Candida: What Causes the Change from Good to Bad Flora?

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Candida: What Causes the Change from Good to Bad Flora? JoAnn Guest Apr 08,

2004 14:11 PDT

Candida: What Causes the Change from Good to Bad Flora?

 

Candida is a dimorphic organism, meaning it can exist in two shapes and

forms simultaneously. One form is a yeast-like state that is a

non-invasive, sugar-fermenting organism.

 

The other is a fungal form that produces very long root-like structures,

called rhizoids, that can penetrate the mucosa and is invasive.

 

What Makes Candida Bad?

 

Actually, in its yeast form it is beneficial. We all have this form of

candida in our bodies.

 

The candida population should be low and indiscernible (no overt

symptoms or cloudy saliva). " Friendly " bacteria

and a healthy immune system prevent this yeast from becoming an

infectious fungus.

 

It is when our bodies lose their proper immune protection, or the

intestinal pH is altered unfavorably, that the organism can change from

the yeast form to the fungal form.

 

When this happens, the now-parasitic fungal form penetrates the

gastrointestinal mucosa and breaks down the boundary between the

intestinal tract and the rest of the circulation in our bodies.

 

This allows partially digested dietary proteins to travel into the

bloodstream, where they exert a powerful antigenic

(antibody-stimulating) assault on the immune system.

 

It has been unofficially estimated that a startling 80% of the

population may have candidiasis that is out of control!

 

 

What Causes the Change From Good to Bad?

 

There are many theories. Most naturopaths concur that the conversion

happens due to some sort of attack on our immune systems-either

prolonged antibiotic use, taking steroids or oral contraceptives on a

regular basis, or a high sugar diet.

 

It could be a combination of these.

 

It is also conjectured that candida increases its numbers during

periods of stress and lowered immune states.

 

What Are the Symptoms of a Candida Infestation?

 

Typical candida symptoms may include jock itch, depression, dry, itchy,

flaky skin, anxiety, recurring irritability or mood swings, heartburn,

indigestion, lethargy, food and environmental allergies, joint soreness,

chest pain, acne or other skin problems, migraine headaches,

recurring cystitis/vaginal infections, premenstrual tension, and

menstrual problems.

 

How Do I Know if I Have Candida?

 

You can try this simple test to see if you have candida: First thing in

the morning, before you put ANYTHING in your mouth, get a clear glass.

Fill with water and work up a bit of saliva, then spit it into the glass

of water. Check the water every 15 minutes or so for up to one hour.

 

If you have a problem you will see strings (like legs) traveling down

into the water from the saliva floating on the top, or " cloudy " saliva

will sink to the bottom of the glass, or cloudy specks will seem to be

suspended in the water. If there are no strings and the saliva is still

floating after at least one hour, you probably have candida under

control.

 

 

http://www.greatestherbsonearth.com/articles/candida.htm

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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