Candida Overgrowth

Candida overgrowth can often go undiagnosed by doctors in conventional medicine and if you do get a diagnosis then most likely you’ll be given medication to take.

Medication is not the answer! In fact, taking medication will disrupt the natural balance of your gut flora even further. Unfortunately, with this condition, there is no quick fix. Taking a drug from the doctors might help initially with symptoms, but in a few weeks time you’ll be back at the doctors because of a new problem that emerges.

IBS is a symptom of Candida

The way in which these conditions have evolved is down to poor diet and antibiotics. People who have Candida will always have IBS symptoms, so could those with IBS have a yeast problem also? Candida symptoms can often hide within people; the symptoms are usually put down to something else and often dismissed. These conditions could potentially lead to long-term health disease unless they are managed. If you change your diet and your lifestyle early enough, then you can relieve your symptoms and in some cases completely reverse them.

Candida is the most common human opportunistic fungus on the planet!

Did you know that Candida (albicans) are the most common human opportunitistic fungus on the planet? Candida can spread very quickly in the right conditions and can eventually cause long-term health conditions. The topic of the mycobiome (the fungi network that resides with the microbiome) is lacking in serious research, but the natural balance of the biome is where these problems extend from.

Antibiotics are a common treatment for bacterial infections; a truly amazing discovery. There are very few treatments for infection available, so antibiotics have been revolutionary. Unfortunately, antibiotics kill off bacteria and not just the harmful type. Taking a single dose of antibiotics will alter your natural gut flora for up to a year. Repeatedly taking antibiotics will have long-term affects on your microbiome and cause gut inflammation.

IBS and Gut Inflammation

One of the causes of IBS is believed to be inflammation of the digestive tract caused by damage to cells. The body’s natural response is to send inflammatory cells to protect the area from further damage by raising the temperature of the gut and causing swelling. It’s possible that swelling is caused by inflammation and is contributary to bloating, but bloating is also caused by excessive gas when your food cannot digest propely; food intolerances. If you have IBS, then the food you eat cannot digest properly because the enzymes released to help breakdown the food are no longer working efficiently. Enzymes are one of the most critical aspects of digestion.

Digestive Enzymes and IBS

Digestive enzymes are naturally released from organs such as the pancreas which releases, protease, lipase to help breakdown the food chains. Long chains of food in carbohyrates, protein and fats cannot be absorbed by the gut, so they must be broken down into smaller sizes that the gut can easily absorb. Enzymes are heat dependent, meaning they become inefficient in high temperatures, so if you have gut inflammation, then your enzymes are not breaking down your food properly, hence the symptoms of IBS.

The best way to fix Candida and IBS is with diet…

Want to know more about Candida – Click here

Want to know more about IBS – Click here

The chart opposite shows an average diversity score before and after bone broth. As you can see there was an overall average increase before and after bone broth for 4 weeks.

This chart shows us the average number of species in 32 dogs before and after 4 weeks of bone broth. Again you can see there was an increase taking the average number of species to nearly 500 which is considered better for dogs. Lower than 400 species can show as digestive problems in your dog.

The chart on the right shows the average helicobacter making up the total % of the canine gut microbiome. Anything above 1% can show as digestive discomfort and inflammation.

As you can see that after 4 weeks of bone broth, the average total % of the canines on the study fell to 1.36%

The chart on the left shows the average Clostridium making up the total % of the canine gut microbiome. Anything above 0.5% can show as gastrointestinal disorders.

After only 4 weeks of bone broth, the average total % of Clostridium in canines on the study fell to 1.50%

This % is still above normal levels, but the question must be would broth for a longer time reduce this further?

The chart on the right shows the average Bifidobacterium making up the total % of the canine gut microbiome. Anything below 1-2% can lower the immune system, disrupt nutrient absorption, and cause inflammation. Above 1-2% and the gut improves in function and can have a positive improvement on the canine overall wellbeing.

After only 4 weeks of bone broth, the average total % of Bifidobacterium in canines rose from an alarming less 0.54% to an incredible 2.33% putting all dogs in a better gut health position when it comes to beneficial bacteria.

Dr Carol Hughes Microbiologist - Biome4Pets

"We analysed the microbiome and chose three important species (genus level) of bacteria. There are multiple other beneficial changes to the microbial community but these three were chosen because two are commonly associated with gastric discomfort/disease/diarrhoea and the third is associated with good health. Helicobacter associated with leaky gut, gut wall integrity and itchiness in dogs. Clostridium sensu stricto, and a species of bacteria associated with good gut/ overall health and immune response Bifidobacteria. We have seen remarkable results with bone broth and this is because of the high amino acid count in the bone broth, which seems to behave as a prebiotic feeding the good bacteria."

Rachel Down Founder | Managing Director | BSc Health Science Yr 2 Student - Boil and Broth. 

“We’re thrilled to see scientific evidence supporting the quality of our bone broths. My personal health journey began seven years ago, when I reversed a chronic condition in just 12 weeks and lost six stone over two years. This experience sparked my passion for bone broth’s science—so much so that I even pursued a degree. When I met Carol, I suggested this study as a way to demonstrate our products' true benefits. The results have been fascinating, especially as many of the dogs had skin issues, which have since improved with bone broth supplementation. We’re excited not only for what this means for broth but also for our brand. We believe in our products so deeply that we were willing to put them to the test—how many brands can say that?”

Anna Webb - Canine Nutritionist and Behaviour Expert

“It has been so exciting to confirm that bone broth delivers so many remarkable changes to these dog’s gut microbial environments. It’s as if the broth is naturally restoring homeostasis or balance, which is the key to optimum wellness. In my study at the College of Integrated Veterinary Studies (CIVT), I learnt how this age-old remedy was noted as a fundamental ingredient for boosting the immune system, which science now concurs resides in our gut lining.  Science also now supports that the relationship between the gut and the brain are inextricably linked, so behaviourally, the addition of broth could help dogs’ cognition and learning through their life stages. Not least in their senior years, but also in the first seven weeks of their lives, when many environmental factors, including nutrition, can impact positively or negatively for a lifetime”.