What Is Candida?
by Mark G. Lester
Once you have read this article, for more detailed information, we suggest you read "Candida Treatment" by Mark G. Lester, Diector of The Finchley Clinic and "Conquering Candida" written by our colleague Sherridan Stock.
There are over 150 species of candida. Common strains include : -
* Candida albicans
* Candida dubliniensis
* Candida famata
* Candida glabrata
* Candida guilliermondii
* Candida humicola
* Candida krusei
* Candida lambica
* Candida lipolytica
* Candida lusitaniae
* Candida parapsilosis
* Candida pseudotropicalis
* Candida rugosa
* Candida stellatoidea
* Candida tropicalis
* Candida zeylanoides
v) Excess sugar consumption, of which most people are guilty, suppresses immunity (by depressing neutrophil and lymphocyte activity), and alcohol has a similar effect. (Sugar, of course, also feeds Candida.)
vi) Caffeine (from coffee and to a lesser degree in cocoa and tea) is an adrenal stressor, and depleted adrenal glands predispose to the development of candidiasis by lowering the immune system. We have also seen claims that caffeine also destroys friendly bacteria. We have not found any evidence as to whether this is true or untrue but if it is is true, this is a second mechanism by which caffeine may contribute to candida overgrowth. pychological stress, lack of dietary fibre or lowered thyroid activity) allows a environment in which candida and other unhealthy micro-organisms can more easily flourish
Candida releases poisons in blood causing all kinds of symptoms. The toxins that are released include : -
* Ethanol : Produced when yeast has lots of food. Excess ethanol can cause symptoms of alcohol intoxication
* Acetaldehyde : The primary candida toxin, which can damage organs, disrupt fatty acid oxidation and production of collagen, cause abnormal behavior, memory loss, distorted thinking, mood swings, depression, impaired intellectual functioning and emotional disturbances.
* Formaldehyde : A highly reactive compound that has a toxic effect on all organisms" (source: Microbiology (2002), 148, 2697-2704.
(Molybdenum may be helpful for breaking down candida toxins).
Typical symptoms of Candida include (but are not limited to):
Food allergies
Sugar and carbohydrate craving
Abdominal pain and / or bloating, excessive intestinal gas and indigestion
Chronic sinus drainage - which antibiotics don't help!
Brain "fog" or Poor concentration
Urinary infections
Rashes anywhere on the skin
Anxiety / Depression
Menstrual irregularities
Bad breath
~Note from Golden Illumination~
I struggled with Candida for 25 years! I was blessed to find some great information.
Eliminate all oils from one's diet. From an acupuncture theory oil creates dampness and dampness creates a wonderful environment for the fungus to GROW! Oils are all rancid except for the ones that are labeled UNREFINED. Oils need to be refrigereated. After 3 months the Candida was gone! To this day I still do not use oil. I make my salad dressings with these basics:
Fresh cilantro, or fresh dill, avocado, scallion, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, water. To this I can add any vegetable: tomato, cucumber, carrot, etc.
HAVE FUN and GET WELL SOON!
Robin Powell -Owner of Golden Illumination
