In order for infections caused by candida to be well understood and treated, it is important to know more about the presence of this type of fungus in the human body. Find out how it occurs naturally in people and what role it plays in the body. This will help you to get a clear idea of the difference between normal growth and overgrowth and their respective effects on humans.
Natural Functioning
It is estimated that candida occurs naturally in around 70% to 80% of the human population. It is found primarily in the gastrointestinal tract and in the mouth. Fewer fungal cells are present on the skin. In the gastrointestinal tract, the cells are part of the so called intestinal or gut flora. They play a role on the metabolic processes of the body. More precisely, together with the other microorganisms present inside the digestive tract, they collect the energy from the fermentation of carbohydrates that have not been digested and facilitate the absorption of fatty acids with short chains. The intestinal flora is also responsible for synthesizing two vitamins – B and K.
It is important to note that the presence of candida in the gastrointestinal tract is beneficial for humans and for the fungus as well since it ensures its survival. At the same time, the fungus cannot cause harm as long as its growth is naturally controlled by the human body. The human body does not have a harmful effect on it either. In biology, this relationship between two organisms is known as commensalism.
Natural Occurrence
Candida is passed from the mother to the baby during childbirth. This is the way in which it gets into the gastrointestinal tract. As mentioned earlier, some of it remains in the mouth. It does not occur on its own. It is not transferred into the body through food. It cannot be transferred by any kinds of objects even if they are placed in the mouth.
Inside the gastrointestinal tract, this type of fungus reproduces through budding. Its presence remains completely unnoticeable. The infection caused by this fungus called candidiasis occurs when the budding of the cells gets out of control. There are two main causes to the uncontrolled budding. The first one is decrease in the acidity of the environment. This is the major cause of vaginal candidiasis. The warmth and moisture contribute to the uncontrolled growth. The second major reason for the increase in the budding rate is the lack of appropriate control on the part of the body. This typically happens when the immune system is impaired.
There are other ways in which candida can be passed from one person to another in addition to the natural process of childbirth. The main one is through sexual intercourse. If one of the partners has candidiasis, the other one will get infected too. This infection can also occur in a hospital environment due to lack of proper safety and hygiene measures.
When candida does not occur naturally in the human body, it is dangerous.