The human body is a host to
billions of microorganisms of different kinds. These are
described as the normal flora. The body can have
different types of relationship with the normal flora.
These are:
1) Mutualism.
Both the host and the microbe benefit from the
relationship.
2) Commensalism. One partner of the benefits and
the other partner is neither benefited nor harmed.
3) Parasitism. An organism benefits at the
expense of the host.
4) Pathogenic.
The organism causes damage to the host during
infection. An Opportunistic
Pathogen takes advantage of an impaired immune
system e.g. when the normal flora have been destroyed
by antibiotics or when the immune system has been
suppressed by drug treatment or by other illnesses.
The normal
flora shares a mutualistic 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 assist in producing folic acid, niacin,
and pyridoxine, biotin, vitamin B5, and vitamin B12.It
also improves food digestion and absorption. It is
believed to reduce the risk of colon cancer and improve
food digestion and absorption and detoxify 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. destroys
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, the remedy for
Candidiasis 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.
