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5 Natural Remedies That Can Fight Candida Albicans and Its Biofilms

on Nov 04, 2021| Modified on Apr 11, 2024
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Natural Remedies to Fight Candida Biofilms

Can Colloidal Silver, Xylitol, NAC, Probiotics, and Grapefruit Seed Extract Fight Candida Albicans and Its Biofilms?

The fungus Candida Albicans (CA) exists in humans as part of the complete microbiome of the body. The health problems associated with this fungus occur if the CA becomes overgrown and can crowd out healthful bacteria causing gut dysbiosis, which leads to ill health and disease in a negative health cycle. Fighting CA overgrowth is often tricky because this fungus generates biofilms which help protect CA from attack by the body's natural defenses. These biofilms also help protect CA from attack by highly potent prescription antifungals.

Any plan of attack against CA should include biofilm-busting agents that have shown significant activity against CA biofilms and possibly CA itself.

Some agents that have demonstrated such antibiofilm activity are Colloidal Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs), Xylitol, N Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), and Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE).

Breaking down these biofilms will allow the body to use its defense mechanisms to place CA back in check, but these four have also shown the ability to attack the fungus itself. So I would like to discuss these four supplements as they pertain to CA and CA biofilms.

N Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)

I will start with NAC because it is well known and well used by many for its potent antioxidant effects. NAC is generally recognized as a potent antioxidant that helps reduce elevated and damaging Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels. Part of the damage caused by CA is the increased ROS generation, so NAC will help lessen this damaging aspect of CA. This very brief abstract discusses the fact the CA generates significant amounts of ROS.

 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10867815/

More recent studies of NAC have investigated the effects of NAC on CA biofilms. In this next study, they cover a lot of ground because they first discuss how CA can get to other parts of the body via gut permeability (Leaky Gut) due to gut dysbiosis. Once the CA fungus escapes the intestinal tract, it can freely interact with other bacteria that have also escaped the gut. In this case, they illustrate how CA can interact with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria (Germ), and together they can create an even stronger biofilm than either one alone! NAC was shown to ameliorate this biofilm.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC7732535/

In this subsequent study, they tested two different types of CA biofilms, one resistant to the antifungal, Fluconazole and one susceptible to Fluconazole. This study showed that NAC had fungistatic effects (inhibited the growth of the fungus) against both types of biofilms at high dose, but at a low dose, NAC actually had biofilm enhancing effects. So this suggests that taking lower dose NAC with CA is not a good idea, but taking a higher amount is an excellent idea. This study went a step further and showed that NAC had synergy with some antifungals!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC7409114/

In this last study on NAC and CA, they determine that NAC inhibits and eradicates CA biofilms, which is very useful in getting the underlying fungus back to normal levels in the body.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269109392_N-acetylcysteine_Inhibits_and_Eradicates_Candida_albicans_Biofilms

Colloidal Siler Nanoparticles (AgNPs)

Silver has a long history of acting as an antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal, and antiviral. With the advent of Colloidal Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs), these activities of silver have been improved, as has the safety of this type of silver over other forms of silver used in the past.

In the case of CA, AgNPs have shown the ability to break down CA biofilms and mixed biofilms of CA and bacteria, which are even tougher and sometimes thicker biofilms. In this next study, they discuss how effective AgNPs are at inhibiting these biofilms :

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC7600790/

Here are some important quotes from the study :

>>> ' The opportunistic microbial pathogens Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus are among the most frequent causative agents of healthcare-acquired infections and are often co-isolated forming mixed biofilms, especially from contaminated catheters. These mixed-species biofilms display a high level of antibiotic resistance; thus, these infections are challenging to treat, resulting in excess morbidity and mortality. ' <<<

