Knowing when to supplement with probiotics on a candida diet can be as important as any other part of a successful approach to correcting fungal candida. Starting off a candida diet with the use of probiotics may be counter-productive. When antibiotics destroy the bacterial flora, the conversion of candida from its normal yeast state to its problematic fungal state takes place rapidly. With the fungal candida in place, and the re-population of the intestinal tract still many months away, candida takes over control of the intestinal tract. As bacteria begin to find their way back into the intestinal tract, candida regulates who grows back and who doesn’t. One of the most important probiotic species needed for health are the
Lactobacilli bacteria. They produce acids that help regulate pH and the growth of candida. Fungal candida makes sure that this species doesn’t grow back. Without Lactobacilli bacteria, we lose production of B vitamins that are essential to all areas of health. This sets up a lifelong cycle of disease and imbalance within the body. Lactobacilli are the main species found in most probiotic formulas. As long as fungal candida is present, these important bacteria may not be able to have the effect that they otherwise would.
A second consideration in the timing of supplementing with probiotics relates to the immune system. Our immune system has two main aspects that exert the effects at various times. The first of these is the Th1 response. This is effective against viruses, fungi, parasites, and certain bacteria. The 2nd aspect is the Th2 response. This is effective against certain bacterial infections and is more commonly associated with allergies, asthma, etc. While this is a simplistic view of immune system responses, it effectively helps to communicate the importance of probiotic timing in candida diets. In fungal candida infections, candida is able to manipulate the immune system towards a Th2 dominance. This helps to ensure its own survival. Probiotics have a tendency to support whichever immune system response is dominant. In the case of fungal candida, this is going to be the Th2 dominance, and probiotics may actually end up helping candida’s cause. As with everything else, there will be some shifting back-and-forth between Th1 and Th2, but one side will usually be more active.
Given that fungal candida can limit regrowth of the very important Lactobacilli bacteria, and probiotics could end up helping fungal candida continue spreading throughout the body, correcting the fungal candida imbalance first before supplementing with probiotics will produce the best chance for success on a candida diet. This has been one of the key differences with the Candida Plan, as opposed to all other approaches available. Once you’ve re-established balance within the intestinal ecosystem, ongoing supplementation with probiotics will help to ensure greater health.