What you may not know, is that many types of fungi live in and on our bodies, including a genus of yeast called Candida. Candida is usually found in small amounts in the mouth, intestines, and on the skin.
When this fungus is at normal levels, it is not problematic, but when it starts to grow uncontrollably, it can cause an infection known as Candidiasis. In fact, Candida overgrowth is one of the most common causes of fungal infection in humans. That’s right, it can affect men, women, and even children too, though predominantly women.
Here are a few “warning signs” to look out for, if you think you might have a Candida infection: exhaustion, cravings for sweets, bad breath, brain fog, hormone imbalance, joint pain, chronic sinus and allergy issues, and digestive problems.
Usually, the healthy bacteria in your body keeps Candida levels under control. But, if healthy bacteria levels are disrupted or the immune system is compromised, Candida can begin to overproduce. Taking antibiotics, eating a diet high in sugar, and taking oral contraceptives, among other things, can all lead to Candida overgrowth. When Candida begins to overproduce, it can lead to various health problems, such as the ones listed below.
Thrush: Common in newborns and the elderly, a Candida infection that develops in the mouth is called “thrush.” Also, people with poor oral hygiene or removable dentures are also at an increased risk for developing this infection. Oral thrush is often associated with redness or soreness of the tongue and mouth (McDonell, 2017).
Fatigue: One of the most common symptoms associated with Candida is also fatigue. First of all, Candida infections are usually accompanied by nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B6, essential fatty acids and magnesium. Particularly, magnesium deficiency has been shown to cause fatigue. Second, Candida infections primarily occur, as mentioned above, when your immune system has been weakened. A low-functioning immune system in it of itself may leave you feeling tired and fatigued.
Yeast Infection: Another common place Candida is found is in the vaginal tracts of most women. An overgrowth of it can lead to Candidiasis of the vagina, also known as a yeast infection. It is estimated that 75% of all women will get at least one yeast infection in their lifetime, and half of those will have at least one recurrence.
We mentioned above that a diet high in sugar, use of oral contraceptive pills, and frequent use of antibiotics, among others factors, can contribute to Candida infections. Here is how:
Antibiotics: Sometimes, antibiotics are needed to fight a stubborn infection to kill the offending bacteria in your system. The problem with antibiotics and with overusing them is that they don’t just kill the bad bacteria, they also kill the good bacteria too. Your body’s good bacteria is responsible for digestion and keeping Candida under control. A long course of antibiotics can make your body a breeding ground for Candida, leading to overgrowth.
Birth Control Pills: To clarify, birth control pills do not directly cause yeast infections or Candida overgrowth. But, if a woman eats a diet high in refined sugar and is taking antibiotics concurrently, birth control pills can negatively affect her immune system, leading to infection
Diabetes: In a type 1 or 2 diabetic, sugar levels in the mouth or other mucous membranes are traditionally higher than in an individual without diabetes. Since Candida is a type of yeast and sugar feeds yeast, it is understood that people with diabetes are at greater risk of developing infection.
When Candidiasis infections occur, many opt to try a Candida Cleanse. A Candida Cleanse helps a person get rid of their extra Candida through the flushing of the digestive tract, and the introduction of healthy Candida fighters found in organic vegetables. There are usually two options people select from for these cleanses: a liquid cleanse, or a gentler cleanse with food. When people embark on the first cleanse, they make a vegetable broth from organic vegetables. Throughout the day (2 days total for this cleanse), they sip on this broth. It is imperative that you drink lots of broth, but also lots of water, to fully flush out all of the toxins in your system. This is not a long-term cleanse. For the second type of cleanse, the participants usually consume steamed vegetables for 3-5 days. By eliminating grains, sugars, fruits, starches, and alcohol, you can reduce the amount of Candida in the body (Axe, 2019).
For some added help in fighting Candida overgrowth, Kyolic has a Candida Cleanse product. Kyolic Formula 102, is geared towards fighting Candida overgrowth. It contains Aged Garlic Extract (AGE), ginger and enzymes, and is designed to support Candida balance, cleansing and digestion.* AGE and Ginger are used to support healthy GI cleansing and function, as well as manage yeast overgrowth.* Glucanase, Lipase and Protease are a comprehensive enzyme combination to support complete digestion and nutrient assimilation.* This formula can also be used as a preventative if you know your immune system may be compromised by antibiotics or if you are susceptible to yeast infections.
If you think any of the Candidiasis symptoms described above could be affecting you, talk to your health care professional today. Take the time to take care of you!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References
This article is for informational purposes only. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
Share this Post