If you don't have a weak immune system, then you don't have a serious Candida problem. Said another way, if you have a serious Candida problem, then you have a weak immune system.

Zinc seems to have a very important role to play in the immune system's ability to fight Candida. If your body lacks enough zinc, then you body's ability to fight Candida is compromised. Studies have shown that people with yeast infections have lower zinc levels than healthy people. But it goes further than this. In animal studies it has been shown that feeding supplemental zinc to animals which don't actually have a zinc deficiency gives them additional protection from Candida infection. Supplemental zinc has also been combined with antifungals to augment their effectiveness. Clearly, zinc is uniquely important when it comes to both preventing and curing candidiasis.

This may seem weird to some, but when I take more than 30mg or so zinc, I actually experience significant yeast die-off. The more I take the worse the die-off. After a week or so my tongue starts to get pinker, so the yeast killing is systemic. You may think I must be very deficient in zinc for this to occur, but that's not true. All measured zinc levels are within reference ranges (hair, serum, RBC, urine). I think of these the RBC zinc is probably the best guide, and it was on the low side, although still within the 'normal' range.

I recommend everyone trial taking some extra zinc and see if they experience any die-off. If you do, then you may have found an important and easy weapon in your fight against Candida.

Interestingly, I have found zinc citrate to be totally useless. It does nothing for me. Zinc sulphate and amino acid chelate seem to be fine. I have read that picolinate is also very well absorbed.

Here are some zinc links:
"Another effective way to combat candida is using zinc therapy. Candida is killed by metallothionein (MT) proteins which are normally in high concentration in intestinal mucosa. MT is induced by zinc. Many persons with candida are low zinc and low MT persons. They usually exhibit low zinc in plasma, serum, or packed cells, but high zinc in hair. You can expect chronic candida problems until zinc is normalized. In a sense, zinc can be an effective weapon in your anti-candida arsenal. Typical anti-candida therapies (including dietary restrictions) can manage the problem for a while....... Maintenance supplementation with zinc (after these interventions) can permanently fix the problem, in many cases, without the need to continue dietary vigilance."
http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/walsh.htm#Ca


"Zinc increased antimicrobial effect, including against candida, when given with antimicrobial agents."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9659710?dopt=Abstract


"Researchers there worked with laboratory animals that were not deficient in zinc. They gave these animals high-dose zinc supplements and found that they were significantly more resistant to infection from Candida albicans than those not supplemented with zinc."
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/10/116.cfm


"I JUST started taking higher doses of zinc (than what comes in my multi) and appear to be having dramatically good results! I had a big candida die-off and now my seasonal allergies (severe before) are much better too."
http://www.skincaretalk.com/melasma/1107-melasma-yeast-copper-connection.html


"Moreover, candidiasis is commonly associated with zinc deficiency, and since zinc is necessary for the conversion of thyroxine to its active form, tri-iodothyronine, such a deficiency could produce symptoms of hypothyroidism (which also could occur in the presence of normal blood levels of thyroxine)"
http://www.health4youonline.com/article_sherridan_stock_conquering_candida.htm


"A database in Rumania and on a US IBM site described links found between copper, zinc, magnesium, calcium, COX-2 enzyme, and Mycoplasma suggesting that these metals in the form of metalloenzymes (or the deficiency of the metals in the case of the enzyme production) play a role in the immune system’s reactions to microbes (certain strains of mycoplasmas). The reactions accompany the production of destructive H2O2"
http://www.rainbowminerals.net/Copper_yeast_infections.html


"Correlation found between blood plasma zinc and vaginal yeast infections."
http://www.thefinchleyclinic.com/shop/zinc15mg90capsules-p-104.html


"Polizzi and coworkers evaluated the clinical efficacy of a treatment with cimetidine and zinc sulfate in an adult patient with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. Cimetidine was given at a dose of 400 mg three times daily; zinc sulphate at a dose of 200 mg daily (approx 45mg zinc), then adjusted to maintain blood zinc levels at the upper normal range. This treatment lasted 16 months. An impressive and significant reduction of the infectious events and an increased CD4 (helper/inducer) cell counts were observed. The authors conclude that this combined immune potentiating treatment is safe and inexpensive to treat immunodeficiency disorders."
http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/immune-system.html#Candidiasis


"For best absorption, zinc supplements should not be taken at the same time as high-fiber foods. When taking zinc long-term it is advisable to take 1 mg to 3 mg of copper daily as well, because zinc supplements can cause copper deficiency. Zinc may also interfere with magnesium and iron absorption."
http://www.al-hikmah.org/zinc.htm


"Well, one of the causes for low stomach acid, is a Zinc deficiency in our diet"
http://www.understand-andcure-anxietyattacks-panicattacks-depression.com/5-ht...


"When zinc combines with certain foods it may not be absorbed into your body and it will do you no good. If you are taking zinc, the following foods should be avoided or taken 2 hours after you take zinc: Bran, Fiber-containing foods, Phosphorus-containing foods such as milk or poultry, Whole-grain breads and cereals.
Do not take zinc supplements and copper, iron, or phosphorus supplements at the same time. It is best to space doses of these products 2 hours apart, to get the full benefit from each dietary supplement."
http://www.drugs.com/cons/zinc-supplement-oral-parenteral.html


"Zinc interferes with copper absorption. Most people consume less than the recommended amount of this mineral. Nonetheless, supplementing with 1–3 mg per day is important only for people who take zinc supplements, including the zinc found in multiple-vitamin/mineral supplements"
http://www.satisfied-mind.com/drugstore/copper.htm


"Zinc Sulphate is best absorbed, while Zinc Citrate is not so well absorbed (in rats)"
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6615763


"Zinc picolinate was far more effective than zinc citrate or zinc gluconate in raising bodily zinc levels (humans). There was no significant change in any of these parameters from zinc gluconate, zinc citrate or placebo administration."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3630857


"Dosages in the range of 50-80mg per day are usually taken to correct deficiencies of zinc. It is also wise to take 1mg of copper for every 15mg of zinc as they antagonize each other so taking zinc supplements alone will deplete copper in the body."
http://www.ei-resource.org/treatment-options/treatment-information/leaky-gut-...


"The recommended upper limit for zinc intake is 40 mg/day. Toxicity is rare. Ingesting doses of elemental zinc ranging from 100 to 150 mg/day for prolonged periods interferes with copper metabolism and causes low blood copper levels, RBC microcytosis, neutropenia, and impaired immunity;"
http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec01/ch005/ch005j.html


"Elevated intake of zinc (1- 2 gram per day) over an extended period can actually harm your immune system instead of assisting it. Intake of zinc should be kept to under 100 mg per day as larger amounts may result in nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness and hallucinations."
http://www.anyvitamins.com/zinc-info.htm


So, more zinc guys (and gals)!