>>> ' Our group has previously reported on the activity of pure positively charged silver nanoparticles synthesized by a novel microwave technique against single-species biofilms of C. Albicans and S. aureus. Here, we have expanded our observations to demonstrate that silver nanoparticles display dose-dependent activity against dual-species C. albicans/S. Aureus biofilms. Moreover, the same nanoparticles were used to functionalize catheter materials, effectively inhibiting the mixed fungal/bacterial biofilms. Overall, our results indicate the potent activity of silver nanoparticles against these cross-kingdom biofilms. ' <<<

In this next study, they conclude that AgNPs are potent CA biofilm busters by disrupting biofilms' cell membrane/wall.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4678641/

This next study seems very interesting because it not only shows that AgNPs are effective against CA itself as well as many other pathogens, but it also shows that the addition of N Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) increases the antimicrobial activity of AgNPs against CA, so they are synergistic for this purpose.

 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28543603/

Here are some very important quotes from this study:

>>> ' Antimicrobial activities of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were tested against standard ATCC strains of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 9144), Escherichia coli (O157:H7), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), and Candida albicans (ATCC 90028) in addition to 60 clinical isolates collected from cancer patients. "<<<

>>> ' AgNPs showed robust antimicrobial activity against all tested pathogens, and NAC substantially enhanced the antimicrobial activity of AgNPs against all tested pathogens. Synergism between AgNPs and NAC has been confirmed by checkerboard assay. The effect of AgNPs on tested pathogens was further scrutinized by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), which showed disruption of the cell wall in both bacteria and fungi. ' <<<

>>> ' Taken together, AgNPs have robust antimicrobial activity, and NAC substantially enhances their antimicrobial activities against MDR (Multi-Drug Resistant) pathogens which would provide a novel, safe, effective, and inexpensive therapeutic approach to control the prevalence of MDR pathogens. ' <<<

Xylitol

The next study below shows that Xylitol is a very potent inhibitor of CA in a dose-dependent manner. This is important because sugar is considered something that CA thrives on. Xylitol is one of the best-tasting sugar substitutes, yet it can be lethal to CA, and Xylitol also acts as a healthful prebiotic. Having a viable alternative for sugar is of significant importance in fighting CA:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29422459/

Here is a useful quote from the study :

>>> ' By knowing the MIC and MFC of Xylitol, this substance can be effectively used in products aimed to cure this fungal infection. ' <<<

This next very brief abstract shows that Xylitol is also a very potent inhibitor of CA biofilms and is worth the quick read :

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26456320/

Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)

GSE is noted for its potent antifungal effects, but studies of GSE and CA are very limited. Here is one article that clearly states the effectiveness of GSE as a potent CA fighter and suggests its use as part of an anti-candida regimen. This is not a long article and is definitely worth the read because it also mentions a few other health benefits of GSE.

 https://www.thecandidadiet.com/grapefruit-seed/

The Role Of The Gut Biome

Lastly, if you feel that your CA is systemic, then it will be very useful to use Coconut Oil and probiotics that have antifungal and anti-candida activity to help improve the gut microbiome and inhibit fungal growth. Here is a list of some probiotic bacterial strains that have shown activity against CA and other fungi and may potentially help improve the gut biome, so it is a very hostile place for CA to flourish in.

1. Saccharomyces Boulardii - Top species for CA Available in Florastor

2. Lactobacillus Acidophilus NCFM - Renew Life / Ultimate Flora / Extra Care Probiotic 

3. Lactobacillus Rhamnosus - Renew Life / Ultimate Flora / Extra Care Probiotic 

4. Cold-Pressed Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) - Viva Naturals Organic Coconut 

Conclusion

Candida Albicans can be very challenging to reduce back to levels seen in healthy people, but the combination of all of the above should be a highly potent combination that should be able to achieve that goal along with a shift to a healthier diet incorporating fiber, fermentable fiber and much less sugar intake in its many forms. These are potent CA and CA Biofilm fighters that should also allow your body's natural defense system to work in unison with these supplements once the biofilms are broken down and if I have a serious CA overgrowth that I have not been able to get rid of, I need to use these remedies under my doctor's supervision and guidance.

