Why treatment of candida biofilms is a necessary aspect for effective treatment of systemic yeast overgrowth and which biofilm disruptors are best for the fastest resolution of symptoms.
Yeast overgrowth, also referred to as fungal overgrowth or simply Candida, is at epidemic levels today.
This is true whether a person understands it to be a serious threat to health or not.
Most symptoms that indicate fungal overgrowth in one or more body tissues are usually treated by conventional doctors as another condition entirely. Thus, the root cause is never actually addressed.
Even holistic doctors can miss the mark by not considering the importance of breaking down biofilms as part of an effective candida treatment plan. This can ultimately lead to failure of the protocol and much frustration on the part of the patient.
Symptoms of Yeast Overgrowth (aka “Candida”)
There are a number of common symptoms that can indicate a problem with yeast overgrowth. The signs from these various strains of candida including the super-fungus Candida auris include:
- headaches (including brief “ice pick” headaches)
- skin rashes such as acne and eczema
- mucous build up in the throat nose and lungs
- sinus infections
- Itchy inner ears and skin
- Itching genital infections
- athlete’s foot
- nail fungus (usually occurring in the toenails).
If chronic, yeast overgrowth can affect the nervous system leading to many cognitive symptoms such as:
- brain fog
- poor concentration
- anxiety
- depression
- mood swings
Opportunistic yeast such as candida are organisms that normally exist harmlessly as a normal part of our internal environment.
They do not cause harm until they outgrow the good bacteria that keep balance and harmony within the body, which also keeps the immune system functioning properly.
At this point is when fungal overgrowth can wreak havoc, disrupting the immune system and progressively leading to one or more of the above symptoms.
Causes of Systemic Fungal Infections
Opportunistic bacteria and yeasts like Candida albicans don’t just spontaneously “take over”.
There’s a reason this happens!
I prefer to group these causes into three main categories: stressful lifestyle, poor diet, and pharmaceutical drugs (not just antibiotics) have a powerful impact on our gut flora providing the opening for opportunistic strains of yeast to exert authority and overgrow with dire health consequences over time.
- Diet– A diet high in sugar, starch and processed foods is fuel for yeast to thrive and multiply. One study found that biofilms of Candida are made of 32% glucose. It was found that Candida yeast needs sugar not just to reproduce, but also to create the protection in the form of a biofilm that keeps our immune system from attacking it. (1)
- Lifestyle- A stressful lifestyle can lower immunity and therefore lead to a decrease in beneficial gut flora. Remember 80% of immunity is located in the gut. Keeping bacteria in check is crucial to keeping symptoms and sickness at bay. Other factors that can lead to yeast overgrowth is exposure to chlorinated water, alcohol abuse, and digestive distress coming from a lack of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) which causes undigested food to putrefy in the gut, leading to symptoms such as constipation and diarrhea.
- Drugs- Antibiotics and the birth control pill contribute to systemic candida in a big way. These pharmaceuticals eliminate beneficial flora creating the ideal environment which allows for harmful pathogens to overgrow and take over from beneficial microbes.
Gut Flora and the Skin
Since the majority of my focus in nutrition is on skin issues, about 95% of my clients have digestive concerns and almost always have some extent of dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria), and of course, yeast or other microorganisms that need to be treated.
Beyond addressing the three main categories above, eradicating these critters is necessary to see lasting improvements in skin symptoms, whether it’s histamine-triggered acne or eczema.
Eliminating Biofilms Most Effective Treatment
Much of the information regarding yeast and candida out there addresses treatment, including diet and supplements, although leaves out a very crucial step.
There’s another side of the story that rarely gets talked about that can make all the difference.
Biofilms act as a protective shield around yeast and other microorganisms. This makes it more challenging to attack the yeast, as the antifungals usually cannot get through this matrix.
This is the case whether the antifungal is herbal or pharmaceutical.
This is how yeast hides and protects itself from being destroyed.
One study of a group of anti-fungal drugs, including Nystatin and Diflucan, found that they were initially effective until the biofilm developed. (2)
At this point, they became less effective, and after 72 hours of biofilm development, the candida cells were highly resistant.
