Bristol nutrition therapy Candida

Candida

Candida, also known as Candida Albicans or Candidiasis is one of many different types of yeast commonly found in our intestines, skin, and genital-urinary area. Normally, Candida and other yeasts live in harmony within us.

However, Candida can sometimes overgrow and become a problem. Since yeasts love warm, wet places, infections show up in places like your intestines, vagina or mouth. Women are more likely to be affected then men.

Different bodily systems can be affected therefore a wide range of symptoms can occur. The more common symptoms include:

Fatigue
Mental Fog
Bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, wind
Skin & nail fungus
Headaches
Allergies
Sugar, starches & alcohol cravings
Mood swings
Decreased libido

Aching joints
Menstrual complaints
Acne
Susceptibility to infections: sinus, respiratory, bladder, gums, etc.
Depression
White coating on tongue
Thyroid problems
Poor Health

A Candida overgrowth, or yeast infection, is almost always the result of other factors that disturbs the natural healthy balance of microbes living in the body, allowing the Candida to grow unchecked. Typical causes included:

Antibiotics
Too much sugar, refined grains and processed foods
Drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Oral contraceptives and fluctuations of hormones
Chronic illness
Steroid treatments
Low Thyroid and/or Adrenal function

Candida living in the gut can change to fungi as it overgrows, releasing toxins and producing long root like structures that can penetrate the lining of the intestines. This allows incompletely digested food particles and faecal matter to pass through the gut wall into the blood stream causing food sensitivities, allergies and other problems.

How Nutritional Therapy can help

Each case of Candida is different. There may be several interacting factors that caused the Candida overgrowth in the first place. One-on-one consultation using a medical history and patient questionnaires along with Laboratory tests is one of the best methods for identifying Candida and its likely causes.

Before starting an anti-Candida programme it is advisable to identify and correct the factors that allowed the Candida overgrowth in the first place, otherwise it will simply grow back later.

A typical anti-Candida programme consists of four basic steps over several months:

Eliminate foods that nourish Candida (sugar, yeast, milk & dairy products)
Strengthen the immune system with an individualised programme of supplements and by eliminating known or suspected food allergens
Attack the Candida directly with antifungal agents taken as food supplements
Enhance â€˜good bacteriaâ€™ and restore the balance of the body's microorganisms with probiotic supplements

If you feel Candida is a potential problem for you, take the Candida Questionnaire.

Call Essentia Nutrition today to book a consultation or to find out more on how nutritional therapy could help you on 07781 890 541.