Candida
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| Candida yeast |
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What is Candida ?
Candida albicans, to give it its full name, is the most common yeast naturally present in our bodies. Normally, healthy bacteria, also naturally present in our bodies, keep the population of candida in balance, and at a level which causes us no problems. If, however, our levels of healthy bacteria are reduced, the population of candida can increase dramatically out of control. The resulting condition, called "candidiasis" can spread throughout the whole body.
Candidiasis is most commonly associated with people who, for one reason or another, have compromised immune systems, such as those:-
- whose diet is high in sugar and refined carbohydrates
- with a long history of antibiotics use
- with food or environment sensitivities or allergy
- with leaky gut
- with asthma,eczema, acne or psoriasis
- who have used corticosteriod drugs, or tetracyclines
- who have AIDS
What are the symptoms of Candida ?
The wide range of symptoms associated with candidiasis, and their similarity to those of food sensitivities, could make its diagnosis tricky before the days of scientific testing. They are often reported as follows:-
| Common symptoms | ||
| constipation/diarrhoea | abdominal bloating | abdominal pain or discomfort |
| recurrent thrush | recurrent urinary tract infections | vaginitis |
| prostatisis | rectal itching | |
| sinus problems | bad breath | white spots on tongue or mouth |
| heartburn | excess mucous | athlete's foot |
| fungal nail infections | headache | depression |
| joint or muscle pain | tingling sensation in limbs | environmental sensitivities |
| acne | psoriasis | eczema |
| headaches | numbness in face or extremities | tingling sensations |
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What causes Candida ?
As mentioned above, candida is present, in small quantities, in all healthy people, its effects held in check by our normal healthy bacteria. However, when our healthy bacteria is compromised, their ability to control candida growth is inhibited and that is when the problems begin.
Healthy bacteria in our body can be affected by a number of factors, including:-
- Poor diet choices, such as those high in sugars, refined foods, saturated fats, and low in nutrients and fibre, result in:-
- imbalances in stomach acidity (Ph)
- a slowing down in the digestive process
- The use of antibiotics kills off healthy, as well as unhealthy, bacteria, leaving the field clear for the rapid multiplication of yeasts, such as candida, as well as parasites and unhealthy bacteria.
- The use of NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs),such as Iboprufen, damages the mucosal lining of the stomach wall, and allows partially digested food molecules and toxins to enter the bloodstream.
- Alcohol, particularly, wine and beer which have strong sugar and yeast content, encourages candida growth, and can damage the liver allowing more toxins into the bloodstream.
The less we support our healthy bacteria, the more we encourage the conditions which promote the growth of candida.
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What can changing my diet do to help with Candida ?
Candida flourishes on foods that include a high proportion of sugar, simple carbohydrates and yeast - all of which are major ingredients in the modern western diet. The key elements in a nutritional strategy to bring candida populations in your body back under control are:-
- Starve the candida by significantly reducing, or eliminating, those elements which are feeding the candida, such as:-
- simple carbohydrates such as white bread, cakes, potatoes, polished rice, crisps
- sweet desserts and confectionery
- dried fruits such as raisins, sultanas, dates etc.
- foods containing yeast such as bread, soy sauce, fresh mushrooms, yeast extracts, including many "bouillon"
- alcohol, particularly, wine and beer
- Re-populate the intestine with healthy bacteria by:
- eating foods containing healthy bacteria (eg lactobacillus and bifidobacteria) such as those found in natural live yoghurts
- taking pro-biotic supplements which contain high concentrations of healthy bacteria
Treatment of candida requires, first, accurate diagnosis, and then second, a diet to deal with it which can be fairly severe. To be successful, you really need the help of a qualified nutritionist.
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What sort of test would I take to confirm a diagnosis of Candida ?
If, following your completion of a detailed questionnaire,and an initial consultation to discuss your symptoms, we think that candida may be linked to your problem, we would normally recommend that you take one of the following tests:-
- Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis Test which examines not only yeast overgrowth, but also provides a full digestive profile.
- Microbiology Test which concentrates on yeasts and bacteria populations.
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