What is Candida?
Normally, the bowels are full of lactic bacteria (intestinal flora), bacteria that help the normal functions of the digestive tract. These bacteria fabricate vitamins of the B complex, vitamin K, as well as amino acids essential to the composition of proteins and neurotransmitters (for the nervous system). Another crucial role of these bacteria is to produce lactic acid, a component helping the maintenance of a proper pH in the gut. Unfortunately, lactic bacteria are often partially eliminated by taking medications such as antibiotics, drinking coffee, under the effect of stress or following a gastrointestinal flu. When there is less lactic bacteria in the gut, this reduces the amount of lactic acid produce in the gut, resulting in a more alkaline pH in the gut. An alkaline gut is a perfect environment for the overgrowth of unwanted bacteria and fungi such as Candida. We normally have small amount of those unwanted parasites because a good production of lactic acid keeps them in a sluggish state and contributes to their elimination.
Symptoms of the overpopulation of Candida are: bloated feeling, gas, cramps, soft stools and/or constipation, irritation of the anus and/or skin, athlete’s foot, repetitive urinary tract infections, repetitive vaginal infections, food allergies, cravings for sweets, abnormal fatigue, headaches, anxiety, mood swings, memory lost, depression, insomnia and fuzzy concentration. Since the toxins liberated by Candida yeast can spread in the whole system, this problem can be link to several other health issues such as: hyperactivity, autism, learning problems, cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, asthma, chronic sinusitis, frequent colds, middle ear pain, alcoholism, diabetes, hypoglycemia…
The main causes for Candida overpopulation are: antibiotics, contraceptive pill, cortisone, chemotherapy, radiations, lack of digestive enzymes or hydrochloric acid, stress, diet with a lot of refined (lack fibers) or transformed foods, excess coffee and unbalance of reproductive hormones (PMS, menopause or pregnancy). All causes are related to an unbalance intestinal flora and a wrong pH of the gut, which in turn allows unwanted bacteria and yeast to populate the digestive tract.
Solutions
It is important to modify the diet in a way that favors the growth of good bacteria and that nourishes the body well so it can get stronger in its fight against invaders. Since Candida rob nutritious elements necessary for your health, it is particularly important to eat a lot of vegetables (5-8 servings a day). Always have whole foods (ex. brown rice, whole wheat, whole grains, whole flour, legumes, raw nuts and seeds). Do not eat a lot of grains (bread, pasta, flour…) since they have high levels of starches that nourish Candida and help it multiply. Keep your servings of grains small and never double carbohydrates at a meal (ex. Bread and pasta). Proteins (lentils, beans, peas, soy, nuts, seeds, eggs, meat and dairy products) should be present at every mealsand snack to help stabilize blood sugar levels. Candida cannot feed on proteins. Avoid anything with simple sugars (honey, maple syrup, white sugar…) since it will go directly to feed Candida. Even fruits should be limited to 1 or 2 a day. Good oils are very important for good health and hormonal balance and you should have a serving 3 times a day (1 serving = 1 teaspoon of cold pressed oil or 1 VegOmega3). Drink a lot of water since it facilitate the elimination of toxins produced by the parasites and reduce the time they are in contact with the body (reduces negative reactions). This diet is sufficient when combined with the use of Molkosan. More drastic diets do not increase the efficiency of the treatment and only increases risks of nutritional imbalances.
To help establish a good intestinal flora and eliminate Candida, Molkosan from A.Vogel is a really good product. It stimulates the growth of a healthy flora by adjusting the intestinal pH to the optimal level for the bacteria that should normally populate the bowels. This change in pH also helps in the elimination of Candida, since they thrive at a totally different pH (more alkaline). Lactic bacteria help reduce the impact of the toxins liberated by neutralizing them and helping their elimination. It is recommended to take 1 tablespoon of Molkosan (original or berry) 1-3 times a day (depending on the severity of the situation) diluted in water. Once the symptoms of Candida are gone, it is still a good idea to keep taking Molkosan once a day for a minimum of 3 months to make sure the intestinal is thoroughly balance.
In cases of Athlete foot, nail fungus or any fungal skin infection also apply some of the original Molkosan directly on the infected area every morning and night. Avoid applying directly on open wounds because it will hurt. Usually this will clear most cases in 1-2 weeks. Do not forget to treat internally because if there is some on the skin there is also some in the body.
For maintenance just taking Molkosan 2-3 times a week will help prevent most occurrences. When taking antibiotics, it is a good idea to take Molkosan 1 tablespoon a day while on the medication and continue 2 weeks after.
