Recent studies have not only redefined the underlying cause of ear infection recurrences, but have also challenged how infections are treated. While chronic infections were traditionally believed to be re-infections, evidence now shows persistent biofilms are the culprit (read candida and biofilms connection). The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study in 2006 that showed biofilms were present in 80% of children with chronic ear infections. A 2007 literature review in Laryngoscope synthesized a variety of studies to conclude that biofilms are formed in chronic ear, nose, and throat infections resistant to antibiotics, and as the medical field learns more about their complex nature, treatments for infections will change.
Bacteria will form biofilms when they do not die off from antibiotic use. There has been an increase in antibiotic resistance, and recurring ear infections are an implication that the treatment being used is not working. Conditions such as inflammation, missing a dose, or stopping antibiotic treatment earlier can cause thicker biofilm formations.
Who is Most Susceptible for Ear Infections?
Children are most prone to ear infections as they can easily catch colds and other viruses which lead to infection. Children’s anatomy also differs from adults. Bacteria thrives in fluid, and the area behind a child’s eardrum is shaped almost horizontally, so fluid buildup and stagnant movement are common. In adults, the fluids usually empty out because the inner ear tubes slope downward, thus preventing bacteria from settling and breeding.
Fluid buildup can occur in anyone from drinking while laying on one’s back, food sensitivities, allergies, second-hand smoke, and a lack of being breastfed to build up one’s immune system.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of an Ear Infection
Symptoms for this infection include a low fever, severe and throbbing pain worsened when the earlobe is touched or tugged, or discharge from the ear. Irritability and difficultly sleeping, appetite loss, and problems with balance are common symptoms in children. Other signs for both adults and children include headache, dizziness, or cold symptoms, such as a cough, which last for several days.
Ear infections are normally diagnosed with an otoscope to look into the ears, and a pneumatic otoscope, which allows doctors to evaluate how much fluid may exist behind the eardrum. A puff of air is sent into the ear. Little to no movement in the eardrum implies excessive fluid buildup. Even if there is buildup, there may not be signs of an infection. Many doctors nowadays will wait to see if the ear infection clears up without use of antibiotics.
How Long can the Infection Last?
The immune system will usually clear ear infections on their own without treatment within a few days. Excessive fluid can cause an eardrum to rupture because of pressure, however the pain and infection will generally clear when this happens. The eardrum can take as little as two weeks to repair itself. Young children may have pain that lasts for more than a week even after the infection is gone.
Natural Options for Treatment
Probiotics are critical for supporting healthy immune function and fighting bacteria. Medical studies are focusing on infection prevention to avoid biofilm formation. A review of 30 articles published in 2001 by Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery concluded that probiotics were one of three beneficial treatments, along with surfactants and surgery, for chronic ear infections. Gentian violet was shown to completely destroy biofilms, however the safety of using it in the ears is disputed. Not all probiotics are created equally, Canxida Restore is one of the leading probiotics for infections.
Ear infections can be viral, bacterial, or fungal, and natural remedies tend to have compounds that fight all three causes. Eardrops containing garlic and mullein can help soothe and fight bacterial infection. Consult with a doctor before using ear drops in a child in case of a ruptured eardrum. Olive leaf can be dropped into the ear or taken orally. Zinc and extra vitamin B can strengthen the immune system and fight infections.
Pain may be reduced by placing a warm, damp washcloth or clean sock over the affected ear. Adding heated salt into a damp or dry cloth is another option. The heat may help draw out fluids.
Using an onion or garlic poultice compress is another common remedy. Place a chopped, preferably warm onion or garlic bulb between gauze or a cloth, secure around the head with a bandana or skin-safe tape, and let sit for 10 minutes if the poultice is room temperature, or 5 minutes if warm.
Onion juice, apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, and colloidal silver are other natural antimicrobial options that are often used in home remedies. Use three drops in the ear (one drop tea tree oil diluted in water or oil), or on a cotton ball placed in the ear for 5 minutes, two to three times per day. With liquids such as vinegar and onion, let the ear drain and use a blow dryer on low heat to dry the ear.
