Candida Infections

As life progresses, we find ourselves modifying our eating and drinking habits. To add insult to this, we are usually not cognizant of the preparation involved with the new foods and drinks. As more of our diet leans towards processed foods, we find ourselves eating more white flour, refined sugar and other processed carbohydrates, and even proteins not whole or natural including farmed salmon, tilapia, chicken not range raised, cattle that are not free range, and farm-raised fish.

Candida infection in the gastrointestinal tract is the result of flora in the intestines altered by medication, antibiotics, hormone changes, stress and food grown with hormones and chemical fertilizers. Candida growth can be stimulated by poor nutrients including increased ingestion of refined sugar, decrease of omega3 fatty acids, lack of vitamins B and C, while the omega6's are increased and trans fats are prevalent.

The signs and symptoms of Candida infection include itching, rashes, nervousness, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Some of these symptoms can aggravate fecal incontinence. One way of calming down the Candida problem is to use apple cider vinegar (one to two tsp) in 8 ounces of water with one tsp of honey and one tsp of molasses. This should help the stress on the gastrointestinal tract. Of course, it is important that you consult with your doctor when any unusual symptoms exist.

The ProCon2 website (www.procon2.com) provides valuable information regarding fecal incontinence and how to control its undesirable effects. This is useful information to review when discussing with your physician the possibility of Candida infections.