Creative Eldering: Candida: Causes and Treatment
Within your body, beyond your bones, muscles, and organs, among its trillions of cells are microorganisms and bacteria. When most people hear the word bacteria, they automatically think of them in a negative context, but within your body there are many different types of healthy bacteria. These healthy bacteria can be found on your skin, in your mouth and in your intestines. In fact, some of the B vitamins that your body produces are created in your intestines with the assistance of healthy bacteria. In fact, the human body harbors trillions of bacteria, at least as many bacterial cells as human cells. A current study places the bacterial census at 39 trillion per human host.
Healthy bacteria within your body are responsible for assisting your body with food digestion and absorption. This allows for the nutrients from your food to be more available and usable. “Estimates now vary from 700 to one thousand distinct species that thrive and reside in our intestines, augmenting our immune function” (Your Body Can Talk, 2nd Edition, 125). When the healthy bacteria become outnumbered by unhealthy bacteria and fungi you may become quite ill. When E. coli and other pathogens overrun the intestines, the outcome can be lethal. Candida is another form of microbe, a fungus, that naturally exists within the body, but it is also used to describe “a physical state in which the immune system becomes compromised by a certain type of yeast overgrowth in the body” (Your Body Can Talk, 2nd Edition, 126-127).
Candida albicans is a type of yeast, but it is not the same type of yeast found in bread and baked goods. Candia can attach itself to the lining in your intestines with “claw-like fingers.” This health issue, Candida, can be caused by a variety of factors, including unhealthy diets, especially those high in sugar, the overuse of antibiotics, and the resulting immune system compromise they cause.
Candida is difficult to diagnose, but Clinical Kinesiology muscle testing is an effective means of evaluation. “When the presence of Candida triggers the body to form antibodies to yeast, the yeast takes the form of a spore to avoid attack” (Your Body Can Talk, 2nd Edition, 131). This spore branches out and attacks the intestinal wall. When Candia affects the integrity of the intestinal wall, many symptoms may manifest. Because these symptoms seem unrelated, Candida often remains undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Common Symptoms of Candida include fatigue or lethargy, poor memory, depression, numbness or tingling, muscle aches or weakness, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea and bloating. A complete list of symptoms can be found on pages 138 and 139 of Your Body Can Talk, 2nd Edition. You will also find a thorough questionnaire on those same pages that will help you and your healthcare practitioner determine if your health problems are yeast-connected.
If you find that you have Candida, many treatment options are available to you. One of the best options for treatment involves removing sugar from your diet and incorporating a diet rich in vegetables, protein and whole grains. “Well digested whole grains (which are never milled into flour) provide a prebiotic nutrient source for your friendly bacteria” (Your Body Can Talk, 2nd Edition, 133). These friendly bacteria will help heal your intestinal walls and restore balance to your intestinal bacteria. Eggs, high quality protein foods and properly cultured fermented foods including sauerkraut, yogurt and kimchi can be helpful to some Candida sufferers. Caprylic acid, found in olive oil, coconut oil and goats milk helps to kill Candida.
Because Candida compromises your immune system, you can use a variety of herbs and supplements to strengthen it. B vitamins are wonderful for your immune system and general health, but many are made with yeast, so reading labels is crucial. Echinacea is a powerful herb that boosts immune system function. Pau d’arco is another powerful herb for combating Candida. It kills Candia and strengthens the immune system simultaneously. Adding a high-quality probiotic, especially one with prebiotic complements is typically essential to reestablishing a healthy balance of intestinal microbes. These measures can pave the way to vanquishing Candida.
Understanding how Candida becomes an issue caused by unhealthy lifestyle patterns will help you avoid this condition. Making strong efforts to avoid negative, causative factors will help you eliminate Candida if it is already affecting you. Through Clinical Kinesiology testing and working with your trusted healthcare practitioner, you will be able to develop an action plan to restore health and balance back into your intestinal system, and ultimately your life.
Article by Susan L. Levy, D. C. Author of “Your Body Can Talk, 2nd Edition” and “Your Aging Body Can Talk”
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