Some ear infections may be caused by allergic reactions to food, such as dairy and wheat. Avoid all common food allergens (wheat, dairy, peanut butter, corn) while fighting an ear infection, even if you don’t believe that you have allergies. Avoid starchy and high-sugar foods, including fruit juice. Second-hand smoke and other poor air quality conditions can worsen or cause infection.
What can Happen if You Leave Ear Infections Untreated?
The body’s immune system may clear up an infection without treatment. Severe infections may cause temporary hearing loss or bloody fluid discharging from the ear, however the body is usually capable of healing the damage.
When the body’s natural defenses cannot fight off an infection and the problem goes untreated, serious complications may occur including infections in the head, permanent hearing loss, or damage requiring surgery. Children whose bodies are unable to get rid of infections without treatment are prone to mastoiditis, an infection of the mastoid bone in the skull. While this used to be a cause of death in children, the disease is uncommon and less dangerous now. Meningitis in adults and children is another concern.
As science, and microbiologists in particular, begin their investigations into biofilms as possible causes of chronic illness a whole new society is opening up to them. This is because biofilms, no matter where they form, are not simply a collection of single-species bacteria but a diverse colony of multiple bacterial species, fungi, viruses and Archaea.
Biofilm colonies take full advantage of the old adage ‘strength in numbers’ and en masse work synergistically to optimize their own survival. It is this diversity, together with the protective matrix they form and mutual cooperation between the inhabitants, which makes ridding the body of biofilms so difficult – particularly when it comes to treatment with antibiotics.
It would not be an understatement to suggest that the activities biofilm colonies perform have come as a surprise to most scientists. It has been unearthed that not only do the inhabitants of biofilm communities communicate between each other by a method now known as quorum sensing which involves sending chemical messages, but they also have the sense of touch and share resources. This is in addition to forming the matrix which protects them not only from medical treatments but which also appears to radically reduce the response of the autoimmune system.
Andre Levchenco a scientist with Johns expands on the subject still further and points out that biofilms are essentially, ‘…cities with very complicated architecture and channels for nutrients to go in and waste to go out.
Levchenco’s statement sums up the current levels of understanding about the sophistication of biofilm activity, yet for decades scientists have examined only single strain bacteria functioning in a planktonic or free-floating manner. Under such circumstances antibiotics are, no doubt, extremely effective, but a direct analogy of a similar situation would be that of a scout being exterminated while the rest of the army remain in the fort. Planktonic free-floating bacteria are an easy target for antibiotics whereas biofilms are a completely different matter!
The jury is currently out when it comes to exactly why biofilms are apparently so resistant to antibiotics or even if they are. Many scientists claim it is the strong structure of the matrix which prevents the treatment penetrating to kill the colonizers inside. Others are of the opinion that it is the practice of giving high, constant doses of antibiotics which is the problem. Dr Kim Lewis of Tulane University has researched biofilm resistance extensively and follows the Marshall Protocol. This application of treatment gives not high, constant doses but low, pulsed doses of antibiotics. Lewis claims that by giving medication which initially penetrates and kills the bacteria and then withdrawing it any ‘persisters’ or pathogenic cells left behind are allowed to grow before being hit with a second, or ‘pulsed’ dose. This kills off the persisters which, with the standard practice of giving high doses of antibiotics over a short period, are normally allowed to gain a foothold and grow again.
It is clear that the arguments for and against antibiotic treatment in respect of biofilms have to undergo many years of research to evaluate effectiveness, yet there are natural treatments available now which can positively affect such conditions and alleviate the problems of the sufferer.
Although the term biofilm is currently considered to be something viewed wholesale in a negative light, there is little doubt that the biofilms causing health issues are ones which specifically contain pathogenic microflora. Other biofilms exist which are not harmful to the body and, indeed it is proven they may actually provide beneficial and defensive activities within the human body. Bacteria and fungi become pathogenic when the metabolism of the body swings out of synchronisation. Good microflora, under normal circumstances, far outweigh the bad. Yet when the good microflora become overwhelmed the pathogenic state predominates.
There are many external factors negatively influencing the metabolism of the human system in today’s modern environment, which is why it is so important to support the good microflora within the body and in the digestive system in particular.
