Let's Talk Candida & Parasites

"The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease." - Thomas Edison

Unmasking Candida: Let's get to the ROOT!

What is it? What happens when it gets out of hand? What's the ROOT CAUSE? How can you support your body to maintain a healthy balance?

What is Candida?

Candida is a group of yeast-like fungi that naturally exist in small amounts within the human body, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, mouth, throat, and genital area. The most common species of candida that can cause health issues is Candida Albicans.

In most people, these fungi coexist with other microorganisms and play a pretty harmonious role in the body. However, there are certain risk factors that can lead to an overgrowth of candida, which can result in a pretty severe infection that can be hard to gain control of.

When the fungi goes rogue, there is always an underlying cause!

Healthy levels of Candida aid in nutrient absorption, maintaining gut microbiota balance, and often help to fight off harmful pathogenic bacteria.

With that said, the beneficial role of Candida depends HEAVILY on a balanced presence within the body.

Candida breakouts can manifest in a number of ways, including:

• Oral Thrush: Overgrowth of Candida in the mouth and throat, which can lead to oral thrush. It appears as creamy white lesions on the tongue, inner cheeks, or the back of the throat and can be seriously uncomfortable.

• Vaginal Yeast Infections: For a lot of women, especially those who live an active lifestyle, Candida overgrowth in the vaginal area can lead to yeast infections. This can cause itching, burning, redness, and abnormal vaginal discharge.

• Cutaneous Candidiasis: This type of candidiasis affects the skin and can cause red, itchy rashes. It is one of the most stubborn infections to treat.

• Gastrointestinal Candidiasis: Candida overgrowth in the gut can lead to gastrointestinal candidiasis. Certain people may experience bloating, gas, diarrhea, and an increased susceptibility to food sensitivities.

• Systemic Candidiasis: This is a rare form of candida that can enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, leading to serious infections. This condition is more likely to affect individuals with weakened immune systems.

Candida & Heavy Metals

The relationship between Candida and Heavy Metals is SUPER complex! While candida and heavy metals are often a packaged deal, not everyone with heavy metal exposure will develop candida overgrowth. Also noteworthy, not everyone with candida overgrowth will have heavy metal toxicity.

Treatment will vary from person to person. If your body's detox pathways are blocked, medication becomes nothing but a bandaid!

Band Aid treatments can cause long-term systemic issues, they can be incredibly hard on your immune system, and you guessed it. . . Wreak HAVOC on your Gut!!!Heavy metal toxicity disrupts the body's natural defense mechanism. This declares war on your gut and immune system, creating an ideal environment for Candida overgrowth. Candida has the ability to bind to heavy metals in the gut, helping them to be absorbed into the body. As heavy metals accumulate, they create a disruptive bond that can quickly get out of hand.

Heavy metals can be found in the environment, food, and various products marketed to consumers all over the world. Accumulation in the body can lead to:

• Immune Suppression: Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium have immunosuppressive effects, compromising your body's ability to fight infection.

• Disruption of Gut Flora: Heavy metals can alter the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Beneficial bacteria play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut environment and keeping candida growth in check. When heavy metals disrupt this balance, candida can overgrow and cause gastrointestinal issues.

• Nutritional Imbalances: Heavy metals may interfere with nutrient absorption and utilization in the body. Metals like lead, for instance, can disrupt iron and calcium metabolism, impairing the body's ability to absorb essential minerals.

• Harm caused to intestinal lining and Gut Barrier: Also known as "leaky gut", heavy metals can damage the intestinal lining, compromising the integrity of the gut barrier condition. This can lead to increased intestinal permeability, allowing candida and its toxins to enter the bloodstream and cause systemic issues.

• Bring in the Biofilms: Candida has the ability to form protective biofilms that make it more resistant to the immune system and antifungal treatments. Heavy metals may help contribute to the formation and stability of these biofilms, making it even more challenging to eradicate Candida, creating a recurring cycle throughout the body .

• Yeast Tolerance: I am no biologist, but there is some literature that suggests heavy metals can be responsible for changes in candida's gene expression, leading to increased resistance to anti-fungal medications.

Before we get into some different ways that we can help support the body when infections or breakouts occur, I want to address the monster under the bed. . .

PARASITES!

Cue The theme song from JAWS!

Parasites and heavy metals are another very complex relationship. While they are separate issues in and of themselves, the interaction between the two can directly impact the influence they have over each other. Kind of like immature boys that gang up on the teachers in school, parasites and heavy metals can be an infuriating dynamic. Some Examples include:

• Heavy Metal Accumulation and Parasites: When parasites infect the body, they might act as reservoirs, accumulating heavy metals at higher levels than the bodies surrounding tissues.

• Nutrient Depletion: Parasites can feed on nutrients in the host's body, leading to nutrient deficiencies. Some of these nutrients are essential for supporting the body's detoxification processes and binding to heavy metals for elimination.

• Damaged Detoxification: Parasite infections, especially those affecting the gastrointestinal tract, can really harm the gut lining, resulting in da da da dahhh... Leaky Gut. . . Leaky gut enables heavy metals and other toxins to enter the bloodstream, overloading the body's detoxification organs, such as the liver and kidneys.

• Compromised Barrier Function: Parasites can disrupt the integrity of the gut and other barrier tissues, potentially allowing heavy metals to penetrate deeper into the body's tissues and organs. . . HARD PASS FOR ME!

• Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals: Sometimes, parasites will absorb heavy metals from the surrounding tissues, concentrating the metals within their own bodies. This can lead to a higher concentration of heavy metals within the parasites themselves, which can lead to improper detoxification later on.

• Dangerous Dynamic Duo: Heavy Metals and Parasites can create a toxic synergy in the body. The combined effects of parasite-derived toxins and heavy metal toxicity can cause stress to your organs and systems, contributing to various health issues.

When your body can't properly detox due to an ailment of the pathways, it creates much larger issues. Addressing the issue of heavy metal toxicity can directly impact the way fungal infections such as candida manifest, and it can better guide us on how they ought to be treated. 

Don't get me wrong, modern medicine has its place, but our goal is overall vitality, longevity, and harmony that fortifies the body's natural processes!

Can We Skip to the Good Part?

• Detoxification: Supporting the body's natural detoxification pathways to eliminate heavy metals.

• Antifungal Treatment: Using appropriate antifungal medications or natural remedies to reduce candida overgrowth. (Link Doterra Cleanse and Restore?)

• Probiotics: Restoring a healthy balance of gut flora through the use of probiotics.

• Nutritional Support: Ensuring a nutrient-rich diet to support immune function and overall health.overgrowth:heavy metal detox pathways! In more severe cases of infection, medical intervention is necessary, and doctors may use topical anti-fungals in conjunction with an oral antibiotic or anti-fungal.