What is the Cause of Candida?
We all naturally harbor a minimal level of Candida albicans in our bodies; this is both normal and essential. However, problems arise when this balance is disrupted, allowing the yeast to grow uncontrollably, which then necessitates treatment.
If your lifestyle follows a typical Western diet, it might be prudent to consider testing yourself for candida overgrowth. And if you're experiencing any symptoms associated with candida, it would be wise to explore treatment options.
Where Does Candida Come From, and How Does It Behave?
Candida albicans is a fungal yeast found in the human gut. The gut also hosts natural (friendly) bacteria, which feed on the yeast, thereby regulating its production and maintaining balance.
When this balance is disrupted, and yeast outnumbers the friendly bacteria, it can enter the bloodstream, spread to tissues, and transform into a more aggressive fungal form.
Once it proliferates, candida can create entire colonies. Because it’s no longer confined to the gut and controlled by beneficial bacteria, it can now spread throughout the body.
The Immune System and Candida
The human immune system, when functioning properly, is a formidable defense mechanism, easily identifying and eliminating harmful invaders.
However, modern lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, and environmental toxins can weaken the immune system, making it less effective at handling challenges like candida overgrowth.
Compounding the issue, candida's cellular membrane, made of chitin, protects it from immune system attacks. Our bodies naturally produce an enzyme called chitinase to break down this wall, allowing the immune system to attack the yeast cells. Unfortunately, when the immune system is weakened, this process becomes ineffective.
As a result, candida can spread unchecked, establishing itself wherever conditions are favorable. Physical symptoms may only become noticeable once the infection is well established, sometimes leading to a chronic condition known as systemic candidiasis. This severe form of infection often develops after a prolonged period during which symptoms are either unnoticed or ignored, allowing the fungus to deeply entrench itself in the body.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Serious Candida Infections
Certain symptoms may indicate a more serious candida infection, including sugar and alcohol cravings, migraines, anxiety, depression, fatigue, vaginitis, poor concentration and brain fog, skin conditions like acne or athlete’s foot, hyperactivity, sinus inflammation, irritability, dizziness, low sex drive, earache, chronic pain, and muscle weakness.
Candida overgrowth is also believed to contribute to other conditions such as alcoholism, asthma, Addison’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS, PMS, psoriasis, and arthritis.
The Link Between Candida and Cancer
At Medimush, we aim to provide information without causing unnecessary alarm. However, it's important to acknowledge research findings that suggest, in extreme cases when left untreated, candida overgrowth can lead to cancer.
Just 100 years ago, cancer was much less prevalent, with only one in a hundred people succumbing to it. The dramatic increase in cancer rates today suggests that not all cancers are purely genetic. It's logical to attribute a significant portion of modern cancer cases to lifestyle and environmental factors.
The Problem with Conventional Cancer Treatments
Unfortunately, conventional cancer treatments such as steroids, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy often fail to address the root causes of cancer. These treatments can destroy the immune system along with the cancer cells they target, making it difficult for the body to combat the underlying issues effectively.
Without a healthy lifestyle, it's no surprise that many cancers return with increased severity. The physical discomfort and psychological trauma associated with cancer are understandable, especially since its onset and recovery can seem like a lottery.
This is particularly unfortunate because with proper education and research, many people can recover from cancer by understanding its causes and exploring alternative treatments.
Candida and Cancer: A Growing Body of Evidence
There is a growing recognition of the link between candida and cancer. Mycology, the study of fungi, offers valuable insights into cancerous tumors. For example, psoriasis, an incurable skin condition, is often treated as a fungal infection.
Similarly, tumors, often labeled as incurable, might not be as untreatable as once thought. In many cases, there appears to be a significant overlap between the symptoms of systemic candidiasis and cancer.
Several studies have found high co-occurrence rates of candida and cancer:
- R.L. Hopfer: 79%
- U. Kaben: 80%
- W.T. Hughes: 91%
- T.E. Kiehn: 97%
These findings strongly suggest that candida is almost always present in the tissues of cancer patients. This phenomenon is usually seen as a result of the weakening and exhaustion of the body due to neoplastic lesions.
It’s posited that as tumors grow, candida can infiltrate through fissures in the tissue. However, it’s also suggested that candida's presence might actually contribute to the carcinogenic process.
The Developmental Stages of Candida
The first stage in the development of candida into a more aggressive fungal form is its penetration into deep connective tissues within the organs. Neoplasia, or the formation of new, abnormal growth, occurs as the body tries to encapsulate these fungal colonies.
After this, the growth spreads to surrounding tissues and other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis. This eventually leads to the body’s progressive exhaustion and complete invasion by the fungus.
Many researchers support the theory that cancer, like in the plant world, could be caused by a fungus. This idea continues to gain traction globally, with Dr. Tulio Simoncelli, an Italian oncologist, being one of the most prominent advocates. Dr. Simoncelli has had success treating cancer by addressing it as a fungal infection, observing that most cancers share a common appearance and behavior, which led him to believe that tumors are fungal in nature.
Candida and Cancer: A Closer Look
In oncology, candida is considered an opportunistic organism that attaches itself to developing tumors. Yet, the study of candida’s progression into candidiasis contradicts this view. As mentioned earlier, once candida escapes the gut and enters the bloodstream, it can spread throughout the body.
Fungi are anaerobic organisms, meaning they do not require oxygen to survive. Once they settle in the body, they can create anaerobic conditions that encourage cancer growth. Additionally, one of the by-products of yeast is alcohol, which can further fuel cancer cells.
A 1993 issue of Contemporary Oncology in America reported that cancer patients who underwent radiotherapy or chemotherapy often died not from cancer itself, but from an infestation of Candida albicans (candida). This suggests that conventional cancer treatments may, in fact, exacerbate the problem.
For this reason, it’s crucial that individuals who have received such treatments take every precaution to prevent candida infection.