The following is how I would use this regimen for myself, but you should consult your doctor to make sure that all of this will be safe for you and compatible with what you are currently taking.

It is advisable to start low and slow because if I use all of the above all at once, the die-off will cause serious reactions as my body tries to deal with the dead and toxic debris. This can result in headaches, flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, joint aches, and other problems, so I want to start very slowly with one item at a time, such as one probiotic first.

Warning:

The symptoms of die-off can be very similar to Covid-19 and this is another good reason to include my doctor's supervision because he can have me tested quickly to make sure it is not Covid-19 a life-threatening disease.

Preferably the Florastor first. Once I find I am tolerating the package dosing schedule, then I can try adding the other probiotic to recommended label dosing. Next, I can add VCO slowly such as 1 teaspoon a day. When I can tolerate that then I can try slowly increasing the VCO up towards 2 tablespoons per day. VCO contains Caprylic Acid which can destroy the cell membrane walls of CA.

Next, I can try adding the Xylitol at 4 grams a day and then slowly work up to 10 to 12 grams per day using it as a sweetener for tea, coffee, lemonade, oatmeal, etc. Once I am up to 10 to 12 grams a day, I can consider adding the GSE at the minimum label dosing and then work my way up to the higher label dosing.

Although the NAC and AgNPs have shown synergy against CA and CA biofilms, I feel they are too strong to be taken together initially. So I would start at the label recommended dose of NAC and work my way up to dose levels I have tested on myself in the past that I was able to tolerate. Although I have tolerated up to 1800 mg a day in divided doses, I would go no higher than 1200 mg per day in divided doses for CA. NAC can be a little rough on the stomach and is noted for causing stomach issues such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

Lastly, I would start the colloidal silver at low dosing as it may be the most potent of the bunch at fighting CA and its biofilms, and only if it is needed if the CA is not fully reduced back to healthy levels. In the studies above and elsewhere, it was clear that AgNPs are a very potent inhibitor of CA and CA biofilms and that is one of the reasons I would save it for last to be used only if there is still CA overgrowth issues, But I would think in most cases there wouldn't be by this point in the regimen. Remember, CA is a natural part of our microbiome, so I am not trying to eradicate it, but rather bring it back to normal levels to help maintain broad gut microbiome diversity as seen in healthy people!

Where to Buy

1. Florastor 

Florastor Daily Probiotic Supplement for Men and Women – Saccharomyces Boulardii lyo CNCM I-745 (250 mg; 100 Capsules)

2. Renew Life / Ultimate Flora / Extra Care Probiotic 

Renew Life Adult Probiotics 30 Billion CFU Guaranteed, 12 Strains, For Men & Women, Shelf Stable, Gluten Dairy & Soy Free, Ultimate Flora Extra Care, 60 Count, Pack of 1

3. VCO

https://www.vitacost.com/nutiva-organic-virgin-coconut-oil-15-fl-oz

4. Xylitol

https://www.vitacost.com/now-foods-real-food-xylitol-1-lb

5. GSE

https://www.vitacost.com/nutribiotic-grapefruit-seed-extract-250-mg-60-capsules-1

6. NAC

https://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-premium-nac-n-acetyl-cysteine-600-mg-100-caps

7. Colloidal Silver Nanoparticles

Colloidal Silver is now manufactured and sold by Earth Clinic!

https://shop.earthclinic.com/collections/earth-clinic-colloidal-silver

Art

Got a question for Art about these remedies for Candida? Send us a post and he'll answer it!

About The Author

Art Solbrig is a researcher who has been reading scientific studies and testing natural remedies for over 30 years searching for useful studies and alternatives that apply positively to human health issues and natural treatments using minerals, vitamins, amino acids, essential oils, herbs, homeopathy, colloidal silver, combination treatments, and other alternatives to improve the quality of life of others by writing about his findings and test results in places like Earth Clinic. He documents and writes about many of his experiences in helping others. Art is a native of sunny California.
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Article Q&A

4 User Reviews
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Posted by Marc (California) on 04/10/2024

First time poster & re: Mold/ fungi / biofilms

Thank you Art for this information - I've been using GSE a short time and it seems to be helping so I've looked further and found this post.