CanxidaRemove is a supplement designed to tactically work in numerous ways against biofilms and Candida albicans in particular. It achieves this by providing essential natural compounds which not only act as aggressors toward the pathogenic cells but also to restore or support natural metabolic function. It does this by:
Restoring the beneficial microflora within the body which assist in preventing pathogenic bacterial overgrowth.
Utilizing a time release system which allows the body to absorb more of the ingredients.
Using only natural ingredients which are unlikely to provoke a resistance response by the biofilm community which occurs with antibiotic treatment
Supplying ingredients which restore the pH of the digestive system ensuring the correct acidic or alkaline balance to promote healthy digestive function.
Supplying antibacterial and anti-fungal agents contained which are specific to attacking many different strains of Candida and in particular, Candida albicans.
There can be little doubt that the recurring nature of Candida when treated in a traditional manner with antibiotics has much to do with the treatment itself. By approaching the problem in a holistic manner and synergistically assisting the body to not only kill the pathogenic bacteria but also to stop the problem recurring, then, given time, the battle against the Candida biofilm can be won.
Candida yeast infection (candidiasis) and herpes are two completely distinct infections. Herpes is an infection caused by the Herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV1 causes cold sores (oral herpes) and may also cause genital herpes; HSV2 causes genital herpes, but can also infect the mouth. While oral herpes is spread by direct contact, genital herpes is sexually transmitted. Yeast infections, on the other hand, are caused by infection causing yeast Candida.
Although herpes and candidiasis are distinct infections, either of these infections may make you more susceptible to get the other infection. Although dual infections in immunocompetent people are rare, they can still occur – for example, dual oesophageal infections in immunocompetent people with HSV and candida have been reported in literature in 2005, 2007 and 2011.
How can candida infection put you at higher risk for getting herpes?
Candida is a normal microorganism of the oropharyngeal (mouth and pharynx), gastrointestinal (gut) and urogenital tract and lives in these environments without causing any problem. Our immune system and our normal microbial flora work to keep the growth of candida in balance. There are a large number of mechanisms by which our immune system defends against candida; there are also an equally large number of mechanisms by which candida evades our immune system. When there is a disturbance in the body environment, candida wins the fight against our immune system, becomes invasive and starts growing fast and causes infection. The first thing that you need to remember is that if you already have candida infection, your immune system is already compromised.
Research published by Swedish researchers in 2005 showed that women who had chronic vaginal candida infection had higher levels of the stress hormone “cortisol” in their blood. According to these researchers the stress hormones can be either due to lifestyle issues or due to candida infection triggering stressed relationships. Chronic stress has been linked with impairment of immunity. Thus, not only can you get candida infection from having chronic stress, you can also get chronic stress from having candida. Either way, your immune system is not under optimal conditions and will make you susceptible to other infections like oral or genital herpes apart from other infections. Added to a lower immunity will be damage to the mucous membranes of oropharyngeal tract and vagina.
How can herpes infection put you at a higher risk for getting candida?
It is well known that herpes viruses affect our immune response. A study by Russian scientists in 1995 showed that viral infection (including that by HSV2) of the genitals reduces the immunity afforded to us by the immune cells. A cell study published in 2008 by researchers from Italy showed that HSV1 causes dysfunction of our immune response against fungi (the study involved Candida). Although the immune cells are more efficient in ingesting candida, they have a reduced capacity to kill them – this facilitates the survival and replication of candida. Although we must note that these were studies carried out in cells, it is quite possible that our bodies have a reduced capacity to fight fungal infections if we have HSV1 infection.
Another proposed mechanism for dual infection by HSV and candida is that injury is caused to the epithelium by HSV first that leads to the disruption of mucosal barrier which then allows candida invasion.
Candida and herpes infections and how to differentiate between these
Herpes can be mistaken many a times as yeast infection and vice versa. Conditions that cause irritation of mucous membranes of the genital tissues can often cause similar symptoms like itching and burning. However, there are some symptoms that differentiate one from the other. The table below gives you a clear overview of the two infections and the symptoms they may cause.
