Every year thousands of people are affected by a condition called candidiasis. It is caused by Candida albicans. This microorganism is often referred to as simply candida. Find out more about its nature and the forms in which it grows.
Microorganism Basics
This is a type of fungus belonging to the family of eukaryotic microorganisms. It lives in the human body. It is found in the gastrointestinal tract, in the mouth and on the skin. It is part of the intestinal flora. The intestinal flora is a system of different types of microorganisms. The role of these microorganisms is to aid metabolic processes in the body. They have a commensal relationship. This means that the microorganisms of the intestinal flora do not have an adverse effect on the human body and that it does not have such an effect on them either.
Candida has a simple structure and grows via budding. New cells grow as a result of the division of existing cells. This is the typical method of reproduction of microorganisms. It is very basic, but highly effective. The growth process can be speeded up depending on the conditions of the surrounding environment.
Fungal Growth
In the case of candida, there are several factors which can stimulate the growth process and increase its rate. The first one is temperature. When the temperature increases up to a certain threshold, the growth rate of these microorganisms rises accordingly. Another stimulating factor of the environment is moisture. In general, these fungi live in moist environments. The major factor that speeds up the growth rate of these microorganisms is the lack of acid. When the environment which they are in becomes less acidic, they multiply more rapidly.
Growth Forms
There are two forms in which candida grows. The first form involves multiple individual cells that create small clusters. These fungi can also have filamentous cell growth. They form the so called hyphas. These are long structures with a long main branch and many smaller ones coming out of it. When looked under a microscope, these structures look very similar to tree branches.
Candida Infection
This condition, which is formally known as candidiasis, is caused by overgrowth of the fungus in the human body. As explained earlier, overgrowth occurs due to temperature increase and drop in the acidic level. That is why infection typically occurs in the mouth and throat or in the genital area of the human body. Less often, particularly in babies, it occurs on the skin around the bottom area. In such cases, it is commonly known as diaper rash.
In general, the human body has its own natural ways of controlling the overgrowth of yeast. When it is weakened, these control functions are not performed as effectively as usual. That is why the condition is more likely to affect people with impaired immune system. In such cases, it is typically harder to treat as well.
Although candida plays a role in important metabolic processes in the human body, it can be dangerous in the case of overgrowth. That is why it is important for people to look after their health so that the optimal balance of these and other microorganisms in the body can be maintained.

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.

While candida yeast is naturally present in the body, when it grows rapidly and without control, it can cause intestinal disbalance and infections in the mouth and in the vagina in women. Usually, overgrowth is caused by the intake of antibiotics, uncontrolled diabetes or weakened immune system. Unhealthy diet may also be responsible for it. Find out what foods can cause overgrowth of this fungus in the body when they are consumed in fairly large amounts over a long period of time.
Sugary Foods
These are responsible for most cases of candida overgrowth due to diet. When a lot of sugar is consumed, blood glucose increases and it takes longer for it to get back to its optimal level. Higher blood sugar levels boost the growth rate of the yeast.
In general, sugary foods have adverse impact on the overall health as they contribute to body weight increase and the consequently to heart disease and diabetes. It is best if you reduce their consumption to the lowest possible minimum. For optimal results, you should do the same with sugary drinks such as soda and sweetened fruit juices.
Foods Rich in Simple Carbs
Simple carbohydrates break down into glucose super fast and cause a peak in the blood glucose levels. In this way, they increase the risk of candida overgrowth and of weight gain and other health problems when they are consumed in large amounts. Given this, it is best if you cut their consumption. The list of the most consumed foods which are rich in simple carbs includes white bread and pasta, white rice and potatoes. As you can see, they form a major portion of most people’s diet so it is not easy to get rid of them completely. That is why it is best to replace them with their healthier alternatives. These are whole-grain bread and pasta and brown rice. Healthy cooking is also important.
Alcoholic Beverages
These drinks are also rich in carbohydrates. They slow down the metabolism and the processing of fat in addition to stimulating candida yeast growth. They can cause liver damage as well. You should reduce their consumption as much as possible. Generally, low alcohol consumption is part of every healthy diet. In fact, if you already have certain health problems, you should eliminate it completely at least until you recover fully.
Processed and Canned Foods
These foods contain fairly high amounts of sugar, even if they are not sweet. If you read the labels, you will discover that salami and sauces which are generally salty are rich in sugar. That is why it is best to avoid them or to consume them in very small amounts for keeping candida yeast growth under control. There are other important reasons why you should keep their consumption as low as possible. Processed and canned foods often have high fat content. Besides, they are full of additives and preservatives most of which have adverse impact on the human body.
With the right candida diet, the risk of overgrowth will be minimal.

