Please note, most conventional doctors do not recognise the concept of systemic candida infection. This article should not be used as a replacement for medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Always discuss any health problem you have with your doctor.

Once you have read this article, for more detailed information, we suggest you read Candida Treatment by and " Conquering Candida", originally published in the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine.

Candida albicans is a yeast like organism that lives naturally in small amounts in your mouth, gastrointestinal tract and skin. The body's natural defense against fungal and yeast infections is the production of friendly bacterial flora that keeps it in check. It is controlled by a properly functioning immune system and "friendly" bacteria. However, if the number of friendly bacteria is decreased, the immune system is weakened or other conditions for yeast proliferation occur (we will come to the causes later) candida albicans may shift from a yeast to a fungal form and start to invade the body and cause a multitude of health problems.

In the yeast state candida is a non-invasive, sugar-fermenting organism, while in fungal state it is invasive and can produce rhizoids, very long root-like structures. Rhizoids can penetrate mucosa or intestinal walls, leaving microscopic holes and allowing toxins, undigested food particles and bacteria and yeast to enter the bloodstream. This condition is known as Leaky Gut Syndrome and that is one of the causes of food and environmental allergies.

Although most people associate the word "candida", with the most common type of candida infection, namely candida albicans, it should be mentioned that there are in fact numerous types of candida.

There are over 150 species of candida. Common strains include : -

However, when talking about "candida", most people mean candida albicans overgrowth. This refers to a syndrome first identified by Dr Orion Truss and Dr William Crook who both wrote books about the subject in the late 1970's. It is closely related to the subject of dysbiosis ("bad bacteria"), which refers to any imbalance of healthy vs / unhealthy gut bacteria, and not just candida overgrowth.

What causes Candida?

Amongst holistic practitioners and those doctors who recognise the prevalance of the syndrome, it is generally thought that the following factors are the primary ones which can cause candida overgrowth.

1) Poor immunity is undoubtedly a major factor in allowing Candida to overgrow. A weak immune system appears to be the norm these days, the main reason for which in our opinion is nutrient deficiency. Almost every nutrient known has a role to play in creating immunity, and since most individuals exhibit multiple nutrient deficiencies, they inevitably have chronically impaired immune systems. Causes of lowered immunity include:

i) Heavy metal toxicity, particularly lead (from petrol and lead plumbing) and mercury (from amalgam fillings) is immunosuppressant, as is chemical overload from our highly polluted and unnatural environment.

ii) Psychological stress appears to be a much overlooked cause of immune weakness, and the same is true of...

iii) Electromagnetic and geopathic stress. Since the sustained presence of Candida burdens the immune system, and its toxins are immunosuppressant, a vicious cycle exists.

iv) Food and inhalant allergies, which Candida commonly causes, similarly burden the immune system, fuelling the vicious cycle. Additionally, nutrient deficiencies induced by Candida may impair immunity, and thus also contribute to the vicious cycle.

v) Excess sugar consumption, of which most people are guilty, suppresses immunity (by depressing neutrophil and lymphocyte activity), and alcohol has a similar effect. (Sugar, of course, also feeds Candida.)

vi) Caffeine (from coffee and to a lesser degree in cocoa and tea) is an adrenal stressor, and depleted adrenal glands predispose to the development of candidiasis by lowering the immune system. We have also seen claims that caffeine also destroys friendly bacteria. We have not found any evidence as to whether this is true or untrue but if it is is true, this is a second mechanism by which caffeine may contribute to candida overgrowth.

2) A deficiency of dietary fibre encourages intestinal candidiasis because dietary fibre gives rise to short-chain fatty acids, which inhibit the growth of Candida. A deficiency of dietary fibre also tends to cause constipation, which is another factor making candida overgrowth more likely to occur (see below).

3) Clinical over usage of antibiotics is widely recognized to precipitate Candida overgrowth. Antibiotics kill the healthy gut bacteria that normally compete with Candida for food and space, and also secrete anti-candidal substances.

4) The popularity of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy is thought provoke candida overgrowth.  Steroids used are thought to exert a similar effect, and additionally are immunosuppressive.

5) Pregnancy or multiple pregnancies which can upset the body's hormonal balance

6) Yeast and yeast products as well as molds and fermented foods.

7) Prolonged exposure to environmental molds.

8) A sluggish thyroid gland predisposes one to candida overgrowth. Moreover candida may also also affect the effectiveness of the thyroid hormones that the body is producing.

9) Chronic constipation (possibly caused by some of the above factors, such as psychological stress, lack of dietary fibre or lowered thyroid activity) allows a environment in which candida and other unhealthy micro-organisms can more easily flourish

Why is candida a problem?

Candida releases poisons in blood causing all kinds of symptoms. The toxins that are released include : -

• Ethanol : Produced when yeast has lots of food. Excess ethanol can cause symptoms of alcohol intoxication
• Acetaldehyde : The primary candida toxin, which can damage organs, disrupt fatty acid oxidation and production of collagen, cause abnormal behavior, memory loss, distorted thinking, mood swings, depression, impaired intellectual functioning and emotional disturbances.
• Formaldehyde : A highly reactive compound that has a toxic effect on all organisms" (source: Microbiology (2002), 148, 2697-2704.

(Our dedicated products Bayberry Formula, Bayberry Formula A and Molybdenum may be helpful for breaking down candida toxins).

Typical symptoms of Candida are thought to include: