What is Candida?
Candida is a genus of yeasts that naturally exists in the human body, particularly Candida albicans. It is most commonly found in the mouth, gut, and vagina. While it's normally harmless, it can sometimes overgrow and cause infections.
A candida biofilm is a complex, structured community of yeast cells, primarily composed of a Candida species, that adhere to surfaces within the body, such as mucous membranes or medical devices such as prosthetic implants. Candida biofilms are associated with various infections, including oral thrush, vaginal yeast infections, and systemic candidiasis, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
Characteristics of Candida Biofilms:
- Protection: The biofilm provides a protective environment for the yeast, shielding it from the immune system and antifungal treatments. This can make infections harder to treat.
- Structure: Biofilms are made up of clusters of yeast cells embedded in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which can include proteins, sugars, and other molecules that help stabilize the structure.
What are the signs/symptoms?
Candida overgrowth can manifest in various ways, as it affects different systems in the body. Common signs and symptoms include:
- Digestive Issues: Bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation.
- Fatigue: Persistent tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest.
- Food Cravings: Intense cravings for sugar, refined carbs, or alcohol.
- Skin Problems: Rashes, eczema, or fungal infections (like athlete’s foot).
- Oral Thrush: White patches in the mouth or throat.
- Recurrent Infections: Frequent yeast infections or urinary tract infections.
- Mood Changes: Anxiety, depression, or mood swings.
- Brain Fog: Difficulty concentrating or memory issues.
- Joint Pain: Unexplained aches and stiffness.
- Weakened Immune Response: Increased susceptibility to infections.
What is the root cause of Candida?
There are many factors that lead to candida overgrowth, but Toxicity and Deficiency related to poor Liver function/health are the main causes. When the liver becomes overburdened with toxins it works hard to keep us alive, its nutrient/mineral stores become deficient, it becomes sluggish, produces less bile, this affects digestion which affects the microbiome, which affects the brain, which affects the lymph and so on and so on. No system in the body works alone and you can always come back to toxicity and deficiency as the root cause for all disease.
Anything foreign to the human body will have an impact on toxicity and deficiencies, such as heavy metals, even those synthetic supplements you take that don't have the necessary cofactors needed to be utilised in the body, pesticides on food, fluoride and chemicals in water, wearing shoes which prevent a natural ion exchange, fake materials that we dress in, not getting enough sun, slathering ourselves in chemicals, I could go on forever! but I think you get what I mean. Getting back to ancestral ways of living is something we all need to consider and put some serious thought into. Small changes big impacts!
Overcoming candida overgrowth typically involves a multifaceted approach. Here are some strategies to consider:
- **Dietary Changes**
- **Reduce Sugar and Refined Carbs**: Candida thrives on sugar, so minimizing sweets, bread, pasta, and other refined carbohydrates is essential.
- **Increase Non-Starchy Vegetables**: Focus on leafy greens, broccoli, and other non-starchy veggies.
- **Incorporate Healthy Fats**: Avocados, nuts, seeds, and coconut oil can be beneficial.
- **Consider Anti-Fungal Foods**: Foods like garlic, coconut oil, and ginger may help combat yeast overgrowth.
- **Probiotics**
- **Supplement with Natural Probiotics**: Probiotics can help restore balance to gut flora and inhibit candida growth. We recommend natural probiotics from Strawberry Gum and fermented foods such as kefir, miso, cabbage juice and sauerkraut. We also recommend consuming lots of leafy greens.
- **Hydration**
- **Stay Hydrated**: Drink plenty of water to help flush toxins from the body. Adding a pinch of Celtic salt is a great way to stay hydrated.
- **Use Natural Antifungal Treatments**
- **Supplements**: Like those potent native herbs found in our Candida Essentials Pack. Natural Antifungals disrupt biofilms and prevent Candida from thriving.
- **Lifestyle Modifications**
- **Manage Stress**: Chronic stress can weaken the immune system. Practices like yoga, meditation, Gua Sha, dry body brushing and deep breathing can help.
- ** Seek Sunshine**: Just 20 minutes of sunshine each morning fills the body with over 200 antimicrobials, boosts immunity and supports immune health for a healthy microbiome.
- **Get Adequate Sleep**: Prioritize quality sleep to support immune health.
- **Limit Alcohol and Caffeine**
- Both can disrupt gut health and contribute to candida overgrowth.
- **Regular Exercise**
- Physical activity can help boost the immune system and improve overall health, improve circulation and lymph flow/drainage.
- **Monitor Antibiotic Use**
- Use antibiotics judiciously, as they can disrupt gut flora and promote candida overgrowth, opt for natural antibiotics where possible.
- **Coffee Enemas & Colonics**
- Detoxification & Liver Support, Enemas and Colonics may help eliminate toxins which may support a healthier environment in the gut, increase bile flow and improve liver function, potentially helping to reduce the burden of candida, toxins and pathogens.
10. **Time**
- Consistency is key when dealing with Candida and takes time. A multifaceted approach is needed to disrupt biofilms and starve the overgrowth while returning the liver/body back to optimal health.
- Resistance: The presence of biofilms can contribute to the resistance of Candida to antifungal medications, requiring more aggressive or prolonged treatment strategies using natural antifungals such as those in our Candida Essentials Pack.
- Combination Therapies: Effective management often involves a combination of natural antifungal treatments and liver cleansing strategies such as those above to disrupt biofilm formation.
*Remember, individual responses can vary, so it’s important to approach treatment in a way that suits your specific needs.
Disclaimer:
Health Heiress provides referenced information for educational purposes only and does not make any therapeutic claims for any of their products.
Please seek advice from a healthcare provider if you wish to use herbs for therapeutic purposes.
Nothing contained in this site is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be a substitute for your own health professional's advice. Please contact your health care professional and seek advice if you have candida or any health concerns.