|
|
Candida Albicans: A Hidden Menace
|
Most people are unaware there are several pounds of different types of micro-organisms living in the average person’s intestinal tract. Some of these micro-organisms are beneficial and others can cause harm. The secret to good intestinal health is to keep these micro-organisms (or flora) in proper balance.
One of the biggest culprits in terms of poor intestinal health is a yeast called Candida Albicans There are about 81 strains of yeast organisms. Candida Albicans is the most common yeast found in the human intestinal tract. Normal intestinal bacterial flora keeps this yeast in check. The overgrowth of Candida in the intestinal tract is affecting a great number of people in the United States.
The majority of these cases go undetected.
If you're not feeling well, but not really sick, or if you suffer from chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia and other intractable symptoms, and standard lab tests don't show anything wrong, then you may be suffering from systemic yeast overgrowth. Common symptoms include digestive complaints, allergic symptoms, brain fog, fatigue, depression, insomnia, and irritability to name a few.
Candidiasis is the medical term for the condition that occurs when a common yeast (primarily Candida Albicans) in the intestines has taken over. Yeast does not contribute anything to your well being, but is always part of our natural bowel flora.
Ironically, Candida is harmless when it is in balance with the other organisms that live in the intestinal tract. If an imbalance occurs, Candida can take over. They can also establish colonies on the skin, in the vagina, as well as in the colon. The normal bowel flora is essential for human health. These beneficial micro-organisms include bacteria such as acidophilus and bifidus, both of which can be found in healthy yogurt. The functions of these beneficial intestinal flora include Synthesis of vitamins and fatty acids, degradation of toxins, prevention of colonization by harmful micro-organisms, and stimulation of normal immune system response.
Candida is an opportunistic organism. It is a stubborn pathogen and can revert to an even more stubborn fungal form if not treated early.
One of the worst factors affecting gut flora, and the growth of Candida Albicans, is the repeated and prolonged use of broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs.
Of all the antibiotics used in the United States, large amounts are routinely fed to livestock. Nearly all the animals raised for food in this country receive antibiotics sometime during their lifetimes. This has caused resistant strains of bacteria, and probably yeasts as well. There is no legislation that limits the use of antibiotics in animals used for food. This is the result of pressure from the beef and poultry producers. It is best to look for antibiotic-free meat and eggs now stocked at some health food stores and markets. You will usually pay more for these products, but it is well worth it.
Not only does Candida over-growth affect adults but evidence now points to Candida imbalance as a common cause of allergies and ear infections in infants and young children. Since the usual treatment for ear infections is broad-spectrum antibiotics, symptoms may develop of oral thrush, clear nasal discharge, diarrhea, and diaper rash.
As a child grows, many other symptoms may occur and persist into adulthood. Children with recurrent ear infections tend to receive repeated and prolonged courses of broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs. These drugs cause alterations in gut flora including the proliferation of Candida, and tend to suppress the immune system. They also promote the absorption of food antigens that can play a major role in causing food allergies, hyperactivity, Attention Deficit Syndrome (ADD), and related behavior and learning problems.
Besides anti-biotics there are other drugs that upset the ecological balance of the intestinal flora and suppress the immune system which will allow Candida overgrowth. Cortisone, prednisone, and other steroid-type drugs give the opportunist Candida all the growing space it needs. Our defense system becomes paralyzed by these drugs.
The typical western diet high in sugar and other refined carbohydrates feeds Candida. Candida thrives on sugars. Also, stress causes an additional burden on the immune system and makes a person more vulnerable to eating the wrong foods. Hurrying through meals may contribute to the proliferation of Candida. It is vital to chew slowly and produce the proper saliva that prepares the body for healthy digestion. Not chewing food carefully can set us up for not allowing our friendly microbes to do their jobs in providing us with our own vitamin-B and vitamin-K factories and the assimilation of the other nutrients we derive from food.
Candida organisms can spread out from the lower bowel to colonize the entire digestive tract. The common round yeast forms of Candida can revert to a pathological form of budding rhizoids (finger like extensions that sprout from the body of the yeast cell). These rhizoids can puncture the colon and the small intestine walls. The rhizoids emit chemical waste products which can leak through the intestinal lining and lead to chronic systemic conditions.
At our center we are experts in diagnosing and treating Candida overgrowth. Our successful protocol involves proper diet, pro-biotics such as acidophilus, and prescription and natural anti-fungal medications.
|
|
