Candida is a harmless yeast organism normally present in our bodies. It is the most prolific yeast organism and prefers to live in the GI tract. We have up to five hundred varieties of viral, bacterial, and fungal microorganisms in our bodies. Yeasts are a subgroup of fungi. Normally, the beneficial bacteria, along with our immune systems, help keep Candida organisms under control. The problem is that Candida microorganisms sometimes grow out of control. The candida organisms compete with acidophilus and bifidobacteria for attachment sites along the intestinal walls. When antibiotics kill off its competitors, candida overgrowth will seize the opportunity to take the upper hand. Other factors that encourage the overgrowth include sugar in the diet, a high intake of carbohydrates, the use of antacids and H2 blockers (decrease the acidity of the digestive tract) and immune suppression (due to steroids, chemotherapy, or illness. (Bock, 1997). The most common short-term affects are usually daily digestive problems and food allergies. The long-term affect is a weak immune system.

Candida weakens the intestinal mucosa and makes it more permeable, allowing the wrong molecules to pass through. Toxins and food allergens are absorbed into the bloodstream. Candida organisms normally inhabit the bowel and GI tract of healthy individuals. But, the yeast can grow out of control when the body is overly exposed to antibiotics, birth control pills, or steroids. These substances severely weaken the immune system. Usually Candida overgrowth is due to a weakened immune system. Other things that can weaken the immune system are nutritional deficiencies, infection, stress, molds, a diet high in sugar, junk food, cortisone and other drugs, and environmental chemicals and pollutants. Antibiotics are especially damaging. They are designed to kill harmful bacteria but also kill helpful bacteria. So things get out of balance. Steroids are included in many medical remedies today and can also be very damaging to the immune system when taken for long periods.

The toxins from Candida can affect all systems of the body. The symptoms can be any of the following:

• diaper rash
• thrush
• depression
• general ‘feeling bad’
• food cravings
• fatigue
• skin problems
• gastritis, boating, nausea
• chronic stuffy nose
• vaginitis
• endometriosis
• chest pains
• muscle pains
• poor circulation
• allergies to chemicals/foods
• kidney/bladder infections
• vaginal infection
• learning difficulties or poor memory
• sugar/sweet cravings
• constipation or diarrhea
• cancer
• AIDs

Because the symptoms are so varied, it is important to look at the most common ones. Ninety percent of people with Candida experience fatigue. Eighty-six percent of people with Candida experience food or alcohol intolerances. Eighty-one percent of people with Candida experience gastrointestinal disturbance.

There is some evidence that the following illnesses may either be related to or affected by Candida: Arthritis, fungal infections (athletes foot, ringworm, jock itch), mitral valve prolapse, Crohn’s disease, Hodgkin’s disease, hypoglycemia, lupus, autism, chronic respiratory disease, alcoholism, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, MS, Inflammatory bowel disease, and migraine headaches.

Candida albicans is a very complex organism, capable of injuring our bodies and causing infections by penetrating the body tissues. It also releases 79 toxic chemical substances, called antigens, into our bodies. These toxins are responsible for most of the symptoms. Healthy immune systems can battle the Candida, counteract the toxins, and maintain a balance in our bodies. When our defenses are weakened, however, the Candida and its toxins travel throughout the bodies, causing the ‘bad feelings’ and symptoms. Cell membranes become defective and enzymes essential to digestion and respiration are destroyed.

Ethanol is one of the Candida toxins. Ethanol is a type of alcohol caused by mixing sugar and yeast. The same thing happens inside our bodies when we eat sugar. The sugar reacts with yeast and ethanol is a byproduct. Acetaldehyde is another Candida toxin. It is used to make acetic acid, drugs, and perfumes and is very toxic to the brain. It is produced in our bodies when the ethanol breaks down.

Mercury is another toxic element to pay attention to. Mercury has been shown to be more dangerous to the human body than arsenic. If Mercury comes in contact with our blood, it can damage cells, interfere with brain chemistry, affect cardiac functioning, destroy kidney cells, and cause muscle, hearing and sight loss. Mercury amalgam dental fillings have been determined to be a safety concern. Minimally, Mercury lowers the immune system, increase our toxic load and lowers resistance to infection.

One of the treatments for Candida is Acidophilus. In the early days of antibiotics, doctors routinely gave patients Lactobacillus acidophilus to compensate for the amount of good bacteria antibiotics killed. Acidophilus is one important beneficial bacteria, which lives normally in the mouth, intestines, and vagina. It is also found in cultured milk products such as yogurt. Other suggestions for treatment include the following:

