According to Dr Mercola, up to
75% of women suffer from candida during their lifetime, and many suffer from repeated bouts of this unpleasant personal health issue. Why is it that so many women (and men too) suffer from this problem? Research from the Journal of Medical Microbiology suggests that Antibiotics may promote yeast infections, including gastrointestinal Candida overgrowth, and penetration of the GI mucosa.
What is Candida?
Candida, also known as candidiasis, is a common yeast infection which can lead to many health problems from a sore throat to serious stomach problems. Although the body normally produces yeast in the mouth, vagina, rectum and digestive tracts, in normal amounts it remains harmless. However, if the body’s natural pH balance is upset, candida can quickly grow out of control.
If you are suffering from headaches, inability to concentrate, hyperactivity, chronic fatigue, sugar cravings and stomach problems you may be suffering from an over-production of yeast and candida. A common symptom is thrush, which is an overgrowth of yeast in the mouth and/or vagina. If left untreated, candida will weaken the immune system allowing more serious disease to take hold.
Major Causes of Candida
Once conditions are right, candida will thrive and your general health will suffer. There are various causes that trigger or feed a yeast infection including:
- Overconsumption of processed and sugary foods
- Oral contraceptives
- Overuse of antibiotics
- Steroid use
- Alcoholic beverages
All these create an acidic environment that encourages yeast growth and the presence of candida.
Many people opt for over-the-counter anti-fungal creams, but they only treat the symptoms, not the environment that allows candida to flourish. You need to eliminate the underlying cause in your diet or medication, restore your body’s pH balance and boost the presence of good bacteria.
All-Natural Remedies for Candida
Processed and refined foods create the acidic environment that candida and other diseases need to survive. Replace foods high in gluten, sugar and high-fructose corn syrup with fresh fruit and vegetables. While treating candida, restrict your intake of alcohol, vinegar, bread, high-sugar foods, peanuts, mushrooms and aged cheese. Nuts, seeds, wild-caught fish and other food fresh from Mother Nature will all fight candida, along with garlic, turmeric and cinnamon. Changing to a healthier lifestyle, whether or not you have candida, can only lead to a healthier body with the added benefit of countering any future yeast infection.
Garlic is a natural anti-fungal and a powerful antibiotic while turmeric, also known as curcumin, is a powerful treatment against candida, according to the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. Tests performed at the Department of Microbiologia at the Centro de Engenharias in Brazil showed that turmeric was a more potent anti-fungal than the commonly prescribed drug fluconazole (source).
Best Candida Fighting Foods
- Amasai / Kefir
- Garlic
- Turmeric
- Raw Vegetables
- Cinnamon
- Kombucha
- Yogurt
Overuse of antibiotics not only kills both good and bad bacteria in the body, allowing candida to flourish, it also means that the body builds up a resistance to them. Substitute antibiotics with a natural probiotic such as Kombucha or Kefir to restore the balance of bacteria in your body. Kefir is particularly high in probiotics. Amasai, a similar fermented dairy product, is a highly digestible beverage which promotes good bacteria and restores balance in the digestive tract. Adding other naturally fermented foods such as natto to your diet will soon restore your body’s natural balance to a state where candida simply cannot survive.
Sources: Garlic Central, Natural News, Candidainfo.org, oxfordjournals.org
In a study published in The Journal of International Medical Research it was found that when one group of people suffering from influenza were given 15ml of elderberry four times per day for five days they recovered faster and suffered from less severe flu symptoms than the placebo group.
