Candida is short for the infection caused by the yeast, Candida albicans. Candida albicans is an opportunistic organism. It occurs naturally in the body, but only grows in numbers that become problematic when other defense mechanisms are suppressed or obstructed. The Candida Diet website suggests there are many situations that can cause the candida organism to overwhelm the system. These causes include antibiotics, diet, oral contraceptives, stress, mercury fillings, diabetes and the presence of worms and parasites.
Antibiotics
The type of candida infection that most commonly occurs in women, is known as a vaginal yeast infection. Vaginal yeast infections can occur as a result of a chronic disease like diabetes, from being pregnant, and from the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are purposed to kill off bacteria that are causing disease, however the Merck Manual notes that oral antibiotics also kill bacteria that are normal hosts to the vaginal tract. These bacteria generally keep the levels of candida albicans low. When the host bacteria, known as probiotics are killed off by antibiotics, candida has the opportunity to grow and spread. In the symptoms of candida, overgrowth will cause the vagina and vulva to itch or burn, cause redness and swelling and produce a thick white discharge that resembles cottage cheese. While antibiotics are necessary, the Candida Diet website notes that they are often misused, over-prescribed and present in the foods you consume.
Diet
The natural food for yeast is sugar or glucose. In the baking and brewery industries yeasts are purposely used to ferment the alcohol and cause the bread to rise. Dietary indiscretions can cause and promote the development of many conditions, including candidiasis. A diet that is high in sugar is a feast for Candida organisms, according to the Candida Diet website. Refined grains, alcohol, moldy and yeast containing foods are noted to contribute to Candida growth. Additionally, the site notes that sugar depresses immune function, which contributes to increased Candida growth.
Oral Contraceptives
Oral contraceptives use the hormones, estrogen and progesterone in either isolation or combination to confuse the woman’s own production of hormones and protect her from pregnancy. The hormonal changes that occur with birth control pills simulate pregnancy and the Merck Manual notes that pregnancy is also an instigator of yeast infections in women. The Candida Diet website notes that estrogen helps promote yeast growth. Copper, an ingredient used in the contraceptive device known as an IUD, is also suggested by the site to increase yeast growth. A 1995 "Contraception" journal found that recurrent yeast infections were more likely to occur 11 to 12 percent of women on birth control pills and who frequently participated in sexual intercourse. However, a follow-up German study in the 1997 "Zentralblatt fur Gynakologie" found no evidence of Candida in oral contraceptive subjects.
Stress and Diabetes
A depressed immune system impacts the way the body can respond to yeast overgrowth. The perception of stress leads to a physiological production of the hormone cortisol. Cortisol increases blood sugar levels and temporarily lowers immune function. High blood sugar levels, present secondary to the stress response or uncontrolled diabetes supplies the opportunistic growth of Candida. The Candida Diet website notes that the Candida outgrows the native and healthy bacteria of located in the small intestines and colon.
Worms and Parasites
Parasite infections are believed to promote Candida overgrowth. The “Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide” book notes that parasitic infections can make treating Candida infections difficult because the yeast becomes resistant to treatment. In many parts of the world, worm and parasite infections are common, suggests The Candida Diet website and should be investigated when discovering the underlying cause of a Candida infection. Worm infestations can be transmitted from observing the practices of eating raw and undercooked fish, seafood and meats. Pets are also noted hosts of worms and parasites that if left untreated, can be easily transmitted to their caretakers.
References
- The Candida Diet: “Causes of Candida”
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Yeast Infection (Candidiasis)
- Contraception – An International Journal: “The Impact of Oral Contraception on Vulvovaginal Candidiasis”
- Zentralblatt fur Gynakologie: “Oral Contraceptive Use and Vaginal Candida Colonization”
- “Alternative Medicine: the Definitive Guide”; Burton Goldberg; 2002
