Candida albicans, symptoms and treatments for yeast infection

Candida albicans is an endogenous organism. It can be found in 40-80% of human beings. It is present in the mouth, gut, and vagina. It may be present as a commensal or a pathogenic organism.

Infections with Candida usually occur when a patient has some alteration in cellular immunity, normal flora or normal physiology. Patients with decreased cellular immunity have decreased resistance to fungal infections. Prolonged antibiotic or steroid therapy destroys the balance of normal flora in the intestine allowing the endogenous Candida to overcome the host.
Invasive procedures, such as cardiac surgery and indwelling catheters, produce alterations in host physiology and some of these patients develop Candida infections.

Although it most frequently infects the skin and mucosae, Candida can cause pneumonia, septicemia or endocarditis in the immuno-compromised patient. The establishment of infection with Candida species appears to be a property of the host - not the organism. The more debilitated the host, the more invasive the disease.

The clinical material to be sent to the lab depends on the presentation of the disease: blood cultures, vaginal discharge, urine, feces, nail clippings or material from cutaneous or mucocutaneous lesions.

• Broad spectrum antibiotic treatment
• Pregnancy
• Stress
• Immune deficiencies (for example HIV infection)
• Humid climates
• Diabetes, or other endocrine conditions
• Poor diet
  

You can test for Candida with a simple bloodtest, a life blood analysis or it can be seen on the skin in case of thrush etc. A trained colon hydrotherapist will also be able to see candida during a colonic session if you have a overgrowth in the colon.

Another simple home test is the following:

When you awake in the morning, before you put anything into your mouth, work up some saliva and spit it into a clear glass of water. Within 1-30 minutes, look in the glass. If there are strings coming down from your saliva, or if the water turned cloudy, or if your saliva sank to the bottom, YOU MAY HAVE A CANDIDA CONCERN!

Candida can also be seen during a colonic treatment. In any case high dosages of probiotics (bifidus for large intestine, acidophilus for small intestine) are helpful. The best treatment is still the Candida diet in conjunction with other treatments depending on the seat of the Candida overgrowth.

A good alternative product is "Kolorex" available from health food shops. It is a organic herbal formula containing Horopito and Anise seed which is found to be very affective in the treatment of Candida.

The main active component in Horopito is polygodial, but at least three other natural anti-fungal compounds are present in the leaves. The anti-candida effect of polygodial is increased 32 times by the addition of anethol, the main active of anise seed. Anise seed (aniseed) is a traditional medicinal herb in its place of origin - South America. In addition to its anti-fungal properties, Horopito also contains the powerful antioxidant flavonoids - quercetin and taxifolin. A reason Horopito has survived so well is the actives in its leaves discourage attack from fungi or predators. These protective properties were recognised by the Maori people, who traditionally used the leaves as an external and internal remedy.

Kolorex Capsules are available as : -
175mg (New Strength) Capsules; available in boxes of 56 capsules (28 Horopito and 28 Anise seed). This is sufficient for 1 months normal usage.
Kolorex capsules are 100% natural, and are manufactured using Vcaps™ vege capsules, approved by the Vegetarian Society, and are Kosher approved. Additionally, Kolorex Capsules are: Convenient Size 1 Capsules, Gluten Free, Dairy Free , Soy Free, Wheat Free, Contain no excipients or fillers

You can buy Kolorex here

If you have to take drugs and can't get the discipline to do the Candida Diet than the drugs of choice for systemic infection are itraconazole and fluconazole. If an artificial heart valve or in-dwelling catheter becomes infected, it must be replaced. Drug therapy alone will not suppress the organism if the foreign body remains in the host. After any drug therapy you want to clean your system!!!

Probiotics can help maintain a healthy colon and will help populate the intestines with beneficial bacteria, thus enhancing the immune system, and in general help in the digestion and absorption of nutrients.

1) Do not ingest any form of refined sugar or fermented foods including yogurt and cheese. You may have the following fruits: Granny Smith Apple, Berries of all kinds. Eat 1 clove of garlic every day. See also the Candida Diet

2) Supplement with Probiotics as recommended.

