CHRONIC CANDIDIASIS
What is Candidiasis?
Candida albicans is a form of fungus or yeast that is found naturally in and on many parts of the healthy body, especially in the digestive tract. Usually levels of Candida are controlled by microbes or other substances which co-exist in the digestive tract.
Everyone has small amount of yeast and other potentially negative microorganisms in the intestinal area, this is normal and usually harmless.
However, when the immune system and other defense capabilities are compromised or biologically armed, these microorganisms can multiply very quickly and will interfere with digestion and elimination. If they continue to grow out of balance, these parasites, along with the toxins they produce every day, can enter the bloodstream and travel to other tissue where they can further weaken the body.
When this overgrowth becomes chronic or excessive, its contribution to disease can be overwhelming.
The “yeast syndrome” is characterized by patients saying they “feel sick all over”. Fatigue, allergies, immune system malfunction, depression, chemical sensitivity, and digestive disturbances are just some of the symptoms patients with the yeast syndrome may experience. Many people have Candida overgrowth or candidiasis without knowing it
What are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of Candidiasis or Candida overgrowth can include the following, depending on severity:
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Recurring yeast infections like thrush, athletes foot, fungal nail infections, etc
- Recurring UTI infections, allergies, sinus problems, asthma and chronic chest congestion
- Abdominal bloating, gas, indigestion, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea or mucus in the stool
- Eye fatigue and recurring inflammation of the eye
- Depression, anxiety, mood swings, panic attacks, poor concentration and memory or headaches
- Muscle weakness and joint pain or swelling and fever
- Dry mouth and tongue or cracked tongue, swollen face
- Itchy skin, especially of the anus and other damp places of the body.
- Sugar and carbohydrate cravings
Candida is known to release over 79 different types of toxins into the system, resulting in the symptoms above.
What Causes Candida Overgrowth?
A common cause of Candida is antibiotic use and overuse. Antibiotics can result in Candida overgrowth because, along with the harmful bacteria they are killing, they also kill off the 'friendly' micro-organisms or probiotic flora in the intestines, vagina, and whole body. These friendly bacteria strains are responsible for controlling Candida levels.
Common Causes:
- Antibiotics, antacids, anti-ulcer medications and steroids/cortisones
- Alcohol
- Diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates
- Antibiotics
- Hormonal imbalance
- Birth control pills
- Chronic stress
- Intestinal parasites and worms
- Compromised immune function
Take the Candida Questionnaire and Score Assessment
SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM & Recommendations for Chronic Candida
Following are some of the top products that have helped our clients overcome Candida overgrowth:
- Colon Guard & Alli-Cinn by Pharmax
- Yeast Arrest Boric Acid (optional): Vaginal suppositories for chronic yeast infections.
- HLC Intensive caps (probiotics) and HLC Synbiotic packets
- HLC CandaClear probiotic suppositories (follow up to Yeast Arrest for yeast infections)
- Intestinal Purifier by Pharmax
- Echinacea Complex by Pharmax or AHCC by QOL Labs
1 & 2) Yeast Killing Phase: First, it’s important to kill off the yeast and bad bacteria causing the infection by using:
- Colon Guard: (Day 1-30) 1 capsule twice daily with a meal for 2 weeks, then 1 per day for 2 weeks. (aggressive yeast killer to be used no longer than 1 month)
- Yeast Arrest Suppositories: (Day 1-14) 1-2 per day for 7-14 days and then as needed (i.e. 2 days during end of menstrual cycle).
- Alli-Cinn: (Day 30-365) 1 capsule twice daily with a meal after finishing 1 month of Colon Guard. (Maintenance yeast killer to be used indefinitely).
3) You must use probiotics during this yeast killing phase to start replenishing the beneficial bacteria in the GI as well as to prevent further overgrowth of pathogenic strains which have been found to overgrow during antimicrobial therapy. (Duration: 1-6 months+)
- A). HLC Intensive capsules: (Day 1-10): 1 cap three times daily after meals for 10 days
Then,
- B). HLC Synbiotic: (Day 11-18) 1 packet daily before bed (or ½ packet twice daily after meals). Can be mixed in water or taken right off the spoon for 7-14 days. HLC Synbiotic packets are the highest potency probiotic plus prebiotic (FOS) product and contain a minimum of 130 billion total L. acidophilus (two strains), B. bifidum and lactis, and L. salivarius in each packet. After 10 days of HLC Intensive capsules, the GI is ready for FOS which will feed the beneficial bacteria and help re-colonize the GI. Each of the five different strains will attach in different areas of the epithelial tissue in the intestinal tract (small and large intestines). This probiotic is a microbial replacement program for the gastrointestinal tract intended for 7 to 14 days depending on the severity of the problem.
- C). HLC High Potency Powder or Capsules: (Day 19-365) Maintenance dose probiotics to be taken indefinitely.
