Candida Albicans

Candida Albicans

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Fungi are very heterogeneous organisms - they include hubs, toadstools, molds, mushrooms, as well as Candida yeasts. Fungi are found everywhere, whether in forests, air, dunes, meadows, mountains, and as a parasite inside or on the surface of human organisms. In this article, we will focus specifically on Candida albicans, which causes the most cases of human disease (about 80%).


Candida yeasts and Candida fungi

Yeasts are the germ of the fungus. They have all the characteristics of a yeast, but under the right conditions, they can take root and produce mycelium (the vegetative body of the fungus that performs nutritional and reproductive functions). Candida yeasts live in our body on a daily basis, they inhabit our mucosa and skin. Thanks to their properties, they can adhere to almost every tissue in our body. However, at this stage they are not dangerous to our body. Yeasts live symbiotically with humans, which means that they do not harm people with normal immune systems. They are characterized by resistance to the acidic environment of the stomach, which makes them well prepared for life in the human digestive tract. They live on food debris and constitute the physiological flora of the digestive system along with bacteria. However, if this balance is disturbed, Candida yeasts can turn into a parasite living on humans, which are Candida fungi.


What do Candida fungi cause?

Being a parasite means that in order for the mushrooms to survive, they need a host (a sick person) to "feed" them. In order to get food (they eat protein molecules), fungi attack the tissues of our body. Due to acids and digestive enzymes, fungi create a fungal focus at the site of the affected tissue, which causes inflammation. Through the weakened place, toxic metabolic products of the fungus enter the body and cause poisoning of the body, which become a medium for other (also other) fungi and bacteria. Substances like endotoxins, neurotoxins and candidotoxins get into the infected organism. They impair the immune system and affect the tightness of the gut - often penetrating the bloodstream through a leaky gut and causing chronic inflammation.


Candidiasis

The multiplication of Candida fungi in the body and all the consequences that follow lead to the occurrence of candidiasis. It can be divided into:


1. Surface candidiasis
Candida causes fungal infections between the fingers, thrush, mycoses of the vagina, nails, groin and dermatitis (often in warm and humid places, such as skin folds). This type of candidiasis is easy to treat and passes relatively quickly, but it likes to relapse just as quickly. If conditions for the fungus deteriorate, the cells produce spores surrounded by a thick cell membrane. This form causes that when we return to old habits after the treatment period, the spores again turn into yeasts, and then into Candida fungi.


2. Candidiasis of the large intestine
There is an overgrowth of Candida yeasts in the large intestine. The disease is dangerous because, if left untreated, it leads to damage to the intestinal mucosa, ulceration, intestinal bleeding and the occurrence of systemic candidiasis.


3. Disseminated (otherwise deep or systemic) candidiasis
Internal systems become infected as Candida enters the blood. Extremely dangerous to health and life, as it is often confused with other diseases (focusing on specific symptoms, not the whole). Symptoms may affect the nervous system, digestive system, locomotor system, genitourinary system, skin problems, endocrine system, respiratory system and the organ of vision. Therefore, this type of candidiasis can "fake" hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, neurosis, allergies, autism, and many more.

The causes of candidiasis

- a weakened immune system
- long-term antibiotic therapy
- steroids
- oral contraception
- eating too much sugar
- consuming processed foods
- drugs
- stress and lack of sleep


Diagnostics

As it was said before, Candida yeasts occur physiologically in our body, therefore the diagnosis of candidiasis is very difficult. Detecting the presence of Candida does not necessarily mean candidiasis.
The most popular tests include:
1. Culture of stool or other secretions
On a special microbiological medium, yeasts from feces or other secretions are "grown". On average, the test result is obtained after about 7- 10 days. The screening test has a high probability of error.
2. ELISA test
It is a serological test that detects an antibody after contact with fungal antigens. The reliability of the test is very low and amounts to about 40%.
3. Blood microscopic examination
The test is intended to test the advanced stage of candidiasis, when the fungus has entered the circulation. It consists in taking blood from the patient and microscopic observation of the fungus.
4. PCR test
Genetic testing by PCR identifies the DNA (genetic material) of the fungus. The test is based on the duplication of a DNA fragment of the fungus and is highly sensitive. The PCR Real Time method is also available, which also examines the genetic material of the cell, and is additionally 100 times more sensitive.


Treatment

Antibiotics are a common treatment for candidiasis. Even if we decide to take them, they will not bring any results without "repairing" the immune system. Therefore, the main recommendation in case of candidiasis is the use of a restrictive antifungal diet and supporting the body through the use of probiotics. It has been proven that Lactobacillus helveticus strains inhibit the multiplication of yeasts. In addition, the herbs recommended by Stephen Buhner for fungal diseases are: caprylic acid, barberry, Alchornea, Sida acuta, Licorice, and Reishi mushrooms. There are also ready-made mixtures specially designed for the treatment of candidiasis, such as: Candigo, Izen Labs

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