| Andres Jimenez
Everything You Need to Know About Candida (And How to Fix It)
Balance. Almost everything in life requires balance - whether it’s your work-life balance, balancing time between friends and family, the responsibilities of parenthood and nurturing your individual needs. When important aspects of your life are off balance, your homeostasis is disturbed which can lead to unpleasant side effects.
The same is true for the bacterial and fungal communities that exist within your body. When overgrowth of bad bacteria or fungi occurs, your body’s balance is thrown out of whack. This can lead to quite a few health issues, and an overall cruddy feeling.
Let’s take a look at a specific fungus that naturally occurs in small doses in your mouth, intestines, and on your skin - Candida.
What Is Candida, Exactly?
Candida is a type of yeast that, in small amounts, exists symbiotically within your body. However, it is also the leading cause of fungal infections in humans, specifically Candida albicans. Typically, your good and healthy bacteria keeps this type of yeast in check. It’s when that balance is disturbed that overgrowth occurs. This is a condition called candidiasis.
SYMPTOMS OF CANDIDIASIS
Of course, if you suspect that you are experiencing Candida overgrowth, you should seek a doctor’s advice. The following are common symptoms associated with Candidiasis.
- Fatigue - Candida infections happen when the immune system is weak. This in itself can cause tiredness. Additionally, nutrient deficiencies often accompany candidiasis, namely magnesium and B6, resulting in fatigue.
- Oral thrush - Lesions on the tongue, cheeks, gums, and throat that are white, painful. These can spread to the esophagus, making swallowing painful as well.
- Yeast infections and UTIs - Both men and women are susceptible to UTIs though they are less common in men.
- Digestive issues - Including Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the development of ulcers.
- Joint Pain - Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin and joints.
- Skin and Nail Fungus - Candida naturally colonize on our skin which is why this is a common site for overgrowth. It is also associated with fungal growth in the nail.
Causes of Candida Overgrowth
DIET
There are some dietary habits that can cause an abundance of Candida. A diet high in refined carbohydrates and excessive sugar, for instance, has shown an increase in the presence of C. albicans. Similarly, studies have shown that a high intake of alcohol puts someone more at risk for developing candidiasis, specifically in the esophagus.
HEALTH CONDITIONS
Certain medical conditions also make a person vulnerable to Candida proliferation. Diabetes, a compromised immune system, and the need for long-term antibiotics all have an effect on the good bacteria that reside within your body and can disrupt your bacterial balance. This means you have less good bacteria making sure your Candida plays nicely.
LIFESTYLE
And finally, certain lifestyle factors can put you at higher risk for developing candidiasis. Oral contraceptives have been linked to more yeast infections in women. When our bodies are submitted to high psychological stress, our nervous system will produce harmful secretions that are destructive of the cells and tissues responsible for optimal immune defense. As we already learned, poor immune function means an imbalance of the good bacteria that keeps your Candida under control.
Treatment of Candida Overgrowth
Gut health is the number one problem solver when it comes to common health problems. The natural way to overcome issues with overbearing bad bacteria growth is to pay close attention to what you’re eating. Many issues can be fixed by adjusting our diets.
The following is a list of foods that may help with Candidiasis.
- Kombucha and other probiotics
- Pomegranate
- Coconut oil
- Circumin (the main compound found in turmeric)
- Garlic
SUPPLEMENTS
If you’re looking for relief from your symptoms, a fantastic antifungal supplement to include in your toolbox is our YEAST BUSTER, specifically made for helping with Candida overgrowth and maintained healthy levels of fungus in the body. We recommend taking 30 drops 3 times daily in water before meals. Doing so will allow the anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as fennel seed, Oregon grape root, and gentian root to take effect. This will help combat Candida, reduce inflammation, alleviate skin issues and yeast infections, as well as promote digestion.
TREAT IT EARLY
If you suspect you have a Candida infection, it is pressingly important to get it treated right away. The early stages of an infection are not life-threatening. But if left untreated, a Candida infection can spread to the bloodstream. This means that both your heart and your brain can become at risk for serious, even fatal complications.
In Tune With Your Body
Knowing the symptoms of a Candida infection is only part of effectively overcoming it. Being completely in sync with your body’s patterns and tendencies plays a prominent role in detecting any kind of roadblock toward a healthy lifestyle. By understanding what is happening within our internal systems as well as our typical physical responses, we can pinpoint almost exactly the very thing that ails us.
All healthy relationships require good communication; that includes the relationship and communication between you and your body. Listen intently. Understand completely. Act lovingly.