Biofilms: Overlooked Step in Treating Candida

[Josiesmum]

This is an interesting article which explains why diet alone may not be enough to get rid of candida.

thehealthyhomeeconomist.com...

[shaws Administrator]

Thanks for posting and I found it very interesting. I think it will be helpful to quite a few members.

[Hidden]

Josiesmum,

The evolving resilient microbes that make the biofilms associated with Candida are worrying as it is such a common pathogen in immunocompromised people.

I was diagnosed with Candida in July and have been following a very strict sugar free diet and various sups (Tanalbit & Berberine as mentioned in your article and drinking Pau d’arco Tea amongst many others) since.

However, because I felt so much better over christmas my regime kinda went to pot and now I have returning symptoms again.

Most probiotics shouldn't be taken until Candida is eradicated because these good bacteria end up feeding the bad.

However, a most helpful supplement (not mentioned in your article) I found is the nonpathogenic yeast probiotic Saccharomyces Boulardi.

S. Boulardii affects the adhesion of Candida to epithelial cell lines and also reduces the person’s inflammatory response associated with the candida infection. It secretes capris acid which helps to prevent the adhesion of Candida to the cells and also helps to INHIBIT BIOFILM formation.

Because a biofilm can make microorganisms such as candida resistant to both natural and prescription antifungals/antibiotics (should you choose to take them) taking S. Boulardi can help enormously.

... And now I am back on the wagon.! ! ..

Thank you for posting such good info.

Flower.

Candida treatment

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/206...

Inhibits biofilm formation

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/207...

Reduced Candida adhesion

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/206...

Anti inflammatory

It is acid resistant and not affected by antibiotics

Reduces inflammation

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/259...

Increases SIgA ( Immunoglobin found in internal mucus) ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/110...

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

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[Josiesmum in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flower. I have seen another product discussed elsewhere called Kirkman Biofilm Defense, which is supposed to break down the biofilm so that antifungals can take effect. Oregano oil seems to be highly rated as an antifungal.

S. Boullardii is apparently good for inhibiting clostridium difficile as well.

[Josiesmum in reply to Hidden]

I have also read that antifungal herbs should be used on a rotation basis, eg using one herb For four days, then switching to another, then another, as candida can quickly adapt.

Grapefruit seed extract is another herbal antifungal which gets good reviews.

[Hidden in reply to Josiesmum]

Josiesmum,

Do you rotate different antifungal herbs ? & if so which ones?

Perhaps I need to look at long term supplementing.

Grapefruit seed extract is excellent for those it agrees with.

I have tried Citricidal many times but unfortunately I can't tolerate.

I have since read that those who are TH-1 dominant (& a lot of Hashi sufferers are) can have trouble tolerating. (Echinachia makes me so ill too).

Kirkman Biofilm Defense looks good but be careful because it contains soy.. Have you tried it?

It looks like it breaks down the biofilm so you would still need some thing to mop up the freed pathogens before they reattached/reburrowed (how gross! ) and probiotics to repopulate the gut with healthy bacteria (and perhaps an antifungal herb as well ! .).

I have been using Psyllium Husk & Apple Pectin but there are others. Many use Chlorella but I have Hashi so can't because of the iodine content.

Flo

[Josiesmum in reply to Hidden]

Hi Flower

Actually we haven't tried much at all as yet! I have been gathering information for my daughter ahead of doctor's appointment, she is quite delicate so we feel any antifungal treatment should be done under medical supervision.

She was taking psyllium husk (for constipation) but is having a break as we are concerned that it might be too irritant for her gut. Do you use psyllium to "mop up"?

Interesting that you cannot tolerate citrus. My daughter appears to react to high histamine foods so she may well have a problem with citrus-based supplements.

Do you know if histamine intolerance is linked to TH-1 dominance? Which test did you do to find out you are TH-1 dominant?

Many thanks.

[Hidden in reply to Josiesmum]

No, Josiesmum,

Too much histamine encourages TH-2 dominance but we are all different and there are Hashi members on the forum who suffer histamine intolerance.

Yes, I take the Psyllium Husk and Apple Pectin to mop up

but any "absorbent" that passes through the GI tract and binds will do. I have previously taken Bentonite clay. Activated charcoal and Zeolite are popular but I haven’t used these.

I used Tanalbit (anti-fungal) that binds to the surface of the yeast and stops adhering to the intestinal wall and Berberine which is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-enhancing.

I guess I will have to get more now.

Flower

Histamine & Th-2 Dominance

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/128...

Berberine

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/212...

Tanalbit

needs.com/product/NDNL-0906...

[Josiesmum in reply to Hidden]

Hi Flower

Thanks for all the info. It's scary how much there is to learn. So grateful to have access to experience, help and support such as yours.

[Hidden in reply to Josiesmum]

Be aware a standard GP may not know of all these supplements and only offer an antifungal medication (Fluconazole ? ).

If you want to follow the functional route and be supervised you may need to seek the help of a nutritionist (or similar).

It can be a long journey but I hope your daughter feels better soon.

Flo

[Josiesmum in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flo

We actually managed to find someone locally who was on Dr Myhill's list of recommended doctors.

[Trixie64]

Very interesting, thanks for posting Josiesmum. I've been on a strict anti-candida diet since the summer and also take Caprylic Acid Plus from Cytoplan, but still have symptoms. I was taking probiotics as well, but have stopped those for the time being after reading that they might not help until the Candida overgrowth has been addressed.

However, they contained S. Boulardii amongst other things, so maybe I should try that on its own, following Flower's recommendation. Thanks to you as well Flower!

[Josiesmum]

Another article on biofilms:

forums.phoenixrising.me/ind...