Symptoms in women
Candida
Herpes
Symptoms in men
Candida
Herpes
Itching and burning of vagina and labia
Yes
Yes
Itching and rash on penis
Yes
Yes
Painful intercourse
Yes
Yes
Painful intercourse
Yes
Yes
Bright red rash on inner and outer part of vulva sometime spreading to groin and thigh
Yes
No
Difficulty pulling back foreskin (Phimosis)
Yes
No
Inflammation of glans penis and prepuce (Balanitis)
Yes
Yes (rare)
White patches on skin around the head of penis
Yes
No
Blisters that burst and leave red open sores around genitals, anus, thighs and buttocks
No
Yes
Blisters that burst and leave red open sores around genitals, anus, thighs and buttocks
No
Yes
Blisters on lips and around mouth, sometimes on face or on tongue
No
Yes
Blisters on lips and around mouth, sometimes on face or on tongue
No
Yes
Blisters and ulcers on the cervix
No
Yes
Vaginal discharge
Thick, white, curd-like discharge
Clear, white or off-white discharge
(not common)
Thick discharge under the foreskin with an unpleasant smell
Yes
No
Pain when passing urine
Yes
Yes
Pain when passing urine
Yes
Yes
Feeling unwell, aches, pains and flu-like symptoms
No
Yes
Feeling unwell, aches, pains and flu-like symptoms
No
Yes
Eye infection (complication)
No
Yes
Eye infection
No
Yes
What solutions are out there?
What you are looking for are strategies for boosting your immune system. Boosting your immune system will not only help you with your current infections, but will also protect you against other. Here are a few tips to a healthy immune system:
Healthy lifestyle: Your body including your immune system will function better with a healthy lifestyle. Avoid smoking, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, drink in moderation, get enough sleep – do not stay up late, do not stress over things that you have no control over – stress hormones reduce our immunity, help others when you can – helping others makes us feel good about ourselves which in turn reduces stress, give yourself time, avoid overwork.
Healthy diet: A literature review published in 2014 by Ian A Myles from the National Institute of Health, USA found enough evidence in humans that the dietary choices in the modern society seems to have harmful impact on our immune system. Although the western diet protects us from deficiency of major nutrients, over-abundance of some substances increases inflammation and mutes our immune system. Dr. Myles says in his article “Although promise remains, it also appears unlikely that synthetic supplements or probiotics will be able to fully counterbalance the damage of our dietary choices, let alone undo them, if they are not accompanied by lifestyle modifications”. He also points to the evidence that when we make poor dietary choices it affects our DNA scaffolding by modifying it and also the microbes in our gut. These harmful changes we then pass on to our offspring during their most critical development period.
Some of the general tips to follow for a healthy diet:
Avoid processed food as much as possible. Eating organic, home-cooked food will allow you to avoid the harmful substances. You can also control your salt and sugar and which oil you use this way.
Including a dose of omega-3 in your diet will help you reduce inflammation. An article published online by Harvard Medical School helps you know the inflammation causing and inflammation fighting foods.
Have a healthy balanced diet with enough protein, vegetables and fruits, carbohydrates. Aim to vary your diet – a varied diet is known to improve your micronutrient (vitamins and minerals) intake and also help your normal gut flora. Both have impact on immunity. Try as much as you can to get your vitamins and minerals through your diet instead of supplements. Occasional supplementation can be beneficial as well – however, be aware of toxic effects of taking too much vitamins (for example, vitamin A) and minerals as supplements.
Vitamin D is also effective in providing us immunity against infections. The best way to get your daily vitamin D dose is through sitting in the sun – as oral vitamin D is metabolized differently. However, you should keep in mind that sitting in sun with sunblock does not allow your skin to make vitamin D. Consult your nutritionist for your skin type and how long you need to sit in the sun to get your daily dose – the lighter your skin, the faster you make vitamin D. As with everything, do not overdo this as excess UV from sunrays can be dangerous.
When something new hits the health news it is common for the negative aspects to overwhelm other, more positive, issues. For example most people believe that cholesterol is a bad thing when in fact it is a compound essential to human metabolism and only causes problems when it exceeds safe limits. A few decades ago bacteria got similar treatment – all bacteria were deemed to be bad and had to be eradicated at all costs. Of course now we are learning that bacteria are essential to life and, for the most part, bad or pathogenic bacteria are in the minority. Currently a similar situation appears to be arising with regard to biofilms as they quickly become synonymous with the underlying causes of many infections particularly relating to nosocomial acquired diseases such as Candida acquired from devises such as catheters.
