or...your MICROBIOTA
Depending on what source you use, we have somewhere between several hundred, and possibly several thousand different strains of friendly, and some not so friendly, little guys inhabiting our digestive tract... these include bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and others. The human body carries about 100 TRILLION microorganisms in its intestines, a number approximately TEN TIMES GREATER than the total number of cells in the human body... and many of you are familiar with several of these, including Lactobacillus, Clostridium, Escherichia, Fusobacterium, Ruminococcus, Streptococcus, and Bifidobacterium. The currently known genera of fungi of the gut flora include Candida, Saccharomyces, Aspergillus, and Penicillium.
Today, we are going to talk about CANDIDA. A very good example, and probably the best known of the microbiota that, when allowed to get out of hand, causes MAJOR problems for its host (meaning YOU...). Candida "overgrowth" or Candidiasis as it is known in medical jargon, can cause a RASH of different and varied symptoms (pun intended). And by that I mean everything from bad breath and rosacea to athlete's foot, jock itch, and vaginal infection. In very advanced stages, candidiasis can even be life-threatening. So, how do we deal with this little bugger when it becomes problematic ? (again, pun intended)
First, and foremost, is the removal of its primary food source which, if you don't already know, is SUGAR. And that means ALL sweets, complex carbohydrates, dairy, and fruit. Then one can take several natural supplements to regain the natural flora balance, including caprylic acid (coconut oil), olive leaf extract, probiotics, etc., based on the recommendations of your naturopath. Re-establishing your natural intestinal balance will take time based on the strength and resilience of your immune system, and the state of imbalance that exists in your microbiota.
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