Candida What Is It?

What is Candida and What Causes It?

Candida is a short name used to describe Candida Albicans, which is yeast or fungus overgrowing in the body. It mainly occurs in mucus membranes, i.e. mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, intestines, ears, eyes, genitals, bladder, etc.) but it can also occur on the skin and hair and also around nails.
However, candida is not the only kind of fungus created in the body, because there are many other kinds of funguses that can be created in many areas of the body, as needed, in order to clean up toxins. Examples include:

Aspergillosis is the name given when aspergillus fungi is created in the body, which can occur in the lungs, ears, and sinuses.
Cryptococcosis is the name given when cryptococcus neoformans, cryptococcus gattii or cryptococcus grubii funguses are created in the body, which can occur in wounds or on the skin, in the lungs and in the brain.
Histoplasmosis is the name given when histoplasma capsulatum fungus is created in the body, which mainly occurs in the lungs.
Paracoccidioidomycosis is the name given when paracoccidioidal brasiliensis fungus is created in the body, which can occur in mucous membranes, lymph nodes, bone and lungs.

The technical term for candida/yeast overgrowth is "candidiasis," which means "an overgrowth of candida albicans in the body." Candida albicans is a single–celled fungus that belongs to the vegetable kingdom, similar to their "cousins" the molds that occur in foods and Nature. Cancer is also a fungus!
Candida is the "result" of disease, just like heart diseases, diabetes, cancer, asthma, obesity, etc. because of these primary reasons for ALL failing health:

Lack of the correct combination of nutrients that all humans need in order to be healthy
Lack of oxygen at a cellular level, when cells change from oxygenation to fermentation
Accumulation of toxins, poisons, and waste from normal internal body processes and from outside sources. Toxins accumulate because the body has become unable to detoxify itself like it should.
Lowered vitality (energy) due to stress, shock, injury, emotional upsets, losses, relationship or financial worries, being sick and unhealthy, etc.
Poor "Nutritional status" acquired from parents upon conception.

God provides many ways of dealing with poor health, as it does in the environment, soil, plants, and all animals, that is called "homeostasis" which means:

The ability of an organism or a cell to regulate it's internal conditions, usually by a system of feedback and controls, in order to stabilize health and functioning.
The ability of the body or a cell to seek and maintain a condition of stability and health within its internal environment when dealing with internal or external changes or influences.

Candida is a fungus also referred to as Candida albicans, a yeast infection, and monilia. It is a fungus that generally grows in the mucous membrane areas like the mouth, the vagina and rectum. The Candida fungus can also travel into the blood stream affecting the intestines, the heart valves and the throat. This fungus becomes infectious when it grows out of control within the body. Over 100 years ago, a Candida infection was very uncommon. It was uncommon because, during that era, people ate foods that were fresh and alive with energy. People were also not exposed to the antibiotics, fast foods and processed foods that are high in sugar and corn syrup content. They were also not open to the elements of excessive pesticides, herbicides and other toxic materials. Most of the foods produced for consumption today are 50 percent away from its original, natural state. One hundred years ago, foods were free from herbicides, pesticides, chemical processing and microwaving. Eating foods as such causes an overgrowth of Candida in the body resulting in a weakened immune system.

Eating foods that are processed and very high in sugar and syrup content on a daily basis will feed and encourage the Candida yeast fungi to grow in the body. When these types of foods are eaten on a daily basis, it creates an excessively acidic environment in the body causing the Candida albican yeast to produce a substance referred to as mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are toxins that are actually the fecal waste of the Candida albicans. The mycotoxins travel into the cells of the body, the blood and lymph fluids which are located all over the human body. When the immune system is weakened due to the overgrowth of Candida, it can not function as it should which results in excessive growth of bacteria and cancer cells.

The kidneys, liver, immune system and digestive system are not capable of processing the chemically processed foods that so many people eat on a daily basis. Due to daily intake of these types of foods, it is becoming more difficult for the various defense systems within our bodies to filter and clean out all of these noxious, toxic invaders. As a result, the more unnatural foods that we intake that are high in sugar and chemical content, the more we feed and encourage the Candida bacteria. The Candida, therefore, continues to feed off of the human body's vital fluids and tissues. However, there are ways to prevent Candida from excessively growing within the body. One major way is to avoid ingesting certain types of foods and substances that create and sustain Candidiasis. The foods and substances to avoid to discourage Candida include white sugars, white flours, white potatoes, corn syrup, high fructose, sorbitol, dried fruits, honey, processed beets, fruit juices and refined carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrates convert very quickly to sugar within the blood. Sugar is a major culprit in encouraging Candida overgrowth. Stored grains are also a concern in regards to Candida overgrowth. This is because stored grains ferment within three months and begin to produce mycotoxins. Alcohol, tobacco, antibiotics and birth control pills also have a negative effect on the body and can encourage the overgrowth of Candida. Therefore, these foods types and substances should not be taken on a daily basis.

How Do I Get Rid Of Candida?
First and foremost, you need to stop feeding them. Since sugar is their number one source of fuel, the typical effective “anti-yeast” diet looks a lot like Atkins (very low carb). That means you avoid sugar, grains, alcoholic beverages, and yeasted breads. Even fruits (dried or fresh) are eliminated during the Candida “kill-off” phase. (You can eat all the grass-fed beef, free range poultry and eggs, vegetables, yogurt, nuts and seeds you want.)

While starving the yeast cells, you want to make sure to nurture the good bacteria that keep them in check. The best way to do this is with probiotics. Lactobacillus probiotics are particularly good at keeping Candida under control,2 but a good broad-spectrum probiotic supplement containing lactobacilli and bifidobacteria is always a good idea.

Remember, probiotics are living organisms, and like Candida, they need their own source of fuel. Probiotics love to dine on FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides). These molecules are also called “prebiotics” and many good probiotic formulas also contain some of these as well.

Many other substances are helpful in killing off Candida. At the top of the list is garlic (“my personal favorite,” says Lipsky), caprylic and lauric acids (both found in coconut oil), oil of oregano, pau d’arco and grapefruit seed extract.

Another terrific weapon in the anti-Candida arsenal is olive leaf extract. Olive leaf contains the active ingredient, oleuropein, which has strong anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Barlean’s Olive Leaf Complex is a particularly recommended brand that comes in a liquid form that’s easy to take and tasty to boot.

Many practitioners recommend a strict “anti-yeast” diet for at least three weeks, and then suggest reintroducing “banned” foods slowly as your gut gets healthier. When Candida are killed, it may produce an antibody response that can result in a temporary worsening of symptoms (the “die-off” effect).

Because of this, “it’s important to begin therapeutics gently with small doses and gradually increase,” says Lipsky. “If your symptoms are still aggravated, cut back (on the yeast killers) and then gradually increase.”

And for women, for whom vaginal yeast infections are a particular concern, consider internal applications of healthy bacteria in addition to oral supplementation. Ann Knight, DC, a holistic chiropractor in Thousand Oaks, California has had much success with this protocol that uses a full-fat plain yogurt. “A broad spectrum probiotics mixed with yogurt and inserted into the vagina can be very effective,” she says.

In some cases more serious weapons like the antifungal med Nyastatin may be called for, but remember, if you’re still feeding the yeast with sugar (and foods that the body treats as sugar) you’re defeating the purpose.

The cornerstone of the best diet for getting rid of yeast is eliminating sugar, which is also, come to think of it, one of the cornerstones of the best diet for overall health.

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Health With Mike

Monday, October 8, 2012