Candida/Yeast Over-Growth

Candida Overgrowth Candidias is overgrowth of fungus which causes profound health effects.  These effects may range from a diaper rash to invasive rapidly fatal infections.  The majority of the Candida exists in the digestive tract, but they can also be founding the sinuses, throat, esophagus and even in the belly button.  A number of things can cause an overgrowth.  Overuse of antibiotics, oral contraceptives and over consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates.

Antibiotics Are considered one the major contributors to Candida overgrowth because of its misuse.  Antibiotics are designed to kill harmful bacteria, but while they're killing off the bad bacteria they start to kill the beneficial bacteria as well.  When this happens, it causes a major imbalance of good bacteria (flora) and bad bacteria.  The condition of imbalanced flora can lead to weakening of the body's defenses from infection, disease and decrease your immune function. You should take Probiotics to replace the good bacteria needed in the digestive tract.

Oral Contraceptives Worldwide, more than 100,000,000 women rely on "the pill", making it the most popular contraceptive method in 78 of 150 countries.  But due to their overwhelming popularity, the drawbacks associated with oral contraceptives are often overlooked.  Like antibiotics, they can cause an imbalance in the ratio of gut flora, thus contributing to putting your body in a state of dysbiosis.  This explains the sudden weight gain that some women experience when taking the pill.

Sugar and Carbohydrates The last major contributing factor to Candida overgrowth is the over-consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates.  With fast food being part of the typical American diet, it's no wonder Candida has become a nationwide problem.  Candida is a yeast organism that's unable to produce its own food.  In order to survive in your body it particularly likes to feed off sugar, refined and processed foods.

Fungi in the Blood Candidemia (one form of invasive Candidiasis), is the fourth most common blood infection among hospitalized patients in the U.S. This infection is found in 8 out of every 100,000 people per year and is considered to be a major factor in the development of Leaky Gut Syndrome.  Leaky Gut Syndrome occurs when undigested food particles penetrate the bowel wall and enter the blood stream.  The body views these particles as foreign invaders and produces antibodies in order to destroy them.  This can ultimately result in the development of allergies and even some autoimmune diseases.

Controlling Candida When possible, make sure that you eliminate or minimize use of medications, adopt a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and exercise.  Elimination of antibiotics, steroids, immunosuppressant drugs, and oral contraceptives will prevent the destruction of good bacteria in your body and beneficial bacteria will be able to flourish on its own.  Diet is always important to your health and sense of well being. 

It would be most beneficial to you if you eliminate sugar, sweeteners and fruit juices because that's what the yeast will survive on and will eventually cause an overgrowth.  Also, cheese and commercial dairy products, soy sauce, mushrooms, breads with yeast, baked goods, peanuts, refined foods and anything else that would cause any sensitivity or an allergic reaction should be avoided.  Avoid coffee, soda, alcoholic beverages and any fermented foods or beverages.  Make sure that you eat plenty of vegetables and lean protein, and drink plenty of water.

You should drink at least half your body weight in ounces each day or purified water.  Exercise to improve immune function by stimulating lymph flow through exercise and deep breathing to make sure oxygen is circulating all throughout your body.  

Information on this website is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, or treat a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for medical care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your primary care provider.