Candida is a genus of yeasts and many species of this genus can live in the body or cells of animal hosts as well as humans. Some species of Candida have the ability to cause disease. Candida Albicans is one of the most significant members of the whole Candida genus. Candida Albicans cause candidiasis and thrush in humans (also known as yeast infections).
Over the last ten years the world has seen an increase in the number of people who suffer from an immune deficiency, which means their immune system is limited or non-existent, and therefore more likely to obtain infectious diseases, just one of the causes of Candida. Detailed studies of Candida and related yeasts have been carried out and new anti-fungal therapies are expected to be developed as a result of the findings.
The increase in yeast infections closely matches the growing use of antibiotics. Research has revealed that antibiotics not only destroy the bad bacteria in our bodies, but the ‘friendly bacteria’ as well. It is this balance of good and bad bacteria that needs to be maintained and problems occur when the friendly bacteria fall below an acceptable level.
What causes Candida? As we have already mentioned, antibiotics appear to be closely connected to Candida, but there are many other things that could be responsible.
Certain prescription drugs and even those bought ‘over-the-counter’ have been known to cause Candida, but the symptoms may also be related to a more serious underlying disease like diabetes, hypothyroidism and Addison disease.
Diabetes is a condition in which the body can not use sugar and carbohydrates from foods. This is because the pancreas is unable to produce enough of the hormone called insulin. A type one diabetic relies completely on insulin, whereas a type two diabetic is usually able to control their sugar levels by diet alone. The Candida microorganisms consume sugar, which is why yeast infections often appear when the levels increase.
Hypothyroidism involves the thyroid gland, which is an important hormone-producing gland essential for the regulation of metabolism and can cause gastrointestinal upset, another area that can have an affect on yeast infections.
Like hypothyroidism, Addison disease can also cause gastrointestinal upset, and the disease is caused by the destruction or failure of the cortex of the adrenal glands (which are situated above the kidneys). Damage to the adrenal glands as a result of diabetes, can also increase the risk of developing Addison’s disease.
A person’s diet may also increase the possibility of developing Candida, and foodstuffs like alcohol, chocolate, cakes, sweets, cheese and fatty foods are believed to encourage yeast infections.
Whilst there are mixed ideas on what causes Candida, most seem to agree that one of the main reasons appear to be an imbalance of the bacteria found in our bodies and on our skin.
More than a thousand different species of bacteria live in our gastrointestinal tract, but these do not usually cause any problem because of a balance created by the ‘friendly bacteria’ that live there as well. If the friendly bacteria become outnumbered, this can lead to Candida.
