Candida

by Dr R Keith Jassy

When we think of yeast, we generally associate this with a harmless organism used in preparing our foods and beverages.  These would be either bakers yeast, found in anything from bread to pie crusts or brewers yeast, found in beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks.  Most of us have enjoyed these items to some extent and have probably heard that these yeasts contain vitamins and minerals, which they do.

However, scientists and doctors are now recognizing that all yeasts are not harmless.  The most pathologic yeast now influencing the ill-health of millions of people is Candida Albicans.  Candida is a yeast found in all parts of our environment.  However, it favors the human body, principally the gastrointestinal tract of the urogentical tract, predominately the mucous lining of the these areas.  It colonizes there and spreads throughout the body, often into the liver, pancreas, and colon.  In healthy individuals Candida is kept in check or symbiosis with other organisms that live inside us.  A strong, healthy immune system stands guard in us to prevent all organisms from becoming pathological.  In unhealthy individuals candida lives and flourishes literally eating a person from the inside out.

Questions most commonly asked about candida are how do we get it, what are its symptoms, and how to cure it.

First of all, we must realize that candida exists in our body symbiotically with all other organisms.  It only becomes pathological when overgrowth occurs.  Then it feeds on us.  Overgrowth can only occur when our immulogical systems are weak.

If candida overgrowth occurs during the first year of birth then it is almost certain that the child will have a rough road ahead, developing one illness after another.  The most common way babies and all people develop candida yeast is through the prolonged use of antibiotics.

Antibiotics, being broad spectrum in nature, kill all bacteria in the body including the beneficial acidophilus and bifidus bacteria.  As all cooks know, yeast multiplies more rapidly than any other bacteria. This is also true of candida.  After the use of antibiotics candida becomes the dominant organism in the body, and colonizes everywhere.

Candida albicans is a precursor to many diseases including Epstein Barr, AIDS, and cancer.  The immulogical system becomes so worn down from the repeated assault of drugs, poor diet, and yeast that it goes "haywire" turning against the body.  It is epidemic in our society.

It is obvious to me that the medical community has no way of effectively diagnosing candida much less curing it.

The key to this is in strengthening the immulogical systems of our bodies, thereby allowing the body to heal itself.

First of all, candida proliferates in alkaline medium or Ph.  Every person I have ever seen with yeast is over alkaline.  This is due to poor dietary habits and a toxic metabolism.  All acid foods that form alkaline by-products in the body must be eliminated.  This includes coffee, tea, carbonated beverages, sugar/junk, citrus, tomatoes, alcohol, etc.  Other foods that need to be eliminated are cheese, wine beer and nutra sweet.  

Other drugs also promote candida overgrowth. These include birth control pills, tetracycline, prednisone, cortisone, etc.  Truly, it can be said that candida albicans is one of the main iatrogenic diseases given to mankind by the medical profession.

A third way candida can develop is from a poor diet.  Sugar, coffee, soda pop, alcohol, junk food, etc, creates a conducive alkaline (sweet) Ph in the body which candida thrives in.  This type of diet creates a dysbiosis or disbacteria in the body in which all pathological organisms desiring an alkaline medium proliferate.

The fourth way candida can develop and overgrowth is through contagion i.e. repeated contact with someone who has it.  Generally, I find that if one member of a household has candida, the whole household has it. Since they all eat the same and have physical contact, it pretty much follows that candida is going to be passed back and forth. 

We've pretty much discussed how we can get candida, now let's discuss symptoms of candida overgrowth, and they are numerous.  Common symptoms of candida in the GI tract are intermittent diarrhea and constipation, gas, bloating after meals, colitis, heartburn, gastritis, hemorrhoids, headaches and migraines.  In the urogential tract symptoms are chronic vaginitis, PMS, cramping, recurrent kidney and bladder infections, cystitis, endometriosis, urethitis.  Most people with allergies have candida also. This includes hay fever, sinusitis, earaches, hives, asthma, food and chemical sensitivities.  Other symptoms are chronic fatigue, "arthritis", cold hands and feet, numbing or loss of feeling in extremities, increased body hair in women, baldness, nail fungus, food cravings, loss of sexual desire, psoriasis, and acne.  It is because of these diverse symptoms that candida has been called the "Great Imitator".

Candida overgrowth is a disease that can be controlled and cured, contrary to popular belief.  It can be easily avoided by following a sensible diet of whole, nutritious foods, avoiding coffee and soda pop, and using multivitamin-mineral supplements.  In the event that antibiotics or there other drugs described earlier are used (there are other, safer ways) you should always remember to take the friendly bacterial flora during and at least four weeks after. By following these simple steps, you will never have to confront the yeast connection.

Dr. Liebowitz has found products that are often helpful in alleviating candida overgrowth.  They are:

Keith Jassy is a doctor of chiropractic medicine. His office is Jassy Chiropractic, 13730 Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian.