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Candida 1
Shannon Gordon, MT, Aquafit Instructor, MBRPA |
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 Bacteria form normal flora of the lower gastro-intestinal tract and inhibit excess yeast growth in normal circumstances. If these friendly gut bacteria are disturbed in any way it can lead to overgrowth of yeasts, particularly candida albicans, which normally resides in the human gut in small amounts, kept in check by the normal gut bacteria. One of the most common factors that disturbs this equilibrium is the use of antibiotics, because this not only kills the disease-causing bacteria but also the friendly gut bacteria, allowing Candida yeast to get out of control. Other causes of Candida overgrowth include Food Choices that feed the Candida, Emotional Stress that increases Total Body Load, Hereditary Factors, and External Toxic Factors. For example leaking mercury amalgam fillings often lead to out-of-control candida in the intestines, because mercury has a great affinity for the colon and candida will then grow in excess in order to contain the mercury and prevent damage to the intestines.
The use of antibiotics therefore depletes our healthy gut flora, leading to Candida buildup. Any time there is a risk of increased yeast infection in our bodies, there is the possibility for Candida buildup; this includes post-surgery; any prolonged pharmaceutical treatment; hormonal therapy and pregnancy. At such times it always makes sense to supplement with friendly bacteria, called probiotics, so named because they replace the friendly bacteria, as opposed to antibiotics which kill them off.
What are some symptoms of Candida?
* Overall irritability and frustration
* Attention and concentration difficulties
* PMS with aggravations of symptoms a week prior to your menstrual cycle or a vaginal infection just before the cycle as a result of glucose in the blood due to an increase in progesterone. Yeast cells are attracted to the sugar or glucose. A vicious circle because with the sugar craving increased, there can also be mood swings with depression and/or irritability
* Burning or irritable sensation around the mouth, lips, anus, vagina area and maybe the stomach lining, creating a constant hungry feeling. This is not contagious unless there are open lesions in the mouth or in the vagina.
How to tell if you have Candida?
This can take time and may be frustrating
*Specific blood test by a health practitioner or Doctor
* A urine test may prove helpful for diagnosing Candida
* BioEnergetic Testing by a Health Professional rather than someone who merely tests for Food Intolerance and Vitamin Deficiencies in a Health Food Shop situation. An experienced Tester will be able to track the causal chain and determine the predisposing factors in your body and in your history
*By the symptoms. This is often the most practical way, since medical tests are not reliable and indeed, medicine does not recognise Candida as a problem. Many people are suspicious enough to begin taking self-help measures themselves, visiting a Health Professional if there are complications or no improvement over time
How to prevent and treat Candida
* Avoid yeasted foods and refined sugar completely. This is the basis of all anti-candida diets
* Monitoring your own health and diet, doing anything you can to remove stress foods and other stress factors. This may include food intolerance testing by a Health Professional who can also advise both generally, and specifically for your particular condition in your particular situation
* Kill yeasts off using the herbal supplement pseudowintera colorata. One month is enough for most people, chronic cases may take 2 or 3 months
* Then use prebiotics to create the most suitable environment in your lower digestive system for the friendly bacteria to thrive in. Lactose and Chamomile Flowers is a particularly good prebiotic for the lactobacillus bacterias, including acidophilus, to thrive in
* Then use probiotics, to actually replace the missing gut bacteria. Every practitioner has his or her favourite probiotics. Mine are the ones produced by Biocare(UK), Blackmores(Australia), Natren(USA) plus the Ecologic product from Holland and Sunrider's Vitadophilus. The best probiotic for you can be determined by a Health Professional who can test them all for you. Several month's supplementaion may be needed to establish a stable and robust gut flora following prolonged candida overgrowth
* avoid birth control pills, anti-biotics, synthetic hormones, steroids, refined foods, chemicals in food (preservatives, flavourings, sweeteners, colourings) i.e. eat real food
* Chew very well
* Stay out of damp and mouldy places
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