Best Natural Antifungal Dietary Supplements
February 09, 2022
Fungal infections are a common health issue that many people struggle with. Often, many people are unaware they even have a fungal infection, as the symptoms of fungal infections can resemble the symptoms of other conditions. Additionally, one can have a fungal infection with no noticeable symptoms.
Fungal infections can occur anywhere on or in the body, but they most commonly affect the skin, mouth, vagina, and gut. In general, a fungal infection in the gut is at the root of other fungal infections and occurs when numbers of fungi increase in the gut microbiome.
In small numbers, fungi make up a natural part of the microbiome. When their numbers increase, however, they can spread to other areas of the body and lead to a fungal infection. Candida albicans, a type of yeast (single-celled fungi), is by far the most common species of fungi to cause infections in the body. You can learn all about Candida in our article “Symptoms of Candida & Fungal Infections.”
In this article, we are going to cover the best anti fungal supplements for Candida:
- Candida Cleanse Tonic
The Candida Cleanse Tonic uses 7 clinically-studied anti fungal herbs that help eliminate Candida and return their population back to normal levels.† We at Zuma Nutrition created this antifungal supplement after decades of research and practice working with people struggling with Candida infections. The herbs in this formula have been shown to specifically eliminate Candida yeast, among other types of fungus, and can drastically reduce Candida populations, helping to restore balance in the gut.
Our formula uses a therapeutic extraction process to concentrate the active ingredients into a therapeutic liquid extract that is significantly more potent than regular tea powders or capsules. The high quality active ingredient extracts in our organic Candida Cleanse tonic are also completely water soluble, so they’re absorbed immediately in the bloodstream and not lost in the digestive tract.
We recommend this anti fungal supplement along with our Complete Candida Cleanse & Gut Reset Protocol for anyone struggling with Candida and fungal infections. The protocol covers not just the benefits of our Candida Cleanse Tonic, but provides in depth education on what Candida is, how Candida infections occur, symptoms of infection, and most importantly, how to get rid of Candida with the best natural antifungal supplements, dietary protocol, and lifestyle tips. Candida is a difficult infection to treat, so following a complete protocol is the best way to ensure real results. It is our top recommended protocol of supplements for yeast infections.
The Candida Cleanse Tonic includes a synergistic blend of some of the best natural anti fungal supplements and herbs:
Oregon Grape Root Extract – a powerful antifungal that is one of the best herbs for eliminating Candida. It contains a very strong antifungal agent called berberine. In numerous studies, berberine extract has been shown to have significant antimicrobial activity against bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and yeasts. Studies have also shown that berberine has a significant antifungal effect against the Candida albicans strain in particular, which is the most common type of Candida leading to infection in humans.
Goldenseal Extract – like Oregon grape root, goldenseal root is also high in berberine. Studies show that the antifungal action of berberine enables it to inhibit the growth of various Candida species. Berberine helps to enhance the body’s overall defense system by activating macrophages (white blood cells), allowing it to fight not only Candida infection but other invading pathogens as well.
Grape Seed Extract – derived from the ground-up seeds of red wine grapes. It is rich in antioxidants and has numerous health benefits. It is also powerfully antifungal. Studies show that grape seed extract has a strong effect against various types of fungi, including Candida yeast.
Echinacea – this potent herb targets and attacks the structure of the fungal cell wall. Studies on Echinacea have shown that yeast treated with Echinacea are significantly more prone to cell wall damage than non-treated cells. Researchers have concluded that there is compelling evidence that the fungal cell wall is a primary target of Echinacea extracts and Echinacea may therefore be an effective remedy in treating fungal infections.
Clove Extract – Cloves have potent antiparasitic, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Studies show that cloves strongly inhibit spore germination and mycelial growth of fungi, and the volatile vapor of clove essential oil has shown significant fungistatic (inhibits the growth of fungi) and fungicidal (kills fungi) activity.
Ginger Extract– Ginger contains antifungal compounds called gingerol and shagelol as well as potent anti-inflammatory agents. Research shows that ginger can inhibit the growth of the common Candida albicans strain, as well as several other strains of yeasts, including A. baumannii, B. cereus, and Candida krusei.
Ginseng Extract– Ginseng is a popular herb in Chinese medicine that is commonly praised for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune boosting effects. It also has powerful antifungal effects. One significant study on ginseng showed that the saponins in ginseng have fungicidal (fungi-killing) effects toward the pathogenic fungi that were tested—the primary of which was Candida albicans. The results suggest that ginsenosides, major active compounds in ginseng, may exert antifungal activity by disrupting the structure of the fungal cell membrane.
All of the herbs used in our Candida Cleanse Tonic are only harvested when they are at their peak level of potency. This ensures that the active ingredients are as strong and effective as possible. Plus, they are 100% sustainable and wildcrafted. Which means, no pesticides, preservatives, chemical fillers, or genetically modified ingredients.
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Oregano Oil
Oregano oil has a great reputation as a powerful antifungal supplement. Oregano oil is the extract of oregano concentrated in a carrier oil. It is different from oregano essential oil, which is not meant to be consumed internally.
Oregano is one of the best supplements for fungus infections because it contains compounds called phenols, terpenes, and terpenoids that have powerful antioxidant and antifungal properties. These compounds are also responsible for the powerful aroma of oregano.
Carvacrol is the most abundant phenol in oregano, and has been studied extensively for its many health benefits. Research on carvacol shows that it can inhibit the growth of several different types of bacteria and fungi. Thymol, another compound in oregano, is also a natural antifungal compound with immune-boosting properties.
