| What
is Candida? How do I treat candida? How can Ojai Colon Therapy help?
Candida albicans is a single-celled
yeast (a form of fungus) inhabiting the digestive tracts of all
humans. We inherit candida, and many other bacterial, fungal and
viral “passengers” from our mothers. Like most single-celled
organisms, candida multiply very quickly. Where a human generation
(birth to reproductive maturity) lasts 25 years, a yeast generation
may be anywhere from 8 hours to three days. By the time we are toddlers,
we carry a strain of candida completely unique to our own bodies.
These yeast cells coexist peacefully
with their hosts unless the host’s immune system is compromised
or other conditions in the host’s body lead to uninhibited
proliferation of the organisms. Other conditions appearing to
allow an overgrowth of candida include hormonal imbalances (including
the use of birth control pills and steroids), use of antibiotics
and consumption of large quantities of foods that break down into
simple sugars – simple carbohydrates such as bread, pasta,
white potatoes and corn chips and all sweets.
Assessment of candida overgrowth,
or candidiasis, is usually based solely on symptoms, most of which
can also have other causes. Only life-threateningly severe infection
shows up in blood or fecal tests. The proof of the hypothesis is
in the treatment. If you feel better, chances are you had a high
candida population. Many M.D.s are skeptical of a candidiasis diagnosis.
The Yeast Connection, by William Crook, includes a comprehensive
self-test for candidiasis.
Symptoms of candida overgrowth
include:
- Depression and/or anxiety
and/or irritability
- Mental fog and general
fatigue
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Gas and bloating
- Acne, eczema or other
skin conditions
- Headaches, including
migraines
- PMS and other menstrual
problems
- Intense or uncontrollable
cravings for sweets or other high-carb foods
- Thrush or vaginal yeast
infections
There are five components
I believe are needed to treat candida:
- Elimination of the lifestuff
of the candida. Put simply, starve them. For a limited time, the
diet should include mostly vegetables and proteins, with small
quantities of complex carbohydrates (whole grains such as brown
rice, millet or quinoa), and minimal fruit. NO sweets, white potatoes,
white rice, white flour, corn (including tortillas, chips, etc.)
fermented products including wine, beer, spirits, vinegar and
soy sauce, or packaged foods should be eaten.
- An anti-fungal agent, herbal
or pharmaceutical. There are many on the market. Muscle testing,
Bio-Meridian testing or trial and error can help you find the
best one for your strain of candida.
- Maintenance of regular, full
bowel movement to eliminate the organisms’ waste products
and the dying cells themselves. I recommend colon therapy, as
sometimes your body will have more waste than it can comfortably
handle on its own.
- Pro-biotic supplementation –
bring in friendly neighbors to crowd out the “bad guys.”
Be certain that the product you choose is refrigerated. It should
include at least two strains each of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria.
- If you experience cravings
for sweets or carbohydrates, I suggest three supplements: gymnema
sylvetstre and chromium picolinate twice daily to regulate your
blood sugar, and powdered l-glutamine under your tongue as needed.
Most of the people who I have known
to follow these steps report dramatic changes to their overall health.
Symptoms clear up and energy increases. Keep in mind that you carry
a strain of candida that is different from every other person on
the planet. Each individual presents different symptoms and will
experience relief after a different amount of time on the diet or
using different anti-fungal products. Once symptoms have been minimized
or eliminated, caution must be exercised in the re-introduction
of carbohydrate-rich foods and any medications or supplements affecting
hormones or steroids. If symptoms recur, certain foods may need
to be eliminated permanently.
A final note: A brief review of
medical literature suggests that candidiasis is a well-known and
studied phenomenon among hospital-bound patients. Invasive, or systemic,
candidiasis accounts for a notable number of deaths and there is
considerable discussion of the efficacy of various pharmaceutical
treatments. Given this information and the growing concern in the
complementary medical community over fungal infections, the author
hopes that the medical community will begin to consider the possibility
of low-grade infection in apparently immunocompetent individuals.
Sources:
Chaitow, Leon, D.O., N.D., Candida Albican
Crook, William, M.D. The Yeast Connection
Watson, Brenda, N.D. and Smith, Leonard, M.D. Gut Solutions
PubMed www.ncbi.nlm.gov
Jacalyn
Booth
411 West Ojai Ave.
Ojai, CA 93023
805.901.3000
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