So, after reading several recent articles about candida overgrowth, I really suspect I might have it. I have regular yeast infections, my stomach protrudes as if I'm still 5 months pregnant, I can't lose weight even though I've been trying for a long time. In fact, I've gained 5 lbs in the last few months even though I've been watching what I eat. I am tired, anxious (but not depressed), and feel like I have brain fog most of the time.
I want to start taking a probiotic that will be effective in getting rid of the excess yeast. I looked into Threelac, but it's very expensive. Has anyone had success with Pearls, or another type of probiotic formula that would be more affordable?
TIA
I think I might have it as well. I have gained a lot of information on the below mentioned blog...
http://kimberlysnyder.net/blog/
I have had systemic candida overgrowth a couple of times due to antibiotic use. Your symptoms do sound candida related, but if they continue, I recommend seeing a naturopathic doctor.
Probiotics are great, but yeast thrives on sugar of any kind so it would help for you to go on a "candida diet", which removes any kind of food that yeast would feed off of, just to give your probiotic a better chance to work.
Grapefruit seed extract kills yeast. You can take a pill or mix the liquid with water up to three times per day and then follow with a probiotic about an hour later.
A great probiotic is Florastor, but kefir is also a great source of probiotic! Just be sure to buy plain kefir, as the fruit flavored types will contain a lot of sugar. Kombucha is also a great probiotic and only contains a trace of sugar.
I hope this problem clears up quickly for you! I would suggest going to a medical doctor, but my MD actually recommended natural solutions after traditional meds for yeast didn't work.
ETA, just wanted to mention that eating yeast or yeast products doesn't cause more yeast in your body. Sugar is the culprit as yeast feeds on sugar.
When my gastroenterologist was still in practice, he had some excellent probiotics on hand that were stronger than any you can get in stores or online. I had to keep them sealed tightly in a bottle in the fridge. They were fantastic at helping re-balance my gut issues and helping me heal after an especially bad bout with diverticulosis.
My advice is to meet with a gastroenterologist.
also-get a CA-125 test, stay away from products that contain yeast-take care!
We tried using kefir to treat my husband's eczema. It didn't work out for him because he didn't stay on top of it religiously but I've read up a bit on kefir and the health benefits are numerous. Has more probiotics than yogurt.
go see Bonnie Minsky at Nutritional Concepts in Northbrook! She's awesome!!!!! I had these issues. I take probiotics regularly. Ultraflora plus by Metagenics or Superdophilus by Wellness Resources. You want a probiotic that's refrigerated. Also, step up yogurt. However, stay away from the sugary ones. Sugar helps yeast grow. Cut back on sugar.
ThreeLac is good, but I find that Oregano for that much yeast is works 10x faster. Also you need to address your liver. It has to process everything, so you need to support it.
Dr. Natura DetoxiGreen in the am and then 3 Thompson Oregano (cheap and great!) in the pm.
PB8 is my favorite probiotic, but you need more support than that right now!
LOTS of water to flush everything out.
Try sticking to the hypoglycemic diet....hate that word, but if you google it, it will help!
Besides a probiotic, I think it's important to consider the root cause of the candida.. sounds like you have watched your diet, but beware.... other things that often go unnoticed and seem harmless are... tea bags (if you are a tea drinker) keep aware that tea bags are notorious for having mold on them.... this without having used them. In addition, peanut butter and fermented foods and cured meats..
Also, to help relieve the candida, I have found that more than a Probiotic, CAPRYLIC acid, a supplement REALLY works.. you take a tablet and it gets into your digestive track and kills off the yeast. .However, because it does as such, be sure and drink TONS of water as you will want to help flush the dying yeast out of your system.. Definitely be sure and read the label carefully, as I am NOT a doctor but have had good results when using the stuff.. you can buy it at a Wholefoods.. etc..
If you don't drink enough water during the use of it and as the yeast if dying off, you might experience a rash. e.g. I did so once under my arm (sweat glands) as you can imagine, your body will release toxins at such points. so my advice, def drink the water...
In my case, when I have felt an infection coming on, I have taken one.. sometimes two... but never more than that. I have found relief in a day..
you may want to also see someone who specializes in Candida over-growth.. There' s a good book too called the Yeast Connection.. you may have already read it..
good luck to you
You need to find a diet that has no yeast. My mom has found a few that she's tried cause she has a bad problem with it. But she hardly eats anything. But depending on how hard you are willing to try to get rid of it. She eats mostly meats and cheese and salad. NO bread or pasta. We get our probiotics from puritans pride off line.
Hi Tia,
My gastroenterologist put me on Align which is about 25 to 28 dollars but you can get coupons from your dr or online for 5.00 off. The box also comes with other coupons on stuff like toothpaste, tooth brushes, and even for align. This has worked pretty well for me. Good luck.
Yes, this sounds very much like a systemic yeast infection. When I have a lot of candida in me, the sugar cravings really take over and I make a lot of poor dietary choices even though I know better. So one thing I have been doing lately is to buy candies made with other natural sweeteners like xylitol. I get the sweet thing that I am craving, but because it has no sugar in it to feed the yeast, it ends the cycle. Then I can go days without craving again. I learned from the wonderful nutritionist at my local Good Earth store that probiotics are much stronger in a group, so you will have better results if you take a variety of them together. I used two probiotics and yogurt after taking 4 doses of Diflucan. I felt really good taking the probiotics. I took Therelac years ago, but I don't think it worked any better for me than the less expensive ones I got recently from Good Earth.
I did take grapefruit seed extract for a couple weeks and started to feel better yeast-wise. But I learned that GSE chemically mimics estrogen. This was confirmed by my endometriosis beginning to act up while taking it. So I would say if you don't have any issues with increasing estrogen, the GSE might be a good idea. It is bitter and I found it easiest to get down when mixed with a citrus juice. I also was more thirsty while taking it and craved oranges. Good luck and God bless!
