Candida Albicans
Candida can be the reason for many niggling health issues, we look at solutions.
Candida or a yeast infection is surprisingly common. Some believe it is as high as 1 in 3 that have some sort of yeast infection. This is hardly suprising when our diets and lifestyles have altered dramatically in the last 100 years.
Many diets are now laden with sugar,
yeasty breads and artificially flavoured sweets/candy.
Many vitamins, that are taken, with the best intentions, have
synthetic chemicals in, which the body is not sure how to
process.
Poor diet couple with the immense stress that many face; from mortgages, unhappy jobs, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, lack of nutrient dense food and it is easy to see how the body might react in a less than satisfactory way.
Candida is present in our gut, naturally.
It is only when we do not feed the body nutrient-dense, healing foods, or eat a diet rich in sugars that imbalance occurs and dis - ease is seen.
Common warning signs of a bacterial imbalance:
- Allergies and food sensitivities
- Difficulty losing weight, sugar and/or carbohydrate craving
- Frequent fatigue, poor concentration
- Frequent constipation or diarrhoea
- Poor digestoin, acid relfux and other gut disorders
- Sleeping poorly, night sweats
- Painful joint inflammation, stiffness
- Bad breath, gum disease and dental problems
- Frequent colds, flu or infections
- Chronic yeast problems, such as vaginitis or oral thrush
- Acne, eczema, skin and food fungus
- Extreme menstrual or menopausal symptoms
I experienced candida myself, nearly 15 years ago, but through altering my diet and making lifestyle changes I am now free of any symptoms of a bacterial imbalance. I no longer crave sugar nor enjoy eating it. There can be a light at the end of the tunnel!
Treating a bacterial imbalance is not easy and requires commitment but when approached correctly; it works and a 'normal' life can be experienced, with a little of what you fancy having its place in your diet. Thus you can eat a piece of chocolate again but first controlling the imbalance is paramount.
As a word of caution, left unchecked, candida can progress into more serious illnesses. Some feel that cancer is in fact a yeast and thus I feel dealing with a simple yeast infection or athletes food is not simply a short-term application of a cream but addressing the actual underlying cause, of the infection, to create a healthful future.
Treating the underlying cause is crucial for lasting health, merely treating the symptoms is not a solution.
Many Americans and Europeans have a love affair with carbohydrates. Bread, croissants, cakes, donuts, pies, candy and pasta. These in moderation are fine in a healthy body but in a body that is weakened by a candida albicans overgrowth, they are the very worst foods to eat.
A person with a body 'out of balance' can often find they crave the very foods that their body doesn't need such as sugar, breads, carbs and this in turn can create a bigger issue of suffering, for longer.
The body is effectively a drug addict for food. Gut disbiosis (abnormal gut flora), according to Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride [1] is usually the reason for Candida Albicans. Candida is usually kept under control by the beneficial bacteria, however if allowed, through poor diet, to get out of control then unpleasant symptoms are seen.
What to do to get rid of candida albicans & thus symptoms of imbalance.
- Take a living whole food probiotic
- Avoid sugar, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and agave
- Avoid artificial sweeteners (aspartame)
- Avoid artificially flavoured foods, food dyes
- Avoid flavour enhancers (such as E621, MSG, monosodium glutamate)
- Do not eat regular shop brought bread. Find a local sourdough rye or don't eat bread.
- Avoid endless cups of coffee. If you have to have one, have an expresso. ONE!
- Cut out alcoholic drinks, such as beer and wine. They are yeasty and can feed candida.
- Make sauerkraut and eat with all meals [2]
- Cook with Extra Virgin Coconut oil [4]
- Use grass-fed butter or ghee [5]
- Eat unprocessed foods, even 'organic' boxed foods can have candida feeding carbohydrates.
- Make soups and stocks from organic free-range chickens
Probiotics can help to address the gut flora imbalance.
Modern diets include caffeine, sugar, simple carbohydrates, preservatives and overly-processed foods. All these factors can lead to reduced levels of probiotic bacteria in the intestinal system, providing an environment for putrefactive bacteria to dominate and may lead to poor health. Including certified organic probiotics in the diet regularly may help to replenish the supply of probiotic bacteria. [3]
Research has shown that lactobaccilli bacteria:
Increase nutrient assimilation, assist in the elimination of ailments such as colon irritation, constipation, diarrhoea and acne. Lactobaccilli can retard yeast infections, strengthen the immune system and detoxify hazardous synthetic chemicals added to the diet, such as nitrates.
Probiotics and fermented foods, can assist in controlling the pH (acid/alkaline) balance in the body.
According to the Weston A Price foundation , Grass-fed, organic butter contains anti-microbial fatty acids including butyric acid, which has strong anti-fungal effects.
Coconut oil and butter are not only anti-microbial, but they also help heal the lining of the gut. I have certainly found that since using ghee and coconut oil in my diet I have a healthy digestion and no signs of candida. That isn't to say eating coconut oil will cure candida but it certainly is a step in the right direction.
Learn more about coconut oil with this video.
Bruce Fife, author or 'The Coconut Oil Miracle' says of coconut oil and candida, that it is one of the most widesprad health problems in Western society is caused by the fungus Candida albicans. Bruce feels that candida is the same organism that causes oral thrush and nappy/diaper rash in babies. Bruce goes on to say that dry flaky skin (and even psoriasis) that persists can very well be a fungal infection. [4]
Caprylic acid is present in the Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFA) in coconut oil. The caprylic acid is a natural source yeast fighter. So including full fat coconut milk, coconut oil, coconut butter can help reduce candida related issues.
Making stock can help heal the gut according to the research and work desribed by the Weston A Price foundation. Making stock isn't necessarily appealing to a vegetarian or vegan, however in my experience it has helped to restore nutrients into the diet and calm the gut. See how to make good stock
Synthetic chemicals can add to the toxic 'body burden'.
Synthetic chemicals in
our homes, personal care products and food can add to the toxic
body burden.
Candida can be beaten by being aware of our food, environment & lifestyle. We need a healthy lymphatic system to effectively detoxify the body. Using conventional anti-perspirant deodorants and moisturisers can blog pores and create imbalance in the body.
Heavily perfumed products can, in my experience, upset those suffering with candida related issue, thus opting for certified organic perfumes is an option.
I suggest using certified organic skin care, which is literally plants, oils and herbs that work with the body, not against it.
The organic skin care range I like, use only certified organic essential oils and absolutely no perfumes or fragrances, which can be an issue with someone suffering with candida related issues.
References:
[1] Gut & Psychology Syndrome by Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride. Published by Medinform
[2] Learn how to make sauerkraut. ActualOrganics video on sauerkraut
[3] Lactobaccillus Acidophilus. American Institute of Biosocial Research Inc. 1989
[4] The Coconut Oil Miracle by Bruce Fife, published by Avery
[5] Ghee, learn more at Pure Indian Foods http://pureindianfoods.com/
©Actual Organics 2010