This research indicates that drug resistance develops over time due to biofilm development. Now researchers are seeing more common anti-fungal drugs such as amphotericin B and fluconazole developing resistance as well.
Using Enzymes to Attack Yeast Biofilms
Common natural antifungals used in yeast overgrowth treatment include oregano oil, garlic, black walnut, uva ursi, berberine, and olive leaf among others. However, these alone won’t do the trick.
To properly get to and kill the microorganism that is causing the trouble, you first have to break down the biofilm that’s protecting it.
Think of it as attempting to get past a security guard. It’s possible to get through him, you just need a more comprehensive approach to ensure your game plan is effective.
Anti-fungals need to be paired with a biofilm disruptor to be most effective.
This is a combination of specific enzymes that are designed to eat their way through their matrix of protection.
Candida and other types of yeasts have no resistance and are not able to build a resistance to enzymes like they may be able to do with drugs or herbs. There are no side effects, only side benefits with this type of biofilm disruptor.
When looking for an enzyme formula (I like this one) make sure and find one that contains a varied number of enzymes to target the layer of the cell wall, biofilm, nucleus, and fibrin.
Enzymes to look for specifically in a product are cellulase, glucoamylase, amylase, invertase, protease, and serrapeptase.
Amino Acid (NAC) an Effective Biofilms Disruptor
Another agent that has been studied to also be effective as a biofilm disruptor is N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC).
NAC is an amino acid and a strong antioxidant but also has antibacterial properties. Tested on several different bacteria species, it has shown to be effective, especially in upper respiratory infections including Covid and its many mutations. (3, 4)
Because of the number of relapses in both bacterial and yeast issues, alternative treatments as these biofilm agents provide are needed to complete eradication.
I suggest working with a holistic health care practitioner who has experience treating yeast overgrowth to get an effective treatment plan.
This is why an anti-yeast/candida type diet can be difficult and usually not enough. You have to get the support to address the cause effectively otherwise you may not be seeing the results you’re after.
(1) Biofilm matrix of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis: chemical composition and role in drug resistance
(2) Biofilm Formation by the Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans: Development, Architecture, and Drug Resistance
(3) Anti-Biofilm Activity of N-Acetylcysteine as Demonstrated by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy
(4) N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibit biofilms produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
More Information
Pau d’Arco for Candida
Can Candida Sufferers Drink Kombucha?
How to Take Probiotics
Can you take anything while you are nursing to get rid of candida?? I am currently doing milk kefir grains to restore healthy flora but wondering if there is some kind of disruptor I can take while nursing?
Hi Sabrina,
I would suggest waiting till you’re done breastfeeding to take any kind of biofilm disrupter. Keep up with the diet, but hold off on the supplements till after.
Please recommend an enzyme supplement to take with all that you listed. Excellent article!
This is the one I like:
Thank you so much for posting this. I struggle with candida and leaky gut everyday after trying so many different natural remedies for both. This may be that one missing link to finally heal my body and I am definitely going to try it! Unfortunately I do not tolerate walnuts so I can’t try the specific formula you mentioned; I am open to alternative suggestions and will be adding enzymes and oregano oil to my supplement regime.
Thanks again.
You’re welcome! Hope it helps!
Had a question about the enzymes… do I need to find a formula that contains all the enzymes listed or is it ok to take just amylase or protease?
I would get a full specturm that has a variety of enzymes. This is more effective. This is the one I like:
Can pregnant women safely take these enzymes. I am currently losing the battle against yeast during pregnancy and I need some weapons!
Hi Stacey,
I would NOT recommend doing this during pregnancy. You are forcing a detox and that is not something you want to do if pregnant. I have had clients get pregnant while doing this and have had to stop treatment as it’s too dangerous.