My question: do you think this described protocol would be effective against systemic mold infection; the type from water damaged building materials or moldy wood or cellulose products? I suspect that; I have both something in the chest and sinuses and the sinus has been long term (years) undiagnosed; considered it allergies. Had exposure to WDB's in the past. Thought it may be a viral that just hangs on (long virus, or organizing pneumonia). No fever or signs of bacterial infection, no energy or exercise tolerance, constant mucous discharge. I want to go after the biofilms protecting any fungi or mold growth; then the fungi or mold themselves.

With much gratitude...

EC: Hi Marc, you didn't specify which article or post from Art you are referring to, so we put your post on this page: https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/how-to-inhibit-candida-biofilm.html. Please share the URL to his post if you can find it.

Replied by Art
(California)
04/11/2024
2325 posts

Hi Marc,

You didn't say which article you are referring to and I have written a lot, but it seems like the most important thing initially is to get out of the place that has the high mold content. In addition to remedies I mentioned in the article you read, it will likely be beneficial to also include monolaurin for it antifungal and anti inflammatory qualities.

As far as will the remedies be effective for your specific purpose, as with all supplements or prescription medications, it will come down to trial and error to find out what is most effective.

Art

Article Q&A
Posted by ABC (Nepal) on 08/01/2022

Hello, I have been suffering from invasive candidiasis with a wide range of symptoms which I posted earlier as well.

My symptoms are,

Twitches in brain, Heart Issues(Pain in the heart, severe heartbeat, angina, left bosy pain), Liver pain, rashes, thick discharge, abodmen pain, kidney pain, loss of memory, muslce aches, low blood pressure, Basically this candida has invaded my entire body and recently I have started taking supplements,

  • VITAMINC C 1000 MG 3 TIMES
  • SELENIUM 500 MG- 2 TIMES
  • Vitamin B3 Niacinamide:500 mg twice a day
  • Magnesium- 250 mg twice a day
  • Vitamin E -500 Mg once a day
  • Arjuna - 1 capsules
  • Borax- 5 times a week
  • Iodine- 8 drops a day
  • Methylene Blue-2 drops a day

And I am planning to add these things in my diet as well,

  • Resveratrol
  • Interfase( Also, could you please tell me the dosage for interfase how many capsules should I take and for how long??)
  • Quercentin( Which I believe aids in breaking Candida biofilm)

I want to know I have been taking all these supplements for around 3 weeks, so how long should I take all these supplements?

I don know if I will beat this horrible monster or not, BUT Your help would be appreciated.

Replied by Art
(California)
08/01/2022
2325 posts

ABC,

If the Candidiasis is as evolved as you are saying, it seems odd that you did not mention any type of die off after starting on your treatment regimen? The MB, Borax and Iodine are potent antifungals that could have potentially produced a significant die off when applied together.

Another supplement you might consider is Grapefruit Seed Extract in liquid and or capsule form which is also a potent antifungal among other things.

Art

Article Q&A
Posted by Phillip (US) on 11/20/2021

Do biofilms evolve in the pancreas? I am trying to understand biofilms and how they are produced/where they begin?

I had not heard of them before EC.

Replied by Art
(California)
11/20/2021
2325 posts

Phillip,

Biofilms are a formation of microbes that can adhere to moist surfaces. They can be found in many places such as on metals and including the body. They can form around pathogens in the body and these biofilms can protect some pathogens from the body's defense systems and also from pharmaceuticals meant to kill the underlying pathogen. That is the main way in which they cause health problems in people. There are known biofilm busters of varying effectiveness.

