If you have candida overgrowth, you know how uncomfortable the symptoms can be. The growth of candida has been linked with gut health problems, constipation, digestive health challenges, and more.
Candida albicans is a common fungus that can lead to vaginal yeast overgrowth (known as vaginal candidiasis) and oral thrush. Candida is a normal part of vaginal flora in humans. In most cases, it is kept in balance by the body. Around 8% of women may experience a recurring overgrowth of candida. (1)
In this article, we’ll discuss what you need to know about how candida issues can occur and the benefits of different strains of probiotics for supporting anti-candida balance.*
What Causes Candida Imbalance?
Candida is naturally found in the body. The immune system and gut are designed to maintain a healthy antimicrobial balance, meaning vaginal yeast infections do not happen in everyone.
Candida infections, overgrowth, or imbalance can happen for many reasons, including: (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- Side effects of medications
- Gut bacteria changes from antibiotics
- Elevated blood sugar
- A compromised immune system
- Leaky gut or other microorganism imbalances
- Stress
- Pathogens
- Digestive problems
- Nutrient imbalances
- Wearing tight-fitting clothing
- Overweight or obesity
- Hormone changes
- Oral contraception
- Pregnancy
- Estrogen or hormone replacement therapy
- Other fungal infections
How Can Probiotics Help With Candidiasis?*
Researchers now understand how the gut microbiome helps to manage a healthy balance of candida in the body. Yeast overgrowth should always be treated by a healthcare professional. Probiotic supplements and foods that contain natural probiotics may be recommended to support a healthy pH balance in the gut, oral cavity, or vaginal canal. (5, 8)*
All probiotics are not the same. Certain strains may be more beneficial than others, especially when supporting urinary and vaginal health.*
Can You Get Enough Probiotics From Your Diet?
A healthy diet can support the body’s balanced response to candida. Not everyone needs to attempt a complicated “candida cleanse.”
Probiotic bacteria are found in many types of foods, such as:
- Yogurt
- Aged cheese
- Sourdough bread
- Kimchi
- Sauerkraut
- Kefir
- Kombucha
However, some people have lactose digestion problems or do not have enough enzymes to digest fermented foods efficiently. This can lead to bloating or irritation in the digestive tract. Probiotic supplements may be gentler to digest while still providing live and active organisms.*
The Best Probiotics for Candida Balance*
There are many types of probiotic strains. Not all of them have the same benefits. These are the best probiotics for supporting candida balance in the body.*
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus strains have antifungal properties and help keep vaginal candida in balance. Lactobacillus rhamnosus supports bacterial balance and is one of the best probiotics for candida yeast overgrowth. (9) Because of this, Lactobacillus rhamnosus is frequently used in probiotic formulations for women’s health.*
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus reuteri is a popular probiotic strain known for its ability to modulate immune responses in the body. It also supports barrier functions of the gastrointestinal tract, which can prevent pathogens like fungus from excessively colonizing in places they should not. (10)*
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus plantarum is a widely-studied strain of probiotic that has been confirmed for supporting vaginal comfort during and after a fungal disruption. It also supports normal pH values, fostering a better environment for normal bacterial and fungal balance. (11)*
Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus acidophilus
Other lactobacillus species of probiotics make lactic acid in the gut a natural after-effect of breaking down carbohydrates. There are numerous specific strains of lactobacillus species, and they all naturally compete with candida in the vaginal environment. L. fermentum and L. acidophilus are frequently studied together and have noted antifungal properties. They support pH and microbial balance for vaginal health. (12, 13, 14)*
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium bifidum supports what researchers call colonization resistance. This beneficial strain can support natural gut defenses that help support bacterial balance, keeping candida from entering overgrow mode. (15)*
The Best Probiotic Supplement for Candida Balance & Vaginal Health*
You may feel overwhelmed with so many probiotic strains that support candida balance and vaginal health. Because these strains synergistically support optimal vaginal pH and maintain healthy ratios of beneficial bacteria, they are often found together in targeted formulations.*
Hyperbiotics’ PRO-Women probiotic supplement contains each of these science-backed strains for candida support. It also contains other nutrients that encourage healthy bladder, urinary, and vaginal health, like d-mannose and prebiotic fiber to nourish the good bacteria in the gut.*
PRO-Women is also formulated with the most recent scientific research. It is a shelf-stable, high-quality probiotic supplement that won’t be destroyed by stomach acid before it reaches the lower gut.*
Summary
Your body is no stranger to candida. But, like many things, balance is important. Certain strains of beneficial bacteria can promote optimal microbiome health and normal vaginal pH balance. This can support balanced candida colonization and encourage improved responses when the body faces everyday challenges that can lead to fluctuations in hormones, bacterial balance, and more.*
Get PRO-Women: The Women’s Health Probiotic with up to 15X More Survivability Than Basic Veggie Capsules^*
References
- StatPearls Publishing. 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459 317/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022
- J Fungi (Basel). 2020; 6(1):27 [PMID: 32106438]
- J Fungi (Basel). 2018; 4(1):9 [PMID: 29371502]
- Tissue Barriers. 2019; 7(2):1612661 [PMID: 31189436]
- Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2022; 2022:6195712 [PMID: 35910510]
- Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2016; 18(10):e38909 [PMID: 28184328]
- Diagnostics (Basel). 2021; 11(11):1996 [PMID: 34829343]
- Microb Biotechnol. 2017; 10(6): 1753-1763 [PMID: 28772020]
- Front Microbiol. 2018; 9:757 [PMID: 29725324]
- Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2014; 182:136-9 [PMID: 25305660]
- Clin Microbiol Rev. 2021; 34(4):e0032320 [PMID: 34259567]
- Microb Cell. 2019; 7(1):1-14 [PMID: 31921929]
- Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2017; 30(2):163-167 [PMID: 28580872]
- FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 2022; 98(10):fiac095 [PMID: 36007932]
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug (FDA) Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
^BIO-tract® vs. instant release formulations under in vitro test conditions.