The Allergies - Candida Connection

There seems to be a connection between some food allergies and Candida Albacans.

Candida is common yeast that builds in the abdomen. Candida Albacans is the most common type, which itself comes in two forms - yeast and fungal. In its yeast form it is benign. As it multiples if starts to stick to the walls of the intestines. Given time, it will develop into its fungal form which the one that does the damage.

At this point it has sharp tentacles that will tend to pierce the intestine wall. This causes what is known as "leaky gut syndrome" and brings on infections. It also produces spores, which travel in the blood throughout the body. This is when outward symptoms of Candida pop up.

So how is this related to allergies?

When someone eats a food to which they are allergic, they often suffer from gas, stomach pains, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or multiple skin complaints. These allergy symptoms will keep the good bacteria in our digestive systems from working as effectively. Part of this good bacteria's job is to keep the Candida Albacans in check. Instead, it tends to grow out of control and convert to the more destructive fungal form more quickly.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of Candida are very similar to the symptoms of the food allergies that may have started the whole attack. Therefore it often isn't recognized immediately. On top of that, the immune system is already hard at work trying to rid the body of what it recognizes as poisonous allergens; giving it less time and resources to attack the Candida. Left unchecked, the Candida starts to spread.

If your food allergies are to foods you eat very infrequently, it is unlikely to lead to Candida unless you have an acute reaction to the food. Strangely, people often aren't aware of their own food allergies. Sometimes they are difficult to detect. Therefore, you might be regularly ingesting something that gives you some level of allergic reaction. These are the more dangerous allergies with regard to Candida development. As they regularly add stress to your digestive and immune systems, Candida is given an opportunity to grow.

If you've been diagnosed with Candida and aren't aware of any food allergies, here are some ways to identify out the culprit food.

1. Create a food diary where you record everything you eat. Also keep track of any physical discomfort, such as bloating, gas or any other stomach discomforts. Record the date and time of each. Analyze the results. Pay particular attention to the most common allergic foods, such as dairy and yeast products. Are there foods that, whenever eaten, are followed by discomfort? You've probably found your food allergy.

2. If you've got a more severe problem you probably want to find out more quickly, as the above method could take weeks or even months to discover. Instead you can visit a nutritionist or an allergy specialist. They can conduct allergy tests that will tell you your sensitivities in an afternoon.

3. Another often-successful tactic is to go on an "anti-Candida diet". This eliminates any foods that may cause allergies from your diet. Although restrictive, it's quite effective. And you're fighting the allergy as well as the Candida Albacans.

Understanding this connection between food allergies and Candida Albacans is important. If you continue to eat the foods that encourage fungal Candida Albacans growth, you will continue to suffer the symptoms. Changing your diet allows you to regain control of your health.