Candida, Bacteria and Probiotics
Reduce Cravings, Headaches, Fatigue and Rash by Healing Gut Flora
Jun 24, 2007
A topic of debate between holistic and allopathic health care systems, candida is often named as a factor in allergies, fatigue and low energy, rash, sore throat, compromised immune system, indigestion, acid reflux, gas or bloating, and more. Dietary changes, probiotics and cleansing can be helpful in cleansing candida out of the body and restoring the bacteria of the gut to healthy balance.
What is Candida?
Candida is the name of a group (or scientific genus) of fungal infections. Candida albicans and other members of this genus often occur in the intestinal flora. Allopathic medicine considers a certain amount of candida normal, but in excess these fungi are responsible for thrush, vaginal yeast infections, and a variety of less severe symptoms including digestive disruption, headaches, tiredness, rashes and skin disorders.
The presence of candida usually goes hand-in-hand with a weakened immune system and/or pH imbalance.
Sugar, pH Imbalance, and Candida
The guilty party in yeast and candida overgrowth is usually sugar. Both refined and unrefined sugars are fuel for candida to feed upon. Sugar, in particular refined or artificial sweeteners, also contributes to pH imbalance and acidity weakening the immune system and allowing parasites like candida, other bacteria and viruses to spread. Candida, in turn, causes cravings for sugar and starchy foods.
What Feeds Candida
Candida and other harmful bacteria are more likely to grow if your diet is high in:
- Sugar and carbohydrates – refined, unrefined, even fruit and vegetable sugars
- Mushrooms and other fungi
- Yeast (bread, with the exception of yeast-free sourdough)
- Vinegar
- Cheese and other milk products
Antibiotic use contributes to candida growth, since antibiotics indiscriminately kill off bacteria in the digestive tract, including the helpful bacteria that improve digestion and act to control the amount of candida. The same effect can also be caused by coffee, stress, other drugs, illness, heavy metals or other toxic exposure.
Probiotics
Probiotics are often recommended as one way to shut down the growth of candida and other harmful bacteria or to restore balance after antibiotic use.
Acidophilus, bifidus, and other lactic acid probiotics are part of the gut flora - bacteria that are actually beneficial to the human body. They aid in the digestive process and are vital in immune balance and the maintenance of good health.
Taking probiotics in capsule or pill form, or in specially-labelled yogourt or other foods, can help these beneficial organisms to reestablish a hold in the digestive tract. Studies have indicated that probiotics can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, ease lactose intolerance, and may prevent colon cancer.
Prebiotics (such as raw oats, raw wheat or raw barley, soybeans, and Jerusalem artichokes) encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria and may be used in tandem with, or in place of, probiotics.
Candida Cleanse
A candida cleanse is another option to decrease candida and other harmful bacteria in the gut. Various cleanses may involve herbs or other supplements, but the basis of a candida cleanse is the restriction of what is eaten to eliminate all the foods (listed above) that contribute to candida.
It is a strict diet to follow, since it usually involves avoiding all grains, sugars, and yeasts for 3-4 weeks. Milder cleansing and the use of probiotics is often preferable.
