CANDIDA IMBALANCE (YEAST OVERGROWTH)

Candida Imbalance is a condition in which Candida albicans, a common form of digestive yeast, grows out of control and causes infection. Candida albicans are the most common digestive yeast and can become problematic in the body when they proliferate.

Contributing Factors of Candida Imbalance

Systemic candidiasis can occur when the balance between yeast and bacteria in the digestive tract is upset and Candida gains the upper hand. This condition often develops as the result of immune dysfunction or disease, both of which can upset the ratio of beneficial to harmful bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. A change in the intestinal pH level may also result in candidiasis.

A decrease in healthy immune function can be caused by a number of factors, including certain medications (such as birth control pills, antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]); toxic metals (mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel, and aluminum); stress; and consuming too many refined carbohydrates and sugars. Most holistic experts agree that the alarming rise in the number of people with Candidiasis is due primarily to an increase in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

When its long roots, known as rhizoids, puncture the mucosal lining of the intestine, Candida can cause increased intestinal permeability. Undigested food particles can then “leak” into the bloodstream, triggering an immune response. This is known as Leaky Gut Syndrome.

Because Candida is often the cause of Leaky Gut Syndrome, systemic Candidiasis can be viewed as an underlying condition and even a cause of allergies and other autoimmune disorders. Once leaky gut occurs, the toxins produced by Candida are carried via the bloodstream to other organs of the body such as the brain, nervous system, joints, and skin. The liver can become overloaded with stored toxins, which greatly impairs its ability to work as a detoxifier, and this can lead to chronic disease.

Like most toxins, the mycotoxins produced by Candida tend to settle in the weakest organs and tissues. Since each individual has a different area of genetic or acquired weakness, the symptoms of candidiasis often manifest as those of different disorders.

There are numerous signs and symptoms associated with Candida overgrowth. They include:

 

	– Bad breath
	– Blurred vision
	– Brain fog
	– Chemical sensitivity
	– Depression
	– Fatigue
	– Food sensitivities and allergies
	– Insomnia
	– Joint and muscle pain
	– Persistent gas and bloating
	– Recurrent bladder infections
	– Recurrent vaginal yeast infections
	– Sinus problems
	– Sugar cravings