk hampering your progress as you cure your Candida.

Fermented Cabbage

Sauerkraut, cabbage rejuvelac, and kimchi are three excellent probiotic foods that Candida sufferers can incorporate into their diet. When used consistently, these foods are helpful in repopulating the gut's beneficial organisms that are often destroyed by Candida overgrowth.

• Cabbage Rejuvelac - This probiotic food is probably the best dietary source of beneficial bacteria for Candida sufferers. Drink 1/2 cup of rejuvelac three times per day, preferably with meals.
• Sauerkraut - When fermented naturally, raw sauerkraut is another excellent probiotic food source. "Dosing" recommendations vary, but a good start would be 1-2 tablespoons taken with meals.
• Kimchi - This food, also called "kimchee" or "gimchi" is a fermented, seasoned vegetable dish which is also a good probiotic source. Kimchi can be "used" like sauerkraut as a probiotic supplement.

A Special Note About Fermented Dairy

Most people consider fermented dairy foods like yogurt and kefir to be a good source of beneficial bacteria. While these foods do contain probiotics, other probiotic foods are much better sources of beneficial bacteria for those dealing with Candida overgrowth. Fermented dairy should be avoided by Candida sufferers. Dairy's proteins, whey and casein, and its sugar, lactose, tend to aggravate symptoms for many of us dealing with Candida.

Probiotics in Supplement Form

Probiotics can also be purchased in supplement form. These sources are great options for those who want the convenience of a supplement or for those who don't like the taste of recommended probiotic foods.

Look for supplements that:

• Are from a non-dairy source
• Are free of starch, sugar (including FOS/inulin), yeast, dairy, wheat, gluten, soy, preservatives, and additives
• Contain multiple strains of microorganisms including lactobacillus and bifidobacterium
• Contain more than 1 billion CFUs (colony-forming units)

It's best to follow the manufacturer's dosing recommendations on the supplement you purchase. If you seem to be having side-effects or unpleasant symptoms from the supplement you've chosen, try reducing your dose or switching supplement brands.

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