Candida

What is it? Do I have it? How do I know if I have it?

How do I get rid of it?

It seems lately that we have all been hearing a lot about Candida albicans.  But do most of us really know what it means, or what it is?  Candida overgrowth can be a serious health concern.

What is Candida?

Candida is yeast similar to the yeast that causes bread to rise.  Candida albicans is the most common yeast and can grow out of control in the body.  There are over 80 species of Candida.  Candida is a digestive mold or yeast fungus.  They live inside our body robbing us of nutrients and put off toxic waste.  Digestive yeast can produce over 70 known toxins.  Of course, Candida is normally found in our intestinal tract in small amounts.  It lives in low levels as a source of food for the beneficial flora in our gut.  These beneficial flora are sometimes referred to as friendly bacteria or pro-biotics.  This friendly bacteria helps the body fight infectious disease and produce certain vitamins.  The desired ratio of friendly bacteria to yeast should remain at 85% friendly to 15% yeast.  This balance helps to maintain a healthy intestinal tract. When the balance is disturbed yeast can spread to any part of the body. This condition is what some doctors, who are trained in diagnosing Candida, call Systemic Candidasis.  Another name for this condition is dysbiosis.  Dysbiosis can and does suppress the immune system.  Candida can also produce waste products known as mycotoxins. One of these is acetaldehyde, a substance that is poison to the body and is converted to ethanol and then to alcohol by the liver.  As this alcohol builds up in the body symptoms like “brain fog” can develop.  Candida also secretes acid byproducts that can alter pH (acid and alkaline balance). It can also damage the mucosal lining of the digestive system by growing long roots called rhizoids. These roots can puncture the lining and cause it to become semi-permeable which leads to a condition called Leaky Gut Syndrome

How do I know if I have Candida?

Common Signals of Candida Overgrowth

Allergic symptoms Hay fever Chronic sinusitis Hives, Asthma Food & chemical sensitivities Cardiovascular system Mitral valve prolapse          Poor circulation    Cold hands & feet Children Thrush Diaper rash Colic Irritability Recurring ear infections Hyperactivity Learning difficulties Short attention span Nasal congestion Chronic cough Wheezing Headaches Digestive problems Constipation Diarrhea Gas and bloating Craving for sweets Mood swings Diseases thought to be related to or affected by Candida Allergies to chemicals & food Athlete's foot Ringworm Joke itch Other fungus infections of the skin or nails Crohn's disease Hodgkin's disease Lupus erythematosis Scleroderma Arthritis Sarcoidosis Chronic respiratory disease Myasthenia gravis Autism Alcoholism Anorexia nervosa Bulimia Multiple sclerosis Drug addiction Inflammatory bowel disease Fibromyalgia Gastrointestinal system Chronic heartburn  Gastritis  Colitis       Distension & bloating Gas            Indigestion             Belching  Constipation Diarrhea   Rectal itching         Hemorrhoids          Abdominal pain Mucus in stools Ears Recurring infections             Pain          Deafness Fluid in ears Eyes Spots in vision       Burning   Tearing   Failing vision Blurred vision         Erratic vision          Chronic inflammation          Night blindness

Emotional/Mental nervous systems Extreme ups & downs in mood            Irritability Jittery behavior Inability to concentrate       Sudden mood swings          Poor memory          Depression Headaches              Lethargy  Agitation Foggy Spacey   Generalized Fatigue      Increased body hair             Loss of body hair Numbness & tingling Weight gain            Weight loss           Loss of balance    Dizziness Poor circulation     Insomnia  Excessive sleepiness           Overeating Loss of appetite     Lungs & Chest Pain & tightness   Wheezing or shortness of breath       Cough Men Prostatis Mouth & Throat Sore and bleeding gums     White patches       Sore or dry mouth Blisters Rash          Bad breath              Cough Muscular Skeletal system Muscles aches and pains   Muscle weakness Muscle paralysis  Joint pains Joint stiffness         Joint swelling or arthritis      Nose & Sinus Nasal congestion & stuffiness             Postnasal drip        Itching Sexual Impotence               Loss of interest in sex         Skin Itching      Rashes     Psoriasis  Dry Scaly         Acne Urinary system Recurring kidney and bladder infections          Cystitis   Urethritis Urinary frequency  Burning on urination           Urgency to urinate Women Vaginal burning     Vaginal discharge Endometriosis        Menstrual cramping Failure to menstruate            Too frequent periods          Extremely heavy flow          Scant menstrual flow            Premenstrual depression      Premenstrual anxiety

