According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the Candida Auris species is an emerging fungus that presents a serious global health threat.
What is Candida?
-Candida albicans is a yeast that occurs naturally in the human body, but can cause a host of health conditions if growing in overabundance, in particular “leaky gut syndrome.”
-Candida overgrowth or candidiasis can manifest as gut dysregulation, thrush, chronic fatigue, or cognitive impairment – or all of these.
-Fulvic acid is a powerful natural antifungal that kills candida by disrupting its cell membranes, allowing healthy microbial balance to be restored.
What is candidiasis?
Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by yeasts that belong to the genus Candida which has hundreds of species. Many of these species can cause infections in humans and the most common strain is Candida albicans.
Candida generally lives inside the body in areas such as the gut, mouth, throat, vagina, and on the skin often without causing any serious problems. Candidiasis that develops in the mouth or throat is called thrush (oropharyngeal candidiasis) and in the vagina is commonly referred to as a yeast infection.
The overgrowth of Candida yeasts can cause serious infections and may enter deep into the body through the gut membrane (leaky gut syndrome) and other vulnerable areas. Invasive candidiasis occurs when Candida species enters the bloodstream and affects critical internal organs like the kidneys, heart, and brain. This invasion of the fungus can pose serious health problems and discomfort. Unfortunately, misdiagnosis is very common as symptoms can be similar to other conditions.
The CDC claims candida infections pose a serious global threat
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the Candida Auris species is an emerging fungus that presents a serious global health threat. Healthcare facilities in several countries have reported that C. Auris has caused severe illness in hospitalized patients. C. Auris is often resistant to multiple antifungal drugs.
Common symptoms of candida overgrowth
-Tiredness and fatigue -Strong sugar and refined carbohydrate cravings -Difficulty concentrating, poor memory, lack of focus, ADD, ADHD, and/or brain fog -Irritability, anxiety, mood swings, and/or depression -Recurrent urinary tract infections -Digestive issues -Sinus infections -Nail fungal infections -Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, hives, and rashes -Severe seasonal allergies or itchy ears -Joint pain
Factors that can lead to candidiasis
-Leaky gut syndrome -Antibiotics -Microbiome imbalance -Refined sugars -Alcohol intake -A weakened immune system -Taking oral contraceptives -Diabetes -High-stress levels -Poor diet
There are hundreds of different species in the Candida family, but Candida albicans is the one you’ve probably heard of before, and the one most likely to cause trouble.
It may surprise you to know that the Candida albicans yeast grows on every human body, usually harmlessly. It’s only when fungal populations are allowed to overgrow that they cause the problems associated with candidiasis or candida infection. It’s this infection that’s behind conditions like thrush, athlete’s foot, or nappy rash, but can also be the culprit for seemingly unrelated disorders like digestive trouble, depression fatigue, and allergies.
The throat, gut, skin, and vagina all contain soft tissue that provides an ideal habitat for candida to thrive. However, “good bacteria” work constantly to keep candida populations in check. Antibiotics, birth control pills, chronic stress, a diet high in alcohol and refined sugars, or a compromised immune system can all throw this delicate balance out of whack, however, giving candida the opportunity to multiply.
Symptoms depend largely on the area infected – for example, gut symptoms, vaginal symptoms, chronic fatigue, or overall cognitive impairment. Candida overgrowth in the gut, however, can often manifest as a system-wide syndrome that can be difficult to treat, precisely because there are so many varied symptoms.
Some people struggle with countless symptoms for years before realizing that this single yeast is at the root of them all. There are many different signs and symptoms of candida overgrowth, and naturally, not all of them indicate beyond doubt that candida is to blame. Nevertheless, certain tell-tale signs include frequent yeast infections (thrush) and urinary tract infections.
In the mouth, candida makes itself known via the growth of white patches on the inside of the mouth and tongue, but you may also notice rashes and irritation on your toenails, fingernails, or scalp.
Gastrointestinal symptoms commonly associated with irritable bowel syndrome can actually be caused by candidiasis – constipation, diarrhea, bloating and even severe sugar cravings can be a result of excessive candida. Finally, joint pain, fever, and chills may all indicate overgrowth in a more advanced stage, as the fungus moves into the bloodstream and wreaks havoc throughout the body.
