LEAKY GUT AND CANDIDA AND THE CONNECTION TO OBESITY AND THE INCREASE IN ALLERGIES. Sally Cronin

Candida Albicans is a problem that affects an estimated 65% of the western world. When I weighed 25 stone and I traced the time line from childhood to my 30’s and 40’s it was evident that my weight problems began at the age of 11 after several courses of anti-biotics for tonsil infections and subsequent removal. Three months later I was a fat child. Candida is one of those airy fairy conditions that many doctors dismissed as being alternative mumbo jumbo and it is only really in the last ten years that it has been taken seriously. Unfortunately it is also a rather convenient label to attach to most illnesses because there are so many symptoms associated with it. You have to be careful not to use it as a convenient culprit and make sure that you take a detailed history from the client.

I have to say that having worked with over 2000 clients in the last 15 years that most of those who were suffering from persistent obesity – the kind that seems not to want to shift- also present with at least 75% of the most common symptoms.

I am finding that there is a similar story when working with clients with fertility problems, particularly if they have had eating disorders in the teen years where they have starved their bodies of nutrients.

There are over 120 symptoms connected to Candida including Arthritis, diabetic symptoms and immune system failures, reproductive and hormonal problems and obesity.

There have been a great many reports lately of increased allergies for many more people in the Western World. Whilst in my opinion it is the increased use of processed foods and therefore the increased intake of not only chemical additives but also far too much sugar I do believe that it simply produces a perfect environment for Candida to overgrow in the intestine and lead to leaky gut.

For those few of you who are not aware of Candida I am giving you a brief overview but first Leaky Gut as this is the condition which in my opinion is behind many of our increased intolerance and allergic reactions. I also believe that because Candida devours nutritional content in the food that is eaten the body is forced into nutritional deficiency and stores fat – effectively even someone who is obese can be suffering from malnutrition.

LEAKY GUT

In a normal healthy person the small intestine acts like a sieve only permitting the breakdown products of the digestion into the bloodstream. These include the obvious nutrients but also fats, proteins and starches – all of which are very well digested and the larger molecules such as bacteria and toxins are not able to pass through.

As part of this process, Villi, which are finger like projections from the wall of the intestinal tract with even smaller hair like extensions called microvilli, act as absorbtion pathways for nutrients transported through by carrier molecules.

If someone is suffering from a leaky gut the intestinal lining has become inflamed and the microvilli become damaged. They cannot then produce the necessary enzymes and secretions necessary for the absorption of nutrients. When there is inflammation and damage the larger molecles containing bacteria and other toxins are able to pass through into the bloodstream.

This of course activates the automatic response from the immune system which produces antibodies (proteins that locate and attack foreign objects as they are seen as antigens).

If this was a one off the body would cope with the invasion and the gut would return to normal but if the intestinal wall is damaged and the process is ongoing then the immune system is unable to control the leakage of toxins and they begin to leak back into the liver causeing that organ to become stressed and overburdened.

THE LIVER
The liver is the largest gland in the body and plays a really important part in detoxification as well as having many other functions including: producing bile, containing bile acids, which aid digestion, filtering out toxins, such as drugs, alcohol and environmental toxins, storing glucose as glycogen, then breaking it down about 4 hours after a meal to be converted to glucose to regulate blood sugar levels, converting ammonia to urea and removing damaged red blood cells.
Leaky Gut completely overworks the liver because it floods it with additional toxins diminishing the liver’s ability to neutralise chemical substances. When it cannot cope with the level of toxins the liver expels them back into the bloodstream. The circulatory system then pushes the toxins into the connective tissues and muscles where the body stores them to prevent major organ damage. The liver doesn’t get the time to go back and rid the body of the toxins.
You then have a build up of toxins in the tissues and major organs leading to inflammation and all the symptoms associated with allergic reactions.

In fact the person suffering from leaky gut usually test positive for a great many allergies, not because they are allergic to a specific substance or food but because their immune system is in overdrive – this leads to the chronic forms of conditions such as arthritis and asthma. The biggest problem is that therapists and doctors will begin to remove essential foods and nutrients from the diet to try and overcome this massive reaction when in fact they should be treating the root cause which is Candida.