Sensitivity to mold can be related to Candidiasis. If you do not feel as healthy as usual on rainy damp days, you may be reacting to mold spores in the air. On damp days, airborne fungi multiply rapidly. People with Candidiasis often have allergic reactions to other forms of fungi, such as those in the air. Mold and fungi grow in dark and damp places such as; bathrooms, under kitchen sinks, basements, cellars, poorly ventilated closets, carpet and even wallpaper. If you have a reaction being near mold your immune system may be depressed by internal fungi.  Because of this depression in your immune system, you may now be reacting to common household fungi and molds, which normally would not bother you.

In diagnosing Candidiasis, physicians usually investigate the possibility of mold allergies. The doctor may perform a laboratory test or simply quiz you to see if you have mold allergy symptoms. Mold allergy does not mean that you definitely have a Candida problem. Your doctor will make that determination based on a combination of factors. That is if he or she is trained to even consider the possibility of Candida overgrowth.

We have included a Candida questionnaire and score sheet at the bottom of this article. This questionnaire and score sheet may help you and your doctor to determine if you have Candida albicans.

What Causes Candida to grow out of control?

There are a number of factors which contribute to Candida overgrowth.  The following is just a partial list: Stress, over use of antibiotics, cortisone-type drugs, oral contraceptives, chemotherapeutic drugs, any drug which stresses the system by their toxic effects, over eating, over consumption of simple carbohydrates (such as; sugar, starches, soda, breads with yeast, potatoes, pasta, milk, fruits, honey, molasses, etc). 

Another factor, which most people do not consider, is emotional stresses.  Our emotional state has a role in why we manifest physical problems.  For example, if you hold your feeling or emotions in, you may develop a sore throat because you did not speak out or express your feelings vocally. Sometimes these patterns play out in our behavior that we feel we can’t change.  When we make statements like “ Well that’s just the why I am” this might be an indication of someone who refuses to work on their inner problems or emotions.  It is important to recognize that we have to play a role in our own rescue and take responsibility for our health.  Others can assist us but ultimately we are responsible for healing ourselves.  Our bodies are capable of healing themselves when emotional issues are recognized and faced. More on disease and their emotional connection in another article.  

How does Candida contribute to your health deteriorating?

Because of the holes punched in the intestinal lining, (Leaky Gut Syndrome), by Candida large undigested particles are able to pass through the intestinal lining into the blood stream. These particles may consist of fats and proteins. The immune system then registers these particles as foreign invaders, similar to how it responds to bacteria or viruses. This reaction may occur because of the sheer size of the food particles. As a result the body makes antibodies against these food particles. An antibody resembles an enzyme. These antibodies incite immunity.  The body is capable of making many antibodies to protect its self from many diseases and invaders.  The body stores these antibodies and calls upon them from your immune database in times of need. If your body does not have a particular antibody then its possible the body may make one. When to many antibodies to food (proteins and fats) or chemicals are made the person then may develop food allergies or sensitivities and autoimmune problems.  An autoimmune disorder is what happens when the body mistakenly attacks its self. Some common autoimmune diseases are; Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, Lupus, and Colitis just to name a few.

Many of these and other autoimmune diseases have a deep connection to Leaky Gut Syndrome  (LGS). Candida is usually the underlying culprit behind the leak in the intestines. Once Candida has become systemic (all over the body) it then invites in or makes way for other pathogens such as parasites, bacteria, viruses, viroids. These invaders can now make a home anywhere in the body, depending on the toxins and weakness in that particular area of the body.  Chemicals such as synthetic solvents found in cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, perfumes, dyes, soaps, even in processed foods, yes folks in foods, can now enter the body as well causing more overload to an already taxed immune system. Even in minute amounts they can accumulate in different organs and muscles. Whereby creating a “home” for many invaders. Some of these pathogens, particularly parasites, are actually invading organs and body systems in an attempt to clean up the solvents that have taken up residence in your body!  The jobs these parasites attempt to do can be too much and may inadvertently create havoc and damage to your organs.  For this reason it is a good idea to do a parasite cleanse while cleansing Candida albicans from the body. 

