Candida and Glyconutrients - Candidiasis, Chronic
Also known as candidosis or moniliasis. Candida is a yeast-like fungus that normally inhabits, in healthy balance, the body, found mostly in the intestines, genital tract, mouth and throat. Candida is the name for a group of yeasts (a type of fungus) that commonly infect the skin. The name 'candida' refers to the white colour of the organisms in culture. Candida depends on a living host for survival and is a normal inhabitant of the human body from early infancy, where it lives without causing any disease most of the time. When the host's defences are lowered, the candida organism can cause infection of the mucosa, the skin, and sometimes, deep-seated infection. This is known as Candidiasis. The most common species of Candida to result in candidiasis is Candida albicans. Other species are C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C.glabrata, C.guilliermondii. Candidal skin infections include:
- Oral candidiasis (oral thrush)
- Vulvovaginal candidiasis (genital infection in women) including cyclic vulvovaginitis
- Balanitis (penile infection)
- Intertrigo (skin fold infections)
- Napkin dermatitis (nappy or diaper rash)
- Chronic paronychia (nail fold infection)
- Onychomycosis (nail plate infection)
- Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis
Many in the medical profession deny the existence candidiasis, making it very difficult to get a medical diagnosis. For some people, candidiasis presents with numerous symptoms, which can be divided into the following groups:
1: The damage to the intestinal wall allows undesirable toxins to permeate into the bloodstream. This condition called 'leaky gut syndrome' often leads to:
- food allergies and intolerances
- migraines
- foggy brain
- muscle aches
2: Once through to the rest of the body, candida has the ability to disrupt the endocrine system causing symptoms such as:
- thrush
- cystitis
- PMS
- menstrual irregularities
- joint pains
- asthma
- hayfever
- sinusitis
- fungal infections of the nails/skin e.g. athlete's foot
- weight gain or weight loss
- ear infections
- chronic tiredness
- allergies
sensitivity to perfume, tobacco smoke and petrol
3: Symptoms in the intestines include:
- bloatedness
- flatulence
- diarrhoea and/or constipation
- itchy anus
The following are some predisposing factors for candidiasis:
- Infancy or old age
- Warm climate
- Occlusion e.g. plastic pants (babies), nylon pantyhose (women), dental plates
- Immune deficiencies e.g. low levels of immunoglobulins, infection with HIV (HIV)
- Broad spectrum antibiotic treatment
- Contraceptive pill or injection, or pregnancy
- Chemotherapy or immunosuppressive medications such as systemic steroids
- Diabetes mellitus, Cushing's syndrome and other endocrine conditions
- Iron deficiency
- General debility e.g. from cancer or malnutrition
- Underlying skin disease e.g. psoriasis, lichen planus
For patients with candidiasis, glyconutrients can be beneficial in a number of areas. In terms of the overabundance of candida, glyconutrients can reduce the infection. A study on the effects of glyconutrients on candida showed that using only one glyconutrient had almost no effect; a partial blend had a kill rate of almost 50 percent, but using a complete blend of the eight essential glyconutrients, ie the sugars necessary for glycoprotein and glycolipid synthesis in cells, had a kill rate of 95 percent.
For many of the other symptoms of candidiasis, glyconutrients can support the body to heal, repair, regulate, regenerate and protect itself. Our bodies are simply an accumulation of cells that must work together in harmony - glyconutrients enable cell-cell communication and ensures each can perform its function and duty. Healthy cells lead to healthy tissues which lead to healthy organs which in turn lead to healthy bodies.
Resources and Links on Candida and Glyconutrients
www.panix.com - Candida Albicans/Candidiasis Web Sites.
www.yeastconnection.com - Online health information source.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this medical condition section is strictly educational and not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of medical disorders, consult your health care professional.
Copyright 2005 Glyconutrients Reference - Last Updated May 2005
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