Simple steps to Identify and Overcome Candida
What Is Candida?
Candida albicans or simply Candida is a fungus that inhibits our bodies. Yeasts, like Candida, are a part of our everyday lives. Our bodies host as many as 500 different kinds of viral, bacterial and fungal organisms, including candida. There is a delicate balance between the “good” and “bad” critters that live primarily in our intestinal and digestive tracts. Normally the “good” organisms far outnumber the “bad” keeping our immune systems strong and our inner ecosystem in harmony. According to Donna Gates and The Body Ecology Diet, Candida thrives when you eat a high-sugar, acid-forming, low mineral diet—basically the standard American diet. So if we are eating poorly, stressed-out and taking medications like antibiotics then Candida can and will spread quickly. No wonder some experts estimate that as much as 50 to 80 percent of the American population is suffering from a mild to severe Candida-related illness.
Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth
Common yeast infections including vaginal yeast infections, jock itch and oral thrush are all indications of Candida overgrowth. Candida has also been linked to many more serious and perplexing symptoms including:
- food allergies
- digestive disorders
- skin rashes
- chronic constipation
- recurring headaches
- mental fuzziness
- loss of sex drive
- chronic fatigue
- chronic muscle soreness
- immune system disorders
- and even ADD and Autism
Conquering Yeast
Diagnosing Candida overgrowth is difficult and not all doctors are convinced it is a problem although there is a growing body of evidence that points to Candida as the culprit in many causes chronic health issues. In general, alternative health practitioners are more willing to consider that Candida is a serious health concern. Treating a Candida-related illness is almost as controversial as the disease itself. Most specialists agree you must 1) starve and kill the yeast 2) promote the growth of good bacteria, and 3) maintain an anti-Candida lifestyle. This can be a challenging undertaking but it is not impossible and there is lots of support and growing community of courageous Candida warriors.
Resources
- Take a Candida quiz at http://www.yeastconnection.com
- Go deep into Candida – The Body Ecology Diet book and website http://bodyecology.com
- Simple Steps to Beat Candida – http://www.betternutrition.com/combatting-candida-yeast/features/featurearticles/1400
- Experience Life Magazine – http://experiencelife.com/article/kicking-candida-2/
Wishing you Candida Free-Living
Kate