Candida albicans always lives with us and only become a problem when it grows out of control. Our body's natural defenses will try to protect us from yeast infection. When these defenses break down, we are prone to yeast infection. The following lists indicate factors that most often contribute to a Candida Albicans overgrowth. Each factor can cause damage to the body's defenses. Several factors in combination can mount a serious attack on the body.



Factors that damage the surface of the skin:

o Poorly ventilated underwear and clothing

o Friction caused by tight-fitting pantyhose or clothing

o Intercourse without adequate lubrication

o Douching

o Wearing a damp bathing suit for an extended period of time

o Not drying the genital area thoroughly after bathing

o Some soaps and bubble baths

o Increased moisture and warmth in the genital area

Factors that lower immunity:

o Birth Control Pills

o Excessive use of alcohol

o Pregnancy

o Steroids

o IV drug use

o Old age

o Newborn children

o HIV

o Some pharmaceutical prescriptions

o Hormone Replacement Therapy

Factors that alter bacteria:

o Antibiotics

o Some pharmaceutical prescriptions

o Pregnancy

o Birth Control Pills

o Hormone Replacement therapy

o Steroids

Factors stemming from general poor health:

o Trauma

o Surgery

o Hospitalization

o Diabetes

o Stress

o Immune system deficiency from HIV

o General physical weakness

o Stressful intercourse

o Sugar

Less Common Causes:

o Anemia

o Lymphoma, blood cancer

o Hypoparathyroiditis

o Addison's disease

o Immuno-suppression from transplant drugs

o Malignancy

o Malnutrition

o Heredity

Antibiotics

Researchers believe that antibiotic use is one of the largest causes of yeast overgrowth.

We take antibiotics to kill harmful bacteria, but they end up killing helper bacteria as well. Antibiotics change the environment of the gut, so that our helper bacteria can't protect us from Candida albicans and other harmful organisms.

Yeast expert Dr. William Crook, in his book The Yeast Connection, says,

Many different factors play a part in making you sick, yet I am convinced that repeated courses of broad-spectrum antibiotics are the main 'villain'. These antibiotics cause yeast overgrowth in your intestinal tract and vaginal yeast infections. And these infections, like a stream cascading down a mountain, set off disturbances which can make you feel 'sick all over'.

Like many people who take antibiotics, you may not have been aware that a persistent yeast infection is a possible side effect.

But What if I Don't Take Antibiotics?

This is not a simple question with a simple answer because you may be taking antibiotics without even knowing it. Exposure to antibiotics is unavoidable when we eat dairy and meat products. Farm animals may be given antibiotics regularly to stimulate growth and to treat infections. Unfortunately for us, constant exposure to these antibiotics kills the susceptible bacteria and leaves behind the resistant bacteria. In the United States, a study at Rutgers University found that antibiotics used at levels deemed safe for human consumption by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) increased the rate of development of resistant bacteria by 600-2700 percent. These levels of antibiotics are a danger to anyone, let alone person with a Candida albicans overgrowth. Pasteurization or cooking can't kill or remove antibiotics in our food.

Hormones

The Birth Control Pill and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can affect Candida albicans growth. Candida albicans loves progesterone, which is found in the Birth Control Pill and HRT.

As a woman, you may find that your persistent infection gets worse in the week before your menstrual period, when progesterone levels are highest and your hormones are causing a change in the vaginal environment. The vaginal membranes are unable to defend against invading yeast because you have nutritional deficiencies, possibly as a result of taking the birth control pill.

Hard to believe, but women are often prescribed HRT for problems that actually stem from Candida albicans overgrowth. And you wonder why you can't get rid of the infection!

Sugar, Glucose Candida Albicans thrives on sugar. A high sugar diet is a recipe for Candida albicans overgrowth. With so much nutrient-lacking junk food available, our bodies easily absorb massive amounts of sugar, providing Candida albicans with a constant supply of food.

Stress

Scientists who have studies the effects of stress agree that stress affects the body both emotionally and physically. When we are under stress, our bodies produce chemicals that weaken our immune system. Even when we are handling stress well, our immune system changes.

Stress also changes the bacterial environment in our gut, interrupting the balance of Candida albicans and our helper bacteria. Candida albicans can take over and multiply. Candida albicans then creates its own toxins to fight competing bacteria and the immune system. With the body's defenses weakened, Candida albicans usually wins.

In Herbal Healing for Women,113 herbalist Rosemary Gladstar says,

I've known women whose yeast infections would set in right after an intense

argument with lovers or husbands. An especially stressful day at work can

stimulate the growth of yeast?Even making love can stimulate one; semen,

a buffered alkaline solution, raises the vaginal pH level for up to eight hours.

Loss of Our Helper Bacteria

The gut is the inside of the gastrointestinal tract. It is a muscular tube that breaks down food and extracts the nutrients. The leftover matter is then deposited as waste (feces).

"Friendly" helper bacteria help keep our gut safe from dangerous viruses, bacteria, yeast and parasites. These bacteria help us digest our food and provide us with some nutrients.

_ 400 species of bacteria live in our gut, from mouth to anus.

_ The bacteria in the large intestine weigh about three pounds.

_ Helper bacteria produce a natural antibiotic that is toxic to harmful bacteria.

_ Helper bacteria break down sugar, fats, carbohydrates, and protein.

_ Helper bacteria keep the intestine acidic, which helps keep Candida albicans at bay.

_ A healthy gut has healthy helper bacteria.

When our gut is healthy, we are able to keep Candida albicans in balance. Our helper bacteria compete with Candida albicans for nutrients and sugars and keep the fungus under control. An antibiotic can break that control.

Whatever is in your stomach goes into your small intestine and on into your large intestine. If you take an antibiotic capsule, the drug will end up in your large intestine where it will destroy bacteria. Destroying bacteria is what antibiotics are supposed to do. However, when the helper bacteria are destroyed, the gut's main defense is destroyed. Candida albicans can take over. It can grow and infect our cells and cause them to die.

Therefore, the effect of taking an antibiotic is that we have eliminated one of our four defenses against yeast infection.

_ Candida albicans competes with our bodies for the digestion of food.

_ Candida produces toxic substances

_ Candida causes inflammation

_ Candida kills the body's cells

_ Candida albicans finds sugar and 'digests' it, which can lead to gas, bloating and flatulence.

Most people are aware that an antibiotic can kill bacteria but it cannot kill yeast. Eventually, if the conditions are right, Candida albicans changes from its yeast form into its dangerous mold form and destroys cells. While it's taking a wreaking ball to our tissues, it is also interfering with our digestion and weakening our metabolism.

When the gut's environment changes, whether from the Birth Control Pill, antibiotics, or other drugs, or when you are experiencing a high level of stress, combined with a lot of sugar or alcohol, Candida albicans thrives in your body and can cause an infection.