A very common, but often overlooked and misdiagnosed chronic health condition is Candida (yeast and/or fungal overgrowth/infections). Candida is rarely talked about in main stream medicine unless it manifests as a vaginal yeast infection or thrush. The most common causes are diets that are excessive in carbohydrates and sugar (which seems to be the majority of people), antibiotic overuse, high stress lifestyles, and frequently overlooked, poor digestion.
Candida overgrowth indicates a deeper, internal sign that your body is out of balance and stressed. Possibilities include liver and gallbladder dysfunction and congestion, HCL deficiency, gut permeability, heavy metal toxicity or a chronic, hidden infection.
Candida is a medical term for a micro-organism found naturally in the body. Candida, a form of yeast, lives in all of us. In healthy individuals with a strong functioning immune system, it’s harmless. However, when the balance of the intestinal environment changes triggered by a compromised immune system or some other reason, Candida multiplies out of control and causes harm, often silently, and affects your health.
It is estimated that 70-75 percent of people have Candida overgrowth and are completely unaware of it. A Candida infection can be topical, systemic, or localized to certain areas of the body, most commonly the feet, nail beds, vaginal tract, uretha, belly button, ear canal, mouth, skin folds, sinuses, and intestines.
Candida compromises your health, how you feel, and causes systemic problems infecting internal organs including the brain, thyroid, bowel, adrenal glands, bladder and kidneys, uterus, lungs, esophagus, liver bone marrow and the nervous system. Dr. Tullio Simoncini, Board Certified Oncologist and author of “Cancer is a Fungus,” says cancer tumors are found to be fungal in nature.
In chronic cases, Candida can eat away the intestinal mucosa and enter the blood stream where it can then be deposited around the body. When Candida changes from a yeast to a fungus, it can create root-like tendrils that infiltrate the GI tract causing leaky gut syndrome and various food sensitivities.
What Causes Yeast Overgrowth – Candida?
- Birth control pills; steroid drugs, ulcer meds, HRT
- Diets high in refined sugars and carbohydrates, dairy products, alcohol and processed foods
- Digestive dysfunction
- Exposure to environmental toxins
- Food intolerances and food sensitivities
- Hidden infections
- High levels of emotional and mental stress. Acute and chronic stress elevates cortisol. Excessive cortisol, in turn, raises blood sugar. The fungus doesn’t care whether the increased sugar in your body is from eating a candy bar or to having an episode of extreme stress; it will use the sugar as fuel to reproduce itself.
- Mercury dental fillings and heavy metal body burdens
- Overuse of antibiotics
- Sleep deficiency and lifestyles short on rest
- Weakened immune system
Candida loves sugar. Sugar is a fuel source for yeast (and parasites). When you eat carbohydrates, including whole grains, they’re eventually broken down into glucose, a simple sugar. Over-eating grains, sugar, alcohol, peanuts and pasteurized dairy products encourage Candida growth and interferes with proper organ function. Candida loves the dark, warm and moist environment of the intestines. It attaches itself to the intestinal wall and when it’s in the fungal form tries to bury itself deep into your intestinal lining.
Candida Symptoms and Conditions
- Hives, psoriasis, eczema or chronic skin rashes
- Intense cravings for carbs (sugary sweets, bread, starches, alcohol, corn chips, peanut butter)
- Medications: Birth control pills; use of antibiotics for a month of longer; antacids; corticosteroids and anti-inflammatories
- Rectal itching. Itchy skin.
- Sinusitis or chronic sinus infections
- Unexplained depression. Foggy brain. Fatigue. Mood swings.
- Recovering alcoholic
- Food intolerances and food sensitivities
- Frequent headaches, joint and muscle pain
- Digestive complaints. Severe bloating. Gas. Diarrhea or constipation.
- Extreme sensitivity to chemicals, perfumes, smoke, or other odors
- Athlete’s foot, Ringworm, jock itch, nail fungus, dandruff or other chronic infections of the skin or nails
- Undergoing chemotherapy
- White or greenish color to your tongue in the morning
- Prostatitis
- Severe PMS; endometriosis; bladder infections
Yes to 5 or more, indicates high probability of Candida.
Do you have Candida? While there are a variety of tests that practitioners use to identify yeast overgrowth including stool tests, blood tests, live blood cell tests, urinalysis, etc., these tests may or may not detect Candida. One test that is reasonably effective is the Candida Allergy Test/IgG. However, the simple most effective way to know if you have a yeast problem is by your symptoms (see list above).
Some practitioners use the Candida spit test. Start with a glass of water
by your bedside before bed. As soon as you wake up, before you put anything in your mouth, spit into your glass with your first morning saliva. Look for stringy or ropey legs hanging down, cloudy saliva at the bottom or cloudy saliva specs floating. Check the glass every 15 minutes for approximately one hour. According to this test, If your spit floats, then you are probably free of an overgrowth of Candida, and if you see legs, you more than likely have Candida.
Candida is overlooked by the medical establishment because its symptoms so closely mimic those of other conditions. Likely candidates for Candida overgrowth is someone whose medical history includes: prolonged or repeated use of antibiotics which are frequently given for urinary and ear infections, sinusitis, bronchitis, and other infections; steroid meds (cortisone or corticosteroids) often prescribed for skin conditions such as rashes, psoriasis or eczema; ulcer meds (Tagamet and Zantac) or oral contraceptives. Certain illnesses (diabetes, cancer, and HIV) can also increase susceptibility to Candida overgrowth.
Not all practitioners treating Candida have a complete picture of what is needed for success. It's important that you have a thorough understanding of the intricacies of Candida yourself and the most effective way to approach treatment before trying any particular remedy. By randomly choosing products without understanding the true nature of this beast it can actually hinder your progress in eliminating yeast overgrowth.
Keys to Healing Candida The only way to beat Candida, is to starve it and stop feeding it. The fungus/yeast will continue to reappear if you do not eliminate certain foods. Avoid sugar, alcohol, cheese, potatoes, peanut butter, processed grains, dairy, fermented foods, soy sauce and vinegar..
Dietary modifications must be followed along with nutritional support (Candida Kit) to destroy the yeast and fungus, and restore balance within the body. Eat a nutritious, whole food diet that consists of organic protein, non-starchy vegetables and leafy greens, plenty of healthy fats especially coconut oil, filtered water and Pau ‘d arco tea.
Copyright © Paula Owens
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