The overgrowth of candida is related to intestinal flora imbalance. This has adverse effects on the entire internal body balance and makes common problems like fatigue and stress worse. For keeping candida and the overall balance of the body under control, you need to adopt a healthy way of life. One of the major aspects of it is exercise. Find out what the best type of exercise is and how to do it in order to get the best possible results.
Cardio Exercise
There is a simple reason why a cardio workout program will help you to balance candida and stay healthy. This type of exercise involves practically all muscles of the human body. When you move, you burn calories. This, in turn, helps you to keep your blood sugar levels under control. When there are no spikes in blood glucose, normal rate of candida growth is maintained.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the calorie burning process involves heat production and sweating. As you know, toxins are released with sweat through the pores. This means that cardio exercise has a natural cleansing effect. This also helps to keep candida balance and the internal body balance. This type of workout is good for the heart as well. It reduces the risk of serious heart disease.
Diverse Options
There is a wide array of cardio exercises to pick from. You should base your choice on a number of important factors. These include age, overall health, any specific health conditions that you have and your level of fitness. Walking is the mildest of all cardio workouts. Jogging requires slightly more effort, but brings beneficial results faster. Swimming is great even for people who have joint problems as it does not cause strain to them. You can keep the pace that you prefer.
Aerobics is more intensive. Cycling and running are the most intensive of all cardio workout options. You should be in good shape if you want to practice them. In any case, you must start off slowly to avoid putting too much strain on the body and to reduce the risk of injuries.
Exercising Effectively
You can derive the best results from cardio exercise only if you do it frequently. You should have one-hour workouts at least three times a week. In general, if you are in good health and the exercise does not involve too much straining, you can do it every day or at least every other day. It is important to keep the schedule that you have established.
You should start every workout session with warm-up in order to avoid strains, sprains and more serious injuries. You have to ensure that your muscles are well prepared for doing more intensive work. At the end of the session, you should stretch. This also helps for keeping the risk of injuries to the lowest minimum.
Finally, you should drink enough water to stay hydrated throughout the day and when you do exercise. Water plays a major role in burning calories and getting rid of toxins. It is essential for ensuring candida balance and overall body balance.

It is a fact that when candida overgrowth continues over a period of time, it can have multiple adverse effect on the functioning of the body from lower energy to weakened immune system. That is why it is important to keep the level of this fungus under check. One of the best ways to do this is through healthy dieting. When you consume the right foods, you will feel great and look great too.
Healthy Food Choices
The primary product to include in your diet for candida balancing and reduction in case of overgrowth is yogurt. This is the best natural source of lactobacillus bacteria popularly known as probiotics. Probiotics are essential for keeping the balance of the intestinal flora. By regulating the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, they contribute to the work of the immune system and help to keep nutrient and energy levels optimal.
It is important that you eat plain unsweetened yogurt. There is no point in taking probiotics, which suppress candida growth, together with sugar, which stimulates it. Besides, sugar has a lot of other adverse effects on the body.
Vegetables are also among the primary foods that you should eat. They are rich in vitamins and minerals that keep the digestive tract and the body as a whole in optimal form. Besides, they are low in calories and fat. The more diverse your choices are the better. One easy way to ensure that you will get all the beneficial nutrients that you require from vegetables is to aim for maximum color variety in the plate.
You have to ensure that your candida diet includes healthy sources of carbohydrates and protein. The whole-grain bread, pasta and cereals are excellent replacement to all products made from white flour. Brown rice is also a fine choice. Just remember that you should still not consume very large amounts of these foods. The same applies to the healthy sources of protein as well. These include chicken breast, lean veal, and eggs. It is important to include fatty fish like salmon in your diet as they are the primary sources of fatty acids, which are essential for the optimal condition and functioning of the heart and the brain.
The Right Approach
You should know that the diet for candida reduction is not only about the foods that you eat, but about how you eat them as well. You should consume vegetables raw for best results. You can prepare amazing salads with various healthy dressings based on spices and herbs. Other health dressing ingredients include lemon juice, vinegar and olive oil.
You must use only healthy cooking methods. Forget about frying and focus on steaming, simmering and boiling. Frilling is also fine as long as you use only a small amount of fat. Remember that the best way to make food delicious is to season it right.
Last, but not least, in order for the candida reduction diet to produce the best results, you should remember to eat three meals a day and two snacks between them.