It is helpful to learn what the causes of Candida are. Maybe you are your own worst enemy and you are contributing to your health issues.
Maybe your environment and food's toxic nature is hurting you? Candida and systemic yeast infections occur when your immune system can no longer keep control of this yeast. The Candida Albicans yeast changes from a single celled organism to a thread like form that can penetrate your gut wall.
cookies as causes of candida Does yeast overgrowth cause a weakened immune system? Yes, it does. Does a weakened immune system cause yeast to grow out of control? Yes, it does. As you read over the causes of Candida, remember that not one thing can cause systemic yeast infections and Candida - it is usually a combination of factors. Often, one cause directly links to another cause.
Read below to see a list of causes of Candida:
1. Antibiotic or steroid use:
The infection - antibiotics - re-infection cycle can begin at birth or in early infancy when antibiotics are used to treat various infections. Often people use antibiotics for acne, ear infections or bronchitis. Antibiotics kill good and bad bacteria. When the good bacteria gets wiped out, it changes the natural balance of organisms in your colon and digestive tract. This allows the Candida Albicans yeast to grow freely. Steroids hinder the body's natural immune system. Even topical cortisone creams can be absorbed into the blood stream and be a contributor to the causes of Candida.
2. Birth Control Pill:
The birth control pill is a powerful pill. Since it was first developed, the estrogen content of the pill has been dramatically reduced - up to 50 percent. As most women know who are on the pill, there are risks and potential side effects particularly if you are over 35 or smoke. Birth control pills increase the amount of sugar in your blood, the amount of insulin and growth hormone. Birth control pills are considered similar to a steroid and have hormonal impacts. They change the environment of the vagina like pregnancy does. The vagina can become less acidic and store increased amounts of sugar in the vaginal walls. Extended birth control pill use is just one more of the possible causes of Candida. Menopause is also a hormonal time that makes women more prone to yeast changes.
3. Poor Nutrition:
Many feel Candida overgrowth is reaching epidemic proportions due to the large of amounts of sugar and refined carbohydrates in our diet. Do you have a sweet tooth? Do you crave chocolates, carbohydrates and breads? An unbalanced diet with an over-reliance on simple, refined carbohydrates, starchy foods, sugars, dairy - can feed yeast overgrowth. Simple refined carbohydrates examples are candies, chocolate, cakes, cookies, chips, soft drinks, white bread, donuts. Poor quality food or food contaminated with fungus and mycotoxins is also a cause. High mycotoxin food are corn, peanuts, cashews and dried coconut. Many grains are also contaminated. A poor diet causes vitamin, mineral deficiencies, as well, which weakens your immunity and your health.
4. Stress and Other Causes of Candida:
Stress, fatigue (chronic fatigue syndrome) and unhealthy lifestyle from lack of sleep, overwork, poor diet, no exercise etc. affects our overall health and immune system making us more susceptible to Candida. Are you a doer, giver, overachiever or workaholic? Type A personalities who spread themselves too thin are often sufferers too.
5. Antacids and Anti-Ulcer Medications:
These medicines can all contribute to upsetting the digestive tract.
6. Diabetes:
Diabetes, abnormal glucose tolerance or insulin resistance can make you more susceptible to yeast.
7. Neglected, Untreated Local Yeast Infections:
Vaginal, on the skin, or oral thrush - can contribute to Candida issues. Chronic yeast infections are when you experience a vaginal yeast infection 4 or more times a year. Often a chronic yeast infection is a symptom of a larger problem - such as a systemic yeast infection caused by Candida.
8. Viral Infections:
i.e. mononucleosis or the more serious - AIDS, cancer, chronic medical conditions all are immunity disorders.
9. Anemia:
Did you know that the more active your white blood cells are, the less parasites and toxins in your blood? Anemia is when you have decreased white blood cells. A compromised or weakened immune system can't keep Candida under control. Low levels of thyroid hormones - thyroid disease are also possible culprits.
10. Digestive Problems:
Digestive problems are both a cause and a symptom of Candida. When the intestinal environment is high in sugar, acid or toxins, there is a loss of friendly bacteria. This damages the intestinal membranes and gut flora. Digestive problems such as poor digestion and absorption affect your health and ability to fight infection. Also, if you lack or don't have enough hydrochloric acid production by your stomach - you may be predisposed to Candida troubles. Often allergies to wheat, milk or dairy inhibit hydrochloric acid production.
11. Food sensitivities, Intolerances and Allergies:
These can irritate and sensitize your digestive tract to be any toxins and bacteria.
12. Exposure to Harmful Chemicals and Toxins:
Exposure to petro-chemicals, formaldehyde, tobacco smoke (contains yeast and often have sugar added too), perfume, insecticides and weed killers can cause yeast overgrowth. Toxic chemicals in our food can also make you become highly sensitized and have allergic reactions to foods and chemicals.
13. Immunosuppressive drugs such as chemotherapy.
14. Mercury fillings:
The black dental type filling have been linked as immune suppressing factor. Silver mercury dental fillings have been linked to fungal infections.
As you now know, one cookie won't necessarily hurt you. But, be aware that what you eat can affect your overall health. Think carefully about the various causes of Candida and how they may apply to you. It is surprising how our health is so interconnected with what we do and how we live.
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