Candida, Diet and the Hormone Connection

Candida, diet and lifestyle habits all trigger hormonal changes in women that are linked to weight gain, especially around the middle.

This fat can be difficult to budge, often leaving you feeling not only tired and bloated, but frustrated and depleted.

One of the main hormes at play is estrogen. Estrogen excess can be caused by hormone disruptors - (industrial chemicals found in cleaning products, foods and make up).

Estrogen excess can trigger candida outbreaks, which not only cause digestive disturbances, but are one of the leading causes of hormonal imbalance within women.

Studies Show that...

A comparative study found a trend toward higher faecal levels of Lactobacillus sp in pre-menopausal women, whilst post-menopausal women showed higher levels of fungi and yeast. The most concerning trend was found in breast cancer patients, found to have higher levels of E. coli, Bacteroide sp. and Clostridium sp., than both pre- and post-menopausal controls.¹

Thrush is a common condition...

An estimated 75% of all women will develop a yeast infection during their lifetime and 90% of these infections are caused by Candida albicans. Three main theories exist for recurrent thrush:

• Chronic systemic infection & hormone imbalance
  
• Reinfection from a sexual partner
• Poor immune system

Estrogen, HRT, and Brith Control ...?

Does estrogen, HRT and the birth control pill trigger thrush? Yes, researchers find that oestrogen stimulates mature epithelial cells lining the vagina to produce glycogen - a favourable substrate for the growth and promotion of C. albicans.³

The great news is, if you are suffering from thrush, or the symptoms of thrush, we can help.

To read about the symptoms of thrush or for more information, click here

References

1. Perisic DV, Dokic M, Kovacevic G. The role of prebiotics and probiotics in female health. Arch Gastroenterohepatol 2003; 22(3-4) 79-83.
2. Nirjesy P. Chronic Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. Am Fam Physician. 2001;63(4): 697-702.
3. Dennerstein GJ, Ellis DH. Oestrogen, glycogen and vaginal candidiasis. Aus N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2001; 41(3): 326-8.

Candida Could Be The Cause Of Your Bloat

Getting to the cause of "the bloat" is something that some women only dream of!

One of the major causes of bloating - aside from constipation; is Candida overgrowth. When we are healthy,Candida lives in our intestines in harmony with other "good bacteria". If it over grows, it spreads roots into the walls of the intestines.

The damage to the intestinal wall allows toxins to enter the bloodstream. This condition called 'leaky gut syndrome' often leads to food allergies, foggy thinking, migraines and depression and of course - bloating.

Once through to the rest of the body, the Candida can live anywhere there are mucous membranes - it particularly likes the vagina, lungs and the sinuses, providing food for bacteria and viruses. It has an ability to disrupt the endocrine system causing symptoms such as weight gain or weight loss, PMS, menstrual irregularities, joint pains, asthma, hay fever, muscle fatigue and chronic tiredness.

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