A Q& a With Dr Amy Myers
What is Candidawhere does it live in the body, and how does it differ from other fungus and yeast infections?
Candida is a fungus . A lot of people use the terms yeast overgrowth and Candida interchangeably, and there are hundreds of different types of yeast, but the most common form of yeast infection is known as Candida albicans.
Candida lives throughout our bodies in small amounts: in our oral cavity, digestive tract, gut microbiome, and vaginal tract. Its job is to aid with digestion and nutrient absorptionwhich it does when its in balance with the good bacteria in your microbiome. I think of the microbiome as a rainforest: When everything is in balance, the body is in harmony and runs smoothly.
The symptoms of different kinds of yeast infections overlap greatly and the vast majority of treatment is the same. Lab work can distinguish which type of yeast infection you might have.
Caraway Seed Oil Lavender Flower Oil And Ajwain Seed Oil
Jason Hawrelak, a microbiologist, researcher and herbalist, found all these essential oils to be selective in activity, inhibiting the growth of potential pathogens like Candida albicans, the Clostridium family and Bacteroides fragilis. Interestingly, he found they had no effect on Lactobacilli or Bifidobacteria: the ones we almost always want to keep .
Whats The Difference Between A Yeast Infection And A Uti
While some of the symptoms between a UTI and a yeast infection are similar, they are two distinct conditions. A UTI occurs when bacteria invade the urinary tract, causing pain when urinating, feeling a frequent need to urinate, and foul-smelling urine. UTIs may also lead to fever, lower back pain, and even nausea or vomiting when serious.
While yeast infections also can cause pain when urinating, youll also likely feel itchiness and swelling around your vaginal area too, and instead of foul-smelling urine, you might experience an odorless white discharge.
Although the two are unrelated, sometimes, treatment for a UTI, which often involves taking antibiotics, may actually lead to a yeast infection, since antibiotics can kill off the good bacteria that keep yeast growth in control.
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Who Can Get Yeast Infections
Yeast infections are common in women. Three out of four women will have a yeast infection at some point in their lifetime, with many women having two. Men can also get yeast infections, although they are somewhat less likely to get a yeast infection than women. A man is more likely to get a yeast infection on his penis if he is uncircumcised since the area under the foreskin can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
Some people may be more prone to yeast infections. Using certain medications, having diabetes, being pregnant, or having a lowered immune system can make a person more likely to get a yeast infection.
People who wear tight-fitting clothing are also more likely to experience yeast infections since it creates a warm, moist environment that allows the growth of yeast and bacteria to thrive.
A Natural 12 Hour Yeast Infection Cure
According to a research paper published in Clinical Microbiology Reviews , Candida species are quite ubiquitous organisms. Candida are most frequently present in the mouth and, live in 31% to 55% of healthy people. The species that causes approximately 70% to 80% of all Candida infections is C. albicans.
The Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reports there appears to be a correlation between intestinal Candida infections and vaginal yeast infections. And, this provides a clue, as to why yeast infections in general, can reoccur.
This study states, in 148 cases of vaginal candida infections, 33.1% of the women were infected in both the intestines and vaginal area. The recurrence rate of yeast infections, in women with simultaneous intestinal infection, was significantly higher than for women who did not have an intestinal infection. This study concluded that vaginal yeast infections are highly associated with simultaneous intestinal Candida infection.
As research appears to indicate, systemic Candida infections can and do happen. A more systemic Candida infection may primarily get a foothold in the intestines and cause a wide array of problems. If your yeast infections keep happening, a systemic Candida problem may be why.
Linda has since published a book detailing how to copy her success. She also includes a 12 hour yeast infection cure that can get rid of a superficial yeast infection in about 12 hours.
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Xylitol Reduces Ear And Yeast Infections
Your mouth, nose and ears are all interconnected.
Therefore, bacteria that live in the mouth can end up causing ear infections a common problem in children.
It turns out that xylitol can starve some of these bacteria in the same way that it starves plaque-producing bacteria .
One study in children with recurring ear infections observed that daily usage of xylitol-sweetened chewing gum reduced their infection rate by 40% .
Xylitol also fights the yeast Candida albicans, which can lead to candida infections. Xylitol reduces the yeasts ability to stick to surfaces, thereby helping prevent infection (
Keep in mind that studies in people are needed to confirm these benefits.
Xylitol also feeds the friendly bacteria in your gut, acting as a soluble fiber and improving your digestive health .
Summary
Xylitol may increase collagen production and reduce your risk of osteoporosis. It also feeds the friendly bacteria in your gut.
In humans, xylitol is absorbed slowly and has no measurable effect on insulin production.
However, the same cannot be said for dogs.
When dogs eat xylitol, their bodies mistake it for glucose and start producing large amounts of insulin.
Then the dogs cells start absorbing glucose from the bloodstream, which can lead to hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, and even death .
