Candida Albicans (Also See Dysbiosis)

A yeast that can colonize the mouth, vagina or intestinal tract, and may be able to migrate to other parts and organs of the body. When it forms an overgrowth in the mouth or vagina it is known as thrush, and is visible as a creamy white deposit or discharge that in the vagina can cause intense itching.

An overgrowth of Candida albicans in the intestinal tract is known as candidiasis, and is particularly encouraged by the use of antibiotics. This is because Candida is normally kept under control by so-called 'friendly' bacteria in the intestines.

One of the major culprits is antibiotic treatment.

Antibiotics destroy these friendly bacteria, allowing Candida to proliferate out of control. Systemic candidiasis, where Candida colonizes many parts of the body, can also occur, usually in individuals with a severe, life-threatening depletion of the immune system as in terminal cancer or Aids.

Candida can cause a host of problems but it can't be blamed for every thing.

Intestinal candidiasis is capable of causing much ill health, including symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, digestive disturbances, headaches and malaise. The yeast's waste products, which are absorbed into the bloodstream and include the highly poisonous acetaldehyde, are responsible for some of the symptoms. Damage and irritation caused by the growth of Candida on the intestinal wall are responsible for other symptoms.

In some circles candidiasis has become something of a bandwagon, blamed for all occurrences of these symptoms when no other cause is found by standard medical tests. In fact all the symptoms of candidiasis are non-specific and can also be caused by food allergy, other micro-organisms, digestive enzyme dysfunction, or by some other source of toxins.

Candida is often linked with food and inhalant allergies, which it promotes in two ways. First, because Candida is a yeast, a Candida overgrowth can cause an individual to become sensitized not only to Candida but also to other yeasts. The presence of Candida in the intestines then causes chronic allergic reactions like bloating and inflammation, diarrhea and skin rashes.

The consumption of yeast in the diet, from bread, wine, beer, stock cubes and yeast extract, can aggravate these symptoms or cause additional allergic reactions. Nutritional deficiencies can develop in time as the absorptive surface of the intestine becomes coated with Candida overgrowth.

Going in for the kill.

Many microbiologists have pointed out that under the right conditions, the Candida yeast can change into a so-called mycelial form, developing a fungus-like structure that is capable of burrowing roots into the intestinal walls. The damage which this can cause to the intestines promotes further malfunction, and in particular a condition known as 'leaky gut syndrome'.

A leaky or over-permeable intestine can result in undigested food particles coming more easily into contact with the bloodstream, and thus further inflammation. Toxins are also more easily absorbed into the blood from a leaky, over-permeable gut, resulting in increased stress on the liver, which is already overburdened with Candida toxins. As liver detoxifying enzymes become overloaded, sensitivity to odors, environmental factors and natural chemicals in many foods can develop, producing varied symptoms and often a severely debilitating fatigue.

Laboratory Tests to assess the culprits.

It is difficult to diagnose intestinal candidiasis, since it is normal for most individuals to have some of this yeast harmlessly resident in their digestive tract. Some specialist centers now provide tests based on stool cultures, available through nutritional therapists. Such tests should always be used if there is no significant history of antibiotic or contraceptive pill use, and no history of vaginal or oral thrush.

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