Other important suggestions are that a persons bowels be moving 3 to 5 times a day. See our Herbal Home Colonic Program for more info on bowel cleansing.  This bowel cleansing helps to properly eliminate toxins via the bowels. Otherwise the detoxification could create a dye off effect where syndromes such as headaches, nausea, fever, body aches and pains may occur. This die off effect could be the result of pathogens dying or something more serious. As always we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor before embarking on any cleansing, exercise, diet, or herbal program. Check to see if there are any holistic practitioners in your area which can assist and guide you.  While cleansing, we also suggest that you not use any synthetic perfumes and if possible cosmetics products. The following is a list of some of the most common solvents to avoid.

10 Synthetic Cosmetics Ingredients to Avoid

To Summarize: Look for natural ingredients in the products you buy. Do not use cosmetics that are artificially colored. Is the shampoo bright green or blue? Very likely it contains a coal tar color. Does the product contain synthetic fragrances? Don't buy it. You may find that some of your allergy problems will suddenly disappear when you no longer use cosmetics formulated with petrochemicals and other synthetics.

Contributions for solvent information provided by By Aubrey Hampton with Aubrey-organics.com

Back to Candida

Systemic Candidiasis may be underlying and possibly the cause of allergies and other autoimmune problems.  Once the Candida toxins are in the bloodstream they go to the liver, then to other organs such as the brain, joints, muscles, skin (our largest organ), and nervous system.  Sometimes the liver can't do its job because of toxic overload or poor nutrition.  These toxins are then stored in different parts of the body and can lead to chronic disease or just not feeling well. 

Candida can also disrupt the endocrine system. It could be that much of the endocrine problems that many people are experiencing are Candida, parasite and toxin related. Another problem which is usually always present with Candia is toxic metals particularly mercury.  Read our article on Mercury Poisoning. It might be wise to check with a biological dentist in your area about having any metal fillings removed.  Remember that no dentist will admit that mercury is a problem. By law they can’t, but they may be able to help you in the removal by using safe procedures and language.  For more info on this subject there are many books available such as “Its All In Your Head” by Hal Huggins, Or “The Chelation Way” by Dr. Morton Walker.  You might also consider doing a Mercury Clean-Up after you have your silver (amalgam) fillings removed as mercury from these sources tends to get trapped inside the cell and needs special attention and safety protocols for removal.

Spirit of Healing has provided some basic guidelines for a diet to help rid the body of Candid.  You will find this diet information below. We want to emphasize that Candida is difficult to rid the body of. It may take 6 months to a year or more following this or other special diets and herbal programs. There is no quick fix. Most people did not get to where they are over night and nor are they going to get well over night. So be patient and diligent and for God’s sake don’t give up!  You can create a feeling of well being so great that it can change everything.  When we really feel good, we are more available to do our jobs, to love one another, to express ourselves with confidence, to share, to live in love and not fear.  Together we can create heaven on earth, heaven in our bodies where our soul resides.  We can "heal ourselves" one day at a time. Remember that we are all connected and when we help each other heal, we are also healing ourselves.

We have also created a wonderful kit to help you with Candida Clean-Up along with the diet.  Keep in mind that it is always best to do a Colon Cleanse first (or along with the Candida Cleanse), and a Parasite Cleanse.  Please feel free to call us 336-992-2417 if you need our assistance with which cleansing program to begin with.  It has been our experience that if you have bodywork (massage therapy) done along with any cleansing program the results are better. Good luck on your journey to great health. God bless us and pray for peace on earth!

The basics of a Candida clean up diet

Candida albicans prefers sweets and starches.  It has little use for protein, eggs, seafood’s or meat.  It doesn't particularly like fats butter or oil. The all American diet of chocolate chip cookies, milk shakes, sugary soft drinks, donuts, ice cream, and pancakes and syrup provide the ideal nutrition for any ambitious yeast colony with intentions of expanding.

Health sophisticates feed their Candida dried fruits and nut mixes, honey, molasses, the purest maple syrup, carbo candies, and enormous quantities of grains. Fresh fruit, reputed to be a health food, contains enough sugar to upset body chemistry and stimulate yeast growth.  Fruit juices, loaded with sugar are great for yeasts. Studies have shown Candida to be growing rapidly in freshly squeezed orange juice.

