Candida is a systemic fungal infection that can be associated with various chronic illnesses. If both candida and fibromyalgia are present, it can be an exacerbating factor within fibro. Although candida, also known as Candidiasis, itself does not cause fibromyalgia, it needs to be addressed if any signs or symptoms of this fungal infection are present. Candida is more prevalent with viral activity or symptoms of chronic fatigue/immune deficiency.
Candida weakens the immune system and puts an extra burden on all organs, especially the liver and digestive tract. Candida is actually more prevalent than ever, yet again, many people can have candida without having fibromyalgia.
However, when candida and fibromyalgia are both present, due to the complexity of fibromyalgia, we cannot afford the extra burden on our vulnerable nervous and immune systems.
Candida and Fibromyalgia:
How do we get candida?
After just one course of antibiotics, we can be susceptible to the candida infection. Most people have been exposed to antibiotics since a young age, for an ear infection, strep throat or maybe a recurring sinus infection.
This is where the cycle can begin even if we don’t acquire symptoms until a later time. Unfortunately, antibiotic medicines have been over prescribed and have become less effective with new strains of bacteria, infection and viral activity.
Other sources that can contribute to developing Candida include pesticides such as glyphosate, and herbicides, even additives in processed foods. Ingesting processed foods on a regular basis will only continue to feed the “bad guys” in the gut and that is what we want to avoid.
As a colon therapist, I see various conditions that are connected to candida. This infection can live in various parts of the body and invade tissues and organs and the entire digestive tract.
Although there are various treatments and supplements to treat candida, the most effective recourse is going to be long term adherence to a sugar free/yeast free/high probiotic diet.
It doesn’t have to be complicated, and that is key. The biggest issue is often getting support when changing dietary habits. Creating a cleaner palate and stronger immune status takes time.
Food allergies or sensitivities can exacerbate symptoms in fibromyalgia as well.
It should also be noted that fungal infections are seen more often in those with CFS/ME. In fact, it is believed that one of the more common “roots” in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is candidiasis.
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The Signs and Symptoms of Candida
- Leaky Gut
- Abdominal bloating
- Malabsorption
- History of antibiotic use
- Indigestion/swollen abdomen after eating
- Intense craving for sugar and carbohydrates
- Body odor
- Skin breakouts or rashes
- Environmental sensitivity
- Brain fog
- Thrush on tongue and/or bad breath
- Mood swings
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Inability to digest fats/oils
- Food Intolerances
- Increase in muscle or joint pain
- Intolerance to alcohol
Candida and Fibromyalgia: Healing Candida
Do you find that treating candida is challenging, and symptoms return easily? That is common.
Adherence to a sugar free and low grain diet is the first step. A paleo type diet which eliminates many forms of starch is a good place to start for many people unless vegan, yet we must go a step further and introduce a good amount of cultured and high probiotic foods into our weekly menu.
NOTE: Our additional diet pages here in the site address vegan options.
Initially, all forms of sugar need to eliminate. Depending on the severity of symptoms, fruit servings need to be limited to no more than two per day, using only low glycemic fruits such as granny smith apples and unsweetened cranberries (both of these fruits are excellent in blender drinks by the way).
Cultured foods and probiotics are going to be essential and can be easily incorporated into any diet. Taking oral probiotics can be a great start; also, learning to prepare probiotic foods at home will help to create a more plentiful arena for good bacteria to flourish within the intestines. This “good bacteria” is what keeps our immune system stronger and more resilient. Look for cultured vegetables like Wildbrine Arame and Ginger Sauerkraut.
Working as a colon therapist, I have tried many different brands of probiotics over the years. I recommend Udo’s Flora brand of probiotics because it is a good quality, multi strain, highly effective probiotic at the best cost we have found as well. This probiotic also contains a good amount of the strains that I prefer to have included such as plantarum, bifidum, and casei.
I have used the Advanced Adult version (pictured above) with good success for over 15 years now because it has a good potency of each strain.
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GSE NUTRIBIOTIC is a great natural form of antibiotic. This can be easily taken in water, very cost effective and will last a long time. If you don’t care to take a liquid, you can take the capsules. I just like to get it into my cells quickly, so I take the liquid.
If you struggle with infections of any kind or even fungal infections, GSE can be very beneficial.
We can also use some herbs and natural remedies for treating candida and fibromyalgia. I like using Pau d Arco. This is an anti-fungal herb that can be used to make tea. This can be found in bulk tea and/or herbal depts.
A quality unprocessed Aloe Vera and Black Walnut in tincture form are also helpful in feeding healthy gut bacteria. Feed the good guys… starve the bad guys …in order to create a stronger terrain. Additional remedies noted at bottom of this article.
Diet for Candida and Fibromyalgia
On the Resources page, we have a link to The Body Ecology Diet (BED), this book is a great foundation when adopting an anti-candida lifestyle. I was first introduced to this diet over 20 years ago, and it is still one of the best in treating candida. Don’t worry, we can still have starch in our diet with BED, even red potatoes and organic blue corn can be included to help create variety.
The BED eliminates most grains, grain flours, sugars and soy but includes options for soaked ancient grains such as quinoa and amaranth (if tolerated) Conventional grains and grain flours are hard on the endocrine system and when reduced or eliminated will free the extra burden on all endocrine glands including thyroid and adrenals.
Do you have issues with liver or gallbladder disease? With or without a gallbladder, candida can infiltrate all of the digestive organs and bile ducts. Because the starch molecule is not soluble in water, these fore-mentioned grains and starches are not well digested and can create havoc in the entire GI tract.
As Dr. Hulda Clark expresses in her books on cancer, “Cleaning the liver bile ducts is one of the most powerful procedures we can do to improve health”. Liver and gallbladder disease has become more of an epidemic these days, and it all stems from a fast paced world with ever present fast processed foods and drinks.
You can find Liver and Bile Tonics on the Recipes page.
Reducing heated fats and oils will also lift some of the burden from the liver and bile ducts. When fats are not well tolerated, it is often due to a weak gallbladder not producing sufficient bile salts. Nuts should always be raw and soaked in pure water. Using a dehydrator at home, we can make our own sweet potato chips, dried green apples, etc. without the use of heated fats as found in many packaged foods. My favorite dehydrator is available on the Kitchen Tools page.
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