A very common biofilm that is present in many people is tooth plaque. Generally, biofilms are not good for our health. To answer your question, yes biofilms can form in the pancreas. I think this is more likely in a diseased pancreas.

Art

Article Q&A
Posted by Ed. F. (US) on 11/05/2021
 ★★★★★

Hi Art,

What about serrapeptase opening biofilm and black seed oil to kill the toxins, then binder to flush out? Will this work also?

Replied by Art
(California)
11/05/2021
2325 posts

Hello Ed. F.,

Although there is significant anecdotal evidence for using serrapeptase for CA, there are no studies currently available that confirm that action. Given the known activity of serrapeptase, it seems likely that it should be active against CA, so it definitely seems worth a try and if it turns out be not effective enough, you can always try the ones I mentioned.

Art

Article Q&A
Posted by Patrick J. on 11/05/2021
 ★★★★★

Terrific article, thank you.

Would taking the Colloidal Silver and NAC alone be beneficial to one's health?Thank you,

Pat

Replied by Art
(California)
11/05/2021
2325 posts

Hi Pat,

I believe that there are definite benefits to taking the potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory NAC on the regular, but my view of Colloidal Silver(CS) is not the same and I will explain why.

I look at CS as a potent antibacterial with some similarities to antibiotics. I also see it as a potent antiviral with some similarities to prescription antivirals. It also has antifungal effects that can rival some antifungal prescription medications as well as modest anti parasitic effects.

Would you take an antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal or anti parasitic for the rest of your life whether you needed it or not? Probably not. Since CS has these very specific activities, my opinion is that I should reserve it for when I really need it and the reason for this is simple. There are already bacterial strains that are resistant to CS and taking low to moderate doses of CS everyday is likely to create more bacteria that are resistant to CS and this is something that we absolutely don't need!

I know a lot of people will not like the above statement because they take lower doses of CS daily and feel that it keeps them healthy and I don't doubt it, but this is one way that bacteria can become resistant to CS after long exposure at sub-toxic dosing levels. This is already more than evident with prescription antibiotics where there are now many bacteria that are becoming extremely resistant to these antibiotics that used to be highly effective not long ago. A good example of this is Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus or MRSA which is becoming more and more common everyday.

The other thing to consider is that CS is a broad spectrum antimicrobial and as such will kill some good bacteria along with the bad. It may kill more pathogenic bacteria than healthful bacteria, but the fact remains that it does kill good bacteria also and this ultimately has the potential to have a negative impact on the gut microbiome and a perturbed gut microbiome is absolutely not good for our long term health! This recent study, although only an animal study, shows the negative impact that CS can have in terms of reduced gut microbiome diversity and reduced short chain fatty acids which are both bad for our longer term health outlook. It also showed that it can take 8 weeks to recover most of the deficits created by CS. If you use it everyday, it may be impossible for the gut microbiome to ever recover resulting in gut dysbiosis which is not a good thing by any stretch of the imagination.

My preference is to conserve CS for times when I absolutely need it and use it no longer than is needed to achieve the desired effects, such as destruction of a toxic bacterial overgrowth.

Art

Betty
(CA)
11/06/2021

Thank you, Art! I have been on NAC (2400mg) for a while as part of my anti-cancer protocol.

Art
(California)
11/06/2021
2325 posts

Hi Betty,

You must have a tough stomach! I wasn't able to handle 2400 mg of NAC for long. You didn't say what type of cancer, but if it is colon cancer (CC), taking a biofilm buster like NAC can be useful in breaking down biofilms which protect bacteria that are noted for protecting certain bacteria that contribute to CC. It is important to remember that CA is not the only pathogen that uses biofilms to protect itself and utilizing these biofilm busters can be useful against many other biofilm forming pathogens!