Biofilms Simplified
For the uninitiated biofilms are, relatively speaking, something new to medical science and may provide the answers to many questions puzzling scientists and clinicians alike.
For decades the reason for some infections remaining obstinately resistant to treatment remained a mystery until the concept of biofilms was unearthed.
Biofilms exist everywhere. From the slime on rocks, to the film in the dog’s water bowl and even the plaque on your teeth. In fact the first discovery of biofilms was back in 1684 when Antonie van Leeuwenhoek discovered the myriad microbes or in his words ‘animalcules’ in the ‘scurf’ on teeth. Yet his significant observation was overlooked for centuries and it is not until the last decade that scientists have started to seriously investigate the behavior of biofilms and how they affect our lives and, in particular, our health.
One main reason for this oversight was that scientists have been investigating bacteria as free-floating organisms which are referred to as being planktonic (make sure to watch this video). In this form bacteria have little protection against modern drugs and are relatively easily treated. Yet these same bacteria act in a much more complex manner when they form biofilms. In this scenario not only do numerous strains of bacteria come together but a microbial community is formed which also includes fungi, algae and yeasts. To protect this community a layer is constructed over it consisting of a polysaccaride matrix or EPS (Extracellular Polymeric Substance) making it extremely difficult for contemporary treatments to penetrate and leaving the bacteria underneath to multiply.
To complicate matters further the matrix itself is comprised of fibrous filaments of cellulose which are extremely difficult to break down and in many cases contemporary treatments can even result in a defensive response by the biofilm which makes it even stronger.
There can now be no doubt that many infections resulting from biofilm activity or communities result in chronic disease. Such illnesses are especially prevalent in nosocomial disease particularly in respect of implants and invasive medical devises and have been the subject of much scientific discussion and researcher.
So the word in the news is that biofilms are the bad guys. They are a highly organized defensive community which protect pathogenic bacteria implicated in many chronic infections and leave their host (the patient) to suffer the consequences.
The Benefits of Biofilms
But although the current focus is on the problems biofilms can cause the alternative school of thought provides us with the theory that under normal healthy circumstances biofilms actually perform essential and beneficial roles in the body.
Simply because biofilms contain bacteria it does not necessarily follow that the bacteria are pathogenic or damaging. In fact, as we have recently come to appreciate the majority of bacteria are actually beneficial and perform essential functions and it would seem that biofilms too, are in the main, harmless and do not necessarily contain pathogenic bacteria. In fact numerous researchers suggest that under normal circumstances biofilms act beneficially for the host.
For example it is thought that biofilms prevent exogenous pathogens from forming by a process known as colonization resistance – which means the biofilm community form a defense against bad bacteria. The vagina in particular is renown to be protected by biofilms and research has established that in this case they perform colonization resistance by altering the pH of the environment which prevents colonization of bad bacteria.
Other research, such as that by Jeffrey Gordon et al and Bolinger claims that under normal healthy conditions biofilms live in the gut and large bowel and they protect the host in several different ways including aiding the digestion luminal contents and again in defending against pathogenic attack.
We can see that although research is still somewhat limited, when biofilms are non-pathogenic research indicates that the functions they perform are of benefit to the host. Indeed, since biofilms are thought to be one of the earliest forms of life it would seem reasonable to assume that their role, at least under normal circumstances, is one of a defensive rather than antagonistic state. This would be supported by further research which also indicates that biofilms perform similar defensive practices not only in the vagina and intestine but also on the skin and in the oral cavity.
Although the structure, function and role of biofilm is complex we understand now that the activity of this microbe community is highly developed and completely different to the planktonic bacteria we have come to understand in more detail. Where planktonic bacteria will trigger an autoimmune response, biofilm do not. They are also highly resistant to antibiotics unlike planktonic bacteria and can even build strong defenses against such conventional treatments.
