What is Candida Overgrowth?

Candida is an overgrowth of yeast within the human body. It affects both men and women. Yeast lives naturally in the intestinal tract (in very small amounts) alongside other microflora (good bacteria). Often, yeast can overgrow in the intestinal tract and become systemic, causing numerous health problems.

Systemic is a term used when yeast organisms are able to enter the blood stream and travel throughout the body, where it can spread to the vagina, urinary tract, skin, fingernails, toenails, mouth, organs and tissues. This is known as Candidiasis. Candidiasis is a medical condition where common intestinal yeast overgrows to the point that it becomes a medical problem.

What causes Candida Overgrowth?

Yeast is normally present in our intestinal tract in small amounts. As long as the amount of yeast in the body remains small, internal balance is maintained and all is well.

Most holistic experts agree that the alarming number of Canadians with Candida is due to the over-prescribed use of broad spectrum antibiotics. Antibiotics not only kill the bacteria we want to get rid of, but also the ‘good bacteria’ in the digestive tract. This leads to Candida overgrowth. Other factors that can lead to an overgrowth of Candida include:

 

• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Steroids (ex. asthma inhalers)
• Birth control pills
• Poor diet (too many refined carbohydrates)
• Stress
• Nutrient deficiencies

What are the signs and symptoms of Candida Overgrowth?

In the initial stages of the process, symptoms may be mild to moderate including:

 

• Insomnia
• Persistent bloating / gas
• Joint and muscle pain
• Recurring vaginal yeast infections
• Food sensitivities / allergies
• Recurring bladder infections
• Fatigue
• Sugar cravings
• Brain fog
• Bad breath
• Blurred vision
• Chemical sensitivity
• Depression
• Sinus problems

How common is Candida Overgrowth?

Most holistic practitioners agree that the majority of Canadians have some form of Candida overgrowth. One of the best ways to find out if you have Candida overgrowth is to perform a Candida Self Test.

What health problems are caused by Candida Overgrowth?

In its fungal form, Candida grows long roots called 'rhizoids' that puncture the intestinal lining leading to a condition called Leaky Gut Syndrome.

This means that the digestive tract has holes in it, allowing Candida, as well as toxins and undigested food particles to pass through into the bloodstream. From there, they can proceed to any other part of the body. As toxins become more abundant in the body, serious and chronic conditions can develop including:

• Arthritis (Rheumatoid)
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Crohn's disease / Colitis
• Diabetes
• Lupus
• Multiple sclerosis
• Skin disorders

What can be done to help with Candida Overgrowth?

Renew Life’s Candida solution consists of a group of 4 products that address not only the symptoms of Candida overgrowth, but also the root cause.

• CandiGONE - an antifungal herbal cleansing program.

• FibreSMART - a source of soluble and insoluble fibre to help soak up and sweep out dead Candida organisms as they are being eliminated. It is also an ideal daily fibre supplement.

• CandiZYME - a powerful enzyme product which breaks down the cell wall of yeast. It also has enzymes to break down the food that is feeding the candida.

Probiotics

• Ultimate Flora Critical Care - is a 50 billion culture, 10 strain probiotic formula designed for treating chronic intestinal ailments in both the small and large intestine. It is for chronic Candida that is not under control.
• FloraSMART Extra Strength is a therapeutic strength probiotic. It is a patented blend of probiotics which is formulated to provide 'friendly bacteria' to the intestinal tract and colon. It is the probiotic of choice if you have chronic Candida that is under control.
• FloraSMART – is a blend of 7 essential probiotics to replenish the ‘good bacteria’ in the intestinal tract. Take FloraSMART if you have mild Candida symptoms.

Renew Life also carries probiotics for children. 

• FloraBEAR - is a blend of 3 resident strains of probiotics normally found in children: Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, and Bifidobacterium Infantis. These 3 probiotics work synergistically to help ensure a healthy microbacterial environment in the intestinal tract.
• FloraBABY - is a blend of 5 strains of probiotics normally found in children: Bifidobacterium Breve, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Bifidobacterium Infantis and Bifidobacterium Longum. These 5 probiotics work synergistically to help ensure a healthy microbacterial environment in the intestinal tract.