Candida Causes & Cures

Candida albicans is a diploid fungus, specifically a yeast, that lives naturally in the digestive tract and colon. At times, this yeast overproduces in the colon and causes adverse symptoms such as migraines, gastritis, yeast infections, food allergies and even certain autoimmune diseases (i.e. fibromyalgia). Cures for excess candida can include dietary changes, colon cleanses, supplements and sometimes medications.

Causes

• Candida albicans overgrowth is usually spurred by an overuse of antibiotics, corticosteroids, birth control pills, poor dieting and stress. The candida overtakes the body's natural bacteria in the colon and irritates the mucus membranes of the colon walls. Consequently, fecal impactions that harbor yeast, their toxins and parasites form along the walls of the colon. These colon-wall impactions can block certain body nutrients from being absorbed. Yeast, toxins and parasites can also enter the bloodstream, where they eventually settle in body cells and organs, leading to various diseases and their symptoms.

Dietary Changes

• If you have candida, it is best to severely limit or eliminate foods that contain gluten or sugar (see candida diet in References below). The quandary is that most commercial breads, pasta, cereal, pastry and even milk contain gluten. Excess candida will thrive on sugar and gluten, so getting it out of your system will require you to either find substitute foods for the ones above or eat more foods that do not contain either gluten or sugar. If you like breads and pasta, there are plenty of brown rice substitutes for both. There are also brown rice and almond milks that you can drink instead of cow's milk. Besides almonds and brown rice, foods that are gluten- and sugar-free include most meats, potatoes, yams, legumes, vegetables and certain grains such as millet, quinoa, basmati rice, hominy, buckwheat and kamut.

Colon Cleansing

• You should do a colon cleanse if you have candida overgrowth. You can either use a colon-cleansing kit (power or syrup formula) or undergo colon irrigation. Colon-cleansing kits contain a mixture of foods and herbs that kill excess candida and parasites. You will normally drink it once a day for a month. A possible complication is that you may be allergic or sensitive to one of the ingredients. Colon irrigation is usually administered through a licensed colon hydrotherapist. These professionals have units that will flush out your colon with ozonated water. The procedure can be a bit invasive and intimidating for people. Either method is effective in getting rid of candida overgrowth.

Probiotics

• Taking probiotics in conjunction with dietary changes and colon cleanses can help cure your candida. Probiotics are "friendly" bacteria that will help kill candida and replenish the natural bacteria in your colon. They can be purchased at health food stores.

Medications

• Doctors will often treat excess candida with antifungal medications such as nystatin. These can be effective but do require a prescription.