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.
Grapefruit
seed extract is
extracted from the seeds, pulp and white membranes of
the grapefruit and has been proven to be safe and
effective in 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 will be effective in curing 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.
