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What is Candida?

Candida albicans is a fungus that is present in all people from about the age of six months onwards. Since it is in everyone, it is presumed by many clinicians that candida cannot cause particular symptoms in only some people. This reasoning has prevented attention being given to candida as a common cause of ill health, except in rare conditions in which it proliferates to a life-threatening extent. This, interestingly enough, often happens in people whose defence mechanism (immune system) has become weakened by disease or drugs (due to abuse). This gives a clue as to why a great many people may indeed be suffering from a sub clinical infection of candida, which, whilst not sufficient to endanger life, is certainly enough to produce a wide array of debilitating symptoms.

These include:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Unnatural irritability
  • Digestive symptoms such as diarrhoea, constipation, bloating and heartburn
  • Tiredness and a sense of hopelessness.
  • Allergies
  • Acne
  • Migraine
  • Cystitis.
  • Vaginitis.
  • Thrush
  • Menstrual problems and pre-menstrual tension

The introduction of broad-spectrum antibiotics, the use of the contraceptive pill, and the widespread use of steroids all play their part in candida’s growth. In addition the increase in the use of sugar and sugar rich foods have provided the yeast with just the sustenance it needs. The combination of these factors is the root cause of the problem for many people.

If a single yeast cell is given a highly favourable environment, with a good assortment of nutrients and the correct temperature, it can, within twenty-four hours, produce a colony of over a hundred yeast cells. At this rate of reproduction, one cell could turn into a yeast colony weighing one billion tons within one week!

Research has shown that almost everyone has antibodies to candida.There are a number of predisposing factors which will allow candida to grow wildly out of control:

  • An underlying inherited or acquired deficiency of the immune system;
  • The aftermath of using steroids (hormones) in food or as medication;
  • The aftermath of using antibiotics in food or as medication.

Foods that help spread candida.

Yeast loves carbohydrate rich foods. This in effect means that we should attempt to deprive it of its sustenance by limiting or cutting out altogether all sugar rich foods and refined carbohydrates. Fermented products, moulds or fungi must be limited. These are; vinegar, alcoholic beverages, yeast extracts and spreads, mushrooms and blue cheeses. The Four Phase Diet has been used by many doctors and dieticians with great benefit to millions of people all over the world. If you have been diagnosed with candida, use this diet conscientiously. If you do not respond well, see your health practitioner as a matter of urgency!

The Four Phase Diet

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