Candida Yeast Infection

By Jerry Cahill

Candida Albicans is an infection caused by a species of the yeast Candida. Actually everyone needs some yeast to maintain their health. When yeast is in proper balance within your system it is often called "good flora". If yeast overgrows it is often referred to as Yeast Overgrowth or Candida.

What causes yeast to overgrow? One of the common causes is antibiotics. Antibiotics tend to kill even the good microorganisms within your system allowing an imbalance or "bad flora". Other causes are diets high in sugars, white flour based foods, grains, yeasty items such as beer and wine etc.

Candida has a wide variety of symptoms. It presents itself in so many ways that often times physicians never consider it as a possible problem. Some of the common symptoms are itching, white tongue, allergies, rashes, headaches, joint pains, fatigue, mental fog to name a few. People who have symptoms find them ongoing and non-responsive to many treatments.

How does one treat Candida Abilcans? First of all if you are taking antibiotics you must find an alternative so you can get off of the antibiotics. Secondly it is important to improve your diet. Do not believe anyone who says they can cure Candida without your need to change your diet. You may not need to go on an extremely rigid diet, but you must greatly reduce Candida causing foods.

You should also avoid YEAST and yeast containing products including Alcoholic and Baked goods, as well as: Mushrooms, cheeses with rinds, coffee, most teas, condiments containing vinegar (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salad dressing), fermented foods and drinks (cider, root beer), bottles or canned fruit juices, dried fruits, strawberries, melons, canned fruits, leftovers (older than 24 hours), malted products (barley malt, malted milk, cereals, candies), peanuts, pistachios, peanut oil, peanut butter, processed and/or smoked meats and smoked fish (beef jerky, corned beef, hot dogs, luncheon meats, pastrami, sausages), and pickled foods.

Finally a good probiotic is essential to help you regain the "good flora" balance to reclaim your health. Since Candida may have weakened your immune system a good immunity booster may also be helpful.

Visit http://www.stopcandida.com to read the extensive information that has been accumulated on this perplexing condition.

For More Information Contact: Jerry Cahill
http://www.stopcandida.com

By Stewart Hare

Candida is common and many people have Candida in their gastrointestinal tract. The problem arises when there is an overgrowth of the benign yeast Candida which causes the condition of chronic candidiasis or yeast syndrome. Chronic candidiasis normally occurs due to taking antibiotics which destroy the friendly bacteria in the gut which keep the Candida in check. Symptoms associated with chronic candidiasis are headaches, cystitis (infected bladder), mood swings, vaginitis (inflammation of vagina or thrush), fungal infections (e.g. athletes foot), bad breath, extensive food allergies, anal itching, feeling ill after eating yeast or sugary foods, nasal itch or congestion, craving for sugary things, abdominal distension or bloating, wind, diarrhoea, constipation or both, belching, indigestion, heartburn, depression, fatigue, poor memory, lack of sexual desire, craving for bread or alcohol, skin rashes, cold hands and feet, irritability, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, menstrual cramp or pain and muscle aches.

To combat chronic candidiasis, change the diet by excluding all refined carbohydrates such as white flour and sugar and all foods and beverages containing them and excluding all foods and beverages containing yeast such as marmite and alcohol. There are many cook books on the market that suggest recipes for those who are on an anti Candida diet. Try not to take any antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs or the contraceptive pill. Consume plenty of nature's anti-fungal agents such as garlic and grapefruit seed extract. Take probiotics such as Bifidus and lactobacillus acidophilus to repopulate the bowel with good bacteria to make the bowel healthier. Symptoms may well become worst with the die off of the Candida on the anti Candida diet, so it would be wise to drink plenty of mineral water daily (at least a litre) to combat these symptoms.

The following supplements may help if you are suffering from Candida.

Barberry

Betaine HCl

Caprylic acid

Echinacea purpurea

Enzymes

Garlic

Goldenseal

Goldthread

Lactobacillus acidophilus

Oregano oil

Oregon grape

Peppermint oil

Rosemary oil

Tea tree oil

Thyme oil

Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh

Advice for a healthier natural life
Website: http://www.newbeingnutrition.com

By Gray Rollins

Candida is naturally occurring yeast in the body generally found in the mouth, throat, intestines and genitourinary tract. When friendly bacteria and properly functioning immune system are not present, balance of the system may be lost and Candida overgrowth may occur, but you can help yourself by paying closer attention to your diet.

Someone with an overgrowth of yeast can experience any number of unpleasant symptoms such as a yeast infection, fatigue, rash, depression and anxiety. The symptoms of Candida overgrowth are frequently treated with anti-fungal remedies. Even with these remedies, however, if your diet is not changed to create an environment within the body to prohibit the overgrowth of Candida, relief is sure to be temporary, and problem symptoms will return.

