Candida Albicans is a yeast strain that occurs naturally in the digestive tract of humans. In small quantities, it coexists with a wide variety of other microorganisms to form the gut microbiome. When certain conditions allow candida to grow, problems can arise.
In this article, we are going to cover the causes, symptoms, natural herbs and supplements that can be used to overcome candida overgrowth.
Common Causes of Candida
Candida is a natural flora of the human microbiome. Certain environmental influences can proliferate its growth to the point where it can become overcrowded and begin to cause chronic health problems.
Factors that contribute to Candida albicans overgrowth include:
· Use of antibiotics
· Use of alcohol
· Drinking tap water that contains chlorine
· Diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar
· Oral contraceptives
· Low stomach acid or antacid use (or PPI)
· Sustained stress
· Smoking excessively
· Heavy metal toxicity
Candida albicans overgrowth is toxic to the body for many reasons. This yeast can emit more than 70 different toxins that can reach the bloodstream. These toxins create chronic inflammatory immune activity and exert a strong toxic load on the liver.
If this continues long enough, chronic inflammatory activity and overactive immune response can lead to autoimmune diseases such as hypothyroidism, arthritis, or lupus.
Candida Albicans symptoms in the body
The further the candida progresses, the more symptoms it can cause. These symptoms range from the mental and emotional to the metabolic or digestive, and even span and negatively impact the entire body.
Some of the most common early signs include:
· Brain fog
· White tongue and bad breath
· Athlete's foot
· Digestive problems
· Skin problems
· Chemical and food sensitivity
· Frequent sugar cravings
General digestive disorder is very common in those with chronic candida overgrowth. In addition to this, studies have shown that those with higher levels of candida overgrowth suffer from higher cases of inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Additionally, candida albicans can cause disturbances in the gut and brain that contribute to irritability, mood swings, anxiety, and depression. Extreme brain fog can also contribute to attention deficit disorders.
8 herbs and supplements to control candida growth
The following list is made up of some of the most clinically effective compounds when it comes to treating candida albicans. They demonstrate a remarkable ability to inhibit the growth of not only candida, but also other unwanted visitors to the gut.
1. Oregon grape root
Oregon grape root contains a plant alkaloid called berberine. Berberine has been shown in research to help fight candida albicans by disrupting the cell membrane. This root has shown broad antimicrobial activity against a multitude of human pathogens.
Also, Oregon grape root is great for stabilizing blood sugar. During the initial stages of candida treatment, sugar cravings may temporarily increase. Using this root can help with this side effect.
2. Grapefruit seed extract
The grapefruit seed is full of antioxidant bioflavonoids. One in particular, called hesperidin, is great for both boosting defenses and antimicrobial activity.
A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that this powerful extract was capable of killing more than 800 bacterial and viral strains, 100 strains of fungi, and many types of parasites.
3. Ginger root
Ginger can be helpful for candida for a number of reasons. It is tremendously anti-inflammatory for the gut and can help with many of the digestive discomforts found with candida albicans overgrowth.
Besides helping to calm inflammation and improve digestive upset, ginger also has antifungal activity. For this combination of benefits, it is essential to include it in our healing plan.
4. Oregano
Oregano is an extremely powerful tool against bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. It's even been shown in research to help fight antibiotic-resistant MRSA.
Oregano is also a powerful source of antioxidants along with other Italian herbs like basil and thyme (which also have antimicrobial activity).
5. Olive leaves
Olive leaf extract has shown antifungal effects towards Candida albicans as well as having powerful antiviral and immunostimulating benefits.
Olive leaf extract can be combined with oregano, ginger and turmeric to fight against yeast infections and inflammatory bowel disease.
6. Turmeric
Turmeric, similar to ginger, is another powerful anti-inflammatory spice. Turmeric is excellent for regulating detoxification in the liver and even altering microbial biofilms in the digestive tract.
Biofilm is a protective barrier that things like Candida create to prevent being expelled. The use of turmeric and other supplements is critical to disrupting this biofilm, so antimicrobials can really do their job.
7. Probiotics
When using antimicrobials to treat candida overgrowth, it may also be helpful to use probiotics to help restore healthy gut flora.
This flora will have the opportunity to repopulate and provide a defense against the recurrent growth of candida albicans.
8. Activated carbon
When you do a Candida albicans detox, there will be some level of toxic waste that will be released during extinction. Depending on the extent of the infection and detoxification abilities, you may experience different symptoms.
Activated charcoal is recommended during this process to bind toxins in the gut and help flush them out before they are reabsorbed.
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