Moderate amounts of candida (and other yeast) live in every one of us without causing any harm, but when given free rein to grow unchecked, e.g. by wiping out the surrounding bacteria with broad-spectrum antibiotics, candida can change into its fungal form and spore through the intestinal wall into the rest of the body. As a yeasty fungus, it likes to live in damp, dark, warm environments such as the intestines, vagina (thrush), urinary system (cystitis), between the toes (athletes foot), under the nails and also in the throat (sore throat), nose (sinus, mucous) and chest (bronchitis).

How does Candida occur ?

Candida thrives on yeasty, fermented foods – see how many of these you have ?

Bread, wine (especially red wine), beer, dried fruits and nuts, white refined carbohydrates, mushrooms, cheese, peanuts, marmite, sugars, chocolate, grapes, oranges (orange juice). Inorder for the candida to ‘live’, it feeds on these foods and often the desire/craving for these foods goes away once the candida is ‘killed off’!  Candida is also aggravated by the stress, the Pill, NSAIDS (steroids) and antibiotics.  

Conditions associated with Candida

Candida can travel around the body unchecked and affect the body in many different ways.
How many symptoms are you experiencing ?

Weight gain, water retention, dry skin, bloating, constipation, athletes foot, thrush, cystitis, sinus, rashes, spots, eczema, headaches, poor memory or concentration, ‘fuzzy’ head, IBS, bronchitis,  low libido, persistent coughs, moods swings, PMS, irritability, muscle aches, earaches, feeling ‘spaced out’, craving carbohydrates, acidity or reflux, endometriosis, infertility, impotence, dandruff, depression, hayfever, colitis, food sensitivities, sore gums and subfertility.
Candida is not the only condition to cause these symptoms but if you suffer from a number of the above, then Candida may be the reason, or part of the reason you are suffering.  

Immune System & Candida

Candida can gain an increasing stronghold on the body and release as many as 79 different chemical substances, putting a tremendous strain on the immune system.  Candida may also be the result of a compromised immune system or free radical overload.

Digestion and Candida

Once the yeast-like organism takes hold, it produces roots that may burrow into the intestines and contribute to food sensitivities.  It may also affect the stomach and produces excess acid symptoms like indigestion or, alternatively it may deplete digestion leading to symptoms of wind, bloating, constipation and IBS.

Blood Sugar Imbalance & Candida

Candida usually contributes to sweet, chocolate or carbohydrate cravings which in turn may imbalance the blood sugar which leads to further cravings. This in turn can affect other hormones such as female hormones and the thyroid which can affect mood, weight and energy.

Weight Gain and Candida

When candida produces toxins, the body holds onto water in order to dilute these toxins which may manifest as weight gain or cellulite.  The bloating caused by candida may contribute to tight fitting clothes and a bloated stomach (regardless of how much work is put in at the gym!).