Probiotics are an absolutely crucial part of your Fungus treatment. Because of this, we have devoted this entire section of the book to explaining how they work, when you should take them and why you need them.
During this part of the Fungus treatment plan, you will need to either buy some good quality commercial probiotics or make your own probiotic foods at home (or ideally both!). But before doing any of this, you should first understand the main ways in which probiotics will assist you in your fight against Fungus Related Complex.
Reason 1: Probiotics Displace TheFungus Colonies
The first reason why probiotics are so important is also the easiest to understand. When you introduce large numbers of ‘good bacteria’ into your gut they displace or ‘crowd out’ the colonies of yeast cells and fungus overgrowth. How does this work? Well, in your gut there are only a certain number of nutrients available for microorganisms. There is also a limited amount of space. By introducing billions of new microorganisms, along with several different strains of bacteria, you increase the competition for those resources. So instead of simply taking all the nutrients they need, you are forcing the Fungus colonies to compete for food and space in your gut.
Research has shown that Lactobacillus acidophilus can prevent Fungal Overgrowth from attaching itself to human cells and that the introduction of other Lactobacillus bacteria can displace existing colonies of Fungus. Lactobacillus bacteria are some of the most common bacteria found in commercial probiotic supplements. Replenishing your gut flora will both displace the Fungus colonies and prevent them from re-establishing themselves as the dominant microorganism in your gut.
Reason 2: Probiotics Regulate Your Stomach Acidity
Many of the healthy microorganisms that form your gut flora are acid-producing, meaning that they produce small amounts of acid as a byproduct of their metabolism. People often talk about eating an ‘alkaline diet’ and reducing their acidity, but for Fungus sufferers, this information needs to be more clearly explained. First of all, there is an important difference between appropriate levels of acidity in your gastrointestinal system and unhealthy levels of acidity in your other tissues. Many health-promoting foods that contain acid, such as lemons and limes, will be good for the stomach/gut but will actually have an alkalizing effect on the rest of the body.
In the case of a fungal infestation, as we discussed earlier, we want the stomach to be very acidic and the intestines to be mildly acidic. This is the optimal combination to prevent the fungus colonies from growing. Excess acidity in your tissues, on the other hand, is typically associated with impaired circulation, fatigue, lowered oxygen delivery, and an increased risk for many common and degenerative illnesses (including high blood pressure).
A diet rich in good vegetables and fruits will tend to support an acidic gut pH as well as a healthily alkaline tissue (and overall body) pH. That’s just what you want. The Standard American Diet, rich in processed and refined foods, works exactly against this. It provides foods that acidify the body’s tissues, overwhelms your ability to digest and utilize the huge amounts of carbohydrates coming in, and do little if anything to support good gut pH.
Another salient point to note is that, as we age, our bodies typically become less effective in producing Hydrochloric acid (HCI) in the stomach. This is the primary acid needed to digest proteins and other food. This decline often becomes apparent through what we know as ‘acid reflux’ which, contrary to popular belief, is far more commonly caused by low stomach acid than too much acid. For many of us, increasing stomach acidity is a necessity as we age. This is certainly the case when dealing with fungal overgrowth. Supplementing with raw apple cider vinegar (or even stronger betaine hydrochloric acid) can often help to improve low stomach acid.
Lastly, let’s revisit the link between intestinal acidity and Fungus. Maintaining a mildly acidic environment in your intestines is one of the ways in which probiotics help to reverse a fungal overgrowth. Fungal Overgrowth needs an alkaline environment to trigger the switch from yeast to fungus, and so one of the metabolic byproducts that it releases is ammonia.
This alkaline gas raises the pH in your intestines until it reaches the point where the yeast cells can switch to their fungal form and begin to grow hyphae. In other words, those fungal colonies are actively working to create the environment they need to transform, grow, and spread. As mentioned, one of the simplest ways to prevent this is by having a healthy population of acid-producing bacteria like Lactobacillus acidophilus in your intestines.
Reason 3: Probiotics Support Your Immune System
Many studies have illustrated that probiotics tend to have a balancing (or immuno modulatory) effect on the immune system, moderating the two different ‘arms’ of the immune system -the TH1 and TH2 pathways. Probiotics actually stimulate and trigger your immune system to fight pathogens. This means that probiotics ‘switch on’ your immune system in the right way so that it is already fired up and running when it encounters a pathogen like a fungus overgrowth. This preparation also means that it is less likely to become imbalanced and potentially increase the chance of autoimmune disorders.
While your immune system is already fighting your Fungus overgrowth to some extent, probiotics and other immuno-modulatory or immune-stimulatory supplements can dramatically improve its effectiveness. This, in turn, can help you to turn the corner when it comes to your fungal problem. A healthy and functioning immune system is vital during your fungus treatment, as it will also prevent other infections or illnesses from developing. Quickly destroying other pathogens will leave your immune system free to focus on beating your fungal infestation.
Reason 4: Probiotics Help Your Body Detoxify
Many people don’t realize this, but good bacteria actually help your body get rid of many waste products. Sometimes the waste products are metabolized by the bacteria themselves; other times the bacteria facilitate better elimination through the bowels.
As we have discussed, Fungus Overgrowth tends to give off a number of noxious metabolites such as acetaldehyde which can make us feel ill and affect various elements of our functioning, such as our mental clarity. Probiotics help reduce the oxidative damage in our body tissues, including that caused by alcohol and its byproducts. Probiotic yogurt has also been shown to significantly reduce inflammatory markers.
Additionally, they can help to promote regular bowel movements. Many people do not have as many bowel movements as they ideally should. Anything that encourages better elimination helps us to stay cleaner and less toxic and helps to minimize the recirculation of byproducts given off as the Fungus colonies and yeast cells die.