You might have Candida, eh?

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Candida is a yeast that is normally present in the large intestine in about 50% of the population with no effect. So why should you care? Well, because it can actually cause problems ranging from ADD and autism-like symptoms to autoimmune type diseases, leading to stuff like a sluggish thyroid and fibromyalgia. It is actually some pretty nasty stuff when it starts to grow out of control.

So Candida itself isn't the problem, it is when it starts to grow out of control and/or spreads throughout the body that problems start to arise. In your gut there are many different types of microorganisms like yeast and bacteria, and it is very important for your overall health that you maintain the appropriate levels and ratios of good bacteria. What you put into your body plays a major role in maintaining the appropriate levels. For instance, eating a diet high in sugar, processed foods, and dairy can create ideal conditions for Candida to grow and spread out of control. Also, taking antibiotics can kill good bacteria in your gut and give room for the Candida to multiply unchecked. Other things that can lead to excess Candida growth is taking oral contraceptives, a history of thrush or vaginal yeast infections, a weakened immune system, dysbiosis, a parasitic infection in the gut, the presence of mercury, and altered pH.

When Candida is in excess in the gut, or has escaped into the blood stream, it can affect any organ of the body, especially female reproductive organs. One of the reasons it is dangerous is because it creates toxic byproducts that can negatively affect different cells, tissues, and organs in your body. Specifically, it releases neurotoxins, and that is one of the reasons that it can be linked to ADD and autism-like symptoms. Whenever there is a something actively releasing toxins into the body, there is going to be major problems.

Another way that Candida overgrowth is believed to cause problems is due to a phenomenon called Cross Reactivity. This is basically when the body's immune attack cells not only see Candida as a threat, but because of similarities, also views certain cells in your body as a threat and attacks. So basically it can lead to your body attacking itself; hence an autoimmune disease/disorder.

Here's what it comes down to; at what level is your body able to express health? If you have a substance growing and spreading in your body, like Candida, that is causing all sorts of problems in your gut (which is where about 70% of your immune system resides), then it spreads and infects different tissues and organs in your body causing them to malfunction, plus it is turning your immune system against your own body by attacking good cells, and all the while, it is releasing neurotoxins into your body, you are going to have MAJOR problems. Did you follow all that?

Here is a list of some different diseases/disorders that have been linked to Candida overgrowth: Gastric pain, nausea, vomiting, gas and boating, leaky gut, dysbiosis, ADD, autism, chronic fatigue, vaginal yeast infections, irritability, chemical sensitivity, eczema, psoriasis, hypoparathyroidism, Addison disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, adrenal problems, fatigue, brain fog, constipation, irregular menses, decreased sex drive, mucous in stool, cold hands and feet, infertility, IBS, migraines, cancer, vaginitis, asthma, weight gain, fibromyalgia, food allergies, and depression.

So as you can see, Candida can be a major player in many health issues. It is estimated that about 15% of people have some type of Candida overgrowth. The good news is it's something that can be tested for via blood or saliva (stool testing is possible, but not as reliable), but an easy place to start is to take this questionnaire. Candida Questionnaire and Score Sheet. 

Obviously going gluten free is very popular right now and I recommend that everybody does it for multiple reasons. But if you have gone gluten free and are still having health problems, Candida is great place to start looking for the cause of your problem. It's kind of sneaky and many of the problems that it can cause overlap with gluten related issues.

Now, if you score high on the questionnaire, it would be a very good idea to avoid processed foods, dairy, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, vinegar products, bread, carrots, potatoes, aged cheese, and high amounts of fruit because these can all create a favorable environment for Candida to grow in your gut. Also, taking a good probiotic is essential because it will help to crowd out the yeast. Even if you do all of this, I still recommend seeing a doctor who is familiar with Candida and its related conditions because even if the Candida is gone, it can leave behind a wake of other problems due to its destructive nature.

Candida overgrowth is an opportunistic infection. So the best way to protect yourself from it, is to not give it the opportunity to grow by simply investing in good gut health, eating real food, and eliminating stress on your body.