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| Some of the most common problems people bring to me– What can I do for more energy? I've tried everything and just can't seem to loose weight; I have been having headaches, gas, insomnia, or bloating; have constipation or diarrhea, often alternating; don't feel like having sex; can't focus my attention; crave sugar, carbohydrates, alcohol; I have allergies; sensitivity to perfumes, cigarettes, chemicals –all of these can be symptoms of candida overgrowth.
Typically, Candida albicans is a symbiotic yeast living in the intestinal tract. Its job is to recognize and destroy harmful bacteria. However, if systems become imbalanced, candida can grow out of control, a state called candidiasis. Systems can become unbalanced when there is a shock to the body's intestinal immune systems, particularly when the body's friendly flora is destroyed by such means as repeated use of antibiotics; birth control pills or steroids; a diet that is high in sugars, carbohydrates, or alcohol; or a lifestyle that is short on rest. Candidiasis is a very common and serious health threat. There are estimates that up to 90% of Americans have candidiasis.
In the state of candidiasis, Candida albicans shifts from the yeast to the mycelial fungal form and starts to invade the body. It forms very long, root-like structures called rhizoids that can penetrate the intestinal walls, allowing toxins to enter the bloodstream and creating what is known as leaky gut syndrome. The symptoms of systemic candida overgrowth are: muscle aches, sore/stiff joints, fatigue, problems with particular organs, recurrent urinary tract infections, and serious illnesses (asthma, ADHD, diabetes, MS, arthritis, CFS, fibromyalgia).
In extreme cases, candidiasis can be fatal. When candida gets behind the intestinal walls, it can enter other major organs like the lungs, kidneys and brain. Once in the brain, candidiasis is very difficult to recover from. A severe form of candidiasis involving Candida septicemia causes an extreme compromise of the immune system that can result in fatal blood poisoning. Fortunately, most people don't die directly from candidiasis. But unfortunately, if the immune system is heavily compromised by candida, the door is open to other diseases that may be fatal.
Linda Page, author of Healthy Healing, breaks Candida albicans overgrowth into clearly defined stages (quoted from 11th ed., p. C342):
1st symptoms: Bowel and bladder irritation; heartburn; chronic indigestion with gas and bloating; recurring cystitis or vaginitis; chronic fungal skin rashes and nail infections.
2nd symptoms: Allergy-immune reactions--chronic bronchitis; hives, sinusitis; eczema; hayfever, acne; chronic headaches or migraine; muscle pain; earaches; sensitivity to odors.
3rd symptoms: Central nervous system reactions–extreme irritability; confusion, a spacey feeling and nighttime panic attacks; memory lapses and inability to concentrate; chronic fatigue and lethargy, often followed by acute depression.
4th symptoms: Gland and organ dysfunctions: hypothyroidism; adrenal failure, hypoglycemia, ovarian problems, frigidity and male impotence; lack of sex drive.
Dr. Stephen Cooter, in his book, Beating Chronic Disease, states, "Candida is responsible for flooding the system with an accumulation of toxic acetaldehydes. Acetaldehydes are known to poison tissues--accumulating in the brain, spinal cord, joints, muscles and tissues." (Have you ever woken up with a "hangover" when you had not been drinking? We know acetaldehyde from its effects as a product in the body's metabolism of alcohol.)
Candida overgrowth can be difficult to control. First you must kill the candida. This can be done with a number of different supplements or drugs. It is better if you can take five to six different anti-fungal agents in rotation, as candida is very adaptable and can adapt to most anti-fungal agents by mutation.
Second, you must stop doing the things that caused the imbalance in the first place. That means stop eating yeasted breads, sugars, beer, wine, starchy foods, over-processed and refined foods. If you kill most of the candida but continue to feed the rest, you will be out of balance again very soon. For the first 6 weeks (again quoting Linda Page), you must avoid "sugar or sweeteners of any kind, gluten bread and yeasted baked goods, dairy products (except kefir or kefir cheese, [plain] yogurt or yogurt cheese), smoke dried or candied fruits, coffee, black tea, carbonated drinks, alcohol, or foods containing vinegar." You should avoid antibiotics, steroids, birth control pills and tobacco. Note: Tap water should also be avoided. Chlorinated water kills harmful bacteria in our water, but also kills the friendly flora in our intestines. Friendly flora such as acidophilus are needed by our immune system and are partially responsible for maintaining candida balance.
Third, you must remove the dead candida. These can be eliminated by supplementing with soluble fibers or bentonite. If you do not clear space for friendly flora to populate, the candida will return to occupy that space. Fourth, you must rebuild: replenish the friendly bacteria, such as acidophilus, and strengthen the damaged organs, especially the liver. (Milk thistle is a good liver supporting herb.) Finally, you must re-strengthen the immune system.
People undergoing treatment for candida often experience what is called the Herxheimer or "die off" effect. When a large amount of candida cells are killed, more toxins are released than your body can manage. These toxins may create uncomfortable symptoms, including (but not limited to) flu symptoms (stuffiness, headache, general aches, diarrhea), skin rashes, vaginal irritation/discharge, or even something unusual such as numbness in the legs or mental confusion. This period generally lasts from one day to a week. You have the choice of toughing it out or reducing the dosages of the anti-fungal agent. The symptoms disappear as soon as sufficient candida has been removed from your digestive system.
To win the battle over candidiasis, you must continue the treatment for 3 to 6 months, or even a year in some cases. Otherwise it is likely that the candida will reestablish itself. A general rule is that it takes one month of treatment for every year that the candida has been out of control.
Page, Linda
Healthy Healing
Traditional Wisdom, Inc.
CANDIDA FAQ V. 2.0.
(A good resource.)
http://www.infosky.net/~alexmi/candida.htm
Copyright 2002 by Chip Engelmann
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