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Constipation and CandidaConstipation and Candida
When most of us think about Candida we immediately associate it with yeast infections or perhaps thrush in infants. However, Candidiasis is also a primary cause of digestive issues including constipation. Constipation is also a great way to increase yeast overgrowth thus creating a cyclical problem. It seems these two conditions, are tightly linked. The question therefore is how do you stop the cycle? Understanding Constipation and Candida. Before we can begin to determine how to stop the cycle of constipation and Candida it’s good to understand each symptom and cause independently. Constipation is medically defined as fewer than three bowel movements per week. Severe constipation is defined as less than one bowel movement per week. It’s caused by dehydration, not enough fiber, stress, and as we stated earlier Candida overgrowth. Candida is a natural fungus or yeast which lives in and around your body. It thrives in moist warm places, like most fungus, and the intestines are a great residence. Your intestines have plenty of food for Candida – they consume the sugars you eat. It’s also an optimal temperature and certainly a damp environment. When Candida multiplies and becomes too plentiful it can have a detrimental effect on digestion including constipation. Now the real kicker is that Candida loves it when you’re constipated. All the more food and bacteria for it to grow on. Breaking the Constipation and Candida Cycle.
The key to ending the vicious cycle of Candida and constipation is to address the root cause. More often than not it is dietary. Too much sugar, too little water and not enough fiber. However, antibiotics, a compromised immune system and even birth control pills can create an environment ideal for Candida overgrowth. Therefore it makes sense to treat the constipation. Increase your intake of fiber. Reduce sugar intake and drink at least 6 glasses of water each day. You may also want to consider a colon cleanse as well. A colon cleanse will essentially flush out all of the waste and harmful bacteria congregating in your intestines thus giving you a fresh start. Of course you’ll also need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep Candida levels to a healthy and normal level. A healthy lifestyle includes reducing and sometimes even eliminating sugars from your diet. Candida, as you remember, feeds on sugar. This means eliminating processed sugars as well as natural sugars like honey and fruit juice from your diet. It also means reducing starchy carbohydrates like white flour and white rice from your diet because these are quickly converted in to sugars which Candida thrive on. Alcohol, dairy, and sugar derivatives like sucrose and fructose are also food sources for Candida. A healthy lifestyle also includes adequate sleep, exercise, and a well balanced diet with plenty of fiber from vegetables and whole grains. If you suffer from an overgrowth of Candida, and constipation is both an early symptom and a common cause, eliminate the constipation and your battle is half won. Add a healthy diet and lifestyle and Candida and constipation may be a thing of the past. In my opinion a colon cleanse is essential to restore the health of the digestive system (whether you're suffering from candida or not). People who've used the same colon cleansing program I have report increased weight loss, returned energy, clearer skin, clearer mind among many other benefits.
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