With health delivery in such chaos and uncertainty, we at Carter Drug Store suggest arming yourselves with the latest up-to- date information, which hopefully will prevent minor problems from escalating into major problems. You and your loved ones deserve the best treatment possible to survive in these difficult times.
Candida Related Complex
Mental-emotional symptoms occur. Dr. Crook identified these as the major symptoms. They include headache, extreme irritability, confusion, depression, anxiety, memory lapses, lethargy, and an inability to concentrate (often described as feeling “spaced out”). Joseph Mercola, MD, explains that these symptoms are generated by the 79 different toxins released by the metabolism and die-off of Candida.
Specifically, he writes, “…alcohol and acetaldehyde (a product of alcohol breakdown that causes hangovers) are in such high amounts…that you may actually end up feeling ‘drunk’.” In addition, acetaldehyde reacts with dopamine (a neurotransmitter related to our brain’s reward and pleasure centers), explaining the mood altering effects of CRC, including the spaced out feeling.
Symptoms related to glandular and organ dysfunction appear. Reports document underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) as the most common endocrine defect followed by adrenal failure. Other associations include chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, hypoglycemia, diabetes mellitus, and ovarian failure.
This translates into chronic lack of energy or chronic fatigue. (In fact, several authors expressed the opinion that cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may have their roots in candida involvement, and, if so, candida treatment should be used.)
For women, candida can also mean problems with the menstrual cycle, infertility, and even suppression of breast development.
For men, jock itch and athlete’s foot are presenting clues. However, prostatitis and impotence can have candidiasis at their core.
In children, irritability, hyperactivity, recurrent upper respiratory infections, diarrhea, asthma, sinusitis, sugar cravings, impaired learning ability, and even autism have been associated with yeast overgrowth. The most common symptoms are recurring ear infections and colic. Treating ear, nose, and throat infections with antibiotics can set the stage for candida proliferation. As with adults, this opens the way for multiple food and chemical sensitivities. Least tolerated foods are wheat, milk, and yeasts.
Why candida? Why me?
C.albicans is a naturally occurring yeast which lives in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts as well as on the skin. It is not inherently detrimental to health. By six months of age, as many as 95 percent of us are already have intestinal candida. In fact, within our intestines, each of us supports a 3-4 pound colony of microorganisms. These function together as a kind of organ, helping with digestion and immunity as well as producing vitamin K and some of the B vitamins. In a healthy person, candida is just an ordinary member of this colony. An overgrowth occurs when conditions cause an imbalance among the various flora.
Antibiotics, cortisone-like drugs (including steroids), weakened immune system, and diabetes, plus birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy all encourage yeast growth. Also to blame are diets high in sugar and low in fiber. (Life Extension Foundation’s protocols) A course of antibiotics is often named as the worst instigator of candidiasis. This is because antibiotics are nonselective killers of “biotics”, wiping out beneficial microorganisms as well as pathogens. Also, take into consideration that half of all the antibiotics produced in the US are fed to commercial livestock, adding to our antibiotic load. Candida albicans are resistant to antibiotics; thus, when beneficial bacteria are wiped out by antibiotics, there is no competition for food. Candida is able to multiply rampantly in the intestines, creating an imbalance of intestinal flora and the commensurate candida overgrowth.
Although not ordinarily specified as contributing to Candida overgrowth, eating non-organic meats and poultry, plus eating genetically-modified foods (GMOs) are both highly suspect. In addition, livestock are fed hormones, identified as a contributing factor. Non-organic meats are from livestock given genetically modified seed; thus, flesh foods and GMO foods are degraded in their health and nutrition aspects. (One wonders if Monsanto, et al, have invested in any probiotics companies.)
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