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Could Candida Be Causing Your Health Problems? Studies Link Multiple Diseases to This Pesky Yeast

AHA Publisher — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 08:00:21 +0000

Karen Sanders via NaturalHealth365 – Check your tongue – is it white? You may have Candida albicanswhich produces about 180 chemical toxins. These harmful substances are capable of causing any number of ‘unexplainable‘ health problems. A white tongue, lack of energy, or irritability are early warning signs of poor health. In fact, I would suggest that most people with chronic degenerative diseases like IBS, fibromyalgia, or autoimmune conditions suffer from Candida. Don’t ignore the signs. Why Has Candida Become a Modern-Day Problem? Candida is one of the 400 organisms that live in our mouth, digestive tract, and skin. Candida albicans is the main yeast in the human body and is normally kept in check by the beneficial bacteria within the intestines. In a healthy digestive system – Candida lives in approximately one Candida cell for every million bacteria. When the number of yeast cells grow out of the 1 in 1,000,000 ratio, a person is said to have a flora or yeast imbalance. It is estimated that over 80% of United States citizens have a problem with Candida. Naturally, the foods we consume – especially those loaded with overly-processed sugars – encourage yeast overgrowth. Let’s not forget the issue of chronic stress – which releases cortisol (the ‘stress hormone’) continually. Too much cortisol can turn off the immune system, raises blood sugar levels, and will kill off friendly bacteria within the gut. A Prescription for Sickness and Premature Death According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ‘skyrocketing rates of antibiotic prescriptions now suggest that as many as four out of five Americans may be getting antibiotics annually.’ You may be wondering – what’s this got to do with Candida? The overuse of antibiotics is clearly linked to the overgrowth of yeast in our digestive tract. Many natural health experts would agree that taking too many antibiotics is a major reason for this epidemic. I only wish more conventionally-trained physicians would consider that antibiotics wipe out most of the good bacteria leaving yeast unharmed. At the very least – they should all push their patients to consume probiotics – when being prescribed antibiotics. In the absence of any competition, yeast colonies grow into all the empty nooks and crannies of the small and large intestine, causing many unwanted health problems. What Else Promotes Candida Overgrowth? I’m glad you asked. Birth control pills, cortisone, steroids, and chemotherapy also kill friendly bacteria, such as street and pharmaceutical drugs, alcohol, and lack of oxygenation through a sedentary lifestyle. Keep in mind that friendly bacteria actually feed on Candida, so anything diminishing their numbers can cause Candida to grow out of control. What Are the Symptoms of Candida? The typical Candida symptoms include jock itch, depression, anxiety, mood swings, heartburn, indigestion, fatigue, food allergies, joint pain, acne, migraine headaches, recurring cystitis, vaginal infections, premenstrual symptoms, foggy thinking, dandruff, athlete’s foot, ear infections, and eczema. Candida has been implicated in the impairment of the immune system along with the central nervous system. It has been investigated as the underlying cause of most conditions, including heart, bowel, thyroid disease, and arthritic and autoimmune conditions. Candida is known to be intimately involved in weight gain, Epstein-Barr, asthma, allergies, cancer, hyperactivity, attention deficit disorders, periodontal disease, and even autism. How Can We Test for Candida Overgrowth? A simple blood test can help. You’ll want to check your levels for IgG, IgA, and IgM Candida antibodies. These can be checked through most labs. High levels indicate an overgrowth of Candida. Stool testing can check for Candida in the colon. The lab can usually determine the species of yeast as well as which treatment will be most effective. Just make sure that your doctor orders a ‘comprehensive stool test’ rather than the standard variety. The urine Organix Dysbiosis test detects a waste product of Candida yeast overgrowth known as D-Arabinitol. An elevated test indicates an overgrowth. This test will determine if the problem is in your upper gut or small intestines. The spit test can be done at home. The first thing, when you wake up in the morning, is to put some saliva into a glass of water before you put anything into your mouth. If the saliva floats, it is fine, but if within 15 minutes you notice projections extending down into the water, it is said to be a sign that you are harboring the invasive form of Candida. If the water turns cloudy, your spit sinks to the bottom of the glass, or you see strings – you are looking at a Candida problem. What’s the Best Way to Treat Candida? Effectively treating Candida involves stopping the yeast overgrowth, restoring the friendly bacteria that usually keep them in check, and healing the gut. Addressing this overgrowth primarily requires a low sugar diet. Sugar is what feeds yeast, so eliminating sugar in all of its simple forms is a must. Cut out pasta, bread, baked cookies, muffins, bagels, and most, if not all, processed foods. Generally speaking, overeating creates a high residue of undigested food – which feeds opportunistic organisms such as Candida. And, don’t eat fast. Therefore, chew your food at least 30 times to produce the saliva that prepares the body for healthy digestion. The idea is to allow friendly microbes to breakdown all the food you eat. Obviously, using diet alone not only takes months for results but isn’t as effective as using a protocol – which includes herbs, probiotics, and natural antifungals such as caprylic acid in coconut oil. Here Are Some ‘Candida Killers’ Candida overgrowth has been tied, in part, to a lack of omega-3 fatty acids. There are plenty of omega-3 fatty acids to be found in flaxseed oil and walnut oil. In addition, you may want to take oregano oil, garlic, olive leaf, colloidal silver, raw apple cider vinegar, spirulina, grapefruit seed extract, neem oil, Pau D’Arco, and burdock root for its antifungal effect. Never forget – your first line of defense is always a strong immune system. This can only be achieved through a healthy lifestyle, which includes organic whole foods, fresh air, stress reduction, and exercise. Talk to an experienced healthcare provider and eliminate the threat of Candida – naturally. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov NIH.gov NIH.gov NIH.gov To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Reverse Signs of Aging Naturally, By Adding This Fruit to Your Diet

