There’s a good chance that most of us have heard of Candida. But do you really know what it is?
Candida is a common yeast that is present on the skin, mucous membranes, and the gut. In fact, almost half of all humans have Candida albicans present in the body.[1] While Candida does not cause harm as long as you are healthy (good bacteria keeps them in control), at times a haphazard lifestyle and improper diet can cause an overgrowth.
Candida overgrowth could also lead to a condition commonly called leaky gut, something that can cause food sensitivities and intolerances. The yeast can grow into the intestinal walls like a root and allow access to the bloodstream. These roots are more like microscopic barb-like hooks called rhizoids that cut through tissue causing infection in the gut.
The Candida Problem
A suppressed immune system can allow Candida to spread and thrive throughout the body.[2] This happens when the immune system hasn’t fully developed. Estimates suggest that 25,000 Americans develop this infection in any given year and about 1.5 million people die from fungal infections worldwide.[3]
Natural Ways To Manage Candida
While it’s impossible to eliminate Candida from the diet, there a few natural remedies that could help.
1) Studies show that lavender oil can improve immunity and help fight candida infections. Applying to two to three drops of lavender oil at the site of infection can relieve itching and inflammation.[4]
2) Colloidal silver can help fight off candida infections. Applying four to five drops of colloidal silver can easily kill bacterial and fungal infections.[5]
3) The antimicrobial properties of garlic could prove beneficial in dealing with a candida infection. Crush two cloves of garlic and drink it with a glass of warm water to fight a Candida infection.
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Read More:
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Balanced Diet – All You Need To Know
References:
1. Fraunhofer. Tracking down pathogenic yeasts. Press Release.
2. Hickman MA, Zeng G, Forche A, Hirakawa MP, Abbey D, Harrison BD, Wang YM, Su CH, Bennett RJ, Wang Y, Berman J. The ‘obligate diploid’ Candida albicans forms mating-competent haploids. Nature. 2013 Feb 7;494(7435):55-9. doi: 10.1038/nature11865. Epub 2013 Jan 30. PubMed PMID: 23364695; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3583542.
3. O’Meara TR, Veri AO, Ketela T, Jiang B, Roemer T, Cowen LE. Global analysis of fungal morphology exposes mechanisms of host cell escape. Nat Commun. 2015 Mar 31;6:6741. doi: 10.1038/ncomms7741. PubMed PMID: 25824284; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4382923.
4. Zuzarte, M. et al. Chemical composition and antifungal activity of the essential oils of Lavandula viridis L’Hér. Journal of Medical Microbiology. 60 (5).
5. Al Groosh D, Roudsari GB, Moles DR, Ready D, Noar JH, Pratten J. The prevalence of opportunistic pathogens associated with intraoral implants. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2011 May;52(5):501-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2011.03031.x. Epub 2011 Mar 14. PubMed PMID: 21332760.