Leaky gut and candida
If candida populations spread to a great enough extent in the GI tract, they can start to compromise the health of the intestinal lining. Disruptions to the normal microbiome composition can mean impaired nutrient absorption, digestive issues, and even compromised immunity, since the body’s first defense against pathogens is in the gut.
Prolonged candida overgrowth can create what’s called a leaky gut, wherein the intestinal lining is damaged and becomes overly permeable. Instead of sealing off harmful pathogens and particles, the membrane permits larger fragments to enter into the intestinal cells, where they join the bloodstream. From here, foreign particles can trigger an immune response, instigating a system-wide allergic and inflammatory reaction. Candida microbes can also enter the bloodstream and carry the infection to other parts of the body, with disastrous consequences.
How fulvic acid can help
Current treatment for leaky gut and candida overgrowth is somewhat hit-and-miss. In fact, many conventional doctors are hesitant to recognize the existence of leaky gut at all, and will only diagnose candidiasis in its most advanced stages.
Though some relief is possible when refined sugar, alcohol, and fermented foods are eliminated from the diet (these can feed candida populations) more advanced infections may need more aggressive interventions. Fulvic acid is an excellent defense against candida because it’s a powerful anti-fungal agent. A 2012 study showed that compared to four other conventional antifungals, fulvic acid was the most effective and fastest acting.
Fulvic acid has been shown in other studies to work by actively disrupting the integrity of candida’s cell membrane. Essentially, fulvic acid has the ability to puncture holes in the cell walls of the candida cells, killing them. Fulvic acid has even proven effective in tackling particularly stubborn biofilms (aggregates of many kinds of bacteria and fungi living together) when other antifungals fail.
The research is clear that this is a potent fungicide with the power to restore optimal bacterial balance throughout the body and relieve acute and chronic symptoms of fungal overgrowth.
What are bio-films and why they matter?
Bio-films are formed in many areas of your body such as your gut, mouth, and skin. A simple explanation of a biofilm is a community of microorganisms that create a film that helps them be more resilient to stress and survive longer. A common example of a biofilm is dental plaque.
The reason that biofilm formation is becoming a serious concern is that these fungi and bacteria that form this barrier are becoming more resistant to antibiotics, antifungals, and other major pharmaceuticals.
Years of data and clinical research have established that bio-films, both bacterial and fungal, have been implicated in a variety of health conditions. The National Institute of Health (NIH) has stated that bio-films accounted for over 75 percent of microbial infections in the body.
Candida biofilms are becoming clinically important due to inappropriate, misuse and/or overuse of broad-spectrum antimicrobials that are ineffective against these stubbornly resistant bio-films.
Many pharmaceuticals are susceptible to bio-film resistance. Amazingly, studies demonstrate that fulvic acid’s benefits are not affected by these bio-films as with common treatments and effectively produce positive results in spite of this formidable bio-barrier.
Fulvic acid exhibits potent anti-fungal activity that fights candida.
A 2012 study conducted by UK researchers on a range of about 50 clinical candida strains demonstrates fulvic acid’s potent ability to fight candida overgrowth and infections.
This study shows that fulvic acid was the most effective solution compared to four common anti-fungal agents, followed by caspofungin, amphotericin B, and voriconazole.
Fulvic acid was shown to effectively destroy candida overgrowth and be effective against both planktonic and sessile cells for all strains, whereas the existing anti-fungal agents exhibited increased resistance to bio-films.
What is fulvic acid and where do you get it?
Fulvic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound found in special deposits around the world. Some of the richest deposits are found in Canada, Himalayas, Hungary, and New Mexico. It was once abundant in our food supply when the Earth’s topsoil was still fertile and healthy but is now barely detectable in our produce. It has the remarkable ability to reboot your digestive system and increase your immunity by providing over 80 beneficial nutrients such as probiotics, prebiotics, and trace minerals. It has been scientifically demonstrated to treat many conditions including candidiasis, leaky gut syndrome, mineral deficiencies, Alzheimer’s, and chronic inflammation.
The multiple use cases for fulvic acid and its impressive performance have got big pharma looking. Pharmaceutical companies have been trying to replicate fulvic acid in the lab for decades, but because of its complex structure, it has not yet been successfully synthesized. Without a proprietary synthesis, it cannot be patented. Replicating nature isn’t easy. The good news is fulvic acid will remain a natural health product (for now).
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