Art

Replied by Madelyn
(Idaho)
11/06/2021

Hello Art,

Thank you for sharing this important piece of information about colloidal silver. I had not heard of the study on animals showing its impact on gut microbiome and time needed to rebalance the gut. Thank you for all your contributions to our EC community :)

Art
(California)
11/06/2021
2325 posts

Hi Madelyn,

I think I forgot to include that study link showing how silver can have a negative impact on the gut microbiome, so here is the link I was referring to :

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691521003859?via=ihub

Notice that even after 8 weeks post AgNPs, the gut biome was not fully restored in some cases. Their max dose of silver nanoparticles used in this study for the mice was 2.5 mg/kg. When compared to a human equivalence for somebody around my size this would be approximately 16.5 mg/AgNPs/day or roughly about 3/4ths of one quart of 20 ppm colloidal silver per day. This is a lower dose than my standard loading dose, but higher than my standard maintenance dose of AgNPs to fight a pathogen in my body. The lowest dose used in this study, in my opinion, is too low to be useful against pathogens, but even that dose had a negative effect on the gut microbiome. The decrease in short chain fatty acids or SCFAs is very bad for us on a longer term basis as these help in multiple ways to maintain gut homeostasis and are often depleted in multiple disease states.

Art

Betty
(CA)
11/06/2021

Hi Art, yes CRC. Had to work up NAC to 2400mg per day. Started at 1200mg per day. IP6 is one that gets my gut still to this day. Thank you for explaining bacteria and biofilms. The body is an amazing machine but needs help sometimes for sure. EC is great and so are you.

Barbara
(DeLand, FL)
06/08/2022

I have never heard of IP6. Do you take it in addition to NAC? I have systemic Candida Albicans, not cancer. What brand and where to you purchase IP6? I prefer Pure Encapsulations supplements because they are hypoallergenic and contain no fillers.

Art
(California)
11/07/2021
2325 posts

Hi Betty,

I found this quote that I thought you might find of interest,

>>> ' Except for AgNP1, the growth inhibition potency of AgNP formulations of human colon tumor cancer cells (HCT-15) is 34.5 times higher than carboplatin, one of the first-line chemotherapy agents. Nevertheless, 5-10% of necrotic events, even at the lower concentration evaluated, were observed. The cytotoxic selectivity was confirmed by evaluating the cytotoxic effect on aorta, spleen, heart, liver, and kidney primary cultures from BALB/c mice. Despite the cytotoxic effects observed in vitro, the lethal dose and histopathological analysis showed the low toxicity of these formulations (all of them on Category 4 of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) and minor damage observed on analyzed organs. ' <<<

Here is where that quote came from :

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC8308985/

Considering that AgNPs (Colloidal Silver Nanoparticles) have also been shown to destroy some biofilms of certain bacteria that are noted for contributing to the formation of colon cancer, AgNPs seem to be worth reading about. If I'm not mistaken, I believe Earth Clinic has just started selling colloidal silver or will be soon.

Art

Betty
(CA)
11/08/2021

You know, this brings up something I have missed, the cancer cell line. I have no idea the HCT-. My cancer is really considered rectal due to location.

Article Q&A
Posted by Coco (Oklahoma City, OK) on 11/05/2021
 ★★★★★

Art,

What is considered a low dose of N.A.C and what is a high dose?

Coco - Oklahoma

Replied by Art
(California)
11/05/2021
2325 posts

Hello Coco,

A dosage of less than 600 mg/day would be a low dose. In the case of CA, 1200 seems like it may be more useful based on what that study showed and most people should be able to tolerate that dose. I ran into problems when I got to 2400 mg/day in divided doses. My stomach couldn't handle 2400 mg of NAC after just a very short test at that dose.

Art

Article Q&A
Posted by Tim (Minnesota) on 11/04/2021 8 posts
 ★★★★★

What about Stevia for CA? Stevia combats Lyme...

Replied by Art
(Caliufornia)
11/05/2021
2325 posts

Hi Tim,

Yes, Stevia has anti Candida a. qualities also.

