Candida Series – There’s a Fungus Among Us…

This week I am starting an entire series regarding candida (yeast) overgrowth.  Candida is actually a broad topic, not just those small, annoying, unspeakable infections that we whisper questions about to our closest friends. Candida overgrowth can actually occur all over the body. The great thing about this series, is that there are many strategies that you can start today to proactively prevent candida overgrowth.

Question:  What is candida?

Candida albicans is the most common type of yeast infection found in the mouth, intestinal tract, vagina, skin, and other mucous membranes. If the immune system is functioning optimally, this type of yeast infection is rarely but can occasionally become serious.

Candida is a fungus that aids with nutrient absorption and digestion when in proper levels in the body. When it overproduces, typical candida symptoms may appear. In the digestive tract, if left unchecked, it breaks down the walls of the intestinal lining and penetrates into the bloodstream. This releases byproduct toxins from your system, causing leaky gut syndrome.

When your body’s natural pH balance is upset, the candida yeasts can grow out of control, creating a systemic problem and unpleasant candida symptoms. Good healthy bacteria and a properly functioning immune system are essential when fighting this stubborn infection. In addition to candida symptoms, individuals who have never experienced a serious yeast infection can find they have developed new sensitivities, allergies or intolerances to a variety of foods. These foods include dairy, eggs, corn and gluten.

Question: What causes candida infections?

There are many possible causes of candida, including a diet high in sugar, refined carbohydrates and alcohol that help feed candida. In addition, six common causes are listed below:

• Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics: Sometimes, antibiotics are needed to fight a stubborn infection to kill the offending bacteria in your system. The problem with antibiotics is that they don’t just kill the bad bacteria; they kill the good ones, too. The good bacteria in your system are responsible for digestion and keeping candida under control. After a long course or multiple courses over a short period, antibiotics can make your body a breeding ground for candida.
• Birth Control Pills: When a woman consumes a diet high in refined sugars and has had a course of antibiotics, birth control pills can adversely affect her body, leading to a candida infection. Some women find that birth control pills seem to instigate yeast infections and even long after the initial infection is gone, once they start taking the birth control pills again, candida can take root.
• Oral Corticosteroids: Individuals who treat their asthma with corticosteroid inhalants are at an increased risk of developing candida in the mouth, leading to systemic candida overgrowth. It is imperative that individuals using corticosteroid inhalers for asthma follow the directions for swishing the mouth out after each use. If oral candidiasis is detected, it can be treated with the gargling of coconut oil and two drops of essential clove oil.
• Cancer Treatments: Candida can become invasive in cancer patients and present a serious complication.  In this study, one-third of patients being treated for cancer had “invasive” candidiasis. Chemotherapy and radiation can both work to kill cancerous cells and tumors; however, they also kill off the healthy bacteria that naturally fight candida.
• Diabetes: In a Type 1 or a Type 2 diabetic, sugar levels in the mouth and other mucous membranes are traditionally higher than in an individual without diabetes. Since candida is a type of yeast and sugar feeds yeast, it then follows that those with diabetes are at greater risk for developing candida overgrowth syndrome.
• Weakened Immune System: Any individual with a weakened immune system is more likely to develop candida overgrowth. This population includes infants, small children, the elderly, and inflammatory/autoimmune disease patients.

Next week, we will discuss recognizable and not-so recognizable candida overgrowth symptoms. Then I’ll follow that with a treatment and prevention blog.

As always, feel free to leave comments, questions or topics of interest!