What is Candida?

Candida is a fungal organism, similar to yeast, that naturally resides in small quantities in the intestinal tract. When kept constrained by the friendly bacteria, candida helps to consume unhealthy bacteria and other toxic substances (i.e. heavy metals, etc.). Researchers have found that fungus is one of nature’s tools to eliminate toxicity from an environment; for instance, mushrooms are essential to digesting the worst toxic material on the earth. Although, when there is not enough friendly bacteria to keep the candida constrained to their small area in the intestinal tract, they are free to morph themselves into a larger, more aggressive fungal cells with long legs that burrow through the intestinal tract, into the blood stream, and throughout the whole body. This is similar to the fungus that develops on a slice of bread and quickly spreads throughout the fibers, creating long legs that proliferate throughout the organism and feed on the sugars.

One might assume that since fungus seeks out toxic material to digest, a candida overgrowth is merely the natural reaction of the candida to fulfill its life purpose. Although, while the candida is seemingly feasting on the body’s toxicity and colonizing throughout it’s tissue, it may also be creating an abundance of issues: starting with the holes it may have made in the intestines to circulate through the blood stream (which allow larger food particles to escape into the circulatory system that trigger and overburden the immune system), and ending with the fungus that may have made its way through most of the tissue in the body to colonize, digest, and eliminate waste.

Candida feeds primarily on sugars, and eliminates alcohols (similar to the yeast that is used to make wine or beer) and mycotoxins (fungal poisons). When this alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream, the body reacts by lowering the blood sugar, which consequently makes the victim feel tired and lethargic. The alcohols also create an acidic environment, which helps the yeast to thrive; an acidic environment is also beneficial for parasites, bacteria, and other invading pathogens to multiply.

Many people in the field of health and wellness estimate that between 80-90% of people in modern societies have an overgrowth of candida, fungus, and/or yeast in their bodies. Candida may be linked to a host of chronic degenerative illnesses, including: leaky gut syndrome, irritable bowl syndrome (IBS), allergies, chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue & fibromyalgia, thrush, eczema, dermatitis, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, interstitial cystitis, yeast infections, skin discoloration, inflammation, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, cancer, etc. Candida may also cause bloating, gas, food reactions, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, foggy thinking, sugar cravings, a thick white coating on the tongue, itchy rashes, weight gain, unbalanced blood sugar, chronic infections, acid reflux, depression, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, etc. Symptoms for yeast overgrowth are wide and varied; ask your doctor for a blood test to determine your candida levels.

The origin of this dysfunction is not the candida itself, rather the lack of healthy bacteria in the intestinal tract and the inability of the immune system to keep the candida constrained. Some ways this can happen are as follows.
• Insufficient infant nutrition; lack of breast milk; introduction of food products before the digestive system is properly developed
• Frequent use of antibiotics; use of antibiotics during childhood; vaccinations; steroid use; birth-control pills; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications; hormone therapy
• Consumption of process foods (void of proper vitamins and minerals), refined flours, sugars, hydrogenated oils & trans-fats, chemical additives, preservatives, stabilizers, coloring agents, artificial flavors & sweeteners, alcohol, and drugs
• Consumption of commercially raised animal proteins that have been victim to antibiotics and hormone therapy
• Insufficient consumption of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fiber, water, and cultured foods
• Heavy metal toxicity; poor air and water quality; chemical contamination; exposure to electromagnetic frequencies; parasites and intestinal worms
• Insufficient or excessive exercise; inadequate rest; excess stress; insufficient exposure to sunlight

Given that there are so many possible reasons for the lack of healthy bacteria to keep the Candida constrained, there are also so many possible suggestions for improving this condition. A healthy diet may be the simplest method for keeping the Candida from multiplying, starting with eating habits that: maintain the body’s natural pH balance, prevent fungus growth, promote healthy digestion, decrease the amount of toxic load, abstain from sugar, and increase natural foods that will provide essential nutrients. Supplementing the diet with probiotics (the healthy bacteria essential for proper functioning), essential oils, enzymes, herbs, and/or anti-fungals are other means of accomplishing a greater sense of health and well-being. Since all bodies are different, please talk to a qualified wellness counselor to establish a program that works with the individual person.