To properly detect candidiasis we must understand the nature of the beast. Candida can rapidly multiply when you have been exposed to antiobiotics, birth control pills, cortisone, chemotherapy or anything that disturbes your immune system or the normal balanance of good bacteria in your bowel.

Candida is insidious and can send roots into your intestinal wall looking for food. These roots bore holes through the intestinal tract causing a condition now known as "leaky gut syndrome". This means that damage to the intestinal wall is allowing bacteria, bacterial debris, foods, pollens, environmental pollutants and many other materials to pass by the normal protective barriers and enter the blood stream. This causes a host of allergic and digestive complaints (which are usually incorrectly treated and diagnosed based on the individual symptom). This causes further immune suppression and a multitude of symptoms that often go untreated.

The candida organism also changes forms if threatened. It can live as a yeast, which will ferment sugar, but not spread to other tissue or cause damage. It can also exist as a fungus. In the fungal form it will grow very long root like structures and cause damage to the intestinal wall. It will also travel through the blood stream and reach other tissues becoming sysemic!

The thyroid, adrenals and ovaries are known to be affected. In the case of endocarditis, the yeast will infect previously damage heart valves or become active after heart surgery. More commonly candida, is known as the organism which causes vaginal infections. If friendly bacteria in the vaginal area are destroyed, yeast cells quickly multiply causing an infection. Antibiotics and feminine hygiene sprays or powders are the most common killers of friendly bacteria. The discharge is usually thin, watery with white cottage cheese material. Itching and burning are common. Candida can also appear as a fury white growth in the corners of the mouth and on the tongue. This is called thrush. It may also cause diaper rash, painful swelling of the toes and fingernails, jock itch or
rash in the groin of a male, and also athlete's foot.

As a living organism, candida feeds on fecal matter in the bowel. Sugars and carbohydrates are its favorite food. Any food that has undergone fermentation (which breaks down sugars in simple easy to absorb forms) will have had its sugars readily available for the yeast to absorb and feed on. B complex vitamins taken along with carbohydrates or sugars are a perfect food for candida. Vitamin D and calcium strengthens its metabolism. Deficiencies of Selenium, and antioxidants have been found to predispose one to candidiasis, as well as any medication or drug (pot, cocaine, etc.) which can depress the immune functions.

Iodine deficiency, which can lower thyroid function and cause inactivity of immune protecting enzymes, has also been implicated as a cause. Hypoxia, which means low oxygen can be among the problems. When in a low oxygen environment candida releases high amounts of toxic substances which damage the intestinal wall and interfere with red and white blood cell functioning. Epstein Ban virus is also a known predisposing factor in chronic candida (CMV, another virus similar to EBV, as well). Most commonly, a person who has numerous deficiencies and stress, will take a medication and the yeast cells will overgrow due to the medication disrupting the balance of good and bad bacteria. Once the good bacteria has been destroyed and the yeast has multiplied, taking the good bacteria can do little good.

Lactobacillus has not been seen to regrow in a bowel which is inhabited by yeast overgrowth. The yeast must first be eliminated before the lactobacillus can regrow.

To get an accurate picture the bowels condition, it is impaertive that one take the CSA P3 Test.

This test determines the microbiology in the bowel, which is the balance of intestinal flora good or bad. Actual traces of candida may not be identified in a stool samble because candida does not grow in the bowel in a uniform fashion. It does not coat the bowel like rust around a pipe. It grows in streaks and bunches. Due to this, the stool may not have contacted and picked up enough for the lab to find. The true value in the stool test is to determine the balance of the normal flora or "good bacteria". If the good bacteria is missing then we know candida has an excellent chance to grow. The stool test can also pick up other harmful bacteria that can work with the yeast to cause problems.

When this tests confirmes the presence of candida overgrowth natural and non-toxic substances can be used to do the following:
1. Alter the environment surrounding the candida to inhibit its growth. This can be done by changing the Ph of the body.
2. Provide more oxygen to the body. This kills the harmful organism.
3. Kill organisms by using substances which digest them.
4. Destroy the membrane of the candida cell.
5. Help the body's own immune system to attack the yeast without over-stimulating it. After seven days most virus, bacteria and fungal cells begin to resist attack from any remedy. Therefore, they should be taken one at a time for four days and then stopped and another started and used for only four days. Each one should be used in this way. During this time the intestines should be cleansed, repaired and the proper friendly bacteria put back.

In the third phase, the body is now ready to accept vitamins without getting ill from them. Many people who get ill from taking vitamins have yeast overgrowth. Now, major deficiencies and imbalances can be addressed. The last phase is to now repair and strengthen the
immune system. The first phase is a bypass of your own immune system. The second is to clean out the old fecal matter the yeast was feeding on, to clean out dead yeast cells, to repair the intestinal damage and regrow the friendly bacteria. The third phase is to address the major deficiencies which exist. The last and most important fourth phase is to repair the immune system and strengthen it so that this problem does not repeat. This process is like a "race" from the first phase to get to the last. The purpose of the first three phases is to get the person in good enough shape so that the immune system can be repaired and the
results will be as permanent as possible. If someone moves quickly through the first three phases to the fourth without excessive
stress, wrong foods, or lapses in correctly doing the program they will get good results.

Anyone suffering with any abnormal condition of their reproductive system, asthma. bronchitis, earaches, cystitis, diabetes, unexplained confusion or foggy feelings, who also has developed allergies and digestive problems with a general drop in their resistance to colds and infections may have a candida overgrowth as the underlying, hidden cause of their complaints. I began to notice a pattern when people did not get the results they should have from my nutritional programs and would get strange reactions from taking health building substances, I was forced to look for a reason, and I have found that one out of every five people living in the U.S. has an overgrowth of candida.

Why suffer when you now have answers and someone who can help you?

REFERENCES

1. Candida Albicans and Oxygen free radical process - Stephen Levine, M.D.
2. Candida Albicans: An unsuspected problem - Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D
3. Epstein Barr virus and its treatment. Michael L. Culbert D.Sc., Robert Bradford D.Sc.
4. Oxygen Immunity, Cancer and Candida Albicans - Stephen Levine Parris Kidd.
5. Holistic protocol for the Immune System - Scott Gregory.
6. Great Smokies Medical Lab

Call to set up a nutritional consultation so that tests can be performed and a comprehensive strategy of lifestyle, dietary modification and nutrient supplementation can be implemented to aid you in reversing this disorder.

For an appointment, contact our office at: 800-956-7083 and visit our web site www.completehealthinstitute.com go to lab tests and click on appropriate test for information.

Dr. Rispoli, Ph.D., L Ac. has had a clinical practice for over 25 years. Her programs work because she is so thorough in testing and providing a nutritional approach. Remember that the body can heal itself if given the proper nutrients.

The information herein is not intended as diagnosis, treatment or a cure. Should you have a medical condition please seek the advice of your medical doctor.