Once you have established that you have a yeast infection, by reviewing symptoms and confirming the presence of causative background factors, there are a variety of dietary changes that you can make to improve your health. Refined sugar should be eliminated from your diet entirely as it encourages the growth of yeast. Sources of this sugar include honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, corn syrup, molasses, and the familiar white granular sugar. Be sure to read all labels carefully because these sugars are used in many products you may normally buy off the grocery store shelves. Don't eat fruit - or drink fruit juices - as they contain natural sugars that promote the growth of yeast. Don't drink beer, wine or liquor as the alcohol also provides sugar, and many of these products are fermented with yeast.

Bagels, muffins, pastries, breads and crackers should also be eliminated from the diet as they contain yeast and sugar. Anything with vinegar - which is made with yeast culture - should be avoided as well. This would include salad dressings, olives, pickles, mayonnaise, steak sauce, barbeque sauce, soy sauce and mustard. Again, it's important to read all the labels on grocery items. Mushrooms should be avoided as should peanuts and peanut butter, cheeses, and meats that are dried, smoked or pickled. Beverages that should be avoided are fermented drinks such as root beer and cider, black tea, and coffee, including decaffeinated.

Increasing your intake of raw garlic and soluble fiber will help your body to fight the yeast infection. A supplemental dose of acidophilus will help to make your intestinal track more acidic which helps to kill off the Candida. Other recommended supplements include volatile oils, such as peppermint oil or oregano oil - these should only be taken in capsule form as the straight liquid may be toxic. Get plenty of sleep and keep your stress to a minimum as well.

Early in the diet many people notice a worsening of their symptoms. When the Candida is killed it releases proteins and toxins. This process is known as die-off and is temporary. With strict adherence to the diet, the patient will usually begin to notice improvements in two to four weeks.

Keeping your immune system, "friendly" bacteria, and Candida in proper balance can be a lot of work; but it's a small price to pay to reclaim your good health and transform your life.

About The Author
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for http://www.candidarelief.com.
For more information about a candida diet, visit http://www.candidarelief.com/candidadiet/.

By Sharon Moore

Furry white tongues come in two varieties: a little furry and very furry. A little furry is fine - it's the normal layer of bacteria that every tongue should have. A very furry tongue is often not fine - especially if it's a thick and cheesy-looking white fur coating.

Scrape a fingernail across your tongue and look at the path it carves. A big groove could indicate a problem. A very furry tongue typically indicates an overgrowth of Candida albicans - a yeast that lives in every digestive tract (and that can travel to the mouth, and elsewhere).

When Candida albicans thrives on the tongue, it could just be an annoying local overgrowth. The official name for this is oral "thrush." But bear in mind that a very furry tongue might indicate that Candida is also present in large numbers in the digestive tract, hidden from view, and could have spread beyond the borders of the intestines.

When Candida albicans overgrowth runs rampant in the digestive tract, it mutates from a yeast infection into a fungal infection. The condition is then called Candidiasis.

Candidiasis is capable of pushing through the mucosal intestinal lining that separates the gut flora (intestinal bacteria) from the bloodstream. When this happens, toxins normally eliminated by passing through the digestive tract now "leak" into the bloodstream.

The immune system is forced to deal with this constant drizzle of toxins at the expense of other important tasks - like gobbling up ever-present cancer cells before they nest somewhere (among other things). A compromised immune system is a recipe for chronic health problems.

The first line of defense in a healthy immune system is the intestinal wall and the probiotics (good bacteria) that colonize there. In general, probiotics keep Candida albicans at a manageable level so that Candidiasis does not develop. Antibiotic use and general unwellness, however, can diminish the number of good bacteria and give Candida the upper hand.

Like most fungus infections (miserable toenails anyone?), Candidiasis is a bear to get rid of. And once it gets going, the symptoms display themselves in any number of obnoxious and puzzling ways.
There is a long list of symptoms for Candidiasis: bloating, constipation, and diarrhea are the most familiar. Less familiar symptoms include chronic fatigue, frequent headaches and irritability, back and neck pain (muscles), depression, anxiety, irregular menstrual cycles, itchy nose, and even eye floaters and/or blurred vision.

In other words, symptoms are so diverse that you don't know whether to visit your family doctor, allergist, orthopedist, gynecologist, psychiatrist, ophthalmologist, or witch doctor for relief. And yes, women are more susceptible - but don't kid yourselves fellas, it's NOT just a gal-thing.

If you think you have Candidiasis (or a lesser yeast infection), and you have symptoms telling you that "something" is just not right with your overall health, get thee to a doctor for a test. It's painless ... and it's important to track down symptoms that are troubling.

You think you have a sweet tooth? Well so does Candida. You love sugar - Candida loves sugar. Does sugar make you fat and happy? Sugar makes Candida fat and happy as well. And does sugar give you a nice rush of energy? It gives Candida a rush of energy too. To keep Candida under control, you must cut back on sugar.

