Fungus, Candida & Other Parasites     

                                                 

In the past, when I still had a health store, I had quite a few clients talk to me about a book and television show that offered information that helped them lose weight. They came to me for the stevia sweetener used in the program.

I am a curious person. Upon further examination, I discovered it was a particular natural health expert by the name of Doug Kaufmann who was not really promoting weight loss but whole body wellness. He works along with a M.D. and other professionals. He has come to a rather astonishing answer to the disease state of our country. Most disease can be tracked back to fungus in the body. This fungus may get out of control. His book is The Fungus Link. It is not available in most book stores although they will order it for you. Their website is knowthecause.com , where you can also order the book. Television listings for his program, "Know The Cause" are listed for your area are on the website.

What is fungus and where does it come from? If you think about the first antibiotic, penicillin, it was a mold. According to Webster’s New World College Dictionary fungus is any of a large division of thallophytes, which include mold, mildew, mushroom, smut, or rust. These are parasites living on living organisms. Spores are the means of reproduction. These parasites also known as microscopic organisms may also feed on dead organic matter. Microscopic organisms have always been in our intestinal tract and on our skin and other parts of our bodies.

Most of us were born with these microorganisms in balance. It is only when they get out of balance that we may have problems. Antibiotics, derived from mold and other sources, may cause this balance of micro-organisms to get out of balance. Candida albicans is one of the micro-organisms which live in humans. When it gets out of balance and multiplies uncontrollable we may have a disease state. In the natural health world is well understood that if you must take antibiotics, always follow with a bottle of probiotics. This replaces the good micro-organisms which may be killed from taking an antibiotic.

So how would you know if you had an overgrowth of this yeast? A few symptoms may be: digestive problems, skin problems, fatigue, headaches, muscle cramps, yeast infections, constipation, rectal itch, bloating, gas, and allergic reactions to name a few. The immune system may be weakened as well. A person may even feel drunk if the yeast grows to the extent it produces acetaldehyde or alcohol. When the production of acetaldehyde takes place, even a non drinker can become drunk. Under the right conditions when sugars and starches are mixed together in the intestinal track “the drunk disease” may result because these foods convert to alcohol.

If left to its own devices candida may take the from of a fungus & develop roots which may attach to the intestinal wall. Perforations can then occur causing what is known as leaky gut syndrome. Toxins and other matter may get into the bloodstream. Food allergies may result as the body produces antibodies to combat the foreign invaders. As you can see this can get complicated. It becomes apparent that the yeast and/or fungus must be brought under control.

Sugar is the primary food which has been shown to cause candida albicans to grow out of proportion. There are other foods as well. Beer, refined bread products, (anything made with white flour and sugar), cheeses, mushrooms, fruits and fruit juices, wine, and vinegar products. In my research there are several methods of cleansing this parasite out of the body. There are also other parasites common to health problems in our country. Many come from foods eaten on a regular basis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control there are over sixty million Americans carrying the Toxoplasmosis parasite. Toxoplasmosis disease may cause blindness, seizures, central nervous system disorders, and mental retardation to name a few. Usually undercooked meat, especially pork and lamb, is the cause of parasite being transmitted into the body. Unwashed vegetables that may be contaminated by cat feces may also cause a person to get infected with this parasite. Contaminated drinking water has been connected to some outbreaks. Toxoplasmosis can be transferred from mother to child during pregnancy. This parasite can be life threatening to people with immune systems which are compromised. If the parasite gets to the eyes, one can become blind.

There are signs and symptoms of parasite infections. Abdominal cramps, and pain, bloating and gas, explosive diarrhea, foul-smelling and greasy bowel movements, constipation, chronic fatigue, fever, nausea, weakness and malaise, weight-loss, or irritability are just a few symptoms that a parasite may be present in the body. When in doubt see your health care practitioner.

This information is not meant to treat, diagnose or prescribe in any form. Next month we will cover ways to get rid of parasitic infections.


Until next time I am wishing for you the very best in health. Eva may be reached at littleherbshoppe@hotmail.com