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How Much Probiotic Do You Use to Treat Candida?

The human body is capable of producing both good and bad bacteria. The good bacteria your body produces is essential to fight off some medical conditions and to perform typical everyday functions such as digestion. When something interferes with your body's development of these helpful and beneficial bacteria, the body can be thrown off balance, which opens up the door for other conditions to develop.

  1. Candida and Probiotics

    • Candida albicans, or candida for short, is actually just a yeast-like infection. This type of infection is caused by the elimination of good bacteria in the digestive tract that allows bad bacteria to run rampant in the mucus membranes. Candida can form in the mouth, throat or in the vagina, to name just a few of the common places. When candida grows in the throat and on the roof of the mouth, it is commonly known as thrush. Candida can become a serious problem for those whose immune systems are suppressed, such as those patients with HIV/AIDS and those receiving treatments for conditions like cancer.

      Probiotics are essentially a type of supplement that should be taken when the body is not producing enough of the good bacteria needed for normal everyday function. However, these supplements can also be taken when the body is completely healthy as well. Probiotics often come in pill form and they actually contain live bacteria. Other medications, such as most antibiotics, are known to kill these forms of bacteria while being taken to treat other conditions, which allow the body to be inhabited by other bad forms of bacteria. Probiotics can then be taken as a supplement to replace the good bacteria that were killed during the time when a patient was taking the antibiotics. Essentially, the easiest way to describe probiotics is by thinking about them as the opposite of antibiotics. While antibiotics eliminate the growth of bad bacteria, probiotics encourage growth or replace the growth of good bacteria.

    Dosage

    • The dosage of the probiotic you take to treat an infection depends on the type of probiotic you decide to take for treatment or what is recommended you take for treatment. If you take a probiotic in caplet form, usually one caplet per day is sufficient. Some also take probiotics in foods, such as yogurt. While the probiotics found in yogurt can be helpful at preventing a yeast infection, generally large amounts of yogurt would be required to resolve an already-present infection. As a result, taking one caplet per day, purchased in supplement shop or pharmacy, may be a better bet.

    Taking Probiotics

    • When shopping for an appropriate probiotic, look for a medication that contains Lactobacillus Sporogenes, Lactobacillus Acidophilus and/or Bifidobecterium Bifidum. Generally you should take the medication on en empty stomach at least 30 minutes before a meal. Make sure to always choose a probiotic with an expiration date printed clearly on the label and avoid exposing the live bacteria to excessive hot or cold temperatures. Excessive exposure to extreme temperatures may kill the live bacteria unless the directions specifically provide otherwise. Above all, you should make sure you follow the dosing instructions as prescribed on the medication or by your medical professional and never exceed the recommended dosage.

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