6. Non-prescription Anticandida Supplements
After you've completed the first four steps, you're ready to add supplements that help control the candida overgrowth:
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- Probiotics: These preparations of lactobacillus acidophilus and other friendly probiotic bacteria (literally meaning pro-life, rather than antibiotic or anti-life) help crowd out candida in your digestive tract. Usual dose: ¼ to ½ tsp. of powder or 1-2 capsules, one-to-four times daily.
- Citrus seed extracts: Made from grapefruit seed. These supplements are designed to help take out "unfriendlies" in your intestines. Usual dose: 1-2 capsules or 2-6 drops of liquid in water, one-to-three times daily. There is some evidence these may be as effective as some prescription antifungals. Caution: You should not use citrus seed extracts if you are taking medication to lower cholesterol or calcium channel blockers for hypertension, congestive heart failure or migraines. If you're in doubt, check with your doctor.
- Garlic: Eat lots of garlic to keep those intestinal flora under control. If you can't stomach fresh garlic or you're losing friends became of garlic breath, try Kyolic deodorized capsules. Usual dose is two 300-mg.capsules twice a day, with meals.
- Caprylic acid: A fatty acid derived from coconuts, it's been shown to kill fungus on contact. Usual dose: 1-2 capsules with each meal.
- Mathake: This tropical herb's name means "furry white tongue" in Fijian - an apt description of a major symptom of candidiasis. It's available as a tea or extract.
- Tanalbit: This product is effective against harmful bacteria and fungi in the digestive system without attacking friendly organisms and is able to address problems in the colon.
- Olive leaf extract: Lab studies show that this powerful antimicrobial can eliminate everything from bacteria to yeasts, fungi and molds. Usual dose: 1-2 capsules three times daily between meals.
Oral prescription antifungals are available in the United States and are safe and effective, although they are expensive, ranging from around $7 a pill for Diflucan and Sporanox and about $3.75 per pill for Nizoral to about 56 cents a pill for nystatin. Fortunately, many medical insurance plans will pay the cost if the diagnosis is vaginal yeast infection or oral thrush.
These safe and effective prescription drugs are at the hub of the pharmacological treatment for systemic yeast overgrowth:
- Diflucan (fluconazole): This systemic medication has been in use for nearly 30 years, and in the past 10 or 12 years, licensed for use by patients with severe immunosuppression, including cancer and AIDS. Since the early 1990s, physicians have also found it is useful for the treatment of recurrent vaginitis, fatigue and depression.
- Sporanox (itraconazole): This antifungal drug has been used for a decade and is an effective medication for people with a variety of fungal infections, although it can have serious side effects.
- Nizoral (ketoconazole): Another antifungal available since 1981 is one of the earlier forms of the azole family of antifungals. There are some rare side effects related to Nizoral, but it is less expensive than later generations of the drug.
- Nystatin: This medication has been used for more than 40 years, it's the safest medication listed in the Physician's Desk Reference. It's not water-soluble, and not absorbed into the bloodstream, so that means it doesn't reach candida in the respiratory tract or the deeper layers of the mucous membranes of the vagina or intestinal tract.
- Miconazole: This generic antifungal is the main ingredient in Monistat, the anti-yeast cream sold over the counter in the United States. While the cream would not be effective against systemic candida overgrowth, miconazole gel is available under the brand name Daktarin in Europe, Australia and Canada. Some of my colleagues say it is an excellent affordable alternative to the expensive azole drugs available in the United States.
Although the first five steps may help you improve, ideally your treatment program should be directed by a knowledgeable physician. Moreover, you can only get the anti-yeast medications Diflucan, Sporanox, Nizoral or nystatin from an M.D., and you'll need to be monitored as you're taking it.
Take the steps to find a professional willing to work with you who really cares about your improvement.
9. Track Down Hidden Food Sensitivities
If you've faithfully executed steps 1-7 and you continue to experience significant problems, you may be sensitive to foods you're eating every day. Common troublemakers include yeast, milk, wheat, corn, eggs and citrus.
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10. Faith, Courage, Persistence and Determination
These are key ingredients in any treatment program.
To find out more, you can check out Natural Remedies For Candida.