I have seen clients who are reduced to eating a handful of foods and beginning to suffer from deficiency symptoms particularly those of Vitamin B’s, C and D.

CANDIDA ALBICANS

Candida Albicans is a yeast, which inhabits all humans, usually only in small amounts. It is also known as Monilia, Thrush, Candidiasis and Yeast Infection. In its natural, mild form it is harmless and is simply part of the soup of bacteria that inhabits our intestines.
The basic precondition for a fungal disease is an impaired immune system. This can be the result of an illness, over-use of antibiotics, intensive dieting over a long period of time and recurring infections. Latterly there has been considerable research into why women who have never had anti-biotics are developing Candida Albicans in their late 20’s and 30’s and again in their 50’s. The answer seems to be that the birth control pill and HRT both hormone altering drugs are having a similar effect as anti-biotics.
Look at antibiotics for instance. In most cases antibiotics are broad spectrum not specific. Because, without a lab test it is difficult to tell the specific strain of bacteria responsible for an infection, the use of broad spectrum drugs usually guarantees that the bacteria in question will be killed off. Unfortunately, like chemotherapy not only the bad bacteria are killed off but also the good bacteria in your body. Your intestine, which has a very fragile balance of good and bad bacteria, is vulnerable and this is where Candida Albicans can start to take over your intestinal tract.

If Candida yeast is allowed to grow unchecked, it changes from its normal yeast fungal form to a mycelial-fungal form that produces rhizoids. These long root-like components are capable of piercing the walls of the digestive tract and breaking down the protective barriers between the intestines and the blood. This breakthrough allows many allergens to enter the blood stream causing allergic reactions. A mucus is also formed around major organs and in the lining of the stomach. This prevents your digestive system from functioning efficiently. The result is poorly digested foods and wasted nutrients. Your body begins to suffer a deficiency of these nutrients and it leads to chronic fatigue.

SYMPTOMS OF CANDIDA OVERGROWTH?
The most common of the allergic reactions are – watering, tearing or dry eyes. Itchy inner ears and dry throats that come and go. A dripping and itchy nose, unexplained rashes. These symptoms are almost always accompanied by a craving for either bread or savoury snacks such as crisps or for sweets in the form of chocolate particularly. Sometimes clients tell me that they have not got a sweet tooth and don’t eat chocolate, but when I read their food diary, I soon spot the biscuits, cakes and alcohol that is eaten or drunk every day.

Let me give you an idea of some of the complaints you could be suffering from that are directly related to Candida Albicans. Fatigue – people who are suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME test positive for Candida. Numbness, burning or tingling in your fingers or hands. Insomnia, abdominal pain, constipation or diahorrea, bloating and especially Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Thrush and Cystitis, sexual disfunction and loss of sexual drive. For women it can mean years of suffering from endometriosis or infertility – pre-menstrual tension and heavy and painful periods.

Depression and panic attacks are common symptoms as is shaking or getting very irritable when hungry. Some people suffer from unexplained muscle or joint pains and are often diagnosed with arthritis. You have to remember that the Candida bacteria is a parasite and like all parasites it will take the nourishment meant for you and you will then suffer from a depressed immune system. Headaches and mood swings. Chronic rashes or hives and you will be more prone to food intolerances that cause discomfort or some form of physical symptom. The most significant problem is the strain which all of the toxins place on the liver. This can result in chronic fatigue, discomfort and depression.

THE FAST APPROACH TO CALMING DOWN A CANDIDA OVERGROWTH
I have found the fastest and most effective approach is to remove all processed foods from the diet. It is important not to starve but to give you body all the nutrients it needs to boost the immune system and repair itself.

Nothing that is fresh and unprocessed is banned including fruits. Traditionally, therapists will remove fruit because of the sugar but my philosophy is that the body has evolved over the last 100,000 years eating fruit, vegetables, grains and protein and needs that mix to obtain the nutrients it needs to be healthy including the immune system which needs to be strong to counteract the candida.

