Natural Remedies for Candida

What is Candida?

The yeast Candida albicans is a yeast that normally lives harmlessly in small numbers in the body, controlled by beneficial bacteria in the body and the Immune System.

If the beneficial bacteria are killed by antibiotics, or if a person’s immune system becomes weakened, Candida can grow unchecked and cause symptoms.

Localized infections, such as oral thrush, skin infections, and vaginal yeast infections in women can result. Widespread infection can occur in immunocompromised people.

Candida overgrowth in the intestines is thought to, in some cases, penetrate the intestinal wall, causing the yeast and other unwanted particles from being absorbed into the body. This is thought to activate the immune system, resulting in fatigue, headache, mood swings, poor memory and concentration, cravings for sweets, and has been linked to conditions such as fibromyalgia.

This condition, popularized by William Crook, MD in his 1983 book, The Yeast Connection, is considered very controversial. Most conventional doctors think this systemic condition is overdiagnosed and many disagree with the diagnosis.

Contributing Factors

• Use of oral contraceptives, steroids, antacids, anti-ulcer medications, or frequent or long-term use of antibiotics.
• High-sugar diets
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• Tired or lethargic
• Poor memory
• Feel drained, depleted or exhausted
• Numbness, burning, tingling
• Stomach pain
• Joint pain or swelling
• Muscle aching or weakness
• Constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, or belching
• Bothersome or persistent vaginal itching, burning, or discharge
• Prostatitis
• Erectile dysfunction
• Loss of sexual desire
• Endometriosis or infertility
• Menstrual irregularity or cramping
• Anxiety attacks or crying
• Cold hands and feet, feel chilly
• Irritable or shaking when hungry

Natural Remedies

Alternative practitioners recommend individualized programs that usually combine diet and supplements. Supplements are introduced gradually to avoid a temporary worsening of symptoms called a “die-off” or Herxheimer reaction. This is because when candida are killed, they release protein fragments and toxins that can trigger an antibody response from the immune system.

Improvement in symptoms is usually noticed after two to four weeks.

Acidophillus
The beneficial bacteria acidophillus is thought to control candida by making the intestinal tract more acidic, discouraging the growth of candida, and by producing hydrogen peroxide, which directly kills candida.

Reasearch has shown that supplementing with a hydrogen peroxide-producing strain of acidophillus, DDS-1 greatly reduced the incidence of antibiotic-induced yeast infections.

These beneficial bacteria also help to restore the microbial balance within the digestive tract.

Fiber
One teaspoon to one tablespoon of soluble fiber containing guar gum, psyllium husks, flaxseeds or pectin can be mixed in an 8 oz glass of water two times per day on an empty stomach.

Enteric-coated essential oils
Enteric-coated capsules containing oregano oil, peppermint oil, and other volatile oils are thought to prevent the overgrowth of candida. It is usually recommended for at least several months. A standard dosage is two capsules two times a day with water, in between meals. Pure volatile oils can be quite toxic in this amount so the liquid form of these oils should never be ingested, and the capsules should not be broken open before ingesting.

Enteric-coated garlic
Garlic capsules that have been enteric-coated to open when they reach the intestines are often be used in combination with the volatile oils. Once capsule two times per day taken with the enteric-coated volatile oil is a typical recommendation.

Other valuable supplements are caprylic acid from coconuts, oleic acid from olive oil, oregano oil, and pau d’arco. There are many combination products formulated for candida that contain these herbs and supplements.

Diet

Diet is an important part of the Candida cleanse. The length of time on the Candida cleanse depends on the length of time one has had symptoms, symptom severity, and overall health. People may notice improvement after strict adherence to the diet for two to four weeks. For others it takes months. Once symptoms are gone and lab tests show significant improvement, foods from the restricted list can be slowly incorporated back into the diet.

 

Limit daily carbohydrate intake – Sugar feeds Candida, so it is important to minimize the total carbohydrate content of one’s diet. During the first 2 to 3 weeks of the program, it is often recommended that carbohydrate intake be restricted to 20 to 60 grams per day, depending on age, health, activity level, and extent of grain sensitivities. As symptoms disappear, the carbohydrate total can gradually increase. Foods that are low carb include protein foods such as meat, chicken, turkey, shellfish, some nuts, and non-starchy vegetables.

