Intestinal candidiasis is a fungal disease of one or more organs of the digestive system.
Candida albicans is a yeast, a microscopic fungus that is naturally present in all of us. When it proliferates excessively , causing a multitude of unpleasant symptoms, we speak of candidiasis. Let's find out together what this fungus is, what factors aggravate or encourage its development, and some tips on how to prevent its spread.
Candida Albicans is a microscopic fungus of the yeast family. It is naturally present in our digestive tract and generally presents no problems, as its development is regulated by our intestinal microbiota and our immune system (the two being extremely closely linked).
When the intestinal flora is disturbed, Candida Albicans can spread.
First and foremost, antibiotics have a major impact on the quality of our microbiota, destroying all forms of microbial life, including our precious intestinal flora. This altered flora cannot contain the spread of yeast. In addition, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids contraceptive pill or chemotherapy also weaken our intestinal microbiota.
A poor diet, with too much nitrogen (rich in meat), too much sugar and too little fiber, has a considerably deleterious effect on the microbial life that is so important to our physical and mental health .
Added to this is candida albicans ' dependence on sugar as its main source of energy. When it's in short supply, it craves sugar, sending signals to the brain to trigger the craving. A vicious circle is thus set up: the yeast feeds on sugar, it craves it, we crave sugar, we consume sugar which feeds the yeast etc.... So it's extremely important to listen to the signals our body sends us, and to differentiate between a sugar craving linked to hypoglycemia, a sweet tooth or a real addiction due to intestinal candidiasis.
Symptoms of intestinal candidiasis
The symptoms are many and varied. Sometimes they are considered separately, when in fact they are simply the consequence of this fungal disease.
In addition to the pronounced, even obsessive, sugar addiction mentioned above, other disorders of the digestive tract may suggest intestinal candidiasis: bloating, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), alternating constipation and diarrhea with or without spasms, anal pruritus (itching), bad breath and eating disorders (bulimia, hyperphagia) or even food allergies.
Generally, these symptoms are accompanied by asthenia (chronic fatigue), reduced motivation, difficulty concentrating, emotional sensitivity, irritability, migraines or headaches...
Occasionally, in cases of extreme dysbiosis (disturbance of the microbial flora), intestinal candidiasis migrates up the digestive tract to attack the oral cavity (map tongue, thrush, etc.) and, through contamination, can lead to vaginal mycoses and even skin and nails.
Tips and recommendations to limit its spread
In the case of proven intestinal candidiasis, oral antifungal treatments may be prescribed. However, they must be combined with a strict diet to work on the terrain (the microbiota) at the risk of reinfestation.
In naturopathy, here are a few non-exhaustive recommendations you can implement to prevent or improve your condition:
Limit sugar consumption. Be careful with so-called "hidden" sugars (pasta, bread, alcohol, etc.)!
Limit foods containing yeast (bread, buns, pizza, beer, etc.).
Limit consumption of red meat.
Eat vegetables and, in the event of a crisis, limit fresh fruit (juices have a high sweetening power because they no longer contain fiber).
Fasting.
Doing cures of probiotics.
Take a course of Grapefruit Seed Extract, a natural antifungal agent (among other things).
Use antifungal essential oils.
In the case of proven candidiasis, all sugars should be eliminated for a certain length of time, to allow time for the intestinal flora to recover optimally .
Many people suffer from intestinal candidiasis without even realizing it. In the face of these disparate symptoms, if you find yourself in several of these descriptions, don't hesitate to consult your GP, who will refer you to a specialist or suggest that you have bloodor even stool testscarried out directly. At the same time, additional support from a naturopath can also help to relieve and contain this fungal infection.