What is Candidiasis?

Candidiasis is an overgrowth of the normal gastro-intestinal (gut) flora “Candida albicans”.Some of the most common health complaints people suffer from when candida is prevalent are fatigue, allergies, thrush and cystitis, skin   rashes, mood changes, low libido and bowel changes, to name a few. Because candidiasis can affect various parts of the body – the most  common being the mouth, ears, nose, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina –  it can be characterised by many symptoms. These include constipation,  diarrhoea, colitis, abdominal pain, headaches, bad breath, rectal  itching, impotence, memory loss, mood swings, prostatitis, canker sores,  muscle and joint pain, sore throat and persistent cough, congestion,  acne, night sweats, severe itching, extreme fatigue, vaginitis, kidney  and bladder infections, arthritis, depression, hyperactivity, adrenal  problems. Symptoms often become more severe after the consumption of  foods containing sugar, yeast and/or mould.

Candidiasis may affect both men and women, however, it is rarely  transmitted sexually. It is most common in babies (an infected mother  may pass the fungal infection to her newborn) and in persons with  compromised immune systems. In babies, they will develop nappy rash that  looks like a very bad burn.

Taking antibiotics, hormones, steroids and cortisone drugs are the  main reason why most people suffer from a Candida overgrowth. This is  because these drugs affect the balance between the “Good” and “Bad”  bacteria found in the intestines and bowel. These medicines also weaken  the immune system, cause nutritional deficiencies and alter the permeability of the gastro-intestinal lining giving rise to further infections.

Very often food allergies or environmental sensitivities are present in candidiasis sufferers.

The bowel and intestine are the first areas of imbalance when candida  proliferates. In the bowel we have a large population of “Good  Bacteria”. When we are born, provided we are breast fed, the colostrum  (which is the first part of breast milk) feeds this good bacteria and  supplies a plentiful amount of it. This helps to keep the balance  between “good and bad” in the intestines. If we have antibiotics, their  action wipes out the harmful bacteria, however this action is non  specific and also destroys the beneficial bacteria as well. Each time we  have another course of antibiotics, this good bacteria is destroyed  further and further. This lack of good bacteria leads to all kinds of  health problems, such as constipation and diarrhoea, headaches, skin  rashes, mood changes, a lowered immunity and general ill health.

Therefore the primary treatment of candidiasis is to establish a  healthy amount of ‘friendly’ bacteria in the bowel and intestines. The  three reasons this is essential are:

1) The friendly bacteria control the pH of the bowel, this action helps to control opportunistic bacteria and fungus.

2) Probiotic cultures compete for food with yeast and other harmful bacteria.

3) Good bacteria also compete for space to attach themselves onto the  bowel wall and intestinal lining, thus ‘crowding out’ harmful bacteria.

Candida has two quite separate identities in the body. One is when it  is in its yeast form and the other is in its fungal form. In the yeast  form it has no root, but in its fungal form it produces what are called  Rhizoids. These are long structures, similar to roots. Once in this  form, the roots can actually penetrate through the mucous lining of the  tissue, in which they are growing. When this happens this substance then  enters the blood stream. This form of infection is known as systemic  candidiasis. Once the candida has broken through the intestinal barrier,  undigested proteins from the food eaten, as well as toxic wastes from  the candida infestation, may begin to circulate in the blood stream.  Once in the bloodstream, candida can invade every organ system in the  body, causing a type of blood poisoning called candida septicaemia. If  these substances reach the brain, there is a chance for the production  of, what have been termed as, “brain allergies”. These can result in a  wide variety of mood and personality problems, ranging from depression,  irritability and mood swings, to conditions, which look to all the  world, like the symptoms of schizophrenia.

When candida infects the vagina, it results in vaginitis  characterised by a large amount of white, cheesy discharge and intense  itching and burning. When the fungus infects the oral cavity, it is  called thrush. Candida infection may also take the form of athlete’s  foot or jock itch.

Protocols in natural medicine seek to establish a balance between  yeast and beneficial bacteria as well as controlling proliferation  through anti-microbial and anti-fungal supplements.

About Gastrointestinal bacteria

Within our gastro-intestinal tract are an enormous number of beneficial bacteria. Everyone has them and they are essential for our health. They allow us to synthesise vitamins, assist our digestion and protect from harmful bacteria.

The presence of harmful bacteria in our body is essentially an infection. We may, however, have populations of these organisms in our gut and not recognise that they are causing some of our health problems. Harmful bacterial overgrowth can have a significant effect on our health.

Candida albicans is the most vigorous of the normal gut bacteria and is therefore the most likely to have an overgrowth –called an “opportunistic” overgrowth.

Harmful overgrowths of candida albicans are frequently found in people who are unwell, fatigued, have digestive problems, flatulence, bloating, headaches or suffer with frequent infections.

We must restore normal bacterial balance to the gut before we can expect symptoms to improve.

What causes candidiasis?

There are many factors :-

• infections and infestations eg gastro-enteritis, giardia, parasites
• low levels of beneficial bacteria
• food allergies or sensitivities
• nutrient deficiencies eg zinc, iron, vitamin A
• stress from emotional or physical cause
• accumulated toxic overload from day to day living
• medications, especially antibiotics
• insufficient protein in the diet
• prolonged fasting
• too little fibre in  the diet
• alcohol consumption
• normal aging process

Human tongue infected with Candida

Symptoms include; 

 Nutritional Treatment

The main aim is to restore normal bacteria in the gut:

1. Avoid all yeast containing foods:

Vegemite
Melons
Yeast breads
Fermented beverages
Beer
Wine
Brandy
Scotch
Mouldy cheeses
Fermented vinegars
Salad dressings
Nuts
Biscuits
Old cereals
Apple cores
Canned citrus fruit juices
Hamburgers
Ice cream
All dried fruit
Oranges
Pickles
Tomato sauce
Sugars
Fungi
Yeast powder
Butter milk
Sour milks
Processed and smoked meats
Malt products
Barbecue sauce
Olives
Mayonnaise
Chilli peppers

2. Avoid all refined carbohydrates, sucrose and artificial sweeteners, sugars, soft drinks, pastries, canned fruits and vegetables

3. Increase intake of cabbage, brussel sprouts and asparagus

4. One clove of garlic everyday (or garlic supplement) as this is antifungal, anti bacterial and antiviral

5.Supplement diet with B12, B6, biotin and folic acid  as they maintain the candida in the non invasive form

6. One dessertspoon of olive or fish oil per day

7. Supplement with acidophilus

8. Improve digestion with digestive enzymes and stimulate gastric acid secretion with herb gentian

9. Support liver with BACE 2000 and Lipoic acid

10. Boost immune system with Zinc, antioxidants and vitamin C

11. If yeast infection present do not wear synthetic undergarments (wear cotton), ensure genital area is kept dry, wipe front to back, use condoms, have your partner checked

12. Manage stress

13. Supplement options (basic):

• Good high B vitamin multi mineral and vitamin supplement containing High B vitamins and Zinc – to reduce candida and boost immune system
• Digestive enzymes
• Herbs and supplements to manage stress
• Probiotics to restore normal bacterial balance
• Omega 4 fish oils to reduce gut inflammation
• Gut repair formula
• Herbs – Horopito, Gentian and Garlic

Possible secondary:

• L Arginine (immune stimulant reduces candida adherence)
• Lipoic acid (Maintains glutathione levels)
• Glutathione

Next Steps

Contact Sheena Hendon  for an appointment or to discuss how I can assist you in beating candida – both symptoms and cause

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