Do You Have Candida?

by Cynthia Perkins, M.Ed.

Most people aren't aware that many of the chronic physical and mental health conditions we see in the human body today are the result of Candida yeast overgrowth. This cunning yeast can be responsible for problems like vaginal or genital infections, headaches, migraines , irritable bowel syndrome, gas, stomach bloating, depression, anxiety, sore throat, eczema, chronic fatigue, myalgias, inability to concentrate, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity and many more health issues.

In fact uncontrolled Candida yeast overgrowth can cause just about any mental or physical symptom you can think of. It can even be a factor in serious conditions like Crohn's, Autism and Prostatitis.

Candida yeast is the yeast that's responsible for the common "yeast infection" that many women endure from time to time, and is the term that most people are familiar with. However, "yeast infections" are not limited to just women. It inflicts men and children as well and it can effect almost any part of the body.

One of the other most common areas to be infected with Candida is the gastrointestinal tract. When left unchecked it can then travel out of the intestinal tract, through the bloodstream and into any organ or system in the body. The brain, lungs and nervous system are frequently vulnerable as well.

We all have millions of microorganisms present in our body. Some are considered healthy flora while others, like Candida are considered bad or unhealthy. Normally, a healthy body will keep the bad flora from flourishing, but when something occurs to upset the balance of bacteria, then the bad ones are able to thrive and grow out of control, which can result in a wide variety of health problems.

This balance of bad bacteria versus good bacteria can become unbalanced for a variety of reasons. Some common contributing factors to Candida overgrowth are birth control pills, synthetic estrogen, steroids, nutritional deficiencies and immune suppressing drugs. However, the two most common culprits for what has grown into an epidemic in our society, are the overuse of prescription antibiotics and the standard American diet that is high in sugar and simple carbohydrates.

When prescription antibiotics enter the body not only do they wipe out your infection but they also wipe out all your friendly or healthy bacteria too. This allows Candida yeast to take over and grow out of control.

Antibiotics are used too frequently for too many conditions when they aren't necessary. We are also exposed to antibiotics in our meat and dairy supply, because farm animals are routinely fed antibiotics in large doses. When we eat these animals or their byproducts the antibiotics are absorbed into our bodies. This overuse of antibiotics has now led to many bacteria becoming completely resistant to them.

Sugar is Candida's main food source. So any food that is high in sugar, starch or simple carbohydrates will give the yeast a feast that will allow it to proliferate out of control. Most people eat a lot these kinds of foods everyday, because sugar is found in everything from your breakfast cereal to your ketchup. All this excess sugar is largely responsible for not only Candida yeast, but obesity, malnutrition and type II diabetes as well

Basically it is the combination of our medical treatments and lifestyle choices that are leading to this overgrowth of Candida, that has grown into an epidemic in our society and wrecking havoc on our health.

Once Candida gets a grip on ones body it is extremely difficult to eradicate, so prevention is always the first course of action if possible.

The best ways to keep Candida yeast from growing out of control in your body is to eliminate the use of antibiotics unless absolutely necessary, eat organic meat and dairy products that are not loaded with antibiotics and follow a Candida diet.

Thousands of people can testify to overcoming or dramatically improving a variety of chronic health conditions by switching to a diet that does not encourage Candida overgrowth.

About the Author:
Cynthia Perkins, M.Ed. is a holistic health counselor who has researched Candida and it's impact on our physical and mental health for almost two decades. Her knowledge is enriched with personal experience in combating the condition herself. Get the facts you need about Candida in her handy little Ebook, Candida Secrets.