Bees (Yes, the Buzzing Ones) Against Candida!
Let's discuss Candida... and bees. Sinus congestion and gut problems (e.g., gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation) typically suggest an overgrowth of fungus. But as women know, repeatedly taking antibiotics makes fungal infections like Candida worse. And repeated use of antibiotics is why sinusitis becomes chronic.
A study published in the Mayo Clinic Journal showed that over 90% of chronic sinusitis cases are caused by fungal issues. And many, if not most, people with these kinds of gut issues also have an imbalance of excess Candida.
There is no reliable test for these outside of the research lab. So instead, people need to try balancing their Candida to see if it helps. My preference for doing this is the medication Diflucan (200 mg a day for six weeks). Unfortunately, many people have trouble getting a prescription for this from their physician, and natural products just didn’t do the job.
Bees to the Rescue!
Bees have been making a resin-like material from the buds of cone-bearing tress for eons. Called propolis, they use it to build and protect their honey hives from infections and biofilms. Now dozens of studies are suggesting it also provides health benefits to humans in the form of a nutritional supplement. And it turns out that taking propolis in combination with berberine and a good probiotic provides an effective and natural way to keep numerous unhealthy bugs in check!
Propolis and Berberine Keep Candida and Other Bugs in Balance
Having the sweetest house in town can attract all kinds of pests — from bears to yeast infections, bacteria and viruses.
A bee’s main defense against bears are the thousands of stingers a hive can summon on an instants notice. But dozens of studies are showing that the propolis they make creates an even more effective defense when it comes to protection from yeast, bacteria and viruses. Not only is it incredibly effective in inhibiting the growth of these microorganisms, it's also powerfully effective in reducing the capability of biofilms to weaken our immune system's ability to kill off the infectious microscopic bugs that so often invade our bodies.
See some of the findings made by a review of over a hundred propolis studies:
Propolis Has Been Used for Centuries
“Humans have used propolis therapeutically for centuries [for its] antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties… propolis acts by disrupting the ability of the pathogens to invade the host cells …[and ] also inhibits the replication process of the pathogens.”
Propolis Is Safe
It is very safe, kind of like eating honeycomb without the honey. Propolis lines the entrance to each of the cells, making sure that unhealthy microorganisms cannot pass.
Natural Cyclodextrin Makes It Even Better
And now we have learned that another natural substance called cyclodextrin can dramatically increase the absorption of many compounds, making them far more effective. The cyclodextrin also helps keep the microscopic bugs of many kinds in check. Kind of like getting a 2 for 1 :-)
I take Terry Naturally's Propolis Extract EP300™ Chewables 1-2 twice a day, which includes the cyclodextrin in its propolis formulation.
To keep these unwelcome bugs in check, it is best to hit them from several directions at once. So, I like to add Berberine 500 mg two to three times a day, which also kills many fungi and parasites. I take this daily myself because it has so many benefits. It can help the gut and sinuses after 6-8 weeks of use. It also helps cholesterol and blood pressure by improving insulin sensitivity (a very good thing!).
Add in a good probiotic like Terry Naturally's FloraSure® Probiotic, which has 40 billion healthy stomach acid resistant bacteria, and you’ve got a great team for keeping unwelcome organisms in balance — without antibiotics or prescription antifungals.
Your gut and sinuses will thank you, as will your energy and overall well-being :-)
Addressing Stubborn Sinusitis With a Highly Effective Prescription Nose Spray
Getting rid of unwelcome Candida and fungi is step one. Above, we discussed how to keep these in check. For stubborn sinusitis, adding a special compounded nose spray can work wonders. I combine it with the medication Diflucan 200 mg a day and/or simply with the supplements above for 2 to 3 months.
Ask your physician to prescribe the "Sinusitis Nose Spray" from ITC pharmacy (303-663-4224). It is a prescription, containing an antifungal, antibacterials, and medication to shrink the swelling. The dose is two sprays in each nostril twice a day for 8 to 12 weeks. When combined with the above and nasal rinses, it is wonderful how chronic sinusitis often goes away. It is also very safe.
Insurance will not pay for the compounded spray (about $100 for six weeks), but it is well worth it. The pharmacist at ITC, Allan Jolly RPh, can guide your physician (or their staff) on its use, and they can mail the product to you.
Another major benefit? The nose spray can also kill off the toxin producing MRSA bacterial infections in the nose. A significant issue in those with CFS and fibromyalgia.
Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.