Xylitol may also have detrimental effects on liver function in dogs, with high doses causing liver failure .
Summary
Long-term consumption of xylitol does appear to be completely safe.
What Are The Main Symptoms Of A Candida Infection
Theres another category, which may be referred to as candida overgrowth, and some healthcare practitioners say it may be responsible for more chronic and seemingly unrelated problems. Symptoms of candidiasis can be widespread, from bloating and distention to bowel irregularities, chronic fatigue, cystic acne and other skin rashes, and brain fog, says Miller.
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The Basics Of The Candida Diet
Salzarulo did believe that candida overgrowth in the gut is a real thing and put me on a strict sugar-free, grain-free, and dairy-free diet to restore the right balance of yeast in my body. The goal is to starve the yeast by taking away the foods and beverages it could be feeding off of. That means no bread, pastries, pasta, chips, cereal, fried food, cheese, milk, starchy vegetables , sugary desserts, fruit, soda, alcohol, or coffee.
That’s a big list, but Salzarulo recommended focusing on what is allowed, not on the restrictions. Foods that are okay on the candida diet are green vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, salad, almonds, walnuts, herbal tea, green juice, and unsweetened coconut water. Along with the diet, Salzarulo suggested taking vitamins and a probiotic, getting enough sleep, and avoiding stress, which all help boost your immune system.
There is no set amount of time to follow the candida diet some people feel better after a month of being on it, while others see their symptoms clear up after three months, Salzarulo said. However, once you do feel better and see symptoms disappear, you shouldn’t immediately go back to eating Dunkin Donuts and pizza every day. Added Sass: “After resolving symptoms, foods that have been eliminated are systematically added back, but the goal is not to go back to a way of eating that triggers another imbalance.”
How To Bring Candida Back In Line
After six years of freedom from candida-related issues, Delaney began suffering from chronic yeast infections. Her doctor prescribed several rounds of an antifungal drug, which would tamp down the infection for a week or so. But it always came roaring back.
Honestly, I didnt want to change my patterns, and I wasnt ready to give up sugar again, she explains. But then I realized I had to change things up or Id never get rid of . Sure enough, when she returned to the same protocol shed followed years earlier, the issue resolved.
If recurrent yeast infections, unexplained fatigue, eczema, food sensitivities, brain fog, or nonspecific gut issues, such as gas, bloating, or constipation, are a problem for you, it may be worth trying a few tricks known to counter candida overgrowth.
There is a lot you can do with self-diagnosis, says Plotnikoff. But if these dont work, seek the guidance of a health practitioner.
To combat candida, experts recommend these four DIY strategies.
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Home Remedies For Candida: Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Candida
One of the best natural ways to get rid of candida are home remedies. Many candida remedies use natural ingredients such as coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, tea tree oil that have a very long history of traditional use as a natural cure for candida. When used correctly, these home remedies can offer a safe and effective way to help you cure candida naturally and permanently.
Some home remedies for candida however, are very problematic and in many cases do more harm than good. If you consider using home remedies as a part of your treatment, you may want to review our home remedies for candida experts guide.
Candida test
How Do You Know If You Have Systemic Candidiasis
Fungal overgrowth that is outside of the gut environment can, in some ways, be easier to detect and identify. A good example of this is thrush which has give-away signs such as a thick discharge in the case of vaginal thrush, and a white coating to the tongue and mouth in the case of oral thrush. Other fungal infections such as athletes foot also have obvious signs to look out for. Infections such as these can be linked to systemic Candidiasis, or they can just be stand-alone, localised infections. Having thrush or athletes foot certainly doesnt mean that you have systemic Candida, but having systemic Candida does raise the chance of developing localised yeast infections.
So, a propensity towards yeast infections at different body sites can be one possible symptom of Candidiasis. However, due to the many toxins that Candida produces, there are a whole raft of other possible symptoms that can occur. In fact, many health conditions are thought to have their basis in Candida overgrowth, including mental health disorders6 such as anxiety, confusion , chronic fatigue syndrome7, acne/eczema, headaches, skin rashes, allergic symptoms, joint pain15 and many other chronic health complaints.
The mycotoxins that the yeasts excrete can even cross the blood-brain barrier, which is how the mental symptoms such as confusion and anxiety can develop.
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Which Are The Best Probiotics For Candida
As Candida yeasts are natural residents of the human body, doctors are often reluctant to offer allopathic support unless the condition manifests as obvious fungal infections such as thrush. Even then, their arsenal is limited to anti-fungal medicines, though it’s been encouraging to note that some doctors are now suggesting that their patients consider natural supplements including probiotics.
It is very important to select the right strain of probiotic for the right condition, however, and so its best to use those products containing species and strains that have been well-researched and shown to help discourage and address Candida overgrowth. To find out more about probiotic strains and what exactly a ‘strain’ is, see this article What are Probiotics?, over in our sister site, the Probiotics Learning Lab.