Yeast get their energy by fermenting sugar (just like cancer cells). But fermentation is a very inefficient way to create energy - in other words, it takes LOTS of sugar to produce a little energy. A high sugar diet feeds Candida (and cancer cells) - and we know all about the dangers of sugar and type 2 diabetes.

Every living thing 'excretes' something. Yeast excrete alcohol. If you 'crave' sugar regularly to cure a shaky feeling or to get rid of headaches (and you don't have diabetes), you might be a victim of Candidiasis. No, you're not an alcoholic. But your body wants its 'fix' of alcohol - and when it doesn't get it, you get low-level withdrawal symptoms that temporarily 'go away' with a bag of jelly beans. Now you know why.

Probiotics and digestive enzymes likewise help to keep Candida at bay. Also consider taking a good garlic supplement (unless you love fresh garlic and have found ways to mix it into your daily food intake). Candida is destroyed by garlic, as are any number of other pathogenic gut bacteria.

Remember: Candida albicans in the digestive tract can never be eliminated - but it can be managed quite effectively. Should you test positive for Candidiasis, an anti-fungal drug may be prescribed - and that's fine. But you can't take such a drug forever, so you must become pro-active in keeping your gut flora in balance.

To learn more about Candidiasis, talk with your doctor and/or do a Google search. There's a wealth of good information on the Internet.

Visit http://1healthyboomer.com - where "incompletely healthy" baby boomers learn to get healthy and stay healthy.

By Heidi Whitaker

Candida can mimic, cause, or worsen Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms. For this reason, a natural approach to these autoimmune disorders should include a plan to fight candida. The following is a list of my favorite remedies. (These should be combined with an anti-candida diet to be effective.)

Oil of Oregano-

Oregano oil has been used as a medicine for thousands of years and has been shown to be potent against a wide range of bacteria, fungi, like Candida, and parasites. Oregano oil was compared to the pharmaceutical drug, Nystatin, and found to be just as powerful. Also, studies done at Georgetown University Medical found that the oil inhibited the growth of staphylococcus bacteria as effectively as conventional antibiotics.

Germanium Sesquioxide-

Practitioners all have their personal favorites when it comes to Candida/anti-fungal treatments. (I am limiting my list to the ones I have personally used and found effective.) For candidiasis, Epstein-Barr Syndrome, and allergies, Dr. Lester Rose, M.D., recommends Germanium Sesquioxide (Ge-132) He starts his patients at 600 mg daily and has them taper down to 150 mg over a course of three weeks. He does this in combination with the supplements CoQ10 at 60 mg twice a day and 3 SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) tablets. Germanium is believed to be effective against yeast and viruses because it increases oxygen in the body and these organisms are oxygen sensitive. Grapefruit Seed Extract (Citrus Seed Extract)

Grapefruit Seed Extract-

Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) is a natural broad-spectrum antibiotic. It has also been shown effective against some viruses and Candida yeast. This extract has been studied for use against Staphylococcus (Staph), Streptococcus (Strep), Salmonella, Chlamydia trachomatis, Herpes simplex 1, Influenza A2, and the measles virus. It can also be used as a non-toxic hand sanitizer. A Brazilian study found it to be almost as effective for skin disinfection as commercially available surgical soap.

Note: Those sensitive to citrus can develop an allergy to grapefruit seed.

Shark Liver Oil-

An ingredient in shark liver oil, Squalamine, was found effective against yeast by Johns Hopkins University.

Probiotics-

Once candida has become overgrown, the body's colony of good bacteria that should populate the gut cannot be re-established without treatment. Probiotics are needed to keep down the candida population.

Digestive Enzymes-

It is hypothesized that digestive enzymes work by breaking down the Candida in much the same way they break down food.

Note: This is not intended as medical advice.

Heidi Whitaker is an author and popular speaker on the topic of nutritional support of autoimmune disease. An advocate for alternative health solutions, she co-founded http://www.healthydivas.com, a resource center for those autoimmune sufferers looking for real answers outside of what conventional medicine can provide.

By Dr. David Enders

Candida albicans (and other strains of Candida) normally inhabit our digestive system and genitourinary tract. A healthy person will have millions of Candida, which actually helps protect our gastrointestinal tract against many pathogenic bacteria. Our immune system normally keeps the Candida growth under control and in balance with the �friendly� flora.

Antibiotics, birth control pills, diet high in sugar; environmental toxins may cause a decrease in the friendly flora, resulting in a Candida overgrowth. Cnadida albicans will then mutate from the yeast to the mycelial fungal form and start to invade the body. The fungal state can produce rhizoids (tentacle-like structures). Rhizoids can penetrate intestinal walls causing microscopic holes, allowing bacteria, toxins, and micro-food particles to enter directly into the blood stream.

