What is Candida?

by Brooke Wagenheim

Many Americans have experienced multiple symptoms of extraordinary proportions that have bombarded their lives, leaving them as baffled as their modern Western doctor. Food allergies, chronic fatigue, digestive problems, skin rashes, immune disorders, headaches, chronic congestion, sore throat, mouth blisters, blurred vision, dramatic mood swings, nasal itching, muscle pain (lower back and neck), abdominal bloating, athlete’s foot, eye floaters, menstrual irregularities, depression, recurring irritability and anxiety are just skimming the surface of problems that so many people have, and don’t know why. When confronted by a patient with a myriad of these common symptoms, most MD’s cannot pinpoint what is really wrong because the symptoms have not been identified with any disease entity. Patients have heard numerous times that they are suffering from “neurotic anxiety syndrome” when they complain of such problems. They usually end up being prescribed antibiotics or deemed a hypochondriac in need of mental assistance. Because the problem can manifest itself through so many seemingly unrelated symptoms, diagnosis is often missed. Or the patient is referred to a doctor of mental health, because it must be “all in their head.”

Understanding the origin of this symptom constellation, in many individuals, has progressed considerably. The explanation is locked into understanding the life cycle of symbiotic yeast becoming a parasite called Candida albicans.
Candida is present in all of us; in small amounts, it is actually helpful to the system, acting as a natural antibiotic, controlling the growth of bacteria. It lives in our intestinal tract and is a genus of yeast-like fungi. It reproduces by budding and is the organism that is most commonly associated with mycotic (yeast or fungus) infections. In its infective phases, Candida produces conditions involving mucosal invasion or Candidiasis. These infections involve the skin, mouth, vagina, prostate, intestinal tract, etc. Most medical practitioners feel that in the absence of the overt signs of candidiasis, which is the acute infection stage of Candida albicans, there is no concern about this organism and the chronic Candida overgrowth has not been well recognized. Although this condition is extremely common, MD’s rarely suspect it, and if they do diagnose it, they will treat it with special antibiotics that kill fungi and yeasts.

Ordinarily, the growth of this fungus is kept in check by the immune system and the beneficial bacteria of the body or flora. The presence of the “friendly” bacteria (Bifidobacteria bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus) in the intestinal tract provides a natural control mechanism to prevent the overgrowth of Candida albicans. If, however, this “friendly” bacterial environment is compromised so that an imbalance occurs, then it may overpopulate and become infecting to body tissues. Individuals with weakened immunity, those who consume too much sugar and carbohydrates (which feed the fungus), those who swim and bathe in or drink chlorinated water (which kills the essential microorganisms in the body), and those who have taken drugs which kill the beneficial flora (mainly antibiotics, birth control pills, and of cortisone over a long period on) may develop an infection or overgrowth of this fungus. The widespread use of antibiotics, particularly in animal feed, which end up in our meat, eggs and milk, exposes us to long-term low levels of antibiotics.

The opportunity for infection in women is compounded further with pregnancy, through multiple pregnancies and the use of birth control pills. The female sex hormone progesterone, which elevates in the last half of the menstrual cycle, increases susceptibility to yeast infection in women. Men do not have the symptoms, in this case, but are definite carriers as Candidiasis is sexually encouraged.

When a Candida infection involves the mouth or throat, which usually occurs in infants and young children who have been on antibiotics, it is characterized by the formation of white patches and ulcers and is frequently accompanied by fever and gastrointestinal inflammation. This condition is referred to as Thrush. This, as well as other types of Candida infections, particularly those involving the lungs, are also very common in patients with depressed immunity, such as those suffering from AIDS or taking immunosuppressive drugs. These weakened immune systems relinquish control and give the Candida an opportunity to proliferate and transform into candidiasis, a harmful fungus that can severely harm overall health.

Some individuals prefer to avoid antibiotics and opt to handle their Candidiasis with diet, nutritional supplements and lifestyle changes, to prevent recurrences. The most important aspects of healing include dedication and understanding. The Candida mold feeds off the food you eat, especially sugars and starches. This takes away from the nutrients that are needed for survival. The mold then begins to produce its own waste products. These wastes are toxic to the system. We all harbor the organism in our bodies, but it is when the body loses its proper immune protection, or the intestinal pH is altered unfavorably, that the organism can then proliferate and change its state from the yeast form (Candida) to the dangerous and debilitating fungal form (Candidiasis).

Obviously, not everyone with fatigue, mood swings, or headaches suffers from Candidiasis, but it is of a significant enough nature and prevalence that is it well worth examining. It can be stopped, starting with your diet; as it is fed by any sugar source we make available to it. It is further strengthened when the “friendly” intestinal bacteria are destroyed, most often by antibiotics and steroid hormones, which are commonly found in conventional milk (dairy cows) and meat (beef, pork and poultry).

Cleansing the body of toxins is a good way to begin the arduous process of eliminating Candidiasis. It is important to refrain from certain foods while detoxifying the body; abstain from sugars of any kind. (No sucrose, dextrose, galactose, fructose, corn sweeteners, syrups, molasses, sorghum, honey, etc. Only stevia may be used.) Avoid refined foods, fruit juices (they are too sweet and highly concentrated), and any products containing white enriched flour and white rice (enriched means the food is bleached, further processed, and then sprayed with synthetic vitamin powder). Take supplements such as Pau D’Arco herbal tea (a blood purifier and major agent for immune enhancement and overcoming Candida overgrowth), high potency garlic, Flax Seed Oil and Colloidal Silver. Following this regimen, additional supplements will be needed in order to clear the dead fungus from the liver and blood; Liquid Chlorophyll, psyllium fiber, Caprol (consists of olive oil, which contains caprylic acid with fungicidal properties), Bentonite (which leaches materials to be carried out of the intestines), and finally, Acidophilus which provides beneficial bacteria to help nutritionally maintain equilibrium and harmony in the intestinal tract.

Namaste
Brooke Wagenheim