AHA Publisher — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 08:00:51 +0000

Karen Sanders via NaturalHealth365 – With millions of baby boomers closing in on age 65, the American population is aging at an unprecedented rate. The Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics predicts that by 2030, boomers over age 65 will be 72 million strong. As they enter their “golden years,” they will be accompanied by an increased vulnerability to age-related conditions such as osteoarthritis, dementia, and congestive heart failure. Thankfully, nature offers powerful ways to help improve cognitive function and effectively reverse other signs of aging. Slow Down the Aging Process With This “Superfood” The good news is that a powerful weapon against degenerative diseases is already freely available and sold by the pint. And you don’t even need to visit a pharmacy to obtain it – it can be found in the produce aisle of your local market. Vaccinium myrtillus, otherwise known as blueberry, has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities. In fact, it has the highest score for antioxidant capacity per serving of all fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices tested to date – it’s no surprise that the USDA’s Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging has named blueberries one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Blueberries Reduce Inflammation, Fight MULTIPLE Other Diseases By reducing free radical and inflammatory damage in the brain, blueberries help reverse the aging neurons’ degenerative changes. Their ability to neutralize free radical damage in the collagen matrix of tissues helps them ward off degenerative and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. Their bluish-reddish pigments, or anthocyanins, improve the integrity of support structures in the joints. They can also decrease the “stickiness” of blood platelets, making them important players in the fight against atherosclerosis. Blueberries improve cognitive function in more than one way. Numerous animal, test tube, and human studies have all supported blueberries’ ability to reduce signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, alleviate age-related cognitive deficits and improve memory. In a 2006 animal study published in Neurobiology of Aging, researchers found that blueberry extracts helped older rats regain their ability to generate heat shock protein 70 – a substance that protects against stress and inflammation in the brain. While young rats generate this substance in abundance in response to stress, elderly rats typically produce very little. After the elderly rats’ diet was supplemented with blueberry extracts for 10 weeks, their heat shock response was restored to that of youthful, vigorous rats, leading researchers to conclude that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of blueberries could alleviate age-related cognitive deficits. A year earlier, a study published in Pharmacological Research demonstrated that rats given blueberry extracts for 30 days had significant improvements in cognitive function, causing researchers to conclude that blueberries could be beneficial in preventing age-related memory deficits. Another 2005 study, published in Nutrition and Neuroscience, showed that blueberry extracts could cross the blood-brain barrier and localize in the sections of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Significantly, the more blueberry extracts found in the cortex of the brain, the more pronounced the improvement in cognitive performance. It Gets Even Better! Your Brain Is Not the Only Organ That Benefits from Eating Blueberries Yes! In a small but controlled clinical study published in 2010 in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 12 weeks of daily consumption of wild blueberry juice caused improved recall, learning, and comprehension in elderly volunteers who had been diagnosed with age-related memory changes. Researchers credited anthocyanins in blueberries with increasing neuronal signaling and concluded that blueberries could afford cognitive benefits. And the news keeps getting better… Scientists have found that blueberries protect the endothelium, or inner cell wall of the arteries, thereby cutting atherosclerosis risk and the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Prevention of the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and reducing the aggregation of platelets – two more of blueberries’ gifts – also help delay or avoid the onset of atherosclerosis. In a study published in 2010 in the Journal of Nutrition, blueberry powder given for 20 weeks caused rats to have smaller atherosclerotic lesions than those in the control group. Researchers noted that the blueberry powder boosted levels of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the oxidative stress and inflammation that contributes to atherosclerosis. Combine Blueberries With the Right Foods to Protect Against Digestive Diseases Blueberries protect against inflammatory digestive diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and IBS – especially when eaten with probiotic foods. In a 2010 study conducted at Lund University Faculty of Engineering in Sweden, researchers found that the protective effects of blueberries against ulcerative colitis were even more pronounced when the berries were eaten along with probiotics, such as the lactobacillus found in live yogurt cultures. Combining blueberries and probiotics reduces inflammation-promoting bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and raises blood levels of immune system-boosting butyric and propionic acids. A Blueberry Is a Blueberry, Right? Not So Fast. Wild blueberries score highest for antioxidants and polyphenols, but farm-grown, cultivated blueberries aren’t too far behind. If you have access to wild blueberry plants, it can be very rewarding to harvest your own. Naturally, take care that the berries have been properly identified and that the area is free of pesticides and animal waste. Many small, local blueberry farms allow you to pick your own berries; if this isn’t feasible, look for fresh, organic blueberries at your local market or produce stand. Select berries with intense, violet-blue coloration and a whitish “bloom” on the surface. Berries should be firm, plump and intact, and should move freely in their container when it’s shaken. Avoid washing blueberries until right before you are ready to eat them, and opt for raw, whole berries rather than those that have been cooked, stewed, or preserved; heating them can lower their anthocyanin levels. However, if you’ve picked or purchased too many berries, don’t hesitate to freeze them. Repeated experiments have shown that frozen blueberries retain virtually all their beneficial phytochemicals. And, finally, fresh, unwashed blueberries may be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container for up to three days. Fresh blueberries, one of the gustatory pleasures of summer, are more than just a sweet, refreshing snack – researchers have shown that this superfood can help protect against chronic and degenerative disease. As an entire generation prepares to transition from “middle-aged” to “elderly,” the timing couldn’t be better. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov Sciencedaily.com Sciencedaily.com NIH.gov To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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