Candida overgrowth often creates sensitivity to other yeasts and molds.  Vinegar and pickled foods, smoked meats, fish and the bakers yeast in bread can evoke symptoms.  Even inhaling the yeast in a bakery can be a problem for the extremely sensitive person.

            The following outline includes most foods that can encourage yeast overgrowth and /or stress the human immune system.  If Candida is a factor in your health problems these guidelines suggest foods you want to eliminate from your diet.

1. Eating refined weakens the immune system and also feeds yeast organisms. Over eating starchy foods also seems to encourage yeast growth.
1. Do not eat sugar or sweets. This includes products made with honey, molasses, and syrup, as well as sugar.
2. Do not eat large portions of wheat, oats, rye, barley, corn, rice, potatoes or millet. Some people may need to limit their intake of these foods to 1 tablespoon per meal.
3. Milk sugar can encourage Candida overgrowth.  Avoid milk and milk products except butter.

2. Many people with Candida overgrowth develop sensitivities and allergies to other yeasts and mold, which can trigger symptoms and weaken the immune system.  Yeast, mold, fungus should be minimized in foods.
1. Yeast is used in food preparation and flavoring of: Commercial breads, rolls, coffee cakes, pastries, leavened crackers, beer, wine and all alcoholic beverages.  Most commercial soups, barbecue potato chips and dry roasted nuts. Vinegar and vinegar-containing foods such as pickles, sauerkraut, relishes, green olives and salad dressing. (Lemon juice with oil may be used as a yeast free salad dressing.) Soy sauce, tofu, miso, cider, and natural root beer
2. Yeast is the basis of many vitamin and mineral preparations; for instance, tryptophan is often derived from yeast.
3. Molds grow on foods while drying, soaking, curing and fermenting.  Avoid pickled, smoked or dried meats, fish and poultry, including sausages, salami, hot dogs, pickled tongue, corned beef, pastrami, smoked sardines and other fish that have been dried or smoked.  Bacon country style cured pork of all kinds is usually coated with mold. Dried fruits such as prunes, raisins, dates, figs, citrus peels, candied cherries, currants, peaches, apples and apricots should be avoided.  All cheeses including cottage cheese are moldy and should be avoided.  Dried teas, including herbal teas can be a source of mold.

Mold grows on all vegetables. Wash foods well before eating.

4. Avoid canned or frozen citrus, grape, and tomato juice. Aside from containing too much natural sugar, citric acid is often added to these products.  Citric acid is a by-product of yeast and may provoke reactions.
5. Mushroom are a member of the fungi family. Some people with Candida overgrowth appear to be allergic to mushrooms.
6. Peanuts often support the growth of a toxic mold called aflatoxin. Avoid peanuts and peanut butter

3. Eating fruit will boost blood sugar levels and encourage growth.  Fruit and fruit juices must be omitted from the diet.

Just reading this list could be a test for Candida overgrowth. If you have Candidasis, you probably began hyperventilating half way through the list.  By now you are breaking out in a sweat, your pulse is above normal, and a sense of panic is taking over. These are all your favorite foods.

      Candida overgrowth brings a craving for most of these forbidden foods. Not just a preference, but a strong, virtually insatiable craving.  People report dragging themselves out of bed at 2am to go to the store for chocolate, malt balls or other carbo-loaded foods.  Others find that even though they know better they eat ice cream for dinner. Often one loses the desire for high quality protein and fresh vegetables.

      The irony of this situation is apparent. It appears that one is autonomous eating for his or her own benefit and pleasure, making independent decisions about what to put into the grocery cart, but is this really what is taking place? Maybe Candida’s food preferences are now overriding healthy human ones.  Maybe the yeast overgrowth has altered body chemistry in such a way that it is dictating the daily menu.

      Candida often seems completely in control of the situation.  Nutritionist who assist Candida patients in planning a healing diet see stubborn resistance to eliminating yeast foods.  Some patients weep as they read the list of foods they must avoid. Sophisticated, mature women raise their voices: “You mean I can’t eat peanut butter sandwiches? My favorite food?”  But most people then reach the stage of acceptance and ask what is left to eat?

      Here's where the good news comes in.  The following lists include foods that one can enjoy on a pro-human, anti-Candida diet!  They are divided into seven major groups which form the basis of the Rainbow Meal Plan which we’ll come to next.

