Candida Albicans
I weighed over 150 kilos 10 years ago and I was finding it very frustrating trying to lose the weight having followed every diet under the sun. I designed my own program and I was partially successful losing 30 kilos over a period of about a year. Then I hit a roadblock. We had just moved back to Ireland from Belgium and I was introduced to this new line of low fat cakes and biscuits. I started to indulge in them and within a very short space of time I started to develop some very alarming symptoms that the doctor thought may be diabetes. They did a blood test, which came back negative, and so we were forced into doing our own research. It took a while as 6 years ago there was not a huge amount of information available on the Internet on Candida but eventually we came to the conclusion that this was my problem.
I was in the process of writing my book and had been researching my weight problem from an emotional, physical and mental perspective trying to understand why I had managed to yo-yo my body between 126 lbs and 330 lbs time and time again. This put the final piece of the puzzle together for me. Later when I worked with my clients in diet centre, I came to the horrifying conclusion that the vast majority, something like 85% of the clients that came to me were also suffering from and overgrowth of Candida. These clients did not only have obesity issues but also other dietary problems or conditions such as arthritis all had a similar history of antibiotic overuse – starvation dieting – poor eating habits. All these had contributed the problem with Candida
My own Candida issues began when I was 11 and suffered repeated bouts of tonsillitis. This was the early 60’s and antibiotics were handed out like sweeties for ear infections, throat infections etc. Children with immature immune systems were hit the hardest, as these non-specific antibiotics not only killed off the bacteria causing the infection but also all the good bacteria in the gut. This never recovered fully as the children inevitably contracted infection after infection. Eventually the whole system was compromised and they then began the cycle of lack of nutrition and poor health, leaving them open to a whole list of common ailments, which in turn were usually treated with more antibiotics. We will go into that in more detail later in the show.
The more clients that I work with, the more I am convinced that Candida Albicans is the secret, hidden enemy of us all.
QUESTION – What is Candida Albicans?
Candida Albicans is a yeast, which inhabits all humans, usually only in small amounts. It is also known as Monilia, Thrush, Candidiasis and Yeast Infection. In its natural, mild form it is harmless and is simply part of the soup of bacteria that inhabits our intestines.
The basic precondition for a fungal disease is an impaired immune system. This can be the result of an illness, overuse of antibiotics, intensive dieting over a long period of time and recurring infections. Latterly there has been considerable research into why women who have never had antibiotics are developing Candida Albicans in their late 20’s and 30’s and again in their 50’s. The answer seems to be that the birth control pill and HRT both hormone altering drugs are having a similar effect as antibiotics.
Look at antibiotics for instance. In most cases antibiotics are broad spectrum not specific. Because, without a lab test it is difficult to tell the specific strain of bacteria responsible for an infection, the use of broad spectrum drugs usually guarantees that the bacteria in question will be killed off. Unfortunately, like chemotherapy not only the bad bacteria is killed off but also the good bacteria in your body. Your intestine, which has a very fragile balance of good and bad bacteria, is vulnerable and this is where Candida Albicans can start to take over your intestinal tract.
QUESTION – What happens to the Candida bacteria that makes it harmful?
If Candida yeast is allowed to grow unchecked, it changes from its normal yeast fungal form to a mycelial-fungal form that produces rhizoids. These long root-like components are capable of piercing the walls of the digestive tract and breaking down the protective barriers between the intestines and the blood. This breakthrough allows many allergens to enter the blood stream causing allergic reactions. A mucus is also formed around major organs and in the lining of the stomach. This prevents your digestive system from functioning efficiently. The result is poorly digested foods and wasted nutrients. Your body begins to suffer a deficiency of these nutrients and it leads to chronic fatigue.
QUESTION – What are some of the symptoms of Candida overgrowth?
The most common of the allergic reactions are – watering, tearing or dry eyes. Itchy inner ears and dry throats that come and go. A dripping and itchy nose, unexplained rashes. These symptoms are almost always accompanied by a craving for either bread or savoury snacks such as crisps or for sweets in the form of chocolate particularly. Sometimes clients tell me that they have not got a sweet tooth and don’t eat chocolate, but when I read their food diary, I soon spot the biscuits, cakes and alcohol that is eaten or drunk every day.
Let me give you an idea of some of the complaints you could be suffering from that are directly related to Candida Albicans. Fatigue – people who are suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME test positive for Candida. Numbness, burning or tingling in your fingers or hands. Insomnia, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea, bloating and especially Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Thrush and Cystitis, sexual disfunction and loss of sexual drive. For women it can mean years of suffering from endometriosis or infertility – pre-menstrual tension and heavy and painful periods.
Depression and panic attacks are common symptoms as is shaking or getting very irritable when hungry. Some people suffer from unexplained muscle or joint pains and are often diagnosed with arthritis. You have to remember that the Candida bacteria is a parasite and like all parasites it will take the nourishment meant for you and you will then suffer from a depressed immune system. Headaches and mood swings. Chronic rashes or hives and you will be more prone to food intolerances that cause discomfort or some form of physical symptom. The most significant problem is the strain which all of the toxins place on the liver. This can result in chronic fatigue, discomfort and depression.
The list is virtually endless – which just adds to the confusion at the time of diagnosis. I have a straightforward questionnaire that is simple to complete and whilst not as accurate as something such as a stool test, it will certainly give a good indication of the likelihood of you having and overgrowth of Candida.
If you are suffering from any of the allergic type symptoms I mentioned earlier then the chances are you have Candida.
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