Candida

CANDIDA: A brief summary

By Ronald Wayman

The following is for information only. Seek professional help with any medical and health conditions.

Candida is a type of yeast-like detrimental fungi. Candida albicans is one of 70 different species of Candida yeast. Candida albicans inhabit the intestines of all humans. The excessive proliferation of Candida albicans is called Candidiasis and can be in the Intestines, Vagina, Mouth, or Esophagus. Systemic Candidiasis is an overgrowth of candida throughout the body. It is estimated that 1/3rd of the world population suffers from Candida albicans overgrowth.

It is natural for it to be in the colon and vagina, but if it grows excessively it can penetrate the lining of the colon and then it can spread to the bladder, vagina, small intestines, blood, lymph, brain, lung, and other areas of the body it can cause problems of all sorts. Usually linked with bladder infections, it can also be associated with:

• sore throats
• mind confusion
• headaches
• body aches and pains
• most major illnesses
• minor and major fatigue
• dizziness or vertigo
• ear problems
• fluid retention
• cravings
• athlete’s foot
• psoriasis
• extreme sensitivities to the environment
• mood swings
• vaginal infections
• diarrhea
• constipation
• bloating
• and others

With Candida problems, it is hard to lose weight, to become healthy if in poor health, for some to get pregnant, to build strength, to learn, etc. People who continually get streptococcus or staff infections could consider candida overgrowth issues. People with sinus headaches, earaches, lung congestion, or migraines could also look at the candida diet suggestions and supplements for assistance.

Most often allergies or food sensitivities accompany candida overgrowth and can add stress to the body. The immune response to candida adds to the food sensitivities and the food sensitivities burden the immune system thus causing a vicious cycle. This starts in the intestines where the bowel normally blocks toxins and larger food particles. But when invaded by yeast overgrowth, the intestinal lining becomes inflamed and larger particles then can pass this lining into the bloodstream. The blood travels to the liver that has to deal with these large particles and is overwhelmed with the extra detoxification needed.

The liver cannot handle all the extra load, so the lymph system takes part of the burden. The lymph triggers the body’s immune response which is already confused and overwhelmed with the yeast and candida overgrowth elsewhere. The body becomes “sluggish”, fatigued, sick, and starts a downward spiral of illness. In fact, in the liver, if candida is not detoxified, candida can produce other toxins such as acetaldehyde which converts to formaldehyde, alcohol, carbon monoxide, and other toxins.

Candida can start with too much stress, not enough sleep, lack of proper nutrients from the diet, excessive use of antibiotics, excessive use of drugs, steroids, for some – the contraceptive pill, pregnancy, hormonal changes, excessive use of low-quality supplements, eating sugar, excessive carbohydrates, for some sensitivities to dairy or gluten, MSG, alcohol, coffee, tea, too much junk food or processed food, mercury or metal toxicity, environmental toxins, injury or surgery, stress caused by abuse or trauma, and lack of proper enzymes. These are just some of the possible catalysts for candida.

How do you get a handle on it?

One way is through the diet. A diet full of junk food and sugar and/or “eating on the run” will feed and maintain the candida in the body. This diet is usually lacking in enzymes and causes stress on the body’s endocrine and digestive systems. When the digestive system is taxed then fungus, bacteria, molds, other yeasts, viruses, and candida can have a great time multiplying in a body.

You can minimize the overgrowth by eating correctly – chewing slowly, eating a variety of foods, not eating sugar and carbohydrates, and supplementing with digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes make a major difference in most people’s diets. Not only does it assist in breaking down the yeast, but the enzymes also help the body assimilate badly needed nutrients. You are what you assimilate and absorb from your food.

Drink water, stay hydrated, take enzymes, eat a balanced diet, eat without the junk, eat in peace, and get a balanced emotional life.

If you take care of your current and past emotional stresses and get a proper diet with live and whole foods you might not need as much supplementation. But until you choose to do that, get a diet active in your life that is balanced, supplement with enzymes, and start taking care of your emotional and mental stressors.

Emotionally, candida is associated with helplessness, hopelessness, fear of responsibility, too much responsibility, overwhelming burden, suppressed rage, terror, lack of confidence, betrayal. And often there are beliefs that “no matter how hard I try, I can’t _____” (win, get what I want, to be loved, have control, be happy, be good enough, etc.).

Candida overgrowth needs the attention of all of you. Your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual sides. Get a journal, a friend, an animal, or whatever and get it out. The “get it out” means emotions that are trapped, especially any resentment about a person or event. Let it go and get well.

This chart on foods is suggested for people with candida problems. See your health care professional for diagnosis of candida. Often the candida spreads to areas that are not tested so it can be helpful to visit a Naturopath, Homeopathic Physician or Applied Kinesiologist for additional assistance.

For emotional assistance with candida consider the Centering Dynamics Book.

Anti – Candida Diet Suggestions
These are suggestions. This is a general list. Each individual should seek professional health advice from their health practitioner. For some cases, ask your practitioner about using nutritional plant enzymes and the bifidobacteria form of acidophilus.

Warning: the following is for information only. Seek professional help with any medical and health conditions.