Depending on if you prefer powder or capsules, choose between these two:
HLC High Potency Powder: 1/4-1/2 tsp twice daily after meals or 1 tsp before bed
OR
HLC High Potency caps: 2 capsules twice daily after meals.
4) Replenish good flora in your vagina after the killing phase using the Yeast Arrest Boric Acid suppositories. HLC CandaClear suppositories contain special strains of probiotics which exist in a healthy vagina and need to re-grow to keep down yeast and immune system of the vagina.
- HLC CandaClear suppositories: (Day 14-20) Insert 1 each night before bed for 6-12 days (as a follow up to Yeast Arrest suppositories). Then, use as needed (i.e. 2 days a month prior to or after period or when flare up is likely)
5) Bind and Remove Toxins: during the yeast killing phase of month 1, you need to bind the released toxins and excrete them from your body. We suggest:
- Intestinal Purifier by Pharmax: one serving daily and/or
- PaleoGreens by DFH: 1 Tablespoon daily
- And a fiber rich diet with lots of green vegetables & salads.
6) Strengthen Immune Function: Restoring proper Immune Function is one of the key goals in treatment and long term prevention of Candidiasis. These supplements offer immune support:
The ANTI-CANDIDA DIET
Diet is extremely important when dealing with Candida. A number of dietary factors appear to promote the growth of Candida. The most important factors are a high intake of sugar (table sugar, honey, molasses, maple syrup, corn syrup, candy, soft drinks, fruit (except cranberries and lemons) , milk and other dietary products, foods containing yeast such as flour products.
NO SUGAR:
Sugar is the chief food source for Candida Albicans. It is well accepted that restriction of sugar intake is an absolute necessity in the treatment of chronic candidiasis. Limitation of refined carbohydrates is also a good idea (bread, pasta, cereal, foods made with flour) since they can also feed yeast.
NO MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS:
There are several reasons to restrict or eliminate the intake of milk.
- The high lactose content promotes the overgrowth of Candida
- Milk is one the most frequent food allergens
- Milk may contain trace levels of antibiotics which can further disrupt the GI bacterial flora and promote Candida Overgrowth.
NO MOLD AND YEAST- CONTAINING FOOD:
Patients with chronic candidiasis should avoid foods with a high content of yeast or mold, including alcoholic beverages, cheeses, dried fruits and peanuts.
Check for food allergies and Sensitivities:
Check for food allergies or food sensitivities since they are very common in patients with yeast syndrome. The symptoms of a food sensitivity may be so subtle that you do not know you have it. We recommend you have an IgG food allergy test done from ImmunoLabs and eliminate any food which shows up positive for 3-6 months.
Supplementation with Probiotics
Even when you are not actively dealing with Candida overgrowth, it is important to regularly supplement your diet with the "friendly" bacteria, or probiotics such as lactobacillus and bifidus for protection. You can ingest these through your diet by eating high quality yogurt and Kefir products which state the presence of "live cultures" on their labels. High quality brands include Stoneyfield Farms, Brown Cow, Tillamook, Cabot and others (just be careful to always check sugar content—some products contain a lot of sugar or corn syrup). Try combining plain yogurt with fresh berries, apples or applesauce for a more "naturally" sweetened snack.
Another easy way to regularly replenish the protective supply in your intestines is to supplement with a high quality brand, such as HLC Maintenance by Pharmax. It is particularly useful to pay attention to replenishing probiotics during and immediately after antibiotic regimens, episodes of diarrhea, and in preparation for travel abroad. Store your probiotic supplement in the refrigerator to keep live cultures fresh.
HLC Probiotics Testimonials
For most of my adult life, I have been plagued with yeast infections. They worsened after a hysterectomy and a few years of taking the prescription Premarin. The doctor would prescribe Diflucan for the yeast infections. In the beginning, a 200 mg. dose of Diflucan would seemingly arrest it; but it got to where I would have to take up to 4 consecutive doses to see a difference, and still no long term results. In Feb. 2006, my gynecologist changed my treatment for the better. He prescribed 600mg Boric acid suppositories to use twice a week, along with an over the counter acidophilus probiotic called Lactinex. I combined this with a yeast and sugar free diet, eliminating all refined sugar, all artificial sugars, all fruit and all refined flour from my diet for a period of 3 months. Gave up all soft drinks and juices. Stevia became my sweetener of choice. The yeast problem seemed to be under control; but not quite. Before the 3 months were up, I was back at the doctor's office, diagnosed with yeast again.
Shortly after that visit, I read Herbs and Health magazine and I saw an article entitled "Coping With Candida". The article touted HLC probiotics recommended by Dr. Hibbs for it's effective antifungal action. I found Rockwell Nutrition and ordered Pharmax HLC High Potency Probiotics. I have taken 2 caps a day since August of 2006, and after almost 8 months; for the first time in years I have remained yeast free! I still monitor what I eat but I believe the decisive factor in remaining yeast free are HLC Probiotics. I am very fortunate to have discovered Pharmax HLC Probiotics and Rockwell Nutrition!
—Kim H.
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