Art

Art
(California)
06/10/2022
2325 posts

This new study regarding Berberine suggests that it too may be useful in helping to fight Candida Albicans (CA) by helping to restore the effectiveness of Fluconazole against CA :

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35679157/

Here is a relevant quote from the study :

>>> ' BH inhibited fluconazole-resistant C. albicans and the sensitivity to fluconazole increased after BH treatment. ' <<<

Art

EQuinn
(New York NY)
02/07/2023

Art, we are very grateful for your researches and advises; I'm following your protocol with NAC and grapefruit sees extract for my adult son who has an extreme gluten resistance and many others maladies due to Candida overload. I would like to ask if it could be helpful to add Berberine to the above protocol and, in your opinion what dosage could be used daily. My son is 6.2 ft tall, 240 pounds.

Much respect and thank you in advance,

Esther

Art
(California)
02/08/2023
2325 posts

EQuinn,

Berberine has fairly potent antifungal activities on top of its anti inflammatory, antioxidant, anti cancer, antimicrobial and gut microbiome altering effects. Those qualities should make it a useful addition to an anti candida regimen. The following article discusses the use of berberine as an antifungal and you may find it interesting :

https://www.thecandidadiet.com/berberine-antifungal/

Here is a relevant quote :

'

' Fluconazole is a standard treatment for Candida infections. When Fluconazole is used together with berberine against Candida albicans that has been grown on a plate, the two have a synergistic effect, which means that they are more powerful when used together than the sum of either of them used individually (4).

Further work was undertaken in 2013 which showed that berberine damages the DNA of Candida albicans and fluconazole increases the amount of berberine that can enter the yeast cells (5).

Berberine has been proven to be selective in its effects. This means that it can target Candida, and yet does not harm the beneficial microbes including Lactobacilli and Bifidobacter species, that we wish to encourage as part of a healthy microbiome. '

In the following study, the synergy between Berberine and the highly potent antifungal, Fluconazole is discussed. They also discuss how Berberine is helpful with Fluconazole in fighting Fluconazole resistant pathogens :

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35679157/

Here is a relevant quote :

' BH affects multiple target genes in diminishing the resistance of C. albicans strains to fluconazole. This effect may be related to the action of BH on the HOG-MAPK pathway. '

Lastly, in the following study the effectiveness of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) is tested against multiple forms of Candida :

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212555821000545#:~:text=GSE demonstrated a fungicidal effect, were killed by GSE-treated.

Here is a relevant study quote :

' GSE demonstrated a fungicidal effect against all tested Candida species, whereas miconazole demonstrated a fungicidal effect against only C. albicans. SEM images showed various cell damage patterns in GSE-treated Candida cells. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that almost all Candida cells were killed by GSE-treated. '

Art

Art
(California)
02/08/2023
2325 posts

EQuinn, I forgot to discuss dosing. In human studies, they typically use a total of 1500 mg per day total in three divided doses of 500 mg each. Typically this is taken at 500 mg before breakfast, 500 mg before lunch and 500 mg before dinner. In my experience, some people report upset stomach if taken before a meal and in such cases taking the berberine with the meal is helpful in alleviating any stomach upset until the body adjusts to berberine . Art

EQuinn
(New York NY)
02/09/2023

Art,

Thank you so much for your knowledgeable reply and referential articles. I will follow your advise for my son and will report the progress as soon as I see it, I have faith and your interest to help others suffering, makes it stronger. Thank you and Thanks to Earth Clinic.

Art
(California)
02/09/2023
2325 posts

EQuinn,

Thank you for saying so and I agree, thanks to Earth Clinic and Deirdre Layne for making it all possible. There are so many accessible and well organized remedies on EC at our fingertips. It is easy to take this service for granted, but if it were gone tomorrow, thousands of people would be at a loss without it. I come here all the time to access remedies and I would definitely be lost without it. Thank you, Deirdre, for putting EC together and keeping it going as you have for well over a decade!!!

Art


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