Our gastrointestinal tract is home to over 400 species of good bacteria and other flora. There are approximately 3lbs of this "gut flora" in our intestines. The gut flora perform many functions that contribute to the health of the human host. This "friendly bacteria" mostly have names beginning with 'Lactobacillus' or 'Bifidobacteria' which denotes the genus they belong to. The major functions of friendly bacteria are the following:

*Producing short chain fatty acids that contribute to a large proportion of our energy.

*Producing a number of valuable nutrients such as B vitamins and vitamin K.

*Metabolising drugs, hormones, and carcinogens

*Protect us from pathogenic bacteria

*Helps us maintain a healthy intestinal pH

* Enhancing immune function

Among these "friendly bacteria" are a number or organisms that don't provide us with any benefits. Examples of these organisms include yeasts/fungus, parasites, coliform bacteria (such as E.coli) and other harmful bacteria.

Introduction to Candida

What is "Candida"?

"Candida albicans: A yeast-like fungal organism found in small amounts in the normal human intestinal tract. Normally kept in check by the body's own helpful bacteria, C. albicans can increase in numbers when this balance is disturbed to cause candidiasis of the intestinal tract, or yeast infections of other parts of the body. C. albicans causes thrush." (Commonly mispronounced, say KAN'-di-duh, not Kan-DEE'-duh)

Our immune system is designed to defend us from illness. But many medical conditions in our modern world can compromise it: excessive use of antibiotics or steroids, oral contraceptives, overly-acidic pH levels from processed foods and stress, hormone imbalances, exposure to environmental toxins (often molds) and chronic illness. Our exposure to all these modern medical conditions sets us up for the fall into the medical condition known as Candida yeast overgrowth.

When our immune systems are compromised, a normal yeast present in our bodies, called Candida, can "morph" from being a beneficial yeast into a HARMFUL FUNGUS. This fungal yeast can quickly grow out of the normal balance that nature intended and overwhelm the beneficial flora (acidophilus type bacteria) that normally keeps natural yeast levels in check.

This yeast OVERGROWTH condition is called CANDIDIASIS. This new fungal form of yeast develops rhizoids (long, burrowing legs) that hook into and can penetrate the mucus membranes in the intestinal tract and cause serious bowel pain.

As time goes on, the morphed fungal yeast may burrow right through the intestinal wall. This condition, called Leaky Gut Syndrome, allows partially digested proteins and the yeast itself to travel into the bloodstream where they become toxins.

As undigested foods directly enter the bloodstream this may cause an immediate allergic reaction to those foods. Once the Yeast infection has access to the whole body, you have system-wide or Systemic Candidiasis.

What is Dysbiosis?

DYSBIOSIS...probably not a word you hear a lot or at all. DYSBIOSIS is the term used to describe an imbalance of the bacteria in the digestive tract or there is too much yeast, harmful bacteria, viruses or parasites in the intestines. Because 70% of our immune system starts in the intestines, these friendly organisms in our gut play an important role in protecting our bodies against diseases caused by bad bacteria, viruses, parasites as well as fungus. When this balance of healthy organisms are disturbed, it results in Dysbiosis. DYSBIOSIS alters your immune system, hormonal balance as well as the whole equilibrium of the body. DYSBIOSIS alters mind functions leading to common problems such as depression, anxiety and irritability. DYSBIOSIS will lead to a myriad of diseases and health problems... affecting every aspect of health.

The Process of Dysbiosis

Now that we know what causes dysbiosis, we ask "How can dysbiosis cause so many health problems?" The answer lies in the process of dysbiosis. The process of dysbiosis include

1. Disruption with the friendly bacteria which causes yeast and fungal overgrowth

2. Putrefaction

3. Allergy and Inflammation

4. Malnutrion

5. Hepatic stress

6. Leaky Gut Syndrome

When we kill off the friendly bacteria in our intestines, it will lead to fungal overgrowth in almost all instances. When we consume sugars, grains and alcohol, the intestinal tract will become a PUTRID, infected environment. This is an ideal environment for yeasts and fungus. Then an allergic reaction will occur causing inflammation of the mucous membranes in the intestinal tract. When this mucous covers the intestinal tract, it inhibits our body from absorbing valuable nutrients from our food thus leading to malnutrition. When these yeast hook onto our intestinal wall, they puncture this lining allowing wastes, food particles, bacteria and toxins to "leak" into our bloodstream leading to a myriad of health problems.