How Do You Know if You Have Candida Overgrowth?
INSIDE: Hear of candida, but not really sure how it becomes an overgrowth? Are you wondering, “how do you know if you have candida overgrowth?” You’re in the right place! Let’s answer those questions and more, plus you can take our candida quiz.
If your health is suffering, your whole person is suffering. Being healthy is something we all want, but the lifestyles most of us lead make it trickier than we would hope.
Most people who have chronic conditions have candida overgrowth as one of the underlying causes, yet it often goes undetected. It’s the result of our modern lifestyles.
Finding out if you have candida is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Let’s dive in to what it is and what it does to the body.
Don’t miss the How Do You Know if You Have Candida Quiz at the end of this article!
What is Candida?
The word “fungus” is a broad classification that includes mildew, molds, rust, smut and yeasts, as well as mushrooms, morels, puffballs, and truffles.
Fungi feed in three ways…
Rotting
The first group, which grows on dead organic matter (leaves, trees, manure, etc) contains enzymes that digest the cellulose and lignin in the organic matter.
We call this process “rotting.” Usually, this group eliminates what is being eaten.
Parasitic
Members of the second group are parasitic. They live within or upon another organism without killing it, at the expense of that organism.
Rather than obtaining their food, they attack and kill living hosts, which causes serious damage.
Beneficial
The third feeding group is beneficial. They form a symbiotic partnership and release minerals and other nutrients into the surrounding soil.
Where Does Candida Come From?
Before we discover the answer to “how do you know if you have candida?” let’s learn a little more about it first.
Fungi reproduce by releasing spores that are carried elsewhere – even in the body, via the bloodstream.
The majority of people with fungal/yeast issues have an overgrowth in the digestive tract.
Not all fungal infections, however, are acquired through ingestion. Many people have violent reactions to mold and mildew in the air.
These can include respiratory conditions, nausea, itching, eye irritation, headaches etc. Some can actually feed on heavy metals, which is why detoxing the system can be very helpful.
What Does Candida Overgrowth Cause?
Fungi and their highly poisonous mycotoxins (toxic chemical products) are implicated in an almost unlimited number of diseases, including:
Adrenal disorders
AIDS
Alzheimer's
Atherosclerosis
Brain inflammation
Cancer
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Cirrhosis of the liver
Chrohn's disease
Cushing's disease
Diabetes
Gout
Circulatory problems
Heart problems
Hypoglycemia
Infertility and other disorders of the reproductive organs
Kidney stones
Muscular dystrophy
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Skin disorders
How Does Candida Overgrowth Happen?
Normally, when Candida yeast live in the digestive tract, the acidophilus and bidifus lactobacilli prevent the candida from multiplying. But poor diet, stress, and antibiotics alter the intestinal terrain.
Such extensive damage causes leaky gut syndrome, during which partially digested food escapes into the intestinal wall, where it then poisons the bloodstream and inflames the tissues.
Moreover, a waste product of candida, acetaldehyde – which is chemically related to formaldehyde – interferes with the body's neurotransmitter pathways, metabolism, immune response, and nervous and endocrine systems.
The tendency of acetaldehyde to accumulate in the brain, spinal cord, joints and muscles is what poisons the bodily tissues and creates a wide variety of debilitating symptoms.
Candida Overgrowth Symptoms
Candida is an overgrowth and often is a systemic or digestive infestation of fungi. It can cause a vast array of symptoms and conditions, including…
Poor digestion
Mood swings
Overweight
Craving for carbs
Inability to focus and/or memory issues
And that’s just to name a few. There are dozens of symptoms that can be caused by candida overgrowth.
What Can You Do To Heal Candida Overgrowth?
Now that you know some of the candida overgrowth symptoms and causes, you’re probably closer to understanding if you have candida or not, and you’re looking for solutions.
Unfortunately, there isn't just one medicine or supplement that will eliminate this difficult fungus from the system. It is a collective affect and can be difficult to treat on your own.
If you think you may have candida and are looking to bring your body back to health, the modalities I work with can help.
Here are some of the things that can help reduce candida overgrowth…
Diet
The presence of fungi indicates an advanced stage of fermentation within the body – so you will need to pay careful attention to diet and acid/alkaline balance (pH).
Eat mostly fresh vegetables, animal protein, and good fats (coconut and olive oils, and for those who can tolerate it, raw butter).
All of the organisms in the fungus kingdom (as well as viruses and bacteria) thrive on sugars, even those naturally occurring in fruits.
Therefore, until you have sufficiently healed, avoid high-sugar fruits, as well as dense and high-starch carbs, such as grains, potatoes, carrots, peas, beans and perhaps even nuts and seeds.
You may want to also avoid mushrooms, soy sauce, vinegar, alcohol, cheese, and other yeasted products, such as bread.
However, sauerkraut, even though it consists of fermented cabbage, could be helpful as it helps to balance the intestinal flora – also kefir and yogurt.
One powerful anti-fungal and anti-viral herb is Chaparral (creosote bush). Another is Pau d'arco, highly regarded as an anti-fungal agent.
Supplements
Certain nutritional supplements can help your body eliminate the debris with minimum discomfort. At least 450 mg of pantothenic acid (B5) per day neutralizes the alcohol-rich candida toxins.
Considerable amounts (one gram daily for two weeks, then 500 mg daily until symptoms abate) of beneficial intestinal flora eat the candida and produce biotin (B7). The biotin thwarts candida from transforming into its more dangerous fungal form.
Raw garlic is a helpful, all-around natural antibiotic. Magnesium assists in the intercellular transport of nutrients. And activated charcoal, taken away from food and supplements, mops up the mycotoxins.
How Do You Know if You Have Candida Quiz
Here’s a simple quiz that you can take to help you answer the question, “how do you know if you have candida?”
