Today we shall be having an insight on Candida infection, revealing important information that even a lay man can easily read and understand. It is quite proper to have an accurate and precise knowledge about any form of infection before knowing the kind of approach that will be adopted in fighting against it. This review as promised is going to reveal a lot information about all you should know about Candida infection, so i will suggest you read through carefully and thoroughly.
Before we proceed is proper we give a brief introduction and definition about the subject, which is Candida in this case. So, let us start by asking ourselves.
What is Candida?
Candida is a yeast infection that occurs as a result of an overgrowth of yeast (a type of fungus) in any part of the body, especially in the gut (the alimentary canal).
Candidiasis is the most common types of yeast infection. There are more than 20 species of Candida, with the most common of them being Candida albicans. This fungi resides on all surfaces, and under certain conditions when they eventually becomes so numerous, they end up causing infections particularly in warm and moist regions of the body. Example of such infections includes; vaginal yeast infection, skin and diaper rash, thrush (infection of tissues of the oral cavity), and nail bed infections.
All human beings habours millions of bacteria in their guts at all times. Some are regarded as good bacteria while others are known as bad bacteria, and they cause a wide variety of ill health conditions.
In a healthy body, the good bacteria checkmates the bad bacteria so that there is a nice and even balance. When an individual develops Candida overgrowth, that means that the balance have been altered and the bad bacteria have taken over.
What are the symptoms of Candida (yeast overgrowth)?
The symptoms of Candida varies and they are many. They can even mimic other health conditions.
Symptoms relating to digestive functions includes:
- Bad breath
- Gas and stomach pain
- Loose stools and diarrhoea are very common
- Brain fog
- Itchy skin
- Vaginal itching/ irritation
- Athletes foot
- PMS (Premenstrual syndrome)
- Depression and mood swings are just one of the possible symptoms
What are the causes of Candida?
1. Poor diet and nutrition
Poor diet and nutrition actually fuels the growth of Candida fungus, when the body lacks adequate levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that is been needed for optimal functioning, then it becomes vulnerable to bacteria, viruses etc. Most of the present day diet is not highly nutritious, it is been packed with a bunch of junk foods like candies, cookies, chips and soda. Even the foods you thought should be healthier such as cereals are loaded with sugar and lacking god nutrients. Almost all processed foods you buy contains some sort of sugars.
Our standard diets are way too high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, which actually feed the Candida fungus and makes it grow optimally. However sugar is not only the culprit, starchy foods like bread, white rice, pasta, chips, potatoes, cookies etc. changes to glucose in the digestive system.
The more refined this foods are, the more faster they are been converted. It is most of these excess sugars that are responsible not only for Candida overgrowth but many other health conditions such as obesity, diabetes and malnutrition.
One of the major causes of Candida infection is the overuse of broad spectrum antibiotics. Antibiotics also damages and kill the good bacteria (normal flora) in the gut, and also damages the digestive enzymes, which may lead to an overgrowth of the Candid fungus.
b. The pills
The contraceptive pills that most women takes can also cause an outbreak of Candida overgrowth. The human stomach is such a delicate organ, containing a precise mixture of microorganisms and yeasts that aids in processing the digested foods. They solely depend on the right balance of chemicals to support them, but this equilibrium can be altered by the hormonal imbalance caused by the pill. By the disruption of this balance, the pill opens the door for Candida to outgrow its competitors in the gut.
Estrogen, which is the major ingredient in the pill, is known to promote the growth of yeast. If you need prove on how this can happen, compare how many women get regular yeast infections while they are on the pill.
Candida infection is one of the many conditions that can result as a result of diabetes, and diabetic women are particularly susceptible to any yeast infection. High blood sugar level feeds the Candida yeast, allowing it to grow fast and dominate the rest microorganisms in the gut.
Stress can affect the body in 2 ways, both of which can lead to excess Candida. One of the body's first reaction to stress is to release cortisol, a hormone that depresses the immune system and raises the blood sugar level. The Candida yeast feeds on the surplus sugar while the immune system is weak to stop it. It eventually overbalance the mixture of microorganisms in the small intestine.
Prolonged stress also weakens the adrenal glands, which is an important part of the immune system. This small organ releases hormones that regulates several systems in the body, and they are responsible in producing the "fight or flight" hormone, adrenalin. If the adrenals becomes drained, an individual will be feeling tired constatntly. The immune system becomes similarly drained and unable to respond properly to pathogens such as the Candida yeast.
5. Other causes
In addition to the main causes listed above, ther are other factors that can also contribute to Candida overgrowth, such as; the use of cortisone, or other steroid types of drugs, immune suppressing drugs and synthetic estrogen.
All these drugs creates an hormonal imbalance in the body which eventually allows the Candida to thrive and take over. People with diseases that weakens the immune system such as HIV are also more vulnerable to Candida yeast infection.
How can one detect Candida infection?
In evaluating the yeast growth, there are basically two tests to run:
1. The first is blood test, checking for antibodies (immune cells that might show reactivity to Candida).
2. The second is the urine test, looking for the actual metabolites of Candida.
Now we have gotten some useful knowledge about what Candida yeast infection is all about, let us look at measures to follow in order to conquer it.
Conquering Candida the healthy way
The easiest way to avoid yeast overgrowth is to limit dietary intake of sugars, carbs and alcohol.
· The Candida fungus feeds on sugar, so anything that degrades to sugar is a potential fuel source for this infection
· Alcohol, being mostly sugar and yeast is a perfect fuel source, so should be avoided
· Since antibiotic use is a cause of yeast overgrowth, patients that takes antibiotics must be exceptionally careful to take high-potency probiotics as a preventive measures.
· Avoidance of yeast foods such as mushrooms, breads and vinegar can be helpful.
· Rebalance Candida with moderate dietary approach along with supplement probiotics, digestive enzymes and anti-fungal remedies.
· Other natural anti-fungal agents such as garlic, caprylic acid, grapefruit seed extract and oregano oil can be used to fight Candida yeast overgrowth.