Small populations of candida are found in the gut and most moist mucous membranes of a normal body. When the body goes out of balance, it is not able to control the populations and candida takes over. It invades other parts of the body and causes widespread health issues called systemic yeast infections or Candidiasis.
It should be noted that there is disagreement in the health community as to the degree candida can invade the system. Some believe that it can only get out of hand in the gut, throat and genitals and that it is not possible to move into other areas of the bodies without nearly killing the patient. Others say that it is possible to have systemic Candidiasis.
Candida overgrowths go hand in hand with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, immune suppression, hypoglycemia and diabetes.
Symptoms
- unquenchable thirst
- weight gain due to fluid retention
- poor concentration
- irritability and meanness
- burning, itching of membranes (nose, mouth, eyes, rectum, genitals)
- carbohydrate cravings (extreme cravings for sweets)
- aching joints (arthritic feeling)
- cracking joints
- lethargy/fatigue
- difficulty getting restful sleep
- lowered sex drive
- depression
- suppressed immune system
- Thrush
Treatments
There are three main approaches to rid the body of candida overgrowths. The first is diet, the second is anti-fungal agents, and the third is recovery and prevention.
Simple carbohydrates are the villain; unfortunately they are also the craving.
Avoid
- Sugar
- Hidden sugars in processed foods
- Pop drinks
- Simple carbohydrates (pastas, white flour, etc.)
- Alcohol (especially beer, but in general avoid alcohol)
- Sweet, yeasty products like donuts
- Ice cream
- Dairy products in large quantities
Include
- Garlic
- Onion
- Chamomile tea
- Green Tea
- Cranberries
- Cinnamon (which also helps to make food taste sweeter without sugar)
Mainstream literature about candida demands a very restrictive diet. The more disciplined the diet, the quicker the results quicker, but it is not always necessary to be so militant. It is easier to stick with a diet if it is more balanced. It is not essential to eliminate fruit juices, nor is it necessary to ban mushrooms. In fact there are a lot of mushrooms (shiitake, enoke, maitake, matsutake, oyster, reishi) that may help the immune system fight off candida.
Supplements/Herbs to Eliminate Candida
- Pau d’arco –tablet or tea
- Aquaflora –a very effective homeopathic remedy
- Bentonite – a form of clay suspended in water that acts like a plow through the intestine to rid the body of build up waste
- Caprylic acid –available in capsule form or in oil as caproil
- Oil of oregano –make sure it is wild oregano and is of the highest quality
- Olive leaf – excellent anti-candida herb
- Neem leaf –very effective but very unpleasant taste
- Licorice root –tea or capsule
- Garlic – in food or in tablet form.
Recovery and Prevention
Once rid of the candida, it is time to start building up the beneficial bacteria. There are many supplements and active culture yogurts that contain probiotics. In particular BC30 (Bacillus coagulans) is beneficial.
Avoid if possible the use of antibiotics, as they will destroy the normal gut flora necessary to ward off opportunistic candida. There are all times when antibiotics are required, but routine use leads to problems.
Going through a candida die-off things can get very unpleasant. Nausea, diarrhea, room spins, fatigue, are common. This is not due to the treatment but the body responding to the dying candida it is trying to flush out. Drink lots of water, get lots of rest and take it easy for a couple of days.
References
MycoMedicinals, Paul Stamets, 1999 ISBN-13 978-0963797193
Green Pharmacy, James Duke, 2002, ISBN-13 978-0312981518
Natural Health Natural Medicine, Dr Andrew Weil, 1998, ISNB-13 978-0395911556
