Our topic for this issue is a frequently misunderstood creature. Awareness of Candida albicans is often limited to thrush and vaginal infections. Did you know this microorganism can also affect you systemically? It can cause a wide range of symptoms which are rarely attributed to the real culprit.

The good news is you can conquer Candida! After you finish reading Tool’s for Health, you will find additional information at

https://www.natural-health-coach-for-women.com/yeast-infection.html

Enjoy!

Teri Hayes

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In This Issue

1. Yeast - Candida Albicans, What Is It?
2. How Yeast Affects the Body
3. Conquer Yeast Infections
4. Health Questions
5. What's New At Home

NOTE: To receive the best results I recommend only high quality resources. Look for herbs, supplements, and other resources mentioned in Tools for Health at My NSP Natural Health Coach and Natural Health Coach for Women.

Yeast – Candida albicans, what is it?

Imagine a battlefield with warriors too tiny to see, where the victor of the battle gains control of your body. Hard to believe, yet that's what takes place we have Candida. These microorganisms fight for survival and control in us. Even more difficult to picture is how something so small can have such a powerful effect upon your health.

When yeast dominates, it can lead to headaches at one end of your body and foot cramps at the other, as well as many other aches and pains in between.

Yeast is found just as frequently in historical medical records as it is in our bodies. Hippocrates writes about a yeast infection of the mouth and throat which we call thrush. Medical textbooks from the 19th century describe instances where yeast was transmitted to babies through their mothers' womb during childbirth.

Today about 900 different species of yeast are recognized that coexist with you inside your body. The most dominant form of yeast is Candida albicans.

Yeast causes disease by producing toxic chemicals as it fights off all other organisms inside your body. In like manner each microscopic organism competes with surrounding organisms for space in your intestines and other parts of your body. In the end the organism that is the fittest survives. Meanwhile, the toxins that result from this chemical warfare can overwhelm your immune system, reducing its ability to fight off disease. And as your immune system becomes weaker, yeast and other tiny organisms can overpower you, too. In the doctor's office patients who complain of yeast-related symptoms are not always taken seriously. Frequently doctors attribute their problems to stress or imagination.

How Yeast Affects the Body

As yeast fights for its survival, the toxins it gives off causes the red blood cell walls to stiffen. Consequently, they are unable to slip into tiny capillaries and supply oxygen to all body tissues and organs. Yeast toxins also cause white blood cells to become stiff and brittle, reducing their ability to absorb invading organisms. With a weak immune system, yeast can now attack a variety of body sites. However, this fungus seems to favor the urinary tact, prostate gland, gastrointestinal tract, mouth (thrush) and vagina.

Symptoms Which Can Indicate Yeast Overgrowth

• Allergic responses Since yeast weakens your immune system, your immune system is less able to distinguish between harmful and harmless substances. You may suffer from an increased number of allergic reactions as a result of yeast overgrowth. So, you may have fewer allergy problems once your body's yeast supply is under control. You may still have the allergy, but bigger “doses" of the allergen are required to create a reaction. Symptoms to watch for include dizziness, diarrhea, congestion, hives, asthma, headaches, depression and weakness.

• Digestion Any food with high sugar content encourages yeast growth, and yeast in turn produces extra carbon dioxide. This can lead to gas, bloating and heartburn. Other symptoms are abdominal pain, gastritis, gastric ulcer. The effect of yeast doesn't stop with the stomach. Diarrhea (due to yeast's direct invasion of the intestinal tract) and constipation or episodes of alternating diarrhea and constipation can also point to yeast overgrowth.

• Respiration Signs of yeast problems in this area include sore throat and sore mouth (thrush), canker sores, sinus and bronchial infections, pneumonia, chronic cough and asthma.

• Circulation Palpitations, rapid pulse rate and a pounding heart can signal yeast problems since yeast hinders the hormonal balance necessary to govern circulation. The result is fluid retention, along with cold, clammy hands and increased perspiration.

• Genital and Urinary Symptoms of vaginal or urinary difficulties due to yeast infection include the following symptoms: vaginal discharge, itching, urinary burning, frequent urination, lack of bladder control and bedwetting, menstrual cramps and PMS.

• Muscles and Bones As yeast affects the musculoskeletal system, these symptoms can occur: night leg pains, muscle stiffness and muscle weakness, deep muscle pains, particularly in the shoulder and neck, and poor coordination.

• Skin Yeast also attacks the skin in warm, moist areas like the groin and breast in adults or the diaper rash area in children. Skin conditions such as hives and eczema, psoriasis, athlete’s feet, and itching are often an allergic response to yeast.

• Nerves Headaches are one of the most common symptoms that result from yeast problems. Other symptoms that stem from yeast's effect on the nervous system are anxiety, irritability, restlessness, panic attacks, sudden anger, sleep disturbances.

Conquer Yeast Infections

Herbs and other supplements can make breeding yeast retreat. A disease with a variety of symptoms requires a treatment plan made up of a varied number of supplements. You will not need all supplements listed below. Read the information then discern which ones will work best for you. If you need help, contact me.

• Probiotics Acidophilus and Bifidophilus are the most widely known, but there are many, many others. Among many other things, these beneficial bacteria manufacture lactic acid by fermenting the sugars in milk. When found in adequate supply Acidophilus, the body's friendly bacteria, keeps your body's yeast supply under control and also nourishes the immune system.

