How I overcame Candida overgrowth

Candida is one of the worst and yet the most educational health experiences I’ve ever had to overcome.

I started to wake up around 3:00 am every night trekking to the fridge like a zombie, drinking anything that was liquid and sweet. I also started craving sweets and chocolates. I then developed this intolerable anal itch and mild IBS. Weight started piling on, and after drinking any sugary drink, I would immediately get bloated. I knew something was really wrong with me so I went to see me my acupuncturist and she informed me that I had a thick white coating on my tongue, but could not identify what was wrong with me.

I told a friend of mine of my symptoms and she said she thought I had Candida. I was like what the hell is that? After I researched it I was actually happy I finally identified what was plaguing me, yet at the same time, I felt daunted by the recommended remedies.

First and foremost I had no intention of doing the candida diet, it didn’t make any sense to me to embrace this lifelong hellish diet for the rest of my life. I knew there had to be something else I could do to rid myself of this condition, so I started to do further research.

What is Candida?

It’s a fungus that is a microscopic organism that typically lives harmlessly within the human digestive system. However, if your intestinal flora becomes out of balance or your immune system is weakened, you are at risk for Candida overgrowth  (also known as a yeast infection).

Candida is a single-cell organism that reproduces asexually and thrives on some of the body’s byproducts, such as dead tissue and sugars. Unless its environment is altered and its source of food is eliminated, beginning in the digestive tract, it can quickly monopolize the entire body (leaky gut) and can cause moderate to severe symptoms.

For people with weakened immune systems, like those with AIDS or cancer, Candida in the bloodstream can actually become the actual cause of death.

What causes Candida infections?

There are many possible causes of candida including a diet high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol that help yeast to grow. To add to that, I’ve described six other potential causes below.

1.  Antibiotics

The problem with antibiotics and with overusing them is that they don’t just kill the bad bacteria, they also kill the good ones. The good bacteria in your system are responsible for digestion and keeping candida under control. Typically after antibiotic usage, it can make your body a breeding ground for candida.

2. Too much sugar in the diet

3. Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills can indirectly cause candida infections.

4. Cancer Treatments

Chemotherapy and radiation kill cancerous cells and tumors. But they also kill off the healthy bacteria that naturally fight candida.

5. Diabetes

Candida is a type of yeast and sugar feeds yeast, it is understandable that those with diabetes are at a greater risk for developing candida overgrowth syndrome.

6. Weakened Immune System

A weakened immune system is like opening the door to a Candida infection. People with a weakened immune system include children, the elderly, HIV/AIDS patients, and those with inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.

Candida Symptoms

Most people including healthcare professionals are totally unaware of candida fungal infections. The symptoms of Candida often mimic other illnesses, so it can be difficult to diagnose without extensive testing.

• Bad breath
• Sinus infections
• Bloating, intestinal gas and  abdominal pain
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Endometriosis or infertility
• Fatigue and chronic fatigue
• Mood swings
• Oral thrush
• Impotence
• Insomnia
• Loss of sexual desire
• Muscle aches, weakness, or paralysis
• Pain and swelling in joints
• Brain fog
• Prostatitis
• Psoriasis
• Urinary tract infection
• Troublesome vaginal itching, burning, or discharge
• IBS
• Anal itch

 

What I tried?

The first thing I tried was caprylic acid, it gave me temporary relief in terms of bloating but that was about it. Then I tried juicing organic lemons, D-limonene a compound in the skin of lemons is a strong antifungal, this really helped but it was just a stronger version of caprylic acid. I also tried kefir, but this just controlled some of my intestinal symptoms. I then tried Braggs apple cider vinegar, this worked miracles in so many ways, but I was still having symptoms, and my IBS and anal itch were still bothering me.

Then by chance, I found this video online on How to destroy Candida, it basically informed me that I needed to get a reputable probiotic with enteric coating to put my intestinal flora back in balance. The key to this remedy is the enteric coating because it protects the probiotics as they travel through the stomach acid so they can colonize the intestines. I chose Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus EPS, 5 Billion per Capsule based upon its Amazon.com reviews and because it fulfilled all of the requirements as described in the video.

I started taking 1 pill after a major meal, and then I started to get Candida die-off symptoms. Luckily for me, I was spared the most dreaded of the Candida die-off symptoms and I only got dizzy for a couple of days after taking the probiotics.

I know what you’re thinking, what are candida die-off symptoms? 

When large numbers of yeast and fungal cells are rapidly killed, they release toxins into the bloodstream as a self-defense mechanism. Some of the die-off symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Headache, fatigue, dizziness
• Swollen glands
• Bloating, gas, constipation or diarrhea
• Increased joint or muscle pain
• Elevated heart rate
• Chills, cold feeling in your extremities
• Body itchiness, hives or rashes
• Sweating
• Fever
• Skin breakouts
• Recurring vaginal, prostate and sinus infections

After a few weeks of taking the probiotics, all of my candida symptoms disappeared, because I knew I had developed leaky gut I also took North American Herbs Oil of Oreganol. Oil of Oreganol will travel throughout the body and kill candida no matter where it’s hiding in the body.

After the Candida infection was gone, I started to question what I used to crave. I no longer had cravings for excessively sweet foodstuffs or drinks. Since Candida no longer had control over my mind, I started to desire natural non-processed pure foods like fruits and vegetables, and pure naturally alkaline water.

Good luck on your journey back to health!

 

Necessary internet disclaimer:  All information and resources found on Nothingsincurable.com are based on the opinions of the author unless otherwise noted. I am not a doctor nor do I have any medical training, all information is intended to motivate readers to make their own nutrition and health decisions after consulting with their health care provider. The author of this site encourages you to consult a doctor before making any health changes, especially any changes related to a specific diagnosis or condition.

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