Eating small meals at least 5 or 6 times a day. Keep to a low glycemic approach – small amounts of wholegrains with protein etc. I do suggest avoiding too much yeast so restrict multigrain bread – soya and linseed (lower glycemic) to one or two slices per day.

Plenty of fluids including Green Tea and water.

Take light exercise, walking in the fresh air 30 minutes a day.

Lots of sleep.

I usually find that not only do energy levels increase in a matter of days, most of the symptoms including weight stabalise in a matter of weeks.

REDUCE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE IN SIX WEEKS by Sally Cronin

There are currently millions of Britons who are taking blood pressure medication to control a condition that is, in most cases is diet and lifestyle related. By making some simple changes in diet and exercise it is possible to reduce your blood pressure significantly in just six weeks. It you are currently on prescribed medication then it is vital that you do not stop taking this without consulting your G.P. However, you can follow the plan and after six weeks ask your doctor if he feels that it might be possible to reduce your doseage. Hypnotherapy is an integral part of the therapy involved in reducing blood pressure as stress is a critical factor.

R Reduce your salt intake. You should not have more than a level teaspoon per day or 6 grams. If you eat a lot of processed foods you will be consuming far in excess of this. Sodium is essential for our bodies to keep a correct water balance: it is also necessary for nerve impulse transmission and prevents your blood from becoming too acidic or alkaline. However, take in too much and not only will it cause weight gain it can also drive your blood pressure too high. Look at the labels on the food and your mineral water currently in your cupboard and fridge and see how much sodium is in 100gms. Multiply by 2.5 which will give you the salt equivalent. So if a Pizza has 8400 mg of sodium you would times that by 2.5 giving you 21000mg of sodium or 21gm of salt which is 3.5 teaspoons or 3 times the recommended salt intake.

E Eat whole grain bread, rice and pasta and avoid all white, starchy foods. Not only will you be consuming more fibre which is essential for clearing out arteries of fatty deposits it will also provide you with B vitamins, essential for the metabolism of the carbohydrates and proteins that you eat. It will provide you with slow release energy throughout the day without spikes in your blood sugar.

D Drink plenty of fluids. If you are dehydrated your blood pressure will be higher. Avoid too many caffeine high drinks – restrict to one cup of coffee per day – decaffeinated would be best. Tea is still caffeinated but is fine drunk in moderation. To actively lower your blood pressure drink 4 cups of Green Tea per day – use a slice of lemon or ginger to taste or a teaspoon of honey. In addition to Green tea – drink 1 litre of low sodium mineral water per day or tap water and 2 fruit juices.

U Up your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables – not only will this provide more fibre to detox your whole system it will also provide you with anti-oxidants that will prevent normal healthy cholesterol becoming harmful. Clogged arteries full of LDL (harmful cholesterol) will result in high blood pressure.

C Calm down. Stress elevates blood pressure and if you lead a busy and hectic work and family life you need to find ways to relax. Learn to breathe correctly. Take in a breath through the nose slowly to the count of ten and let out slowly through the mouth to the count of 15. Repeat several times first thing in the morning – last thing at night and any time you feel you are becoming stressed. Listen to your favourite music – switch off your phone and take a relaxing bath. Take mini-breaks to relax and make sure that you are sleeping at least 7 or 8 hours per night.

E Exercise and lose weight if you need to. Your BP will drop significantly after the loss of just one stone. You will have to carry less weight putting your body and your heart under less strain. The closer to your optimum weight the better your blood pressure is likely to be. Exercise will help clear your arteries of debris, fill your system with oxygen rich blood and improve muscle tone. Not just in your legs but in your heart and lungs too. A strong heart can work harder.

B Be proactive. Understand how your body works and how you can make positive changes to your lifestyle and diet to reduce this potential silent killer. Work with your doctor so that you do not face a lifetime on pills to control a condition that in 9 out of 10 people can be managed with diet and exercise.

P Pack in smoking. Most people believe that smoking relieves stress. In fact it increases it. The several thousand chemical compounds in each cigarette are toxic to the body. Your arteries will harden and become brittle resulting in narrowing and apart from high BP you are also at a severe risk of strokes and aneurysms.