Yet, like the majority of bacteria in the body, research is also revealing that biofilms may actually have other, less easily discernible, benefits to their host. Some even suggest that because of the way they react they prevent more serious conditions arising. Conversely it seems that biofilms occasionally release individual or planktonic bacteria which stimulates a reaction by the immune system and ensures the chronic condition continues. Therefore the biofilm community is sustaining not only the life of the patient but also that of their host. If the host were to die then the biofilm too, would cease to exist.
Certainly there is much to be learned not only about biofilms but also from them. However the implications to date indicate that there may also be positive aspects to their activities as well as disadvantages.
CanxidaRemove can help in eradication of biofilms.
The connection between candida yeast infection overgrowth and sugar everything you need to know to better get rid of your candida.
The infection causing ability of candida is firstly due to its strong ability to survive various environments in the human body. It is well known that diabetic patients are at higher risk for developing candida yeast infections. However, you will be surprised to know that candida employs several different mechanisms to utilize high-sugar levels to its advantage. These are:
Increase in the number of candida cells in presence of glucose: Researchers from USA in 1993 found evidence in mouse experiments that dietary glucose increased gut colonization and invasion by candida. In 1999, a study evaluating high-sugar diet on the number of candida cells in the human gut, in contrast, found only a limited correlation between these – only in the people who already had higher candida counts in their mouth, was there an increase in the number of candida cells in the faeces after a high-sugar diet. This study mentions that the people who were tested here had normal immunity and that there may be a much larger increase in candida cells in people who had lowered immunity due to various reasons.
Candida sabotages our immune system under high-glucose conditions:An article that reviewed research studies by a scientist from USA described in 1990 that an increase in blood sugar impairs our immunity in several different ways. It also described how candida becomes more infective in a high-glucose environment by producing some protein molecules which bind to our immune cells and do not allow them to be active against candida. Scientists from Germany showed in 2001 that several of the immunity molecules produced by our cells are be broken down by a protein molecule that candida produces when it changes from oval to filamentous form; and to that effect,
Candida is able to use very low amounts of glucose to change from oval to filamentous form:A 2004 study conducted by scientists from New Zealand studied the components in our serum that change candida into the infectious filamentous form. They found that glucose was the major inducer of this change and was active at a pH between 7 and 8. If glucose in the serum was destroyed enzymatically, candida could not change from the oval form to the infectious filamentous form. In 2014, scientists from Taiwan showed that candida can use even the normal levels of blood sugar of around 0.1% to develop the invasive filamentous form.
Candida can use many different kinds of sugars: Candida has evolved more than 20 different hexose sugar transporters. This means that candida can utilise many different kinds of sugars, and is not dependent totally on glucose for its growth, and this ability also allows it to grow in different environments in our body – even in areas where glucose levels are minimum.
Glucose promotes stress resistance in candida: Candida responds to glucose by switching on the stress response – it becomes resistant to environment that our immune cells would create against it. This was shown by research done by scientists from UK, published in 2009.
Glucose intolerance and candida infections
Glucose intolerance is having higher amounts of glucose in your blood than is normal after intake of sugar. A study published in 2002 by researchers from Belgium highlighted that women suffering from chronic vaginal candidiasis were distinctly more intolerant to glucose (without being diabetic) as compared to women who did not have the infection. This could possibly mean that if you are slightly more glucose intolerant (even though you are not a diabetic) then your risk for developing vaginal candida infections is higher if you take more sugar.
On the other hand, a study by researchers from Sweden showed that there was no significant difference in the vaginal glucose levels between women with or without vaginal candida infection. They also did not find significant difference in their blood glucose levels after intake of sugar.
These two studies do sound conflicting at the first instance. However, we must note that the second study measured blood glucose only after 2 hours, whereas the study by Belgian scientists showed significant difference only 30-60 mins after intake of sugar. It is also important to note here that the vaginal candidiasis does not necessarily originate at the vagina – there is a high likelihood of transfer of candida from the bowels to the vagina due to the close proximity of vagina and anus (which is also why it is recommended that, to avoid vaginal infections, women wipe or wash themselves clean in the direction from vagina to anus and not the other way round). Thus, if you have the infective form of candida in your gut, it could get access to the vaginal tissues if not enough care is taken. It does not take time for candida to adapt to different environments and you could be especially vulnerable if your normal microbial balance in the vagina is already disturbed.
