The most important thing to do is to avoid anything that reduces the body’s beneficial flora.
The following factors reduce the presence of beneficial flora in favour of pathogenic organisms – such as pathogenic bacteria, and fungi (e.g. the yeast Candida Albicans):
- Antibiotics – including those given to livestock for food production and antibacterial soaps
- Poor nutrition /glucose – sugar/fructose, refined grains, processed foods, high glycemic index foods (E.g. potatoes, yams, corn, white rice, pasta), almost exclusively feed pathogenic bacteria and fungi (E.g. Candida albicans) in your digestive system, allowing them to proliferate. Lack of necessary nutrients handicaps your immune system such that it cannot deal with the pathogens.
- Sugar may be the most important factor in GI candidiasis – Candida ferments and rapidly proliferates in the presence of simple sugars, which significantly increase Candida’s ability to adhere to epithelial mucous cells.
- Toxins – chlorinated/fluoridated water, environmental pollution, agricultural herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, smoking etc;
- Drugs – including NSAIDS, steroids, corticosteroids, hormonal drugs (E.g. contraceptive pill, HRT), alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.
- NSAIDS (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory aids) E.g. acetaminophen, ibuprofen – thin the intestinal mucus layer, making it more difficult for probiotics to survive;
- Stress – surgery
- Bottle feeding
- Although this is sometimes unavoidable, certain illnesses / conditions – Diabetes, Lupus or Thyroid problems, pregnancy.
Encourage body’s beneficial flora
- Minimize sugar consumption – food for pathogenic bacteria, yeast and fungi; includes sugar/fructose, refined grains, processed foods, high glycaemic index foods
- Consume and/or supplement probiotics – high quality, multi-strain, high organism count supplement and probiotic-containing foods (e.g. sauerkraut and yogurt, kefir (at the discretion of your DBM Physician/practitioner)
- Choose organic, locally-grown fruits and vegetables,
- Avoid chemicals in food.
- Drink natural spring water – avoid chlorinated /fluoridated water /contaminated water sources – chlorine and fluoride harm probiotics;
- Include prebiotics (food for probiotics) in your daily diet to feed beneficial flora
- Avoid NSAIDS – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories e.g. acetaminophen, ibuprofen; NSAIDs thin the mucus layer making it more difficult for probiotics to survive.
- Don’t use anti-bacterial soaps
- Have rest and relaxation time and get sufficient sleep – to strengthen immune system
Article Reference: Shirley Emmons Bsc. (Hons) – Independent Natural and Alternative Health Researcher
