The 5 Best Supplements to Treat Candida

Women suffering from recurring yeast infections know the side effects of candida overgrowth well – the pesky yeast begins to flourish in the vagina, causing uncomfortable itching and/or burning, as well as a thick, whitish discharge. But the truth is that candida can attack anywhere in the body, and men are just as susceptible as women.

(Article by Josh Axe)

Candida Albicans is a fungus that is found naturally in the body, and when controlled at proper levels, it actually helps aid in nutrient absorption and digestion. The problem, however, is when candida is allowed to thrive and grow to unhealthy levels – at which point it begins to break down the walls of the intestinal lining in the digestive tract, ultimately moving into the bloodstream, where it creates a variety of symptoms, from mood disorders and chronic fatigue to oral thrush, brain fog and, of course, yeast infections.

The first step in healing candida overgrowth is always to adopt a candida diet. Candida loves sugars and processed crabs, so those are the first things to cut out. Meanwhile, it’s also important to add in lots of organic, lean proteins and fresh vegetables. But in addition to cleaning up your diet, I also recommend that people add in a few key supplements that can really kick the candida to the curb and fast-track healing. Here are five of my favorites:

Coconut Oil

When it comes to treating candida, coconut oil is a no-brainer. Coconut oil containscaprylic acid, a natural candida fighter that can penetrate the cell membranes of yeast and cause them to die off. In fact, a 2001 report published in Acupuncture and Electrotherapeutic Research found that caprylic acid is more effective – and cheaper – in treating candida than prescription drugs like Diflucan.

You might be thinking that coconut oil is actually a food, but while I do advise adding it to your diet in that way (use it in place of all other cooking oils, or add it to smoothies in the morning), I also recommend taking it as a supplement. When you take your daily multivitamin, go ahead and swallow a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil at the same time. In addition to killing off candida and other harmful bacteria, you’ll also notice smoother skin, reduced cravings, weight loss and a host of other benefits.

Probiotics

Thanks to processed foods, environmental toxins, stress and other byproducts of our modern society, the ratio of good-to-bad bacteria in our guts has been altered, creating the ideal environment for candida to thrive. Probiotics help crowd out the bad guys like candida albicans, while also regulating the bowels, thus ensuring that there are no toxins or undigested food particles for the yeast to feed on, and helping usher them out of the body.

But not all probiotics are created equal. Be sure to look for one that contains soil-based organisms, as these were designed to closely mimic the ones in nature (the ones that our ancestors were in contact with on a regular basis as they hunted, farmed and spent more time in nature) and are hardy enough to withstand the harsh environment of the digestive tract and actually make it into the gut without being destroyed.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Like coconut oil, grapefruit seed extract has natural compounds that work to kill candidain the body, and also like coconut oil, it is natural and non-toxic, making it a more effective and safer alternative to prescription and over-the-counter medications. Additionally, grapefruit seed extract is full of other vitamins and antioxidants that can boost the immune system and repair cells in the body that may be damaged during candida die-off, and it can also help restore the natural pH of the stomach – something that’s critically important in ensuring healthy digestion and keeping candida overgrowth at bay.

Essential Oils

Clove oil, oregano oil and myrrh oil are all known to be powerful antifungals that can help kill a variety of parasites and fungi in the body, including candida. Lavender oil is also known to stop the continued growth of candida and prevent the spread of infection throughout the body. By adding a couple drops of any of these oils to coconut oil and swallowing it (first, be absolutely sure that you have done your research and are purchasing a high-quality oil that is safe for internal consumption), you can help kill offcandida and prevent future growth. Be advised, though, that these oils are very powerful and should not be taken internally for more than 10 days.

Bentonite Clay

As you begin to change your diet and incorporate more supplements, the candida in your system will begin to die off, and you’ll need bentonite clay to help surround the toxins and safely remove them from the body. If you remember anything from high school chemistry, you know that positive and negative electrons attract. In its natural state, bentonite clay has negatively charges electrons that seek out the positively charged electrons of toxins within the body. This helps them bind together so they can be ushered out of the gut, mouth and other areas of the body before they can cause further harm.

Another benefit of bentonite clay is that it can help boost the growth of probiotics in the gut. Removing toxins, heavy metal and other harmful chemicals makes it easier for the good bacteria to thrive.

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