Because of its many and varied symptoms, this disorder is often misdiagnosed. Both men and women can be affected, but it is rarely transmitted sexually. Candida albicans is the most frequently isolated fungal pathogen of humans. Many chronic health problems are related to Candida overgrowth. These include, but are not limited to:

�Genitourinary problems
�Fibromyalgia
�Digestive disorders
�PMS
�Muscle pain
�Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
�Psoriasis
�Leaky gut
�Food intolerance
�Asthma
�Multiple Sclerosis
�Allergies
�Sexual dysfunction

THE SPIT TEST

Want to know if you may have a Candia overgrowth problem? The �spit test� is an easy and economical way to see if you may have a yeast overgrowth problem.

First thing in the morning, before you do anything, or put anything into your mouth. Work up some saliva and spit it into a glass of water. Check every fifteen minutes for up to one hour.

What to look for: Look into the glass. If you see �tentacles� hanging down from your saliva, suspended cloudy specks, or your saliva sinks to the bottom of the glass - you may have a Candida problem. If you have not seen any of the above after one hour, you probably do not have a yeast problem.

The saliva test is a guideline. Always consult with your doctor if you suspect any health concern.

The best defense is a strong, properly working immune system. If you would like a copy of Immune Building Protocol e-mail Dr. Enders at dr.dkenders@sbcglobal.net. Please put �Candida� in subject line.

Dr. David K. Enders is a 1973 graduate of the Palmer College of Chiropractic. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force as a medic before entering college. Dr. Enders has studied nutrition for 30 years and has had several articles on nutrition published in professional journals. After completing a Clinical Teaching Residency at Palmer College of Chiropractic he moved to the Chicago area, where he now provides nutritional counseling. His web site is: http://www.OptimalHealth.TopChiro.com.

By Gray Rollins

Candida Cleansing

Candida Albicans is a naturally occurring yeast, or fungus, that is commonly found in everybody's intestines, throat, mouth, genitals and urinary tract. When friendly bacteria and a properly functioning immune system are not present, balance of the system may be lost and Candida overgrowth may occur.

Its overgrowth is thought to be a frequent complication or even a causative factor in many of today's illnesses. The condition was most widely publicized by Dr. William Crook in his 1983 book, called The Yeast Connection. Other names for this overgrowth of yeast in the body include candida-related complex, polysystemic candidiasis, and chronic candidiasis. Some doctors dismiss the yeast-health connection as another fad but an increasing number of both MD's and naturopaths are treating Candida overgrowth as a serious infection that deserves attention and treatment.

Someone with an overgrowth of yeast can experience any number of unpleasant symptoms such as a yeast infection, fatigue, rash, depression and anxiety. The symptoms of Candida overgrowth are frequently treated with anti-fungal remedies. Even with these remedies, however, if your diet is not changed to create an environment within the body to prohibit the overgrowth of Candida, relief is sure to be temporary, and problem symptoms will return.

Once you have established that you have a yeast infection there are a variety of dietary changes that you can make to improve your health. Dietary changes are an important part of Candida cleansing.

Refined sugar should be eliminated from your diet entirely as it encourages the growth of yeast. So should fruit and fruit juices - as they contain natural sugars that promote the growth of yeast. Don't drink beer, wine or liquor as the alcohol also provides sugar, and many of these products are fermented with yeast. Bagels, muffins, pastries, breads and crackers should also be eliminated from the diet as they contain yeast and sugar. Anything with vinegar - which is made with yeast culture - should be avoided as well. Mushrooms should be avoided as should peanuts and peanut butter, cheeses, and meats that are dried, smoked or pickled. Beverages that should be avoided are fermented drinks such as root beer and cider, black tea, and coffee, including decaffeinated.

Both herbal remedies and prescribed medications can be helpful in cleansing the body of yeast. Increasing your intake of raw garlic and soluble fiber will help your body to fight the yeast infection. A supplemental dose of acidophilus will help to make your intestinal track more acidic which helps to kill off the Candida. Other recommended supplements include volatile oils, such as peppermint oil or oregano oil in capsule form as the straight liquid may be toxic, tea tree oil and olive leaf extract. Check with your herbalist as to dose, mode of use and formulations. For antifungal remedies not available over the counter check with your doctor about side effects, costs and availability.

Early in the treatment many people notice a worsening of their symptoms. When the Candida is killed it releases proteins and toxins. This process is known as die-off or the Herxheimer reaction and is temporary. With strict adherence to the diet, and treatment regime the patient will usually begin to notice improvements in two to four weeks.

About The Author
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for http://www.candidarelief.com. To learn more about candida and how to treat candida, visit http://www.candidarelief.com/candidatreatment/.