Background Information On Candida

While not a foodborne illness, Candida can be a byproduct of the treatment of one.

Candida yeast species such as C. albicans are present as part of our normal intestinal microflora and are usually harmless when kept in check by vast numbers of beneficial bacteria. Candida overgrowth occurs when oral antibiotics eliminate most of the protective bacterial microflora such as  probiotic Lactobacillus species.

Candida survives the various antibacterial antibiotics that kill both good and bad bacteria in the gut, and, in the absence of bacterial competition, morphs into pathogenic forms with tentacles (hyphae) that invade intestinal tissue. This is when serious yeast problems begin!

Starving Candida can be accomplished by using restrictive diets such as a diet free of sugar, milk, fruits, nuts, and grains. When patients follow these guidelines their yeast problems diminish, most important is the complete elimination of all simple sugars in the diet meaning no cane or beet sugar, honey, milk (contains lactose), high fructose corn syrup, maple syrup, or molasses.

Candida Control With Probiotics

In addition to diet it is well established that probiotic supplements provide added benefit that helps reduce Candida overgrowth: The Probiotics Revolution by Gary B. Huffnagle, Ph.D. (Bantam Books, 2007) discusses the mechanisms involved. Our intestinal surfaces contain finger-like extensions called villi and microvilli that are surrounded by a mucus layer.

Billions of microorganisms, including yeast and bacteria, competitively associate with these structures vying for nutrients and space. Probiotic bacteria from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera act as microbial police by maintaining a peaceful balance where potentially harmful microbes such as Candida are kept in check.

Probiotics do this by competitive exclusion (called C.E.) and by producing lactic acid and other metabolites that inhibit Candida. When antibiotics kill off the probiotics this policing action is lost – and replacing it with a medical strength probiotic supplement becomes critical.

NOTE: probiotic fortified yogurts (See "Probiotic Myths Explained") do not deliver enough viable colony forming units (CFU) into the intestinal tract to be effective in controlling Candida, results published by companies making these products show > 99% of the probiotics are killed by stomach acid. Only medical strength probiotic supplements with acid-proof delivery provide enough probiotic strength.

Candida Control With TruFlora™

TruFlora™ represents a new concept in probiotic technology for Candida control. By using a patented alginate-gel formulation, all three Lactobacillus species in TruFlora™ are delivered through the stomach into the small intestine alive at a minimum strength of 12 billion CFU. TruFlora’s three Lactobacillus species, L. plantarum (LP-29), L. salivarius (LS-30) and L. sporogenes (BC-705) rapidly produce lactic acid in the intestinal contents and in the mucus layer surrounding the villi.

It is well established that Candida growth is checked by lactic acid (see Huffnagle reference above). Each lot of TruFlora™ is assayed for lactic acid producing activity, CFU and purity by an independent microbiology laboratory (Minnesota Valley Testing Laboratory, New Ulm, MN) and is reported online by lot number at http://www.truflora.com/.

In addition to strong probiotic activity, a second Candida controlling effect is built into the TruFlora™ formula: Two betaglucan digesting enzymes, BETAGLUCANASE (400 BGU/capsule) and HEMICELLULASE (10,000 HCU/capsule) work synergistically to digest the betaglucans that comprise the cell walls and hyphae of Candida.

These enzymes are present at the high potencies required to effect rapid betaglucan digestion, both are food-grade digestive enzymes listed as G.R.A.S. by the FDA. The combination of high strength probiotics having guaranteed lactic acid producing activity and high strength betaglucan digesting enzymes separates TruFlora™ from other probiotic and enzyme products making it the #1 choice for Candida control. TruFlora™ is protected by U.S. Patents 7,122,370 and 7,229,818 *

TruFlora™ dose rate for Candida control: One (1) capsule daily. Continue at this dose until symptoms improve then back off to one (1) capsule every-other-day for maintenance. Always check with your doctor or primary care medical professional before instituting any new therapy. Visit: http://www.truflora.net/

Bacillus coagulans BC-705 – TruFlora’s High Powered Probiotic Strain

Bacillus coagulans BC-705, also know as Lactobacillus sporogenes, is a spore forming probiotic that produces L (+) Lactic acid. It has been used worldwide as a human probiotic for over 40 years and has an exemplary safety record with infants, children and adults of all ages. It is antagonistic toward many non-probiotic microorgansisms such as E. coli, Salmonella and Candida and cooperates synergistically with other probiotic strains.

BC-705 is found in the medical strength probiotic TruFlora™ at 2 billion CFU (colony forming units) per capsule along with two other Lactobacillus species and two betaglucan digesting enzymes (see Table 1 below). Two billion CFU/capsule is a high strength dose for this type of probiotic which spends most of its time colonizing intestinal contents in the small intestine and colon. It is synergistic with other probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus strains which spend most of their time colonizing intestinal surfaces.

When used in ROTATION with other probiotics, BC-705 expands both biodiversity and coverage within an individual’s Internal Probiotic Culture (IPC). The extent to which a person’s IPC is diverse and broad based largely determines the magnitude and type of health benefits experienced.

BC-705 has its origin as an isolate of the ATCC 7050 strain, ATCC stands for the American Type Culture Collection. It is propagated in a sterile nutrient broth held at body temperature (37 C) in stainless steel tanks under pH control and dissolved oxygen control. When it reaches maximum cell density it is allowed to sporulate (form stable endospores which are hardened dormant cells).

The spores are then harvested, freeze-dried and combined with the other ingredients in the TruFlora™ formula which utilizes patented stabilization technology assuring all ingredients survive transit through the acidic stomach. The finished TruFlora™ can prevent and/or lessen the effects of traveler’s diarrhea and control Candida when used according to instructions. It can be used alone or rotated with other probiotics (when rotating probiotics it’s best to alternate brands on a daily or weekly basis as opposed to taking them together on the same day).

TABLE 1: Active ingredients/capsule for TruFlora™ (one dose is one capsule)
Bacillus coagulans BC-705 --- 2 billion CFU
Lactobacillus plantarum LP-29 – 8 billion CFU
Lactobacillus salivarius LS-30 – 2 billion CFU
BETAGLUCANASE – 400 BGU
HEMICELLULASE – 10,000 HCU
See www.truflora.com for more information.

TABLE 2: Microbiology of Bacillus coagulans BC-705
• Gram positive rods with terminal spores
• Produces L (+) lactic acid
• Growth range: 35 C to 50 C 
Sugars fermented: Glucose, Lactose, Maltose, Raffanose, Sucrose
• Catalase: positive
• Gelatin hydrolysis: negative

TABLE 3: Clinical Indications for Bacillus coagulans BC 705
• Lactose intolerance
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Eczema
• Food allergies
• Detoxifies intestinal contents
• Lowers cholesterol
• Enhances Immune system
• Candida antagonist

Randolph S. Porubcan, MSc
Microbiologist/Biochemist