The white film is oral thrush caused by candida.
What is candida? Candida is a fungus, which is a form of yeast, and a small amount of it lives in the mouth and intestinal system. Its job is to aid with intestinal function and vitamin consumption but, when overproduced, candida breaks through the wall of the intestine and permeates the blood vessels, releasing harmful toxins into your body and resulting in leaking gut. This can lead to many different health issues, which range from intestinal issues to mental disorders like depression or anxiety. Candida fungus are generally present in healthy people, frequently part of the body’ normal oral and abdominal flora and particularly on the skin; however, their growth is normally limited by the individual defense mechanisms, by competition of other bacteria, such as bacteria taking up the same spaces in the human body.
The healthy bacteria in your intestines generally keep your fungus levels in check. However, several factors can cause the fungus population to get out of hand:
- Eating a high amounts of refined carbohydrates and sugar (which nourish the fungus)
- Consuming a lot of liquor
- Taking oral birth control pills
- Eating large amounts of fermented food like Kombucha, sauerkraut and pickles
- Living a high-stress lifestyle
- Taking antibiotics (which kill off helpful bacteria) without taking probiotics
Common symptoms of Candida:
- Skin and fingernail fungal infections (such as athlete’s foot)
- Digestive problems such as stomach ache, bowel problems, or diarrhea
- Difficulty in remembering things, lack of focus, ADD, ADHD and brain fog
- Skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, hives, and rashes
- Irritability, moodiness, anxiety, or depression
- Vaginal infections, UTI, rectal itchiness or genital itching
- Severe seasonal allergic reactions or itchy ears
- Strong sugar and refined carbs cravings
- Feeling exhausted or suffering from chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia
- Autoimmune diseases like lupus, psoriasis or multiple sclerosis
I use this liquid Stevita as a sugar substitute.
Successfully treating candida includes stopping the yeast from over growing, restoring the good bacteria that usually keep them in check, and letting your intestines heal so that fungus can no longer get into your blood vessels. Getting rid of the fungus over growing mainly needs a change in eating plan to a low carb eating plan. Sugar is what nourishes the fungus, so removing sugar in all of its simple types like candies (thus the title of this article), desserts, alcohol and flours. And decreasing to only one cup a day of the more complex carbs such as grains, fruits, bread, rice, beans and potatoes will prevent the Candida from growing and gradually cause it to die. Removing all fermented foods is advisable as well. You can substitute a clean source of stevia to sweeten food and beverages as stevia does not spike your blood glucose.
Using a diet plan alone could take three to six months before the fungus is back under control. Because of this, doctors prescribe anti fungus drugs such as Diflucan or Nyastatin for a month or more if you want a faster method of treatment. If you are self-treating or prefer a more natural approach, you can take a supplement of caprylic acid. Caprylic Acid comes from coconut oil and generally “pokes holes” in the fungus cell wall, letting it die naturally. You can also inquire with a knowledgeable health food store employee at your local health food store about a reputable candida cleanse.
So when does the diet plan finish? The naked truth is that you will probably always need to eat a much healthier, low sugar diet than you did before. Candida is a problem that can keep returning, especially in those that have already shown a tendency towards it. However, the good news is that once you rebalance your intestinal flora you’re less likely to have strong sugar cravings and will be on the road to a healthier you.
Wishing you radiant health!
Robyn
