Acidophilus

Billions of bacteria live in your gut. Some play a vital role in the healthy function of the digestive system, the lowering of cholesterol level, improving immune response, protection from colon cancer and the creation of certain vitamins.

Acidophilus is one such "friendly" bacteria which helps us with the breakdown of food and in the synthesis of some B vitamins, and helps prevent harmful bacteria and other micro-organisms such as candida albicans from spreading out of control in the gut.

Unfortunately stress, broad-spectrum antibiotics, the female contraceptive pill and steroid medication can cause candida albicans to thrive at the expense of microbes that keep us healthy. An increase in the sugar content of the average western diet in recent times has provided the yeast with the food it requires to thrive.

Overgrowth of candida albicans can lead to a wide variety of debilitating symptoms such as:

*depression, anxiety, panic attacks, unnatural irritability
*digestive complaints such as flatulence, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, heartburn
*extreme fatigue, inability to concentrate (a foggy mind), poor memory
*sleep problems
*allergies
*acne
*recurrent headache, migraine
*widespread muscular pain
*cystitis
*vaginitis
*thrush
*menstrual problems and PMS

Should you have a combination of some of these symptoms without any obvious cause then candida overgrowth should be a prime suspect.

Supplementing your diet with the beneficial lactobacillus bacteria can help restore healthy balance of micro-organisms your gut requires to function properly.

Note that aloe vera and garlic supplements are also very useful in the fight against candida as they are both powerful anti-fungals.