3) Take a plant enzyme formula with each meal. Enzymes help to chew the food up and thus leave less for the yeast to thrive on.

4) Practice food combining for your diet. Food combining is designed to help your food move quickly through your system without any chance of fermentation which, in turn, will greatly improve your digestion process.

5) Take some kind of colon cleanse like a Oxygen based cleanser before bed to facilitate the removal of the dead yeast from your body. This can protect you from experiencing a healing crisis from the toxins given off from the yeast. Plus as an added benefit it will keep the colon clean and provide an oxygenated environment. Yeast thrives in an anaerobic environment.

6) Consider using a good quality colloidal silver.

7)Organic Oil of Oregano may be helpful in controlling Candida.

8) Coconut Oil
The medium-chain saturated fatty acids in coconut oil are potent antimicrobial agents, effective against fungi, viruses and many bacteria. The most effective fatty acids are caprylic acid (with 8 carbon atoms), capric acid (10 carbon atoms) and lauric acid (12 carbon). They appear to work by causing microbial cell walls to disintegrate.
Coconut oil appears to be effective within days. With Candida take initially 4 tablespoons of coconut oil spread out during the day, and after improvement you may reduce this to 2 tablespoons for several more weeks. This seems to be effective against systemic as well as localised infestations, including those of the genitals. However, it is advisable to apply coconut oil topically as well.
The best commercial product is cold-pressed or virgin coconut oil. However, this has been heat-stabilised to destroy lipase. Therefore, my preference is self-made raw coconut cream or milk: press coconut pieces through a low-speed juicer, or alternatively blend with water, strain and refrigerate.
For topical applications and for those with fat malabsorption the lipase-rich coconut milk can be expected to be much more effective than heated coconut oil with only a very low concentration of free fatty acids. Alternatively, you may use lipase supplements with coconut oil. Buy organic Coconut oil here

9) Detoxadine - Iodine
If you have reason to believe that other measures have not eliminated all Candida in the blood or internal tissues, you may take a course of Detoxadine.
Detoxadine is an internal iodine solution designed to eliminate Candida and possibly viruses and other microbes from the bloodstream. Take a test drop in liquid other then just water to make it taste less strong. If this does not cause an allergic reaction, continue to take 4 x 6 drops daily in liquid or mixed with food, but not together with vitamins A, C, E, grape seed extract or cysteine. Iodine is an oxidant and it is best to reduce the intake of antioxidants while using it.
Continue for 3 weeks, but interrupt if you develop a serious reaction. Do not take the iodine for more than 3 weeks as that interferes with thyroid activity. If necessary, repeat the course after several months. See also Bacteria Cleanse from Hulda Clark.

10) Other Remedies
Some other antifungal remedies are pau d'arco, propolis, wormwood, and the oils of tea-tree, neem tree, cinnamon, eucalyptus, mustard and thyme. Pau d'arco, also called taheebo or lapacho, has the advantage of tasting reasonably pleasant. Wormwood may be used if you want to eliminate fungi and parasites at the same time.

Thrush caused by candida albicans can be treated using Probiotics dissolved in water. Fifteen minutes before breakfast, dissolve 1 teaspoon of Probiotic powder or open 3 capsules in 50ml of water, rinse thoroughly in mouth and then swallow. This may also be used by children with thrush (Candida/Yeast). Swab mouth two times daily with above mixture. You can also use for yeast diaper rash. Rub mixture on affected parts and allow to dry. Use after every diaper change. Probiotic powder dissolves easily in water and is tasteless. Improvement should be seen within a few days, continue program until all evidence of the coating is gone.

The powder (or open capsules) may also be taken as a douche for vaginal yeast infections, used as a colonic implant, for soaking athlete's foot or fungus nails or sprayed on certain skin rashes like diaper rash.

Remember that it can take months to get yeast under control. Continue on your diet and supplements. Drink at least 2 liters daily of clean pure water. Consider lymphatic drainage techniques to keep the lymph system moving.