What You Need to Know About the Link Between CANDIDA and OBESITY

A rising concern

There is an important link between Candida overgrowth and the problem with obesity that we see in our world today. Studies already begin to indicate that candida is an underlying cause of many chronic illnesses that manifest with seemingly unrelated symptoms and syndromes that are extremely hard to diagnose when viewed as separate individual clinical manifestations.

In today's world, obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Over two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, and one in three Americans is obese.

It is, perhaps, becoming a cliche already to mention that fluctuating weight is detrimental to our overall health. But as a health professional myself, it is always important to point out the many factors to consider when we speak of obesity and being overweight.

Research has shown that as weight increases to reach the levels referred to as "overweight" and "obesity,"* the risks for the following conditions also increases:

• Coronary heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
• Stroke
• Liver and Gallbladder disease
• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
• Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
• Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility)

 Not only that, but obesity has a far-ranging negative effect on our overall health, which includes a psychosocial effect. Stanford hospital explains...

In a culture where often the ideal of physical attractiveness is to be overly thin, people who are overweight or obese frequently suffer disadvantages. Overweight and obese persons are often blamed for their condition and may be considered to be lazy or weak-willed. It is not uncommon for overweight or obese conditions to result in persons having lower incomes or having fewer or no romantic relationships. Disapproval of overweight persons expressed by some individuals may progress to bias, discrimination, and even torment.

 The Vicious Cycle

Researchers have found that problems with Candida albicans in the stomach probably are part of the cause of several serious gastrointestinal diseases, including Crohn's disease and other inflammatory bowel syndromes. It may even be what causes obesity.

Studies on rats also found that Candida appears to make intestinal ulcers worse and keep them from healing. And since rats and human digestion aren't very different, this is most likely a picture we can see in humans as well.

These Candida-related GI problems lead to what we call a "LEAKY GUT SYNDROME." It's not what you are picturing in mind right now. It is actually a condition which increases the permeability of our intestinal mucosa. Normally, it allows for nutrients from our digested food to be absorbed into the bloodstream. But with a "leaky gut," whatever is in the intestines, Candida toxins and all, can be absorbed and go directly into the bloodstream, which in turn is circulated elsewhere in the body.

It's amazing how studies have shown that the Leaky Gut Syndrome has been linked to skin problems, food allergies, depression, autism and heart disease! All of this, by the way, can be caused by Candida in the digestive tract.

But how does that relate to obesity? Well, it all starts with the leaky gut syndrome creating food allergies and sensitivities. It has been found in studies that Candida can actually cause changes in the lining of the digestive tract in mice to case these food sensitivities. 

These sensitivities can in turn lead to cravings and indigestion, and a more systematic problems related to inflammation. People will tend to NOT feel full after a meal and the food sensitivities may cause problems in ingesting  a more regular, healthy diet.

TODAY'S PROBLEM: Because Candida overgrowth is usually masked by undiagnosed symptoms and syndromes (a group of clinical manifestations), the most common approach to intervention in the medical community today is to only often treat SYMPTOMS rather than the underlying cause.

When inflammatory conditions occur, there is a greater tendency that we will be undergoing antibiotic treatments for it which will add more insult to the injury as it kills the good bacteria in our gut and leads to a further imbalance in the normal flora in our bodies, allowing for Candida overgrowth.

Unless we deal with the grassroot level cause of modern day's health problems, we may never get out of the vicious cycle of Candida overgrowth. Things will just get worse overtime. 

Here are some further good reads on Candida overgrowth and its connection to many of today's health problems:
Crook, William G. MD (1999) The Yeast Connection Handbook. Square One Publishers. ISBN-0757000606

Mercola, Joseph, M.D. (2008) Total Health. eBook. Download Now!

Hemway, Francine (2006) Beauty and the Yeast Beast. Self Published. ISBN-0978623401

Lipski, Elizabeth (1998) Leaky Gut Syndrome. McGraw-Hill. ISBN-0879838248 

Martin, Jeanne Marie (2000) Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook. Three Rivers Press. ISBN-0761527400 

Sources:

http://stanfordhospital.org/clinicsmedServices/COE/surgicalServices/generalSurgery/bariatricsurgery/obesity/effects.html

http://www.candida-care-plus.com/candida-and-obesity.html

http://www.candida-albicans-cure.com/what-causes-obesity.html