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Candida

What is Candida?

Candida is a type of yeast that is one of the most common residents of the human mucous membranes such as the gut, urinary tract system and vagina. The most common type of Candida is 'Candida Albicans' but other species are also widely found. Candida exists either as a round yeast cell or as a fungus (mycelial form) with spindly outgrowths called hyphae that can penetrate the body tissue of the host.

In healthy individuals Candida is kept under control by friendly bacteria and a healthy immune response and remains in the yeast form. As Candida is a yeast, it produces alcohol (ethanol) and acetaldehyde (this is the chemical responsible for the main symptoms of a hangover) as the major products of its metabolism. In healthy individuals alcohol can be detected in the blood from exactly this source but it is at a level that doesn't cause any problems as the bodies detoxification systems can cope with it. If however you have an overgrowth of intestinal Candida, the levels of alcohol entering the bloodstream are going to be greatly increased. Patients are checked for ethanol levels an hour after ingesting a sugar solution. If the patient has consistently high blood levels of ethanol then this can come from small intestinal yeast overgrowth. Laboratory testing is available to check this.

When the immune system is healthy “friendly” bacteria like Bifobacteria bifidum and Lactobaccillus acidophilus create a symbiotic system with the yeast that keeps everything in balance. Imbalance of intestinal flora is known as dysbiosis.

Causes

Factors that disrupt the balance of organisms in the intestines and lead to overgrowth of Candida are:

• Antibiotic use
• Use of birth control pill
• Use of hormones especially immunosuppressants like steroids
• Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Diet
• Alcohol
• Prolonged stress 

Candida can cause a host of health conditions like IBS, food allergies, migraines, asthma etc.

Symptoms

Here's a short list of common symptoms of Candida:

• Fatigue.
• Weakness.
• Muscle & joint aches.
• Headaches and feeling of being "hung over". Mental fogginess.
• Gastrointestinal disturbances - diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, bloating after eating.
• Psychological disturbances - depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings.
• Cognitive dysfunction - poor memory, lack of concentration.
• Recurrent vaginitis.
• Menstrual disturbances and infertility.
• Allergies.
• Skin irritations/rashes/acne.
• Recurrent throat/ear infections.
• Hypoglycemia.

Testing for Candida/Yeast Overgrowth

Yeast overgrowth can be detected by stool sample, testing Candida antibody levels or either a urine or blood sample testing for levels of yeast products such as alcohol and organic acids.

Think Nutrition Approach

If you are suffering from a yeast overgrowth you can get help. A yeast overgrowth can wreck havoc in your life. Have you been to a doctor and told him you think you have Candida and been ignored? Have you felt that you have some phantom illness that no one understands and have you so many symptoms that you don’t know where to start. Well then you are not alone. Unfortunately a lot of the medical profession do not believe this condition exists and are clueless about how to cure it. However, it is estimated that one in three people in the Western World is suffering from symptoms caused by an overgrowth of Candida Albicans. Sadly a lot of people do not know that the problems are caused by Candida.

We take Candida seriously at Think Nutrition. We can confirm if you have Candida by laboratory testing. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned above then the odds are Candida is involved. Treating Candida involves a few different stages and involves a strict diet but a very healthy diet. We will help you with this entire process advising on foods to avoid and foods you should be eating, which probiotic offers the best results and the best anti-fungals to use.

The plan we recommend is based on a treatment that actually works and one I have used myself. Candida is not for the faint hearted and strict adherence to the anti-Candida diet is needed. This diet is not for life and foods are slowly reintroduced back in.

Request a call back and we will discuss your options with you and help to restore and recover your health.

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