• Eliminate abusive substances. Diets that contain high amounts of sugar, junk food, refined white flour and other simple carbohydrates, and alcohol increase the Candida growth in our bodies. Color additives, preservatives, and partially hydrogenated oils are also abusive and immune system weakening, thus they also contribute to excessive Candida growth.
• Avoid yeast and fungus products such as cheese, bread containing yeast, beer, apple cider, natural root beer, bacon, pork, and mushrooms. Spelt is a possible alternative to bread containing yeast.
• Magnesium, essential fatty acids, and vitamin B6 are usually deficient in people with Candida infection. These are given as treatment to help enzyme activity, energy, brain and nervous system.
• Add essential fatty acids and make sure the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are in the proper balance. (1:4 is advisable). Most Americans ingest too little Omega-3 in proportion to Omega-6 (1:20). To increase Omega-3 fatty acids, eat more flaxseed, evening primrose oil, walnuts, olive oil, dark leafy vegetables, and salmon.
• Avoid fruits during the period that the Candida is out of control. Fruits are quickly transformed into simple sugars and therefore can encourage Candida growth.
• Avoid leftovers because they are more likely to contain yeasts and molds. Also, nutrients decrease as time passes.
• Add Vitamin C and garlic to your diet to help boost the immune system.
• Avoid preservatives, artificial color, thickeners, stabilizers, and emulsifiers.
• Eliminate lactose-containing dairy products.
• Antifungal agents or homeopathic liquids are sometimes prescribed to help permeate the intestines and help destroy Candida throughout the body.

Allergic reactions seem to be increasing in our society. This is probably due to increasing exposure to chemicals in our food, environment, and strong medications. Food allergies can alter immunity and further exacerbate Candida. Candida patients are more susceptible to allergies. Two illnesses (ear infections and tonsillitis), previously thought to have been caused by bacterial infection, have been linked to food intolerances. Others are suspect: asthma, bladder infections, sinus infections, migraine headaches.

Nutritionists and doctors often recommend an elimination diet for Candida patients. The most likely foods causing allergy in children are cow’s milk, peanuts, eggs, soy products, and peanuts. In adults, the most likely allergic foods are those plus other dairy products, wheat, nuts, citrus fruits, chocolate, corn, shellfish, sugar, and yeast.

Hormonal changes and fluctuations promote the growth of Candida in the body. Hormones are chemicals that regulate the activities of cells and organs. Birth control pills, containing synthetic versions of progesterone and estrogen, also cause hormonal fluctuations that favor overgrowth of Candida. Women are especially susceptible to vaginal problems at the times of their period, when they are pregnant, and when they are using birth control pills. These vaginal problems may or may not be Candida-caused. It is advisable to make sure the proper tests are done.

Your "toxic load" is the cumulative effect chemicals from home, environment, food, latex, pesticides, food coloring, prescription drugs, etc have on our bodies. The symptoms that characterize a toxic body are also similar to the most prominent Candida-related illnesses (fatique, depression, nervousness, infections, colds, and reactions to strong odors, muscle and joint aches.

What can you do to reduce the toxins in your body? Here are a few things that are worth trying:

• Use spring or well water in glass bottles instead of plastic.
• Eat organically and locally grown products as much as possible. It is fresher and not treated with chemicals and insecticides to increase shelf life.
• Use glass containers (rather than plastic) to store food
• Avoid canned and packaged food as much as possible.
• Avoid fruit picked green (it contains ethylene).
• Avoid meat and poultry containing antibiotics or hormones.

What are some alternatives to antibiotics? There are some herbal supplements, vitamin and mineral supplements, and homeopathic treatments that have proven helpful to some individuals. Of course you should see your health practitioner for the best one for your situation. But here is a short list of some alternative substances. There are many others.

• Upper respiratory infections – Echinacea, Rosemary, Nettle
• Slow viral infections - Shiitake mushrooms
• Acne - Vitamin A or B6
• Colds - Garlic, zinc, echinacea and vitamin C. Breathe hot water with Eucalyptus oil.
• Earaches - zinc, vitamin C, vitamin A, acidophilus, garlic, echinacea
• Hay fever – High-fiber whole foods, non-citrus fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, raw juices (if tolerable by your body), Evening Primrose Oil, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, essential fatty acids
• Sinusitis – Hot liquids, beta carotene, vitamin C, zinc, vitamin E
• Bladder infection – Acidophilus, cranberry juice, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1

Dr Melvin Page, a dentist, first introduced the Rainbow meal plan in the early 1900s. He advised his patients to avoid all refined foods, especially sugar. He found that when patients ate sugar and other refined foods, their blood chemistries became abnormal. When they followed a diet of fresh vegetables, whole grains, and protein, their blood chemistries shifted toward normal. (Connolly, 2000). The Rainbow meal plan is composed of pure water plus the following seven food groups. These are the basic categories for the Rainbow diet. The patient is advised to eat from each of the 7 categories at each meal if possible.

1. Complete Protein – beef, chicken, crustaceans, duck, eggs, fish, lamb, turkey
2. Legumes & Grains – beans such as black-eyed, lentil, navy, soy, string and whole grains such as barley, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, oats, rye, and wheat berries
3. Root Vegetables – beets, carrots, onions, parsnips, rutabagas, turnips
4. Yellow or White Vegetables – cauliflower, acorn squash, sweet potato
5. Green Vegetables – artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, snap peas, zucchini
6. Red, Orange, Purple Vegetables – beets, carrots, pumpkin, butternut squash
7. Dark green leafy vegetables – beet tops, kale, romaine lettuce, mustard greens, parsley, spinach

Today, patients with Candida are put on this diet or a similar one. The severity of the Candida and the length of time that the yeast has been overgrown in your body will determine the precise diet a practitioner recommends.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this document should be construed as medical advice. For long-lasting relief, consult your doctor or health practitioner.