How to holistically heal...candida: part one

When you have candida, consider this...

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In this edition…

1. Healing: When you have Candida, consider this...

   1. What is Candida?

   2. The Symptoms of Candida

   3. Factors Contributing to Candida Overgrowth

2. Reverence: Testing Candida

   1. Do you have Candida or Something Else?

   2. Understanding the Overlap of Symptoms

   3. Importance of Accurate Diagnosis

   4. The Common Lab Tests Used To Detect Candida

3. Exploring: Research Linking Candida Overgrowth to Mood Disorders

Healing encompasses a comprehensive holistic approach, acknowledging the intricate web of factors that shape our well-being: our health, inheritance & genetics, environment, relationships, creativity, spirituality & self-care. Reverence is the deep respect & attention to the things that truly impact healing. Exploring is the journey into the deeper work, meeting the parts, wounds & survival strategies that keep us small, stuck & suffering with persistent symptoms & feelings.

1. Healing: When you have Candida, consider this...

Candida, a genus of yeasts, encompasses several species, some of which exist harmlessly within the human body, while others can lead to diseases when they proliferate in the wrong locations. Candida albicans has the potential to cause infections, commonly known as candidiasis or thrush, primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals.

Many Candida species reside within the gut microbiome, with Candida albicans being a prevalent presence in mammalian hosts. Interestingly, the use of antibiotics can inadvertently promote yeast infections, including the overgrowth of Candida within the gastrointestinal tract and its penetration into the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Prolonged use of antibiotics elevates the risk for both men and women, and susceptibility is also heightened in individuals with conditions such as diabetes or compromised immune systems.

Candida albicans, being the most frequently isolated species, can be found in various locations within the body, including the skin, the vaginal region, and the mucous membrane lining of the intestines and upper respiratory tract. Candida overgrowth can manifest as localised yeast infections, such as thrush in the vagina and mouth, or it can evolve into a systemic issue, weakening the immune system and increasing the permeability of the gut lining.

Diet plays a significant role in the presence and abundance of Candida in the human gut, with high carbohydrate consumption positively associated with Candida levels (Hoffmann, 2013). A balanced diet, including the restriction of carbohydrates and processed foods, is beneficial in the treatment of Candida infections (Cordeiro, 2022). Furthermore, specific dietary constituents such as total caloric intake, carbohydrates, and fibre may influence susceptibility to Candida vulvovaginitis infections (Reed, 1989).

Research has shown that hormones, particularly oestrogen and progesterone, can modulate the behaviour of Candida species, influencing their biofilm formation and susceptibility to antifungal drugs (Gonçalves 2020, Larsen 2006). This modulation can lead to increased resistance to treatment, particularly in the presence of pregnancy hormone levels (Gonçalves 2020). The relationship between vaginal hygiene, blood sugar levels, and oestrogen hormone levels with vaginal candidiasis has also been explored, with vaginal hygiene identified as a dominant factor (Indriani 2018). These findings underscore the complex interplay between hormones and Candida, with potential implications for the treatment and prevention of candidiasis.

The symptoms can vary depending on the area of the body that is affected.