Sugar cravings and candida
Sugar cravings can be due to many reasons – low-blood sugar, high-blood sugar, pregnancy, stress, diabetes, menstruation, hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiencies, sugar addiction etc. – there is a scientific evidence for each of these. Although a high-sugar diet (possibly also due to sugar cravings) may cause you to get candida infections, there is no scientific evidence so far that candida infections can fuel your sugar cravings. It is too simplistic to say that candida lives on sugar and that is why it can cause you to have sugar cravings. As we have learnt, candida can survive and grow on very small amounts of glucose and it can use various other types of fermentable (glucose, fructose, galactose) and non-fermentable (amino acids, organic acids like lactic acid) carbohydrates.
Caution with artificial sweeteners
We are so used to sugar in our food that the mere thought of having to cut down on sugars can be a horrifying thought. Knowing that taking too much sugar can cause many metabolic issues, people turn to artificial sweeteners. They think that a simple replacement of sugars with these sweeteners can be a simple solution. However, there is some evidence that artificial sweeteners by themselves can make you glucose intolerant as they cannot be digested and therefore interact directly with the gut bacteria. A study from 2014 by scientists from Israel showed that artificial sweeteners quickly caused changes in gut bacteria in some people. The gut bacteria changed to the type of bacteria that are also seen in people with obesity. These bacteria also cause glucose intolerance and glucose intolerance directly means higher susceptibility to candida infections.
Now what this means is that there are some people who can tolerate artificial sweeteners and there are some who can’t. What this means for you as someone already having issues with candida is that you should be extra careful while taking anything with artificial sweeteners. You would not want to disturb your gut microbes more than they already are.
Reducing sugar intake when you are craving for it
The more sugar you eat, the more you will crave it. Cut down your sugar intake slowly. As you cut down on sugar, your cravings will reduce. Here are a few simple pointers to how you can reduce your added sugar intake:
Cut down on added sugars like those in fizzy drinks.
Read labels on different products for added sugar. Anything that has added sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, molasses, hydrolysed starch, invert sugar, corn syrup, honey should be avoided.
Switch to no added sugar cereals like plain porridge, plain whole wheat cereal. After 2-3 weeks on candida diet you can add fresh fruit to the plain cereal for sweetness
Use wholemeal bread.
Eat fresh home cooked food – these will not have any hidden added sugars like in ready-made soups and sauces and ready meals. Don’t add sugar to food.
Have healthier snack options: rice cakes with avocado, nuts, homemade popcorn etc.
Avoid fruit juice. Fruit juice is high in sugar. It is better to eat a fruit (after2-3 weeks of candida diet).
Make rules about dessert.
Don’t skip meals
Have a balanced diet. Include vitamins and omega oils in your diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can candida cause sugar cravings?
There is no evidence that candida can cause sugar cravings. However sugar craving could be a symptom. Eric did a case study which you can watch below.
Can eating too much sugar cause candida/can sugar cause candida?
Yes, there is evidence that in some people eating too much sugar can cause candida infections.
Can I chew sugarless gum on candida diet?
No, we do not recommend that you chew sugar free gum on candida diet as it contains artificial sweeteners. The reasons are mentioned in details in the article above.
Can I eat sugar free chocolate on candida diet?
No, we do not recommend that you eat sugar free chocolate on candida diet as it contains artificial sweeteners. The reasons are mentioned in details in the article above.
Can I have sugar free jello on candida diet?
No, we do not recommend that you have sugar free jello on candida diet as it contains artificial sweeteners. The reasons are mentioned in details in the article above.
Can I have coconut sugar on candida diet?
Sugar of any kind is not recommended on candida diet.
How long can candida survive without sugar?
Eric will be doing a video to answer this very question in the near future.
What is a good substitute for sugar if I am on candida diet?
Unfortunately, there is no good substitute for sugar when on candida diet.
Can I ever eat sugar again if I have candida or got it treated?
Yes, you can have sugar again once you have got the candida infection treated. Moderate amounts of sugar are generally fine. However, you must remember that you are perhaps more susceptible to candida compared to other people and so you should try to have less sugar even after you are cured.
Is cane sugar better?
