Probiotics

• Candida often over-grows when the body is deprived of probiotics, the "friendly bacteria" that boost the immune system, aid in digestion and keep the growth of candida in check. Supplements and foods containing probiotics like l. acidophilus can restore friendly bacteria to the digestive tract and reproductive organs. This, in turn, helps to fight yeast infection. So-called prebiotics like FOS (fructooligarosaccharides) can also help to treat candida by enabling the growth and recovery of probiotics. Some good probiotic foods include yogurt and kimchee, and consumers should seek probiotic brands that offer guaranteed-potency formulas.
  
  

Enzymatic Therapy

• Enzyme treatment can be an effective alternative remedy for candida overgrowth. The cell walls of candida organisms are made of cellulose and hemicellulose, which are fibrous compounds. Enzymes that digest cellulose can help to destroy candida by "eating" the organism's cellular membranes. Candex, one brand of yeast-fighting enzyme, contains cellulase and hemicellulase to digest yeast with few side effects. A high-enzyme, low-sugar diet containing raw fruits and vegetables can also enhance the effectiveness of enzyme treatment.
  
  

Herbal Remedies

• Classic immune-stimulating herbs like echinacea and goldenseal are often the first choices in treating candida naturally. Garlic, whether taken as a food or as a supplement, seems to have powerful yeast-fighting abilities. Another excellent anti-yeast food is cranberry, which contains multiple compounds that enable the health of the vaginal and urinary tracts. Candida Take Care, an herbal formula produced by NewChapter, is a popular cranberry-based choice.