© Specialist Supplements Ltd 2011  0845 094 3627 [Allergy] [Bad Breath] [Bloating] [Colitis] [Constipation] [Crohn’s Disease] [Diarrhea] [Diverticulitis] [Flatulence] [Halitosis] [Irritable Bowel Syndrome] [IBS] [Indigestion] [Leaky Gut Syndrome] [ibsdiarrhea.hypermart.net/1] [Lactobacillus acidophilus and Plantarum probiotic bacterium] [Probiotic Bacteria] [HTML Sitemap] [Diets and Health Information] [Natural Menopause Herbs] [Weight Loss Pages] [Probiotic and Herbal Supplements] [ibsdiarrhea.hypermart.net/2]   Your health is your responsibility Suppliers of probiotic bacteria supplements Suppliers of probiotic bacteria supplements This is an information site only! About candida Candida albicans (perhaps better known to you as thrush or a yeast / fungal infection) is a single cell, plant-like fungi which belongs to the vegetable kingdom. It starts life as a yeast, which everyone has in their digestive system and other mucous membranes from birth and also lives on the skin. In terms of the ailment, candida is an overgrowth of yeast (identified as candidiasis) that frequently starts up inside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but then often spreads to various other areas of the body. It can be a hardy and invasive parasite, which usually attaches itself to the intestinal wall and can (if not treated) develop into a permanent resident of the bodily organs. Documented cases of candida overgrowth date back as far as the 1700s. Hippocrates diagnosed the presence of yeast infections as thrush in debilitated patients. Do we know what causes candida? When everything is working correctly in the body, the candida albicans yeast is kept in check by the “friendly bacteria” (probiotics) that we have in our systems and, more particularly, in our digestive systems. Consequently, candida normally co-exists with a lot of other sorts of bacteria, in a state of harmony. For instance, candida albicans is part of the normal flora of the mucous membranes of the female genital areas, gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, which causes no disease. Nevertheless, overgrowth of this type may be the trigger of superficial infections which may include thrush (oropharyngeal candidiasis) and vaginal candidiasis (vulvovaginal candidiasis). Unfortunately, the modern diet and natural environment are not always conducive to healthy bacterial growth. We are subjected to an ever-growing level of toxic substances and processed foods every day, along with pollution and chemicals in the air we breathe, the water we drink and bathe in and even the substances and materials we put on our skin. It is widely considered that an overgrowth of yeast tends predominantly to occur in those with weakened immune systems or those whose levels of friendly bacteria have been lessened due to some external factor (e.g. through stress, disease (such as diabetes), pregnancy and/or the use of antibiotics, birth control pills or steroids). If your body’s defences are weakened, it offers fungus the optimum conditions to flourish. This enables candida to enter the bloodstream, travelling all over the body to colonise areas like the urinary tract, vagina, tissue, nails, mouth, skin and internal organs. When such overgrowth has started, if not identified and treated appropriately and promptly, it can cause a chronic and systemic problem - it is considered that large numbers of yeast bacteria can weaken the immune system even more, thus perpetuating the situation. This is because candida albicans has the ability to produce approximately 75 hazardous substances that can poison the human body. These poisons are thought to contaminate tissue and weaken the immune system, glands, kidneys, bladder, lungs, liver, brain and nervous system. What are some of the main symptoms of candida? Overgrowth of candida can result in a variety of distressing symptoms, such as: • tiredness • sugar cravings • brain fog • allergy symptoms • fuzzy vision • anxiety • digestive problems • joint pain • muscle soreness • chronic diarrhoea • yeast vaginitis • bladder infections • menstrual problems • and constipation. Candida albicans diet It's widely believed by complementary and alternative medicine and other health practitioners that people suffering with recurring or chronic candida can often benefit greatly from doing away with particular foods from their diet, restoring gut health and adjusting their lifestyle. Some yeast is always present in our GI tract, but (as outlined above) its growth is usually kept in check by a healthy balance of “good” versus “bad” bacteria in the gut. This delicate balance is thought to be supported by a diet which sustains correct acid/alkaline characteristics. A diet dominated by high sugar intake (which the yeast calls for to maintain its presence) and meals containing yeasts or fungi (such as mushrooms, cheese and milk) can cause a disturbance of the balance. Health supplements may possibly also provide you with added support. By way of example, to help to restore the balance of healthy bacteria, probiotics  can be taken. Similarly, as candida albicans is a parasite, it might be useful to take anti-fungal supplements. * Before taking supplements, you are recommended to consult a physician or qualified health practitioner - particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication.    [Colon Cleansers] [Probiotics] [Digestive Enzyme Supplement] [Candida Albicans Supplements] [Healthy Meal Plans] [Herbal Remedies] [Digestive Enzymes for Bloating] [Slimming Products] [Home] [Health Information] [About Probiotics] [Yeast Probiotic - Saccharomyces boulardii] [Digestive Enzymes] [Antibiotics] [Candida Albicans] [Children’s Probiotic Powder] [Sitemap]