Candida Cleanses

Candida albicans, and other strains of Candida, are yeast that normally inhabits the digestive system. It has many functions inside the digestive tract, one of them to recognize and destroy harmful bacteria. Without Candida albicans, the intestines would be defenseless against many pathogen bacteria.

One function of the immune system is to control the growth of candida and keep it in balance with the growth of "good" bacteria, or probiotics, in the body. However, when the immune system is compromised, the yeast can multiply very quickly and begin to interfere with digestion and elimination. Without proper treatment, the Candida can shift from yeast to a fungal state, enter the bloodstream, along with toxins and undigested food particles, and travel to other tissue where they can weaken the body.

Causes and Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth

Candida overgrowth is commonly associated with the "feeling sick all over" complaint that sends many people to their physicians looking for relief. Additional symptoms can include fatigue, depression and anxiety, sugar cravings, digestive issues and recurrent yeast infections. Unfortunately, many physicians fail to diagnose candida overgrowth and attempt to individually treat the symptoms rather than addressing the underlying cause.

The use of antibiotics is a common cause of Candida overgrowth because, in addition to killing the "bad" bacteria they are intended to kill, they also kill the "good" bacteria in the body. Additional causes include stress, hormonal imbalance, intestinal parasites and a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugars.

The Cure

By modifying the diet and conducting a body cleanse, it is possible to rid the body of Candida overgrowth. The internal organs can hold a lot of toxins and, in many cases, cleansing is the only method available to rid the body of those toxins. The cleanse also serves to flush stones from the liver that can block bile flow and affect digestion. The process, which can take two to three months, involves four steps:

• Kill the yeast and other bad bacteria in the system,
• Bind the released toxins and excrete them from the body,
• Aggressively replenish the good bacteria by using probiotics,
• Restore proper immune function.

There are a variety of natural health products available for each step in the cleansing process. In addition to the diet and cleanse, physical activity and sweating aid in the process of controlling and preventing candida overgrowth.