Part of the difficulty in treating Candida infections is that Candida forms a biofilm that protects it from antibodies, antifungal compounds and other substances that may harm the Candida yeast. In order to get rid of Candida infections, you have to get rid of the biofilm that protects it using certain compounds that can act as biofilm disrupters. A biofilm disrupter can break down the protective biofilm. Once the biofilm is gone, Candida are vulnerable and are able to be killed more effectively by antifungal compounds.
This is one of the primary reasons oregano oil is so great as an antifungal for Candida. The carvacol found in oregano oil is a powerful biofilm disruptor that has been shown in numerous studies to be effective at breaking down Candida biofilm, regardless of the maturity of the biofilm. With biofilm disruptors like carvacol, one can break down Candida biofilm, making antifungal compounds like those found in the herbs in our Candida Cleanse tonic more effective at killing Candida.†
- Caprylic Acid
Caprylic acid is a compound extracted from coconut palm that has powerful antifungal properties. This compound has the interesting ability to mimic the fatty acids produced by normal gut bacteria, which are a major factor in preventing the growth of Candida. Studies on caprylic acid have shown it to be effective at killing Candida in the gut. Interestingly, however, it was only shown to be effective when used in a time-release form that allows it to be released in the lower intestinal tract, as opposed to being released in the stomach. When not used in a time-released form, this compound is far less effective. Studies on caprylic acid for Candida show that a dosage of time-release capsules between 1000 to 2000 mg taken three times a day with meals is the most effective way to use it for killing Candida.
Some people wonder, does caprylic acid kill good bacteria? studies have found that caprylic acid does not kill good bacteria but seems to exclusively kill Candida and other types of harmful pathogens in the gut.
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Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is an incredible desert plant with an impressive diversity of medicinal uses. It is used topically for skin care and sun protection, and internally for digestive health and maintaining pH balance. One great property of aloe vera, in particular aloe vera juice, is that it is powerfully antifungal.
A study published in the journal Preventive Medicine states that:
“The effect of Aloe vera juice supplementation appeared to be that of altering colonic biota. Those subjects that had heavy overgrowth of fecal bacteria and some yeast infection were found to have improved fecal colonization and decreased yeast after the Aloe vera juice supplementation. This may indicate that the Aloe vera contains an agent or agents which are mycostatic or bacteriostatic."
Research published in the National Library of Medicine studying the active constituents of aloe vera states that it contains “75 potentially active constituents: vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino acids.” Of these, saponins and salicylic acid appear to be the most effective compounds for treating fungal infections.
Research in APS Journals states that “Saponins are considered to show high antifungal activity,” while research in the journal Science Direct suggest that “salicylic acid (SA) inhibits mycelial (fungal) growth.”
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Biotin (Vitamin B7)
B vitamins are important for a wide variety of functions in the body, they are also useful antifungal vitamins. Biotin, or Vitamin B7, acts as a natural antifungal vitamin, and works most effectively when taken with a probiotic supplement. It is one of the best vitamins that fight fungal infection. Studies on biotin show that it inhibits the formation of hyphae, which are the branching filaments that all fungi, including Candida produce. As hyphae spread, they penetrate soft tissue, causing leaky gut syndrome. Butyric acid is another great anti fungal supplement for inhibiting the formation of hyphae, plus it helps restore damaged tissue to repair leaky gut. B vitamins are important for health, and biotin, in particular, is one of the best anti fungal vitamins, or vitamins that fight fungal infection.
Other Antifungal Supplements and Foods:
- Butyric acid
- Coconut oil
- Undecylenic acid
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Garlic
- Tea tree oil
- Berberine
- Horopito
- Pau d’ arco
- Olive oil
- Chamomile
Some people also use bentonite clay for Candida but this is less common and there is not much evidence to support the use of bentonite clay for Candida. Some people also use activated charcoal for Candida. While activated charcoal itself may not kill Candida, it might help to remove toxins from Candida die-off and could be supportive of a Candida detox diet in small amounts.
Fungal infections like Candida can be difficult to treat. These antifungal supplements can help to kill Candida and can make a world of difference in your health. However, the best way to treat fungal infections is by taking a holistic approach that includes more than just taking supplements, but also includes dietary and lifestyle changes and a targeted approach.
To get rid of Candida, for example, you need to:
- Starve Candida with an anti-candida diet
- Kill Candida with anti-fungal herbs
- Restore friendly bacteria in the gut to keep Candida levels low
- Rebuild the gut lining to restore gut health
We cover all of this in depth in our Complete Candida Cleanse & Gut Cleanse Protocol. Fungal infections almost always start in the gut. By eliminating fungus overgrowth and restoring your gut health, you can clear the infection at the root. This, in itself, may relieve symptoms of other fungal infections like oral thrush and vaginal yeast infections, or at the very least, will make it easier to treat these conditions with other targeted protocols.
If you want to get rid of a fungal infection, or prevent yourself from getting one in the future, the most important thing you can do is keep your gut healthy and avoid the factors that kill the beneficial bacteria in your gut microbiome, as good bacteria are your body’s natural defense system against fungal overgrowth.
Once a fungal infection has developed, you’ll need antifungal supplements to kill the fungus, but the gut is where it all starts. Take care of your gut, and your gut will take care of you!
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4143104/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24252333/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3763181/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551727/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4842230/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18175957/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31334617/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23257726/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32886641/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5187399/
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