The
body can have different types of relationships with the
normal flora. These are:
·
Mutualism-
Both the host and the microbe benefit from the
relationship.
·
Commensalism-
One of the partners benefits, while the other partner is
neither benefited nor harmed.
·
Parasitism-
An organism benefits at the expense of the host.
·
Pathogenic-
The organism causes damage to the host during infection.
An opportunistic pathogen takes advantage of an impaired
immune system. For example, when the normal flora has
been destroyed by antibiotics or when the immune system
has been suppressed by drug treatment or by other
illnesses.
The
normal flora shares a mutual relationship with the body.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is found naturally in the
intestines and in the vagina, where it maintains the pH
level and protects the body from unhealthy organisms
such as Candida albicans by producing natural antibiotic
substances such as lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and
enzymes. It also inhibits parasitic infections.
Acidophilus also assists in producing folic acid,
niacin, and pyridoxine, biotin, vitamin B5, and vitamin
B12. It is believed to reduce the risk of colon cancer,
improve food digestion and absorption and detoxification
of harmful substances. It is, in fact, considered to be
the vital key to good health.
A
part of the normal flora is also a fungus called Candida
Albicans. Its numbers are kept in check by the
Lactobacillus acidophilus, and, in small numbers it is
relatively harmless. But when certain conditions like
diabetes, HIV, administration of antibiotics, steroids,
hormonal imbalance, lack of nutrients due to faulty diet
habits, stress, immunosuppressive therapy etc. destroy
the acidophilus, the Candida starts to proliferate
rapidly and can become extremely
dangerous.
Controlling
the Candida with antifungal medications is one option to
treat Candidiasis. But these medications are toxic to
the body and cause a lot of side effects. A safer option
is to re-populate the digestive tract with the
acidophilus and restore the balance between the Candida
and acidophilus. This may be done by eating yoghurt
which has naturally-occurring acidophilus.
Alternatively, one can take probiotics which are
microbial food supplements containing cultures of
acidophilus.
Unfortunately,
Acidophilus Candida treatment is not as simple as
popping an acidophilus probiotic pill. The internal as
well as external factors that led to the yeast infection
in the first place need to be treated; without which the
infection will keep recurring. So, a holistic approach
which goes beyond the physical symptoms is required.
Lifestyle changes, reducing stress, reinforcing good
dietary habits will go a long way in effecting a
permanent
cure.
