Candida albicans: Thrush

Thrush is caused by the fungus or yeast Candida albicans. This yeast resides mostly in the gastro intestinal tract but can inhabit many areas of the body such as the lungs, skin, mouth, vagina, or breasts. Candida lives in symbiosis in the human body along with a variety of other healthy bacteria. Unhealthy levels of candida can permeate the intestinal wall, leaving tiny microscopic holes which may lead to the development of leaky gut syndrome and various food allergies. Candida albicans creates and releases over 70 different toxins like ethanol and acetaldehyde into your blood stream that can weaken the immune system and generate a cycle of poor health.
Contributing factors to the overgrowth of Candida are the overuse of prescription antibiotics, a diet low in nutritional value and high in refined sugars, birth control pills, antacids, ulcer medication, cortisone, weak immune system, heavy metals, steroids, environmental toxins, chlorinated drinking water, inadequate levels of hydrochloric acid and other essential digestive enzymes, synthetic oestrogen, acidic blood pH, and immune suppressing drugs.

Symptoms of Candida are varied but you can expect to feel lethargic, tired, low libido, bloated, unwell, and who could ignore the irritating, burning, toe twisting itching of thrush!

Do antibiotics affect Candida?
When you take an antibiotic it kills all the bacteria in your body: bad and good. However, your body needs the good bacteria to maintain health and keep opportunistic invaders like Candida from dominating. Antibiotics do not effect Candida, instead they provide the perfect environment for Candida to flourish. That is why patients are advised to take healthy probiotics when their course of antibiotics has ceased. 

Several anti fungal herbs are very effective in treating Candida or Thrush. These can be taken orally or applied as a vaginal suppository. Specific probiotics which target Candida microbes are also highly beneficial. These can be used directly to the affected area such as on the nipple or as a suppository. A healthy change in diet is paramount. If you experience recurring thrush it is important to look further into possible immune disorders, or hormonal imbalances. A simple in-clinic skin-prick blood test can determine whether your levels of Candida are high, or contributing to your unwell-being!