Colds And Candida: What Is The Connection?

by Eric Bakker N.D.

People who get the common cold all the time have got poor immune function. When I have a client who gets sick frequently, one of the first things I do is check their cortisol level. I want to know how their adrenal gland and thyroid are functioning. I also assess diet, stress levels, sleep, medications (including antibiotics), and their gut health (i.e., do they have digestive systems such as gas and bloating).

It’s important to do blood work when there is evidence of immune dysfunction. If you find yourself frequently catching a cold, I recommend checking your red blood cells, white blood cells, B12, iron, and thyroid function. A salivary cortisol level will let you know if abnormalities of that hormone are contributing to symptoms.

Some of the diet and lifestyle factors that make you more vulnerable to getting a cold include vitamin deficiencies, iron deficiency, and lack of sleep.

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If you haven’t found any explanation for your recurrent colds, a digestive assessment may be helpful. Gut symptoms indicate that Candida or bacterial imbalance in the gut may be contributing to your weak immune system.

If you keep getting the common cold or flu all the time, the first thing that I would recommend is that you get a lot more rest and sleep. It is also essential to build up the health of your adrenal system. I suggest a rest period of twenty to thirty minutes every afternoon. If you can’t fit it in during the workweek, at least have those periods of relaxation on the weekends. Make sure you get a good 8 to 10 hours sleep for the first several weeks. Try to reduce the stress in your life. Chronic stress can play havoc with your immune system and make you more vulnerable to recurrent infections, such as the common cold.

Other steps that may help include increasing your intake of vitamin C, keeping warm, and putting on a bit of weight if you are too thin. Make sure you keep yourself hydrated and put aside time to be physically active.

I’m not a fan of the flu shot. I believe that people should build innate immunity, and not get injections to trigger an immune response.

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About Eric Bakker N.D.

Eric Bakker ND has completed almost ten years of study and has almost almost 25 years of clinical experience in natural and integrative forms of medicine, and has pursued continuous post-graduate study in Australia, America, India as well as in New Zealand.

Eric is the past Vice President of the NZ Natural Medicine Association and is currently on their editorial advisory board.