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Candida- It's Not Just a Yeast Infection
by: Dr. Rita Louise
Candida Albicans or a yeast infection, both
digestive and systemic, is a health problem of which answers to
its elimination are far and few between. Literally millions of
men and women have a potential yeast infection that is causing,
directly or indirectly, a significant number of health problems
or conditions.
Candida Albicans is a destructive yeast infection that
begins in the digestive system and little by little spreads to
other parts of the body. Candida is present in all of us not long
after birth. Typically, this yeast remain in a healthful balance
with the other bacteria and yeasts within the intestinal tract.
Under certain conditions, such as excessive stress, lowered immunity
or the long-term use of steroids, the candida yeast can multiply,
thus disrupting the gastrointestinal "terrain". Candida
overgrowth may also be a consequence of antibiotic treatment,
as antibiotics not only kill pathogens but also a large number
of those bacteria that are part of a healthy gastrointestinal
flora. With the depletion of the beneficial protective flora in
the intestinal tract and a weakened immune response, this opportunistic
yeast can then spread and multiply beyond the intestinal tract
affecting every organ in the body.
In babies, an overgrowth of candida appears as diaper rash. It
can also be found on the body as jock itch or athlete's foot.
It can appear in the mouth as thrush or in the vaginal tract,
known by many women as a yeast infection. Systemic yeast is now
being associated with a variety of conditions ranging from mental
disorders, deranged immune system, food intolerance, gastric upsets,
premenstrual tension, infertility, ovarian failure, sexual function
difficulties and fatigue. It can manifest with a multitude of
symptoms including constipation, diarrhea, colitis, headaches,
bad breath, mood swings, canker sores, muscle and joint pain,
congestion, severe itching, PMS, fatigue, kidney or bladder infections
to name a few. It is estimated that 30% of the population suffer
from health issues directly related to yeast. In fact, the majority
of people who have Candida do not realize they have it until become
seriously ill.
If you think you might have candida, or would like to find out
if you do, take this simple self-scoring Candida Questionnaire
located at http://www.soulhealer.com/yeast.htm. If you score over
140 points on this test, you might want to follow the Recommendations
for Wellness listed below to begin down the road of better health.
Recommendations For Wellness.
1. Avoid all yeast containing foods: Yeast
breads, fermented beverages (beer, wine, brandy, scotch, etc.)
moldy cheeses, fermented vinegars, salad dressing, peanuts, biscuits,
canned citrus fruit juices, cake mix, ice cream, all dried fruit,
oranges, pickles, tomato sauce, sugars, yeast powder, processed
and smoked meats, malt products, barbecue sauce, olives, mayonnaise,
chili peppers.
2. Avoid all refined carbohydrates, artificial
sweeteners, hidden sugars such as those found in soft drinks,
pastries, canned fruits and vegetables.
3. Rotate between at least 3 different anti-fungal herbs
every 4 days to kill the candida yeast in the intestinal tract.
These herbs can include Garlic, Caprylic Acid and Pau d' Arco
(Taheebo tea).
4. Supplement with Lactobacillus Acidophilus
or Bifidophilus daily. This helps to reintroduce the good bacteria
back into the intestinal tract.
5. Take 1 tablespoon of Flax seed or olive oil
daily to improve healing and prevent the fungus from destroying
cells.
6. Incorporate Echinacea to help strengthen the
immune system.
7. Multivitamin & mineral complex with vitamin A
to provide all the nutrients needed for proper immune function
and for repair of intestinal lining. Try to select a vitamin complex
that includes zinc.
8. Treat any skin yeast or fungal infection with tea tree
oil.
About The Author - © Copyright 2001 Body,
Mind & SoulHealer, All Rights Reserved. - Dr. Rita Louise
of Body, Mind & SoulHealer helps people rediscover their wholeness,
working with individuals on physical, emotional and spiritual
levels. The author of the book entitled "The Power Within"
and editor or the SoulHealer newsletter, Dr. Louise is a Naturopath,
Medical Intuitive, Clairvoyant, Vibrational Healer, teacher and
Lecturer. She can be reached by calling (972) 475-3393 or you
can visit her web page at http://www.soulhealer.com
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