No, cane sugar is not better than any other sugar.
Can I eat low sugar fruit on candida diet?
Yes, you can eat fresh organic whole fruit on candida diet, but only after 2-3 weeks after starting the candida diet.
Is palm sugar good?
No, palm sugar is not better than any other sugar when you are trying to fight candida.
Does candida feeds on sugar?
Yes, it does.
Is natural or raw sugar acceptable?
No, it is not.
What is sugar assimilation test?
Sugar assimilation test is used to find out whether certain yeast can utilize different sugars to fulfil their carbon and nitrogen requirement. For example, Candida albicans can utilize glucose, maltose, galactose, sucrose (although some strains cannot); and cannot utilize lactose, raffinose, D-arabinose.
This is one of the tests used to find out exactly which species is causing the infection, as every species of yeast has its own sugar assimilation profile.
Sugar and metabolism, are they connected?
Our body needs energy for activity. The processes of our body to obtain and use energy are together known as our metabolism. We get energy from food. A healthy diet is able to provide the body with most of its energy needs. During digestion, the food is broken down into sugars, fats and their components, proteins and their building blocks etc. These are then transported to all the cells in our body via the blood vessels. Insulin helps the cells to absorb sugar from blood stream. Sugar is one of the main sources of energy, but too much or too little sugar in the cells can be harmful – so this is balanced by producing insulin when the cells need sugar and another hormone glucagon when they don’t. Glucagon converts the sugar to glycogen and stores it in the liver for a day when no sugar is available. When no sugar is available, the stored fat is broken down to provide energy.
When one takes refined sugars, it is broken down too quickly and the blood sugar levels rise too high. This leads the pancreas to produce large amount of insulin. This can remove sugar suddenly causing low-blood sugar because of which the liver suddenly has to produce glucose from glycogen.
If these sudden surges happen a lot (like when one eats too much sugar), the sugar control mechanism wears out and can lead to uncontrolled sugar levels in the blood and injury to pancreas.
On the other hand, completely restricting carbohydrates and sugars in the diet causes your body to use the stored fat and then protein for energy. A low carbohydrate diet can affect your thyroid function. A 1985 study found that when one is on a low carbohydrate diet, replacing the carbohydrates with polyunsaturated fat resulted in lower insulin response and lesser sudden decrease in blood glucose.
It is therefore not good to totally restrict all carbohydrates in your diet. Overdoing anything is bad for the body. There is no alternative to a good balanced diet.
What are sugar withdrawal symptoms?
Excessive sugar intake can lead to sugar addiction. Thus when you stop taking sugar, you can have withdrawal symptoms which are similar to withdrawal symptoms for drugs. The most common symptom of sugar withdrawal is craving for sugar or carbohydrate rich food. The best way to reduce your sugar intake is to gradually taper your sugar consumption. Going cold turkey when you have been binging on sugar for years can give stronger withdrawal symptoms like dip in mood with more irritability and anger or low grade depression. Anxiety is another symptom that can occur – this is because sugar influences dopamine levels and activity. Some people can feel dizzy when they stop taking sugar. Some people may get withdrawal headaches.
Scientific evidence of sugar withdrawals has been obtained in rats. A recent study from Brazil also found that increase in impulsive behaviour is another sugar withdrawal symptom in rats.
Yes, you can. If there is an imbalance in the ecosystem of your body, you can get candida even if you are not taking too much sugar. Candida can grow and become invasive on very low amounts of sugar as well. So, while having too much sugar increases your risk of getting candida infection, not having it does not protect you against it if there are other imbalances in your body due to some other reasons.
How long to avoid sugar to kill candida?
Highly concentrated forms of sugar (in sugar or dried fruit form) should be cut off from your diet for several months. The duration will vary from person to person depending on the level of your yeast infection. The WHO recommends that a normal person cut down the total sugar intake to not more than 25g (6 teaspoons) per day for additional health benefits. So, once you are cured, keeping well under this limit would be beneficial.
How many grams of sugar a day on candida diet?
Absolutely no sugar of any kind is recommended when on candida diet. Incorporate Canxida remove and restore in your diet if you are following candida crusher diet.
Please let me know if there is anything else that I missed to cover.