  If you are struggling with invading yeast, probiotic supplements can be your first line of defense. But careful selection is required to ensure these supplements make it to your intestines. Between 50 to 98 percent of the Acidophilus in supplement form are destroyed by stomach acids. Try Probiotic 11 to ensure safe passage of this supplement through the hydrochloric acid found in your stomach to the alkaline environment of your small intestines (otherwise increase your dose). A typical supplement program of Acidophilus begins with one to ten trillion organisms a day. You should continue to take acidophilus supplements for at least one month after you have completed the yeast control diet. However, observe your symptoms with care. Any sign of returning yeast problems tells you to keep taking Probiotics supplements for several more months. An absence of yeast overgrowth symptoms indicates a normal intestinal balance has been achieved.

• Garlic Well known as a natural antibiotic, garlic has also earned its reputation as a powerful anti-fungal fighter that combats yeast infections. We have Garlic with a special coating, which makes it odor controlled (High Potency Garlic). This keeps the active ingredient allicin, which destroys Candida, intact.

• Caprylic Acid Caprylic acid works effectively to reduce yeast overgrowth by attracting the yeast itself and then suffocating it. We have two Caprylic Acid and Caprylimmune.

• Tea Tree Oil Tea tree oil soothes skin irritations that result from yeast overgrowth, typically found in the groin, diaper area and other moist spots of the body. This oil also helps treat thrush, yeast infection of the throat and mouth. Tea tree oil can also be taken internally when highly diluted (1 to 2 drops in a pint of water). The same dilution works well for a douche or enema.

• Douches Douching is an effective way of dealing with Candida vaginitis. A mixture of 1 Teaspoon liquid Chlorophyll, 2 capsules Probiotic 11, 1 or 2 drops Tea Tree Oil, 3 capsules of Pau d’ arco (liquid or capsules) and 1 tablespoon of vinegar in a pint of water can be taken two times a day to help curb vaginal yeast problems.

• Olive Leaf Olive Leaf is a wonderful yeast fighter.

• Vitamin A Generally, vitamin A should be added to this program as well.

• Yarrow For systemic yeast infections yarrow is a superior anti-viral when combined with plenty of vitamin C.

• Marshmallow Another useful herb to help defeat yeast, marshmallow's ability to help treat bladder and kidney infections makes it the natural choice for reducing yeast in the kidneys, bladder and urinary track. This mucilant herb attaches to toxic poisons and expels them from the body. This provides the way for the body to cleanse itself from yeast over-growth. Marshmallow also calms the urinary tract and restores a balance to intestinal flora.

• Pau d'arco A natural antifungal product found in the tropical areas of the world. Taken in capsule form or brewed as a tea several times daily, this herb helps eliminate yeast infections, especially in the breast, lungs or brain. Pau d'arco in tea form works effectively as a douche or enema.

• Oregano Essential Oil It only takes between 5 minutes to an hour once applied externally, to reach every cell in the body. My recommendation would be to apply Oregano oil to the reflex points on the feet and hands and also compress the area of concern.

• Yeast Fungal Detox Yeast/Fungal Detox helps the body detoxify itself and promotes optimal balance in microflora levels. This formula helps maintain the balance of microorganisms and supports the immune, digestive and urinary systems to promote optimal health. Yeast/Fungal Detox contains caprylic acid, propionic acid, sorbic acid, Echinacea angustifolia root, oregano, garlic, pau d’ arco, selenium and zinc.

Health Questions

“I used to get yeast infections frequently. But have found since I have had children I hardly ever get them. Just recently I had an episode of red, itchy soreness, around my vagina. I went to the Dr and he said it was probably just [a] yeast infection. I have never had [a] yeast infection that bad. I was just wondering if there was something that could have triggered it. Because my husband and I at the time had been having a lot of s*x as we have [an] 8 month old and I suppose we were catching up on lost time. Thanks.” Misty

Without knowing your history, I can’t venture guess (at least not a very educated one!) at what triggered the infection, Misty. Look at what’s going on stress wise with a new baby. Check your diet. Those are the first two that come to mind with what you’ve told me.

One easy, quick way to send a vaginal yeast infection on its way, says Laura L., is with Pau d’ arco lotion. She says the burning and itching stopped immediately and the infection was gone in 4 days. The lotion can be inserted via fingers, but the easiest way is to use a tampon applicator tube. Just pull it the entire way open, fill with Pau d’ arco lotion then insert, and push in the plunger as you normally would.

The Yeast/Fungal Detox and eliminating all white foods also works well for many people.

What’s New at Home

We’re celebrating! Natural Health Connections (my local business which will soon also be online as well) and The Pregnancy Place are sharing office and classroom space in the historic South Scenic Building in Lake Wales, Florida. All consultations are still by appointment only, but when you schedule your next one, that’s where Teri will see you. We look forward to showing off our new place!

By the way, if you know anyone in the Polk County, Florida area who is expecting – or even thinking about their options for when they do get pregnant, I highly encourage you to have them contact Janet Farmer at The Pregnancy Place. I am amazed at the wealth of information, services, and resources she has available.

Teri Hayes is a Certified Natural Health Consultant, Herb Specialist, and Certified Reflexologist

You can e-mail her at TeriHayes@natural-health-coach-for-women.com or visit her at Natural Health Coach for Women

The herbs and supplements she recommends to clients can be found using this link.

Comments? Ideas? Feedback? I’d love to hear from you! Reply to this newsletter and tell me what you think!

To schedule an appointment, online or offline, go to the Health Questions page, choose the option that best suits you, and follow the directions.

The suggestions in this e-newsletter are meant to encourage personal responsibility for health and are not given as medical advice. For your individual health concerns such as chronic or acute warning symptoms, in emergency situations, or when in doubt, seek the advice of your primary personal health car practitioner.