Candidly Speaking About...Candida and Yeast Infections

Harmless Yeast Can Transform into Problem-Causing Fungus

Fatigue and muscle pains. Digestive and urinary tract ailments. Headaches and general malaise. Depression and allergies. Do any of these symptoms sound familiar, yet you´ve seen many physicians with no resolve? One commonly overlooked health problem that may be at the source of your symptoms is Candida overgrowth, also known as Candidiasis - simply translated, a yeast infection.

Candidiasis, caused by the overgrowth of a specific Candida fungi, Candida Albicans, affects millions of men, women and children of all ages. Some researchers have even linked Candida overgrowth to other chronic health problems such as ear infections and sexual dysfunction in adults; hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder and autism in children; premenstrual syndrome in women; asthma; psoriasis; and even multiple
sclerosis.(1)

Candida Albicans is a relatively harmless yeast that is normally found in the mouth, throat, intestines and genitourinary tract of most humans.(2) In the yeast state, Candida Albicans is simply a non-invasive, sugar-fermenting organism, whose purpose is to destroy harmful gut flora (bacteria). In a normal environment, Candida is controlled by a properly functioning immune system and helpful "friendly" gut flora like Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bacillus laterosporus, all of which suppress undesirable bacteria and yeasts and help to maintain a balanced, healthy immune system.

However, if the population of good bacteria is diminished by any number of causes, Candida Albicans transforms from a yeast state into fungus. This fungus invades the body, allowing the introduction of potentially dangerous and immune-lowering substances, such as indigested dietary protein, into the bloodstream.(3) The immune system´s response to these substances can result in numerous, chronic health maladies such as those outlined above.