Candida & Medicinal Mushrooms

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by Candida fungi, mostly Candida albicans.

These fungi normally colonize the mouth, gastrointestinal tract and vagina without causing any problems.

Candida is well managed by the body's immune defence system.

When the balance of native bacteria is disturbed and the immune system is compromised, the yeast infection starts thriving and causing a variety of symptoms.

Usually, the yeast infections, candida, affect the mouth, genital area or skin.

People with a weakened immune system resulting from a chronic disease, an illness or medications that include corticosteroids or anticancer drugs, are more susceptible to topical infections and they are more likely to experience a more serious fungal infection.

• Thrush — This is the common name for a mouth infection caused by the Candida albicans fungus and is affecting moist surfaces around the lips, on the tongue, palate and inside the cheeks.
• Esophagitis — The candida infections has spread from the mouth to the oesophagus.
• Cutaneous (skin) candidiasis — The candida can cause skin infections in such places like diaper areas, the rim of skin at the base of the fingernail, especially for hands that are exposed to moisture; the hands of people who routinely wear rubber gloves; areas around the groin and in the crease of the buttocks; the skin folds under large breasts when the moisture is present.
• Vaginal yeast infections — Vaginal yeast infections are usually regarded as not sexually transmitted. Within a lifetime, about 75% of women are most likely to experience at least once the vaginal Candida infection. The women that are pregnant or on birth control pills, as well as women suffering of diabetes or taking antibiotics are more susceptible to fungus infection.
• Deep candidiasis (for example, candida sepsis) —This means that Candida found a way to get into the bloodstream and has spread throughout the body causing severe infection. This usually happens in people with severely weakened immune systems from illness or medications such as anticancer drugs. In these cases, the fungus could have got into the bloodstream through surgical wounds, catheters, tracheostomy tubes, ventilation tubing, severe burns, intravenous drug administration, trauma wounds or others means.

• Thrush — White curd-like patches form on the inside of the mouth, especially on the tongue, the palate and around the lips as well as cracked, red, moist areas of skin at the corners of the mouth.
• Esophagitis — It may cause difficult or painful swallowing as well as chest pain behind the sternum.
• Cutaneous candidiasis — Fungus in the cutaneous area can cause red, moist, weepy skin and small pustules.
• Vaginal yeast infections — The following are the symptoms of the vaginal yeast infections:
  - Itch and/or soreness
  - Thick vaginal discharge that looks like soft or cottage cheese
  - Burning discomfort around the vaginal opening, especially during the urination or when the urine comes in contact with the vaginal opening  
  - pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse.
• Deep candidiasis — This is the most dangerous state as the candida infection spreads into the bloodstream. This may cause a wide range of alarming symptoms such as unexplained fever, shock and multiple organ failure.

• Keep your skin clean and dry
• Stick to healthy food, include veggies, fruit and berries
• Take antibiotics only when and as directed by your doctor
• Keep the blood sugar level under control
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle and include physical activities
• Boost your immune system so that it can effectively fight the infections  

People suffering with candida overgrowth often have a weak immune system because high amounts of toxic by-products are released into the body. 

They also often have various degrees of intestinal inflammation and gut permeability which too can lead to immune system dysfunction and deficiency.

Extensive research has shown that beta-glucans, the long-chain sugars, contained in medicinal mushrooms...

• act as immune stimulants in the body,
• help in the activation of macrophages, 
• increase NK cell production,
• provide a powerful nourishing and healing effects. 

Macrophage takes place when the body’s white blood cells begin to eat and digest cellular debris, microbes, toxic substances, and anything else that can be harmful in the body.

Reishi medicinal mushroom is a rich source of immune-boosting beta-glucans, a form of polysaccharides contained in the cell walls of fungi. Reishi is also proven to be the most powerful mushroom that can induce the macrophage.

Most beneficial medicinal mushrooms for dealing with candidiasis / candida overgrowth are:

• Lion's Mane
• Maitake
• Reishi
• Shiitake

Please do not hesitate to contact me and discuss your health issues or any of our MediMushrooms products.

I am here to help,
Dr Alla.