Candida

What is Candida

Candida is a yeast organism that lives in our intestinal tract. It is normal to have small amounts of candida in the intestines so the friendly and protective bacteria in our body called "Acidophillus and

Bifidus" can use it as food. The bacteria to yeast ratio in a healthy person is about 10:1, so in a normal bowel everything lives in a nice ecological balance.  However, when something happens to kill off these friendly bacteria, such as the prescription of antibiotics or a diet that over-feeds the candida, the candida cells begin to multiply out of control. When Candida spreads throughout the intestinal tract causing bloating, gas, food reactions and allergies, constipation, diarrhea and a host of digestive complaints, it is important at that time to take steps to get the candida overgrowth under control.   By the time someone experiences any of the “Signs of Candida Infection” that are outside of the digestive area it may be a sign that the yeast has already taken up residence.

How do you know if you have Candida?

Diet

 It's a good idea to take look at what you are eating and putting into your body.  Do you eat any of these foods or even crave them?  Look, everyone enjoys a treat now and then, but if you find yourself eating these kinds of foods several times a week, much less every day or several times a day, then there could definitely could be a problem.  Your "sweet tooth" could indicate a deeper underlying health problem like Candida Albicans yeast infection Overgrowth. 

Symptoms

The majority of people who have Candida do not realize they have it until they become seriously ill. Candida yeast  not only steals nutrients from the food that you eat, it then poisons the tissues with waste material containing over 75 known toxins.  Candida Albicans is linked, directly or indirectly, to the following list of conditions and symptoms. 

Digestive Troubles Bad Breath, Gas/Bloating, Indigestion, Diarrhea, Constipation, Intestinal Pain, Low Blood Sugar, Food / sugar cravings, Mouth or stomach ulcers, Allergies (Air or Food), Food Sensitivities, Heartburn, Dry Mouth, Receding Gums, Hemorrhoids, rectal itch Irritable bowel. Behavioral Anti-social Behavior, Suicidal Tendencies, Insomnia, Depression, Anxiety, high strung. Irritability. Skin & Joint Problems Thrush, Diaper Rash, Acne, Skin Rash or Hives, Dry Skin & Itching, Finger, toe or foot Fungus, Athlete’s Foot, Liver Spots, Water Retention, Joint Pain, Muscle Aches, Numbness. Troubles Hyperactivity Attention Deficit Disorder, Lack of Impulse Control,

Female Problems Infertility, Vaginal Yeast Infection, Menstrual Problems, PMS Symptoms, Bladder Infections, Endometriosis, No Sex Drive, Hormonal Imbalance, Iron Deficiency. Mental & Emotional Dizziness, Mental Fogginess, (Confused, spaced-out, blank stares, day dreaming) Inability to Concentrate (Having to re-read the same thing twice) Poor memory (Where are my car keys? or, Why did I come into this room?) Mood Swings, Headaches. Immune Problems Lethargic/Laziness, Chronic Fatigue, Asthma, Hay Fever, Colds & Flu, Puffy Eyes, Respiratory Problems, Chemical Sensitivity, Epstein Barr Virus, Adrenal/Thyroid Failure, Cold/Shaky, Ear Infections, Chronic sore throat, Post nasal drip, Hair Loss, Stuffed sinus (sinusitis), Overweight, Underweight, Diabetes, Burning Eyes, Premature Aging, Autism.

The Spit Test

One indicator that you may have Candida is the spit test. The best time to do this test is the first thing in the morning as soon as you wake up. Before you rinse, spit, or put anything in your mouth, go get a glass of water (in a clear glass).  The water must be bottle water or purified or the test results will be in accurate because of the chemicals in tap water.   Now build up a bunch of saliva (just mouth saliva, do not cough up anything) and spit it into the glass of water. Observe what happens.

The saliva will float. That is OK and normal. If within 15 minutes you see thin projections extending downward into the water, it is a positive sign for candida. The projections may look like hair, or small strings, like a jelly fish or spider legs, moving down into the water from the saliva floating on the top. Other positive indications might be very "cloudy" saliva that will sink to the bottom of the glass within a few minutes or particles that slowly sink or suspend below the saliva glob. What you are seeing are colonies of yeast which band together to form the strings.

What is the solution?

ProBio5 has five extra strength probiotics, added enzymes, intestinal flora, B6 and Grape Seed extract – all in one effective delivery system – and is specially formulated to attach to candida overgrowth and help bring the intestinal flora back into balance.  ProBio5 contains powerful enzymes that are essential to the body in its need for support in synthesizing (breaking down) hostile organisms that may have a negative impact on your well being – such as candida.  So if we go back to the beginning and remember - bacteria to yeast ration in a health person is about 10:1.  Plexus’s ProBio5 not only breaks down the yeast but it also adds back the good bacteria

Plexus’s BioCleanse will aid the digestive tract in more effectively and promptly eliminating those toxic wastes.  Note:  This is a very gentle cleanse and not a “stay close to the bathroom all day long” type of cleanse. 

How does Candida affect weight loss?

Candida overgrowth can be a significant barrier to weight loss.  In looking at the association between Candida and weight gain, the first thing we need to examine is the fuel source for yeast (and subsequently Candida). Yeast feeds off sugar – that is its preferred fuel source. Subsequently an individual with a hefty yeast overgrowth is going to crave sugars and carbs, as that is what the yeast is craving.

Part of the dilemma is that the sugar/ carb phenomenon is a catch-22. Yeast feeds off sugar, so a diet high in sugars and carbs will perpetuate Candida overgrowth; and yet Candida overgrowth will set of cravings for more sugars and carbs. See how this might be a hard cycle to break?

Addressing yeast overgrowth will also boost energy levels making exercise a more viable and appealing proposition.  Many people find that once yeast overgrowth is addressed, cravings for sugars and carbs are reduced and weight loss is much easier.

I know for myself, I didn't begin to lose weight until I started addressing my Candida issue.  The Probio5 and BioCleanse are fantastic products that really deliver.  I challenge you to take a long look at your diet, compare your symptoms to those on the list above, and take the spit test.  You may be surprised at what you find and it could be a step in the right direction leading to healing your body and helping you lose weight!

jnielsen.myplexusproducts.com