The FOODS to AVOID
Added Sugars	Jam, Honey, Fruit Juices, Syrup, Biscuits, Dried Fruit, Chocolate, Yogurt, Drinks, etc.
Fruit	No Fruit except Avocado, fresh Grapefruit, Lemon, Banana, for some Sour Apple, for some Orange.
Yeast Products	Bread, Pizza, B Vitamins from yeast source, Breadcrumbs, Citric Acid from fungal source.
Alcohol	Wine, Beer, Brandy, Cider, etc.
Fermented Products	Miso, Vinegar, Tomato Sauce, Pickles, Barbecue Sauce, Olives, Horseradish, Salad Dressings, Relish, Sauerkraut, etc.
MSG	Some Chinese food, 2 minute noodles, some soups, flavored chips and snacks
Gluten	Wheat, Cakes, Pastries, non-pure Rye, for some Oats, for some Barley, for some any rice, for others just non-brown rice
Dairy Products	Milk, Cheese, Ice Cream, for some eggs.
Molds and Fungi	Peanuts, Pistachios, Soy Sauce, Mushrooms.
Stimulants	Coffee, Tea, Cola, Cigarettes
Food Additives	Coloring, Flavoring, Preservatives, Thickeners, Anti-Caking Agents
Processed Meats/Smoked Meats	Salami, Sausage, Hot Dogs, Pastrami, Corned Beef, etc.
Processed Foods	Processed Cheese, etc.
Oils	Heated Oils (except pure virgin olive oil), Oxidized Oils, Margarine, etc.
Left Overs	If they grow mold.
Starchy Vegetables	Corn, Potatoes, Dried Beans, etc., for some peas.
The FOODS that are Allowed
Meats/Fish	Meats that are Free Range (Chicken, Beef, Turkey, Lamb). Fresh Fish, Seafood, Tuna, Salmon.
Vegetables	All vegetables: except Potatoes, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, for some Peas, Corn.
Sprouts	Alfalfa, Lentil, Mung Bean, Fenugreek, Flax Seed, Radish, etc.
Legumes	For some people they can have Beans, Chick Peas, Lentils, hummus without Vinegar, Peas.
Fruit	Limited – Coconut, Lemon, Banana, Grapefruit, Sour Apple for some.
Grains and Pasta	For some people – Brown Rice, Millet, Quinoa, Amaranth, Buckwheat
Nuts	Unprocessed Nuts: Almond, Brazil Nut, Walnut, Hazelnut
Seeds	Unprocessed Seeds: Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Linseed, Pumpkin Seed
Nut Butters	Tahini, Almond Butter, not Peanut Butter
Oils	Cold Pressed Oils: Olive, Sunflower, Safflower, Linseed, Avocado, Apricot, Almond
Yogurt	Non-Sweetened Yogurt, Pure Yogurt, Goat and Sheep Milk Yogurt
Milk	Soy Milk, Almond Milk, for some Rice Milk. Without maltodextrins or sugar.
Spices	Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Garlic, Onion, etc.
Sweetener	Stevia (for some), FOS – Fructo-oligosaccharides which assist acidophilus bacteria
Bread	Sprouted Grains, Spelt, Pure Rye (for some)
Crackers	Rice Cakes, Pure Rye, Buckwheat Crispbread
Other Foods	Kelp, Spirulina, Carrots, Garlic
Herbs and Foods that Inhibit Candida Albicans
Agrimony	Anti-Fungal properities
Barberry	Inhibits proliferation (Berberine)
Black Walnut	Anti-Fungal, Anti-Parasitic
Carrot	Inhibits Candida (Phytoalexin compound)
Cinnamon	Inhibits growth
Dandelion Root	Tea – Cleanses liver, inhibits growth of Candida
Echinacea	Prevents recurrence of Candida proliferation
Garlic	Can eliminate Candida from body – not in excessive amounts
Goldenseal	Suppresses Candida (Berberine)
Lemon Grass	Oil – inhbits proliferation
Mastic	Inhibits and destroys Candida albicans
Neem	Inhibits growth
Oregon Grape Root	Inhibits the proliferation
Oregano	Inhibits growth
Oregano oil	Inhibits growth (to be used topically and cautiously)
Pau D’Arco	Inhibits and destroys Candida albicans
Phellodendron	Inhibits and helps to destroy
Propolis	Bee propolis (regionalized) suppresses the proliferation of Candida
Skullcap	Inhibits
Spirulina	Inhibits Candida Albicans
Suma	Inhibits Candida
Yogurt	Non-sugar, more pure forms of high quality bacteria. Lactobacillus acidphilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosis, Bifidobacteria bifidus
Supplements that Enhance the Eradication of Candida
Biotin	Helps prevent the proliferation of Candida
Bromelain	Digestive enzyme found in pineapple enhances immune function against Candida
Caprylic Acid	Inhibits Candida growth
Cellulase	A plant enzyme for breakdown of plant fibers
Coenzyme Q10	Helps with the elimination of Candida
Copper	Increases immune function if in proper balance with zinc
Germanium	Mineral – inhibits growth of Candida
Lactoferrin	A form of Bovine Colostrum or whey protein
Nystatin	On contact kills Candida. May not go to all parts of body.
Protease	Digestive enzyme
Silver	Colloidal Silver destroys Candida
Tea Tree Oil	For vaginal proliferation
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Zinc	Increases immune function helping the body fight Candida