ONE: Complete Protein

Beef beef brains, beef heart, buffalo, frog legs, gelatin (plain or sugar free), goat meat, goose, kidney, lamb, liver, mutton, rabbit, veal, and deer

Fowl

Chicken, duck, pheasant, and turkey

Organ meats from these birds

Eggs

Chicken, duck, and goose

Fish, Mollusks and Crustaceans

Abalone, anchovy, bass, carp, catfish, caviar, clam, cod, crab, crappie, crayfish, fish roe, flounder, haddock, halibut, herring, lobster, mackerel, mullet, oysters, perch, pompano, red snapper, salmon, sardine, scallop, shark, shrimp, smelt, sole, sunfish, swordfish, tuna, white fish, and whitting

TWO: Grains and LegumesGrains

Amaranth. barley, buckwheat, corn, flaxseed, millet, oats, oat bran, psyllium seed husk, rice (brown), and sprouted grains

Legumes

Beans: adzuki, black, kidney, lima navy, pinto, soy, and mung.   

Peas: Black-eyed, chick, green, garbanzos, snap, and split

Three: Root Vegetables

Artichokes, anise root, beet, carrot, celery, kohlrabi, onion, parsnip
parsley root, Irish potato, sweet potato, radish, rutabaga, turnip, and yam

FOUR: Yellow and White vegetables

Avocados, bean sprouts beans wax, cauliflower, corn, cucumber, jicama, onion, parsnip, radish, rutabaga, squash (yellow crooked neck), and turnip

FIVE: Green Vegetables

Artichoke, asparagus, lima bean, broccoli, celery, leeks, okra, olive, pea pods, green peas, green peppers, sprouts, scallion’s, and zucchini

SIX: Red, Orange and Purple vegetables

Beets, carrot, eggplant, pumpkin, red cabbage, red bell pepper, sweet potato, tomato, winter squash, and yam

SEVEN: Leafy green vegetables

Artichokes, beet tops, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, chicory, chives collards, dandelion, endive, escarole, kale, iceberg lettuce, red leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, mustard greens, parsley, spinach summer savory, turnip greens watercress, Swiss chard, and sunflower greens

            As you can see, your starvation is not an issue. Starvation of Candida is the issue.  These vegetables, proteins, whole grains, fresh herbs and condiments are not Candida’s food preferences.

            Clinical research spanning many decades has shown these foods to be the best for humans.  Free of sugar and caffeine, they are not likely to be stressful.

            Some individuals with Candida overgrowth have developed food allergies or sensitivities. Some of these foods can be glaringly obvious.  Eating eggs results in an instant headache.  Have a shrimp and break out in hives.  Even good foods, such as eggs and shrimp, can be problem foods temporarily.  If you suspect food allergies, keep a diet diary and observe the connection between what you have eaten and how you feel.  A little detective work can usually isolate the food you need to avoid for a while.

            By eating only small portions you can often minimize allergic reactions.  An ideal meal plan with built-in small portions is the Rainbow Meal Plan.  Here is the menu for a sample meal:

Leafy Green Vegetables

Spinach

Red Vegetable

Tomato

Grain or Legumes

Brown rice

Complete protein

Beef

Root Vegetable

Potato

Yellow Vegetable

Squash

Green vegetable

Asparagus

 

Notice that one food from each of the vegetable categories on the recommended food list is on the menu. There is a red, a green, a green leafy, a yellow, and a root vegetable. Then there is a small serving of whole grain or bean. A modest serving of a complete protein rounds out the meal. This is not an unusual way of eating. The traditional American meal-tossed salad, baked potato, steamed broccoli and steak, chicken or seafood-is a Rainbow Meal.

            The only difference here is in the size of the portions, sometimes digestion is not complete. Small portions allow more complete digestion.  Those individuals who are extremely toxic with Candida need to eat very small portions.  One tablespoon of each of the seven food groups.  This only amounts to about a cup of food.  One will need to eat every two hours.  Most of the foods can be pre cooked or eaten raw.  Until Candida starts to clear keep portions small. 

            Use common sense and vary the foods you eat on the Rainbow Meal Plan so that you don’t eat the same food over and over.  Drink plenty of water and as always keep the bowels moving well so dying Candida can move out of the body.

*This diet provided by Physicians Cyto Laboratories, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Segments of this Article were taken from “Candida: A Twentieth Century Disease”

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