The best probiotics for Candida include:
How To Get Rid Of A Yeast Infection
How to get rid of a yeast infection.
If youre a woman, youve got a pretty good chance of experiencing a yeast infection at some point in your lifetime. Vaginal yeast infection, or candidiasis, is a very common condition and can cause skin rashes, itchiness and irritation, and strange-looking discharges. It can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable condition to have, but luckily, its very treatable and typically goes away in just a few days with medications. Knowing the symptoms and what to look for are important to be able to diagnose and treat them quickly. Below are answers to some common questions about yeast infections.
Triple Up On Probiotics
The next best step to reduce candida is to take a quality probiotic supplement. This will add beneficial bacteria to the gut to support its recovery.
If you suspect you have candida overgrowth, I would stop the diagnostic road right there and try a good probiotic protocol, says Ruscio, pointing to studies showing that probiotics can work just as well as prescription antifungals in treating yeast. Most people will see an improvement.
Ruscio recommends a three-tier approach: a Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium blend, the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii , and a soil-based probiotic.
A one-legged stool supports balance, but its a very wobbly balance. Using three different probiotics is adding two more legs to your stool, which gives greater balance to the entire ecosystem.
Supplements To Get Rid Of Candida
Using candida supplements to get rid of candida is very popular and can make a big difference when used correctly. In many cases however, incorrect use of candida supplements is known to cause unpleasant side effects such as candida die off symptoms and digestive issues.
For this reason, using the right type of supplements that are specifically designed to cure candida at the right time in order to complement the candida treatment is the key a complete candida cure.
Here is an overview of our recommended anti-candida supplements protocol. In addition to its effectiveness, special consideration was given for safety to minimize potential side effects that are caused by many candida supplements.
| Supplement |
What Can You Eat On A Candida Diet
A well designed candida overgrowth diet can significantly help the body to naturally eliminate the excess candida yeast. Below is a breakdown of the foods to eat and foods to avoid while on the candida diet. Click on each link to learn more about the best ways to properly use these foods as a part of your candida diet, as well as to avoid many common mistakes.
| CANDIDA DIET |
Fish And Flaxseeds For Omega
The anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fats make fish and flaxseeds, top sources of the nutrients, helpful if you’re prone to yeast infections. UMMC recommends consuming more fish and fewer fatty animal products, such as red meat and whole milk, for improved symptoms. Fish particularly rich in omega-3s include mackerel, lake trout, herring and salmon. Grind whole flaxseeds within 24 hours of use or purchase ground seed in Mylar packaging to keep the ingredients active. Eat ground flaxseeds alone or as a nutritious addition to other foods, such as yogurt, cereal or smoothies.
- The anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fats make fish and flaxseeds, top sources of the nutrients, helpful if you’re prone to yeast infections.
Fruits And Vegetables For Antioxidants
Maintaining a strong immune system is important for keeping your candida levels in check, and colorful fruits and vegetables, leading antioxidant sources, are your best dietary friends. Eating at least 2 cups of fruit and 2-1/2 cups of vegetables per day is a good way to start meeting your basic needs, says the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 5. Particularly antioxidant-rich varieties include:
- citrus fruits
- sweet peppers
- potatoes
For added benefits, choose sweet fruits and vegetable dishes, such as natural applesauce or a baked sweet potato, instead of sugary sweets for dessert. Added sugars can stimulate candida production in your body, increasing your risk of infection.
- Maintaining a strong immune system is important for keeping your candida levels in check, and colorful fruits and vegetables, leading antioxidant sources, are your best dietary friends.
Possible Ways To Manage Candida
If you think youre affected, its important to tackle candida. Not only are the symptoms unpleasant and debilitating, it is also linked to leaky gut syndrome.
Leaky gut syndrome is when the yeast overgrowth can cause small holes in the gut, which allows tiny food particles to escape into your blood stream. Your immune system doesnt recognise them and goes on the attack, which may cause you to become intolerant to a range of foods. Over time, you may miss out on important nutrients because you find it hard to tolerate many different foods.
In terms of treating candida, the two main methods of treatment are medication and diet.13
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Candida: Symptoms Treatments & Causes Explained
If you feel tired all of the time, are bloated or have strong sugar cravings, you may be suffering from a condition called candida.
We all, men and women, can be affected by candida, at any age. Its not uncommon for people to experience one or more symptoms of candida and attribute them to another health issue.
Candida is naturally present in our bodies. It feeds on by-products thats found within the body, like dead tissue and sugar from the diet. But if you have too much of it, then it can impact your mind and body in many different ways.
In this article, we lift the lid on candida, which includes talking you through some of the common causes and symptoms. We also explain the main ways you can be tested and treated for candida overgrowth.