Hello, Stacey–
I know this response is quite late, but maybe this will help someone else who reads this and is considering taking a biofilm disruptor during pregnancy:
I have had an unresponsive UTI in my third trimester. I have tried all the natural remedies (d-mannose, etc.) and two rounds of different antibiotics (one being a category C/D) without relief. I am now trying lactoferrin and InterFase (not Plus) as a last attempt at unraveling the infection. I sent the link with the product information to my OB/midwife, and she gave me the thumbs up on the InterFase. As with many drugs and supplements, there are contraindications or “unknown effects” for pregnant women, but it’s sometimes a balance of benefit vs. risk. For me, the risk of letting a UTI run rampant and perhaps throw me into premature labor (of which I am at risk already) was more pressing than possible mineral loss due to the detoxing effect of the enzymes. Know your risks, talk to your doctor or midwife. Personal medical history, gestational timing (post-first trimester), and other factors should be considered. Take added mineral supplements if mineral loss is a concern. I would not use a supplement such as this for any prolonged time during pregnancy, but for me it is better than round after round of ineffective antibiotics that do damage to my gut microbiome. (Will post an update comment if this treatment works!)
How long might it take to heal biofilm, and in turn, candida? There seems to be conflicting opinions about diet while treating these issues, some say fermented foods are important in the process, including raw milk Kefir, and others say no to them. What do you recommend is the best anti candida diet and for how long? Would you take NAC in addition to a broad spectrum enzyme? Thanks for your thoughts!
Laura
P.S.Are you familiar with Body Ecology’s enzymes? I believe they say they will help break down biofilm.
While it’s true that a high starch diet would be contraindicated, a low starch diet tends to be counterproductive due to the fact that candida can thrive off of ketones and starvation makes yeast grow exponentially. Gestalt outlined this paradox in his excellent article, which coincidentally recommends enzymes to combat candida.
http://www.gestaltreality.com/2013/09/16/how-to-eliminate-candida-biofilms/
In other words, if you try to starve candida, it will just eat you and feed off of ketones.
Given the studies and evidence cited in that article, in reality, a moderate starch diet would be best. When using whole food complex carbohydrates, which tend to be mostly water weight, you have to eat a pound of potatoes just to get to a moderate carb intake (another paradox few people realize).
Interestingly, a moderate starch diet would be the Perfect Health Diet, which recommends a pound of starchy vegetables per day—and not coincidentally, Paul Jaminet authored it as an anti-candida diet.
The logic behind eating whole food starches is that they help improve immunity by providing glycans for mucin production and they tend to be sources of resistant starch, a type of fiber that bacteria feed off of and helps suppress candida by lowering gut pH.
If you take the time to investigate it, you will see that the scientific evidence does not support starvation protocols for candida—the yeast is way too smart for that. Rather, it’s best to feed your microbiome with fermentable fibers and break down yeast biofilms and cell walls with enzymes.
Cheers.
BETTY, So are you saying in your last paragraph that fermented foods are good to take?
“best to feed your microbiome with fermentable fibers and break down yeast biofilms and cell walls with enzymes”
I eat kimchi, kombucha, probiotics, etc. and always thought these were wonderful enzymes to take for your gut/immunity. I have rashes on my legs, probably due to birth control; however did not go away once I went off. The rashes on my shins were the worse when I was pregnant- no other symptoms. I nursed and apparently gave candida to my baby. You could see it in her mouth, but no signs with me anywhere, except my legs.. which I kept getting the diagnosis of eczema. Interestingly enough is that it completely goes away during the summer. I live in MN and do not where sunscreen (except on face). So, I started thinking the VD3 was killing the rash, if that’s possible. No trace of it during the summer months… any thoughts on that?!?
This explains so much! Is there an enzyme you recommend?
Yes, this one here is what I use:
Awesome!
Definitely didn’t know about enzymes and biofilm. I’d only ever heard of biofilm in reference to Lymes.
One question: I’m a little confused about how herbal remedies kill yeast but not bacteria. Are they only anti-microbial toward things we don’t like? Thanks!
Anti-microbial herbs will kill off both, bacteria and yeast, but they do not have the dangerous associated with antibiotics. I still suggest following up with probiotics after eradicating yeast or bad bacteria with these.
Another great article from Carla! Thanks for all this well-researched information.
Thank you Deborah! 🙂
can you please recommend an Enzyme Supplement that has the enzymes listed above in it? thanks!
Yes, this is one here:
I can’t see the reply on other comments so Which enzymes would you recommend for reoccurring yeast infections? Please