Many people have probably heard of Candida – especially in relation to it being potentially harmful, not least in terms of women’s health – but few knew exactly what it is. Generally speaking, it’s a kind of fungus – more specifically, a type of yeast – and it’s the root cause, if it’s allowed to be, of fungal infections, such as candidiasis, candidemia and oral thrush. To wit, when the body’s immune system is functioning as it should, Candida doesn’t pose a problem; it remains at a healthy level on the skin and in the mucous membranes of places like the gut and, in women, the vaginal area. It’s when an immune system’s compromised then – usually due to the likes of poor diet – that an imbalance occurs and Candida overgrowth becomes an issue; enabling the yeast to overwhelm the body.

Candida overgrowth – the problem

To reiterate then, there’s some form of Candida, some level of Candida, in every individual’s body; it’s nothing to be concerned about because it’s entirely normal. It’s when this level of Candida grows too much and gets out of control that it causes problems. When a body is healthy and happy, its immune system is perfectly capable of keeping the body’s Candida in balance, yet unhealthy lifestyle choices and health conditions ensure it isn’t able to do this and Candida overgrowth takes place – with the yeast level spiralling and impacting on normal, necessary process within the body.

With the potential to cause a plethora of problems, Candida overgrowth could result in infection of the skin, the throat, the oesophagus, the blood and the genitals, while it might also seriously disrupt the balance between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria in the gut, thereby possibly leading to leaky gut syndrome. This condition sees the gut’s protective barrier (the intestinal mucosa) punched with microscopic holes, ensuring its contents – that is, its harmful contents it’s helping to take away and out of the body – leak into the body’s bloodstream.

Candida overgrowth causes

So, what can trigger or outright cause Candida levels to multiply? Like it or not, some of the most commonly occurring causes are:

• Antibiotics – unfortunately, antibiotics work by attacking all bacteria in the body (yes, ‘good’ as well as ‘bad’); thus, potentially the body’s balance and that of its microbiome and so the latter’s efficacy
• Alcohol – some species of Candida can multiply due to chronic alcohol consumption, which pretty inevitably can lead to serious health problems
• Weakened immune system – when your body’s immune system is suppressed, the door is always opened to potential Candida overgrowth and sundry medical complaints can weaken immunity
• Diabetes – high blood glucose (hyperglycaemia) naturally affects the immune system; reducing the antibacterial-related activity of urine and impeding the function of the digestive and urinary systems (i.e. removing waste from the body).

Additionally, factors such as pregnancy, organ transplantation and kidney failure or haemodialysis can also play a role in Candida overgrowth.

Candida species

There are many different species of Candida, the most common of which is probably Candida albicans. ‘Opportunistic’ by nature, this fungus is the one that causes most fungal infections. As noted above, in itself and when present or in the human body, Candida albicans is generally harmless – it’s when it’s allowed to multiply wildly and run riot that it can lead to serious problems; among the most commonly occurring being vaginal yeast infections and oral thrush. Other kinds of Candida include Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei, Candida dubliniensis, Candida lusitaniae, Candida guilliermondii, Candida rugosa, Candida zeylanoides and Candida tropicalis.

Combatting Candida overgrowth

Should you believe you’ve developed a yeast infection or any other illness caused by or linked to Candida overgrowth, the onus is on you to act quickly. Improving your diet can work wonders in the long term, while many may suggest turning to naturally-derived remedies for shorter-term treatment; the likes of tea tree oil, star anise and eucalyptus are all advised.

However, you may also be tempted to try fully organically-derived supplements designed specifically to tackle and combat Candida overgrowth (after all, tea tree oil, star anise and eucalyptus aren’t particularly easy to come by on their own; let alone together). So, among those relevant supplements we stock at The Finchley Clinic – and our customers rate most highly – are the following:

Candizolv – featuring a fine balance of yeast-dissolving enzymes, especially chitinase and chitosanase, this supplement combats Candida overgrowth by working its way into the body’s fat cells so it can be released over time for maximum efficacy.

Fivelac, Oxygen Elements Max and Active Digestive Enzymes Kit – a combination of supplements that boosts the brilliant benefits of Fivelac via the ‘life force energy’-supporting attributes of Oxygen Elements Max and the intestinal-enhancing work of the nutrients that make up Active Digestive Enzymes.

Fivelac, Oxylift and Active Digestive Enzymes Kit – an offering that combines the great digestive health properties of Fivelac with the fulvic acid driven-benefits of OxyLift and the intestinal-improving attributes of all the nutrients that make up Active Digestive Enzymes.