 

Learn more about Yeast Infection; and how you can treat it naturally in the “Yeast Infection No More Book“. Click Here to discover what the doctors may not want you to know about Yeast Infection.

About the Author

This author writes about Yeast Infection at Candida-Cures

Dr Whiting on Systemic Candida and Yeast Infections

Candida yeast Photo Mugs False-colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Candida albicans, a yeast-like fungus commonly present on human skin a in the upper respiratory, alimentary a female genital tracts. It is normally harmless, but it can become pathogenic when the bodys resistance is weakened through malnutrition or general debility, diabetes or antibiotic treatment. It can then cause a number of diseases including…

Candida yeast Photo Mugs False-colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Candida albicans, a yeast-like fungus commonly present on human skin a in the upper respiratory, alimentary a female genital tracts. It is normally harmless, but it can become pathogenic when the bodys resistance is weakened through malnutrition or general debility, diabetes or antibiotic treatment. It can then cause a number of diseases including…

Yeast cells dividing Photo Mugs False-colour transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of two dividing yeast cells of the fungus Candida albicans. This fungus causes human thrush (candidiasis). Here, this spore (yeast) stage is a non-infective reproductive stage; from spores, the infectious mycelial form develops. Tubular filaments (hyphae) branch into a spreading network which then produces more spores. Candidiasis affects the moi…

The Candida Albicans Yeast Commonly Occurs on Human Skin – 24H x 19W – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

Probiotics – What’s All The Fuss? $19.95 Nancy Banks has been involved in health and wellness since 1973. She is certified in Facial and Body Detox Rejuvenation, Ionic Foot Detox Baths and Chi Machine Therapy. Through New Reality CVR, she offers both content (guided meditation) and equipment to help the body flush adrenaline and increase serotonin levels. Nancy currently works with New Reality, a creative visualization and relaxation sys…

Essential Formulas Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics, Original Formula Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics 12 Plus by Essential Formulas 60 Capsules…

RepHresh Pro-B Probiotic Feminine Supplement, 30-Count Capsules $14.99 Probiotic Feminine Supplement. Balances yeast & bacteria to maintain feminine health. Just 1 capsule per day! Clinically tested. Developed by doctors. Just 1 capsule per day balances yeast & bacteria to maintain feminine health. Lactobacillus, yeast, and other bacteria are all naturally present in your body, and optimum vaginal health occurs when there is a healthy balance of these elements. RepHr…

Threelac Probiotic Dietary Supplement, Natural Lemon Flavor, Includes 60 .053-Ounce Packets $42.61 Not all probiotics are created equal.The word probiotic means “for life” and FiveLac is LIFE in a stick pack.What sets ThreeLac apart form other probiotics is the technology used to keep the friendly bacteria alive. ThreeLac gets LIVE bacteria safely past the acids in the stomach and into your intestinal tract where it does its work. You can affect and improve your immune system’s defenses. Here’s…

San Francisco Sourdough Starter $6.99 If you crave sourdough bread from San Francisco, this is the starter for you. Our San Francisco starter contains Lactobacillus sanfrancisco bacteria and wild yeast Candida humilis giving this sourdough starter that famous San Francisco taste. Easy to care for and use. For best results, we recommend feeding your sourdough starter weekly. This sourdough starter is available as a dehydrated culture….

Ryvita Whole Grain Rye Crispbread, Sesame Rye, 8.8-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 10) $26.40 All natural ingredients. 0g Trans fat (contains .5g of total fat per serving). 40 Calories per slice. A good source of fiber (10-19% of daily value per 15 g [1/2 oz]). Make Ryvita part of your daily nutritional intake. Ryvita Sesame Rye is a tasty, crunchy crispbread made from whole grain rye and topped with the nutty and delicate taste of sesame seeds. Its taste and crunch make it a delight to ea…