Saturday, January 23, 2010

Candida Albicans Fungus Overgrowth: The Silent Epidemic

By Doc Walton

Everyone has a type of fungi, known as Candida, which is present in their digestive tract, throat and mouth. This is normal, and it plays a part in the health of the body. Normally this fungi is kept from growing and proliferating throughout the body by the immune system. A Candida albicans fungus overgrowth usually happens when antibiotics, excess sugar or stress create an imbalance that weakens the immune system, which often can lead to a Candida albicans fungus overgrowth.

Most people, especially women, will experience a yeast infection at least once in their lifetime. Male Candida most often shows itself as Candida penis and/or thrush. Women experience Candida vaginal infections.

A yeast overgrowth can be difficult to treat as it changes forms and begins to spread rapidly throughout the body. If it is not treated, it can lead to life threatening problems such as Leaky Gut Syndrome. At this point the yeast can enter the blood stream and invade every organ in the body causing systemic Candida. At the same time it can give off over seventy different toxins. The majority of the people with chronic Candida have a difficult time completely healing from a condition.

Candida symptoms are many and they differ from person to person. The person may present symptoms such as learning difficulties, athlete's foot, muscle weakness, poor memory, depression, dizziness, mood swings, strong cravings for sweets, bloating, abdominal gas and chronic exhaustion. According to some scientists, Candida infections can play an important role in mental health and other major illnesses.

Scientists have yet to discover the reason why, but a Candida albicans fungus overgrowth seems to prefer the organ of the brain over other organs in the body. This may be the connection with mental illness. One of the main symptoms is a patient's difficulty in thinking and "foggy headedness".

Treating Candida is really simpler than most people would imagine except for one thing. If you start treating it too quickly, the patient may have the Herxheimer Reaction, caused by too many dead yeast cells in the body at one time, making it too overwhelming for the bodies natural elimination channels. The patient can feel very sick and experience flu-like symptoms. All you need for Candida treatments is to follow the anti Candida diet and the proper supplements.

The diet for Candida basically includes non-starchy vegetables, protein and certain nuts. Plain yogurt is one of the best things that can be eaten in a treatment Candida because it helps to replace the natural bacteria in the intestines that keeps the Candida under control. All carbohydrates, foods with yeast, fruits and foods that are sweet must be eliminated until the yeast is once again under control since sugar is the main food source of yeast.

Supplements should also be taken during the treatment. Acidolphilus, garlic and capryllic acid will help destroy the Candida yeast and will help the beneficial bacteria to grow within the intestines. This makes it possible for the immune system to keep the Candida under control.

Candida yeast sometimes does positive things for the body. For instance, it can consume foreign bacteria and is considered to play a small part in our defense system against dangerous bacteria in the intestine. People are often sickly and frustrated because they can't find help from their doctor and don't know what is causing their suffering. This is a common situation for many who suffer from Candida albicans fungus overgrowth. If that happens to you, ask your doctor to check for Candidiasis so that you can start treating yourself immediately.

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