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Candida albicans is a fungal organism or
yeast that thrives in your mouth, gastrointestinal tract and
skin. The body's natural defense against fungal and
yeast infections is the production of friendly bacterial flora
that keeps it in check. But when fungal growth exceeds
the body's ability to control it, yeast infections can develop.
This can happen when you are weakened by illness or upset
by stress. Antibiotic use can actually kill the friendly bacteria
that otherwise controls fungal outbreaks.
Under normal
conditions it sparsely populates the intestinal tract. However,
If the healthy environment of your body is altered, candida
organisms can flourish and poor health symptoms can result.
Systemic candida infections have long been
recognized in people with weak immune systems. Since candida/fungal
toxins can travel to virtually all organs and tissues in the
body, a healthy immune system is the best natural
defense against these microbes and their poisons.
This fungal related complex manifests
itself primarily in five (5) areas of the body.
The Digestive System-
where symptoms include bloating, gas, cramps, alternating
diarrhea
with constipation,
and allergies to food (the person may even feel allergic to
almost all foods).
The Nervous System- where
symptoms include abnormal fatigue, anxiety, mood swings, drowsiness,
memory loss, depression,
insomnia and mental fogginess. In extreme cases, hallucinations
and violent behavior can occur. Autism, hyperactivity and
learning disabilities in children are other manifestations.
The Skin- where symptoms
include hives, psoriasis, eczema, excessive sweating, acne,
and nail infections.
The GenitoUrinary Tract-
in men, common symptoms include chronic rectal or anal itching,
recurrent prostatitis, impotence, genital rashes, jock itch
and loss of interest in sex. In women, common symptoms include
PMS
(depression, mood swings, bloating, fluid retention, cramps,
craving for sweets, headaches prior to menstruation), recurrent
bladder or vaginal infections, and a loss of interest in sex.
The Endocrine System-
an intimate relationship exits in the body between the immune
system, the nervous system and the endocrine
system (glandular system- adrenal glands, pancreas, parathyroid,
pineal gland, pituitary gland, male and female sex glands,
thymus and thyroid gland). The thyroid and adrenal glands
in particular may be involved. It is not uncommon to find
that victims of both hypo and hyperthyroidism, especially
the auto-immune variety, are linked to fungal overgrowth.
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Candida/fungi thrive in warm moist areas.
The single largest cause for candida overgrowth
is the use of antibiotics. Whenever antibiotics
are given they eliminate the healthy, friendly bacteria
in the bowels, thereby setting up an imbalance that allows
yeast organisms to invade and grow. Even short-
term antibiotic use eliminates the good
bacteria that can help prevent fungal infections
from developing. Other medications cause similar imbalances,
among them the contraceptive pill, cortisone, chemotherapy
drugs and radiation.
Candida is more likely to thrive when
the immune system is weak. A poorly functioning digestive
system, due to insufficient enzymes,
also increases the likelihood of infections.* Stress,
a poor diet and an unhealthy lifestyle all weaken the body's
resistance.
Complete Candida Complex* |
Promotes the expulsion
of candida organisms from the body and helps prevent
recurrent candida overgrowth.* Promotes balanced intestinal
microflora to promote good digestion and boosts your
immune system.*
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Hormonal
imbalances (before and during menstruation and pregnancy)
can also create an environment conducive to candida infection.
Diet changes alone usually do
not reverse candida/fungal infections. Aggressive
anti-fungal therapy is also necessary in almost all cases.
One of the reasons why antacid and acid
suppressing drugs lead to fungal infections is because they
may reduce the fungal-protective effect of hydrochloric
acid.
Omega 3 and 6 oils are helpful for treating
candida/fungal problems.
Candida organisms feed off of dairy,
wheat, white flour, yeast, sugar and starch. To help promote
the elimination of candida organisms you may want to consider
following these dietary recommendations.
Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day (preferably
filtered water)
Try to consume more fresh fruits and vegetables
Try to minimize your consumption of fried
and overly fatty foods
Try to minimize your consumption of dairy,
wheat and white flour products, and avoid
all sugar products if possible.
Probiotics
(acidophilus strains) are friendly bacteria and their presence
is needed as one of the body's natural defenses
against fungal infections.*
A well balanced enzyme
and herbal complex can help rid the body of candida
organisms and help prevent reinfection.* Any enzymatic therapy
must include disaccharides, which digest sugars, and cellulase,
which helps breakdown and digest fungi and yeast organisms.*
The complex should also include a full spectrum of herbs
that exhibit natural anti-fungal properties.*
High quality fiber
(both soluble and insoluble) has a particularly beneficial
effect in clearing toxic waste that has accumulated
in the large intestine.* It helps flush the gastrointestinal
tract of fungi and their mycotoxins. Fiber must be taken
with 6-8 glasses of water per day in order to prevent constipation
and to optimize its use.
Finally, FOS in the recent past had
been widely theorized by researchers to aid in the treatment
of candida and fungal problems. Recent research
has suggested that FOS does not help in respect to candida
and fungal problems and its use is now discouraged
regarding these types of conditions.
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