Candida

Candida Albicans is a yeast which lives, in small numbers, in our intestines and other areas e.g. skin. It is kept in check by our immune system and by ‘friendly’ bacteria which live with it. The candida can grow and get out of control if the regulatory system of the body (the hormonal/endocrine system) breaks down with the use of corticosteroids (contraceptive pill, HRT, or anti inflammatories such as hydrocortisone cream, prednisolone or beconase) and/or the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics which kill the friendly bacteria in the intestines.
The loss of these oestrogen-making bacteria causes the hormonal levels to become even more imbalanced. Stress, pesticides and other toxins, in particular, dental mercury amalgam also contribute to the development of candida overgrowth.

At this stage, candida changes into a damaging fungus which puts down roots into the wall of the intestinal tract and spreads into the rest of the body. The damage to the intestinal wall allows undesirable toxins to permeate into the bloodstream. This condition called ‘leaky gut syndrome’ often leads to food allergies and foggy brain. Symptoms in the intestines includes diarrhoea or constipation, bloatedness, flatulence and itchy anus.

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Once through to the rest of the body, the candida begins its task of cell decomposition, as like all fungi, its role in life is to decompose cell material for recycling. It can live anywhere there are mucous membranes – it particularly likes the vagina, lungs and the sinuses, providing food for bacteria and viruses. It also has an ability to disrupt the endocrine system causing symptoms such as PMS, menstrual irregularities, joint pains, asthma, hayfever, muscle fatigue and chronic tiredness. Candida is heavily implicated in the development of M.E. or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Some of the most obvious symptoms of candida overgrowth are thrush, cystitis and fungal infections of the skin or nails. Often these are treated by local medication only to recur time and time again. These symptoms should be taken seriously because if the candida is not properly treated, then the more serious problems listed above, could easily follow. For more help Click Here