Candida Albicans And Candidiasis by Jane Thurnell-Read

The condition caused by Candida albicans is often simply known as 'candida' but more properly it is candidiasis. Candida albicans is normally a harmless yeast organism present in the human gut, where it lives in balance with the normal bacterial population of the gut. Sometimes the number of Candida albicans organisms increases dramatically, and the way in which the organism grows changes. It has been suggested that when Candida proliferates it is able to change the way in which it grows, and it can permeate the walls of the intestine and allow food molecules to pass into the body producing allergic responses to these foods. Many people who have this problem are also allergic to the Candida organism itself.

This over-growth of Candida can be caused by:

• Antibiotics (directly affecting the bacteria balance in the gut)
• Steroids (suppressing the body's immune system)
• Hormonal changes in pregnancy
• Use of the contraceptive pill
• Poor diets high in refined carbohydrate and sugar
• Other health problems, e.g. diabetics and those with HIV are also prone to suffer from candida problems.

Symptoms include bloating, diarrhoea, itchy anus and fatigue. Many doctors are sceptical about the role of Candida albicans in this combination of symptoms. Some complementary therapists seem to believe that these symptoms are always attributable to Candida problems. In fact, these symptoms can also be triggered by other allergies, and by other problems entirely.

Other Candida strains (such as Candida glabrata and Candida krusei) are becoming an increasing problem.

Natural candida remedies include:

• Eating less sugar, refined food and alcohol.
• Eating a healthier diet, including garlic, olive oil, fresh vegetables and wholegrain.
• Using fructo-oligosaccarides as a supplement – this feeds the healthy bacteria in the gut that counteract the candida organism
• Acidophilus supplements – but be sure to take this as a supplement rather than a drink. Many of the probiotic drinks contain more sugar than Coca Cola. It is also important to choose a high-quality probiotic acidophilus supplement, as many acidophilus strains do not survive the stomach acid and so specific strains need to be used
• Take garlic as a supplement.
• Help you immune system by taking vitamin C, a broad-spectrum multivitamin and mineral formula and 15 mg elemental zinc.
• The herb goldenseal is soothing for mucous membranes and so can help strengthen and soothe the digestive tract.