Once you have read this article, for more detailed information, we suggest you read Candida Treatment by Mark G. Lester, Diector of The Finchley Clinic and "Conquering Candida" written by our colleague Sherridan Stock.

Candida albicans is a yeast like organism that lives naturally in small amounts in your mouth, gastrointestinal tract and skin. The body's natural defense against fungal and yeast infections is the production of friendly bacterial flora that keeps it in check. It is controlled by a properly functioning immune system and "friendly" bacteria. However, if the number of friendly bacteria is decreased, the immune system is weakened or other conditions for yeast proliferation occur (we will come to the causes later) candida albicans may shift from a yeast to a fungal form and start to invade the body and cause a multitude of health problems.

In the yeast state candida is a non-invasive, sugar-fermenting organism, while in fungal state it is invasive and can produce rhizoids, very long root-like structures. Rhizoids can penetrate mucosa or intestinal walls, leaving microscopic holes and allowing toxins, undigested food particles and bacteria and yeast to enter the bloodstream. This condition is known as Leaky Gut Syndrome and that is one of the causes of food and environmental allergies.

Although most people associate the word "candida", with the most common type of candida infection, namely candida albicans, it should be mentioned that there are in fact numerous types of candida.

There are over 150 species of candida. Common strains include : -

* Candida albicans
* Candida dubliniensis
* Candida famata
* Candida glabrata
* Candida guilliermondii
* Candida humicola
* Candida krusei
* Candida lambica
* Candida lipolytica
* Candida lusitaniae
* Candida parapsilosis
* Candida pseudotropicalis
* Candida rugosa
* Candida stellatoidea
* Candida tropicalis
* Candida zeylanoides

Fortunately the products which eliminate candida albicans are, generally speaking, equally helpful at eradicating other forms of candida overgrowth, so the following information applies to most strains of candida, and possibly some other non candida forms of dysbiosis ("bad bacteria").

What causes Candida?

1) Poor immunity is undoubtedly a major factor in allowing Candida to overgrow. A weak immune system appears to be the norm these days, the main reason for which in our opinion is nutrient deficiency. Almost every nutrient known has a role to play in creating immunity, and since most individuals exhibit multiple nutrient deficiencies, they inevitably have chronically impaired immune systems. Causes of lowered immunity include:

i) Heavy metal toxicity, particularly lead (from petrol and lead plumbing) and mercury (from amalgam fillings) is immunosuppressant, as is chemical overload from our highly polluted and unnatural environment.

ii) Psychological stress appears to be a much overlooked cause of immune weakness, and the same is true of...

iii) Electromagnetic and geopathic stress. Since the sustained presence of Candida burdens the immune system, and its toxins are immunosuppressant, a vicious cycle exists.

iv) Food and inhalant allergies, which Candida commonly causes, similarly burden the immune system, fuelling the vicious cycle. Additionally, nutrient deficiencies induced by Candida may impair immunity, and thus also contribute to the vicious cycle.

v) Excess sugar consumption, of which most people are guilty, suppresses immunity (by depressing neutrophil and lymphocyte activity), and alcohol has a similar effect. (Sugar, of course, also feeds Candida.)

vi) Caffeine (from coffee and to a lesser degree in cocoa and tea) is an adrenal stressor, and depleted adrenal glands predispose to the development of candidiasis by lowering the immune system. We have also seen claims that caffeine also destroys friendly bacteria. We have not found any evidence as to whether this is true or untrue but if it is is true, this is a second mechanism by which caffeine may contribute to candida overgrowth.

2) A deficiency of dietary fibre encourages intestinal candidiasis because dietary fibre gives rise to short-chain fatty acids, which inhibit the growth of Candida. A deficiency of dietary fibre also tends to cause constipation, which is another factor making candida overgrowth more likely to occur (see below).

3) Clinical over usage of antibiotics is widely recognized to precipitate Candida overgrowth. Antibiotics kill the indigenous mucosal bacteria that normally compete with Candida for food and space, and also secrete anti-candidal substances. In view of the explosive intensity of the overgrowth that can follow antibiotic usage, other pro-candidal mechanisms undoubtedly exist. These could include a direct immunosuppressant effect of antibiotics; the release of immunosuppressant toxins from killed bacteria; and a direct stimulant effect on yeast growth. Whether the intake of antibiotics in trace amounts from eating livestock treated with antibiotics is sufficient to exert a pro-candidal effect is an unresolved question.

4) The popularity of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy has played its role. Candida is believed to possess both oestrogen and progesterone receptors, and exogenous sex hormones therefore feed the yeast desired molecules. Other steroids used medically such as corticosteroids appear to exert a similar effect, and additionally are immunosuppressive.

5) Pregnancy or multiple pregnancies which can upset the body's hormonal balance

6) Yeast and yeast products as well as molds and fermented foods.

7) Prolonged exposure to environmental molds.

8) A sluggish thyroid gland predisposes one to candida overgrowth. Moreover candida may also also affect the effectiveness of the thyroid hormones that the body is producing.

9) Chronic constipation (possibly caused by some of the above factors, such as psychological stress, lack of dietary fibre or lowered thyroid activity) allows a environment in which candida and other unhealthy micro-organisms can more easily flourish

Why is candida a problem?

Candida releases poisons in blood causing all kinds of symptoms. The toxins that are released include : -

* Ethanol : Produced when yeast has lots of food. Excess ethanol can cause symptoms of alcohol intoxication
* Acetaldehyde : The primary candida toxin, which can damage organs, disrupt fatty acid oxidation and production of collagen, cause abnormal behavior, memory loss, distorted thinking, mood swings, depression, impaired intellectual functioning and emotional disturbances.
* Formaldehyde : A highly reactive compound that has a toxic effect on all organisms" (source: Microbiology (2002), 148, 2697-2704.

(Our dedicated products Bayberry Formula, Bayberry Formula A and Molybdenum may be helpful for breaking down candida toxins).

Typical symptoms of Candida include (but are not limited to):