The silent epidemic in the United States is Candida albicans overgrowth.
One out of three people are suffering from Candida overgrowth. This
condition is continually ignored by Western medicine because its
symptoms mimic so many other conditions. It is to be taken seriously and
is one of the greatest causes of physical imbalance today.
What Is Candida?
Candida
albicans is a harmless yeast that naturally lives in everyone's
gastrointestinal tract, mucous membranes and on the skin. It lives there
in a symbiotic world in a healthy person's body. When your body's
ecosystem becomes imbalanced Candida overgrowth can occur thus allowing
it to attack any organ or system in your body.
What Causes Candida Overgrowth?
Antibiotics, steroids: cortisone, prednisone, birth-control pills, estrogen replacement therapy, poor diet, chemotherapy, radiation, stress, and alcohol overuse are what cause Candida albicans overgrowth.
The Detriment Of Taking Antibiotics
The
United States, because of its protocol of antibiotic overuse, has one
of the highest numbers of people with Candida albicans overgrowth. A
vicious cycle starts with the use of antibiotics. For example, you have
an infection, usually a cold or flu, and you visit your doctor. The
problem starts right there because antibiotics are for bacterial
infections not viral ones. Antibiotics are useless when it comes to
colds and flues. Overuse also creates super germs that are resistant to
common antibiotics and these germs that you used to be able to kill off
become life threatening.
Nonetheless, you take the antibiotic, which wipes out the good and bad bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract but does not affect Candida albicans.
Without the friendly bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and
Bifidobacteria present, Candida albicans will multiply. It only takes
having had one dose of antibiotics in your lifetime to raise yeast levels in the body.
Think about how many times you've had antibiotics in your lifetime
along with the antibiotics you get from consuming dairy and animal
products.
You're not only dealing with yeast overgrowth but also the fact that Candida albicans puts out 79 toxic by-products, all of which weaken your immune system.
One of the major toxins produced from Candida albicans is acetaldehyde,
which is transformed by the liver to ethanol (alcohol), creating the
feeling of intoxication and brain fog. There
have been cases where Candida patients have been pulled over and tested
positive with elevated blood alcohol levels above normal.
As the
immune system continues to weaken from yeast overgrowth and its toxic
by-products, more infections arise and you end up at the doctor's office
taking more antibiotics. Thus a vicious cycle has been created.
If
yeast overgrowth is not arrested it will change form into a pathogenic
(disease producing) fungus with roots causing a myriad of symptoms. This fungus burrows its roots into the intestinal lining, creates leaky gut, allowing the yeast/fungus to go into the bloodstream. This systemic yeast infection is called Candidiasis.
A
poor diet (refined sugar, dairy products, fermented foods) and high
stress levels keep feeding the yeast overgrowth. Digestion becomes
impaired, essential vitamins and minerals are lacking, and healthy cells
are not replicated to repair the body. The result is chronic progressive disease over time.
What Candida Albicans Likes To Attack
Candida albicans overgrowth primarily targets the nerves and muscles,
yet it can attack any tissue or organ in the body depending on your
body's predisposition. The most common symptoms are, indigestion,
bloating, gas, fatigue, disorientation, poor memory, numbness, abdominal
pain, constipation, attacks of anxiety, depression, irritability and shaking when hungry,
incoordination, headaches, rashes, vaginal yeast infections, and
urinary frequency. You may experience a few of these symptoms or many to
have Candidiasis.
Dr. William Crook, M.D. author of the book "The Yeast Connection"
is an expert in Candida and his books describe the condition in detail.
I've included his questionnaire so that you can score yourself to
become more aware of the symptoms that correlate to Candidiasis.
As time passes without treatment of the Candida albicans overgrowth, your immune system becomes more compromised, and the fungal overgrowth can interfere with nutrient absorption, altering amino acid and protein metabolism, which can alter multiple body functions.
These imbalances create a situation in which the Candida overgrowth may
be primary or secondary as the core problem, but either way it must be
treated.
How To Know If You Have Candida?
The
way in which you identify if you have Candida albicans overgrowth is to
see a healthcare practitioner that treats this condition. By taking Dr.
Crook's test you will have a good idea if Candida is a factor for you. I
use his test, along with taking an extensive case history, performing a
physical examination, and if needed a blood test and/or stool test to
detect Candida albicans overgrowth.
If my patient's test results
are negative that does not mean that I won't treat them for the
condition because I rely heavily on my examination and their case
history. A negative result may also mean the yeast is localized in the
gut and is not in the blood.
Emotional/Mental Imbalances
Emotional and mental imbalances are a common occurrence with Candida albicans overgrowth. Depression is an almost constant component of systemic illness related to chronic yeast growth in the tissues. The reason is the link between the gut and the brain. Leaky gut allows the fungus and toxins to reach the brain, especially with a liver that is overstressed.
Unfortunately
negative labels are given when you are imbalanced emotionally/mentally,
implying that psychosis or neurosis is your initiating cause. Do not
buy into the judgments you may receive from doctors. Search for the
right healthcare practitioner that will treat your body/mind as whole.
Treatment
Once
Candida albicans overgrowth has been identified, treatment follows by
killing the fungus/yeast and its toxins. It is killed by taking an
antifungal supplement and modifying your diet so that there is nothing
for the yeast to feed on. Treatment is simple but takes diligence. An antifungal source either herbal or pharmaceutical must be taken.
When your condition is mild an herbal compound/supplement is
sufficient. If your condition is chronic or severe, Nystatin and/or
Diflucan, or strong herbal compounds used by alternative health care
practitioners are what I find to be most effective
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