What is Candida overgrowth ?
Also knows as Candidiasis. Candida Albicans is a yeast that lives in our intestines and other areas of the body e.g. skin. It is kept in check by our immune system and by “friendly” bacteria which live with it. The candida can grow and get out of control when the hormonal balance of the body is disturbed by taking corticosteroids e.g. the contraceptive pill or antibiotics, or being exposed to pesticides and toxins. When the immune systems is weakened or other conditions for yeast proliferation occur (diet high in sugar, improper pH in the digestive system) Candida albicans will shift from yeast to mycelial fungal form and start to invade the body. In the yeast state Candida is a non-invasive, sugar-fermenting organism, while in fungal state it is invasive and can produce rhizoids, very long root-like structures. Rhizoids can penetrate mucosa or intestinal walls, leaving microscopic holes and allowing toxins, undigested food particles and bacteria and yeast to enter the bloodstream. Thi
By Josephine Goffe-Gardner, RN, ND Candida is a form of fungus (yeast) which lives naturally in the digestive tract and is also normally found in the vagina and on the skin. Candida yeast is part of our body’s natural flora; this means that it is one of the many naturally occurring bacteria and yeast found in various parts of our body. Our skin, oral cavity, ear canal and our digestive tract are just some of our body’s tissue that harbors Candida. Overgrowth of Candida yeast occurs when our system becomes imbalanced due to: taking birth control pills, and steroid hormones, with nutritional deficiencies, and repeated antibiotic use that destroy the intestinal bacteria. This can occur when antibiotics are not taken as prescribed by your doctor. Candida yeast overgrowth can also occur due to over-consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates. The toxins created by the yeast can enter the blood stream through the colon wall causing the walls to become porous. These toxins can cause sympto
