Read how to find a cure - remedy, treatment and relief of Candidiasis - Candida.  Candidiasis could be the cause of Leaky Gut Syndrome.

On this page:

•  What is the cause of Candidiasis - Candida?
•  Why has it become so common.
•  What does it do to our bodies.
•  Candida symptoms.
•  Diagnosing of Candida.
•  Candida treatments - Candida diet.
•  Supplements that can help to cure your gut.
•  How long will a Candida cure take?
•  Literature and information on Candidiasis.

What is the cause of Candidiasis - Candida?

Candidiasis is an infection by Candida Albican - Albicans, a type of yeast. Although pathogenic strains of Candida share similar characteristics with food yeasts, food yeasts do not carry the same pathogenicity and ability to strongly adhere to and colonize mucous membranes. Candidiasis, and especially intestinal Candida proliferation, has recently been seen as a condition that can strike those who have a "normal" immune system. It has been subject to much debate and lack of understanding, but has motivated new thinking and research.

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Why has Candidiasis become so common?

Candidiasis was virtually unheard of before 1940. It is since the introduction of antibiotics at around that time that candida has become the widespread problem that it is today. Antibiotics kill the normal biota in the gut  and since even healthy guts have Candida in them and nature abhors a vacuum, the candida will proliferate. The use of steroids (cortisones), birth control pills, antacid and anti-ulcer medications,  in addition to antibiotics   contributes strongly since Candida proliferates rapidly in the presence of these substances.  Modern day diets extremely high in sugars are also blamed for the condition as sugars are rapidly metabolized by fungi, especially  yeasts, and prevent the growth of bacteria.

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What does Candida do to our bodies?

• Candida is believed to play a part in creating what is called a "leaky gut," an unfavorable increase in intestinal permeability. Please read our 'leaky gut syndrome' page. Click here.
• Candida has been found to produce 79 distinct toxins.
• Overgrowth of candida causes an allergic response from the body which further plunders the resources of the body's immune system.
• Diarrhea, sometimes associated with abdominal cramps, can be caused by Candida.
• Psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis have also been reported in association with Candida.

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Candida Symptoms.

• Extreme lethargy
• Diarrhea, chronic gas, bloating, abdominal cramps alleviated by bowel movements, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Lactose intolerance
• Anxiety, Hyperactivity, Attention Deficit Disorder
• Allergies and allergy symptoms, chemical sensitivities
• Panic attacks
• Sinus problems
• Eye fatigue
• Muscle weakness and bone pain
• White tongue and a white coating
• Psoriasis/seborrheic dermatitis/dandruff, dry, itchy skin
• Rectal itching
• Frequent yeast infections in women
• High sugar or mold foods drastically increase symptoms.
• Avoiding food helps to alleviate symptoms
• Inflammation of the hair follicles (candidiasis folliculitis) of various parts of the body (feet, legs, arms)
• Frequent urination
• Swollen lips/face
• Symptoms worse after waking
• Facial rash
• Hives
• Chronic inflammation and irritation of the eye and conjunctivae.
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

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Diagnosing of Candida.

Diagnosis of Candida is often not that easy although many doctors do not seem to look specifically for it. The most reliable way of proving Candida overgrowth is with a stool exam on a sample collected at home when symptoms are worst. The laboratory should be instructed to do a gram stain for yeast along with direct microscopic examination of the sample. You should not of course take antifungal drugs prior to the examination.

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Candida treatments - Candida diet.

• The first thing to do is reduce the level of Candida to that of a normal gut. This done using fungicides. There are many natural fungicides such as Shark Liver Oil which can be used in a maintenance fashion once Candida levels are low enough, however initially there is now available a natural herbal product called Colon Cleanser® Intestinal Care capsules which helps maintain balanced intestinal microflora. Colon Cleanser® Capsules contain milled leaves of Horopito, (Pseudowintera colorata), a New Zealand herb with a long history of traditional use. We are very excited at Lovely Health about this product as it is a wonderful tool in the natural fight against Candida. The main active in Horopito is polygodial, which has shown powerful activity in the laboratory. Independent in vitro studies have shown that Colon Cleanser® is probably more useful than Pau d’Arco or Olive Leaf Extract in helping your natural defences.If there is still a problem it is probably best to get a prescription from your doctor for an antifungal such as Nystatin, Lamisil or Diflucan. All seem to be considered safe with little or no side effects. You will of course have to convince your doctor of the need for such a prescription.
• Candida diet. Reduce sugars and carbohydrates in your diet, particularly sugars as yeasts love these and thrive on them.
• Take probiotics containing such bacteria as Lactobacilli, Bifidobacterium. These bacteria don't just "crowd out" intestinal yeast, but they also produce factors such as lactic acid (from lactose), formic acid, acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide that help to provide an environment and pH unfavorable to yeasts.
• Avoid where possible oral antibiotics, antacids and steroids.

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Supplements that help to heal your gut.

• Shark Liver Oil.
• Co-enzyme Q10
• Colostrum.
• Probiotics
• Garlic tablets.
• MSM.
• Anti-oxidants such as vitamins A, C, E and beta carotene.
• Mineral supplements particularly selenium.
• Aloe Vera Juice or powdered leaf.
• Glutamine.
• Digestive enzymes.
• Golden Seal capsules.
• Oregano Oil.

External Fungal Infections.

In cases of nail bed infection and in skin folds in the groin area etc., recent studies have shown that tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is effective against a wide range of fungal isolates including species of Candida. It appears that controlled doses of tea tree oil may be used as an effective topical treatment for dermatologic Candida infection.

There is also natural creams available using Horopito leaves

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How long will a Candida cure take?

Candida is a very persistent organism and you will have to be more persistent. It may take months but the result will be worth it.

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Literature and information.

More information about a 'leaky gut' can be found on our Leaky Gut Syndrome page. Click here.

Apart from this Candidiasis web site page, you also might find more support and information on Candida at an National Candidiasis foundation, association, network group, society in your country or at a web ring.

You will find books for your well being on our 'Literature' page.

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Last modified: August 07, 2005