Candidiasis
is a very complex disease and one needs to take a
holistic approach to eradicate it. Since there is no way
to pinpoint one single cause, there is a wide variety of
home and natural remedies handed down from generations.
One of them is grapefruit seed extract. But can grapefruit extract
cure candida?
Grapefruit
seed extract is extracted from the seeds, pulp and white
membranes of the grapefruit and has been proven to be
safe and effective for a wide variety of ailments
including Candidiasis. It is believed to detoxify the
body and support and boost the immune system. Grapefruit
seed extract was found to contain the antioxidant
vitamins C and E as well as bioflavonoids. These
substances neutralize the free radicals that are formed
in the body and cause cell damage leading to many
diseases. Grapefruits have very little sugar and though
chemically acid, on being metabolized have an alkalizing
effect on the body.
The
detoxifying action of the grapefruit seed extract is
attributed to its ability to alkalize the blood. As
bacteria, viruses and yeasts cannot survive in an
alkaline environment; this appears to be the single most
important health-bestowing property of grapefruit seed
extract. The grapefruit seed extract is effective at
very low concentrations and has no discernible side
effects making it safe and excellent alternative to
antibiotics and fungicides. The grapefruit seed extract
also seems to exhibit only a minimal effect on the
beneficial intestinal flora. The mode of action of the
grapefruit seed extract on Candida appears to be to
disrupt the formation of the cytoplasmic membrane. This
causes the cell contents to leak out, inactivating the
yeast. All this action takes place in a very short time
as compared to conventional antifungals. Furthermore,
the yeasts do not develop resistance to the grapefruit
seed extract.
The
grapefruit is a native of warm subtropical countries.
The fruits hang in grape-like clusters as they grow,
hence the name grapefruit. Grapefruit seed extract is a
viscous amber coloured liquid and is bitter and acidic
in taste. Pure vegetable glycerin is generally added to
commercial preparations to make it
palatable.
It
needs to be mentioned here that though highly
recommended by nature therapists and alternate
physicians, scientific tests do not support the claims
of its miraculous properties. In fact, its curative
properties of the grapefruit seed extract have been
attributed to the synthetic antimicrobials and
antifungals added as preservatives during commercial
preparation. It does seems a bit of a paradox that
preservatives need to be added to a compound which
itself is supposed to have potent antimicrobial and
antifungal properties.
The grapefruit seed extract can cure candida only if combined with other lines of treatment like changing the lifestyle which led to Candidiasis, making appropriate dietary changes, detoxifying the body, and other holistic remedies.
