Last Updated on November 29, 2023 by Cathy
Candida albicans is a yeast that grows in small amounts inside of everyone. It usually lives in the gut flora and on the skin without causing any problems. Many studies linked candida with increased odds of multiple sclerosis (MS)
Causes of candida overgrowth:
- Alcohol overuse
- Antibiotics
- Birth control pills
- Chemotherapy and radiation
- Chlorine (saunas, swimming pools, etc.)
- Chronic stress
- Fluoride
- Heavy metals like mercury from dental amalgam (silver fillings)
- Poor diet
- Poor sleep habits
- Sedentary lifestyle (not moving)
- Steroids (cortisone, prednisone)
When Candida begins to grow out of control it becomes an opportunistic pathogen. Which means it looks for any opportunity to grow. And when your immune system is down due to multiple sclerosis (MS), candida takes advantage.
I was fifteen years old when I had my first multiple sclerosis flare and probably candida most of my life. This was due to antibiotics given to me starting as a baby.
The Association Between Candida and Multiple Sclerosis
There are studies dating back many decades connecting MS with candida overgrowth. Dr. Orian Truss and Dr. William Crook were the first doctors to try and bring awareness. They were mostly ignored but studies now confirm this association. Including a study from 2010 at the University Hospital in Madrid, Spain.
Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth
You can’t use antibiotics to stop the overgrowth. The overuse of antibiotics is usually the cause of the overgrowth. Many people with MS people have candida overgrowth without realizing it.
Symptoms of candida overgrowth:
- Brain fog
- Chronic fatigue
- Craving for sweets
- Dandruff
- Digestive issues
- Mood swings
- Mycotoxins (mold)
- Nail fungus
- Oral thrush
- Reoccurring vaginal yeast infections
- Sinus infections
- Urinary tract infections (UTI)
Notice many of the candida symptoms are similar to symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis?
Every time you take an antibiotic you’re killing off the bad bacteria and the good bacteria. Candida isn’t affected by antibiotics which gives it the opportunity to quickly grow. Candida also feeds on sugar, that’s why you often get sugar cravings – to feed Candida. Processed foods include many hidden sugars with different names. Conventional meats also include antibiotics that pass on to you when you eat them.
Antibiotics in Meat
I live in a rural area and my neighbors are cattle ranchers. They once told me they have to give the newborn calves antibiotics “before they hit the ground.” Of course, they were exaggerating a little but not by much.
For some odd reason, antibiotics also help farm animals to grow faster. So farmers would include it in their feed supply. In 2017, it became illegal to give lower doses of antibiotics to farm animals in their feed. Although, these animals are still given antibiotics in “responsible” amounts. If you’re eating conventional meats daily, you’re hurting your gut flora.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports the responsible use of antibiotics in food animals, and the efforts the FDA and USDA are putting forth to improve antibiotic use.
– Wikipedia
Candida Releases Acetaldehyde and Mycotoxins
In 1986, Dr. Orion Truss wrote about the dangers of high levels of candida making its way into the brain. Eating sugar feeds candida which releases acetaldehyde in the gut from sugar fermentation.
Normally, the liver converts the acetaldehyde into a harmless substance. When acetaldehyde is at high levels, thanks to candida, it overwhelms the body and brain.
Mycotoxin means ‘fungus poison’ in Latin. It is a byproduct produced by organisms from the fungi family – mold.
Mycotoxin-producing molds are very common and grow in many different environmental conditions. Including water-damaged buildings and food, and it’s a byproduct produced from candida overgrowth.
Once candida is in an overgrowth state, the body has to deal not only with the overgrowth but also with the toxic by-products, or mycotoxins, that Candida albicans puts out—“79 at latest count,” 3 according to C. Orian Truss, MD. All of these weaken your immune system and attack the myelin sheath in those with MS.
– Ann Boroch, Healing Multiple Sclerosis
Symptoms of mycotoxins include brain fog, depression, and feelings of intoxication. People with MS are often known to walk as if they had been drinking alcohol when they haven’t been near alcohol. A study in 2016 compared the activity of candida in patients with MS. They discovered MS patients had significantly higher levels of candida than healthy people. Their findings suggest there is a connection between candida and the severity of MS.
How to Stop Candida Overgrowth
If you suspect candida overgrowth, your first step is to stop feeding it. AVOID processed foods, refined sugar, and refined carbohydrates. Instead, eat a nutrient-dense diet like The Wahls Protocol.
It’s also important to avoid natural sugars like high-sugar fruits, maple syrup, and raw honey. Eating a low-carb diet and eating foods that are antifungals will stop the growth of candida. For severe cases, you may need to contact a functional medicine provider to help you.
Natural antifungal foods:
- Apple cider vinegar
- Coconut oil
- Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, radishes, etc.)
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Pumpkin seeds
Stress
Candida flourishes when you eat a high-sugar diet but it also feeds on blood sugar. When you’re stressed it raises your cortisol level which raises your blood sugar. Candida doesn’t care where the sugar comes from as long as it continues to grow.
Emotional, mental, and physical stress weakens your central nervous system. Chronic stress plays a huge role in MS. When you are always stressed whether it’s from finances, your kids, or from work it puts a strain on your body. Your body and your hormones never get a chance to calm down leaving your body always on high alert.
Over time, it wears your body out, chronic stress can cause a flare. It can even be the trigger that pushes your body toward an autoimmune disease. Unfortunately, living with MS can cause stress, and stress can make MS worse.
Learn to Relax
In today’s world avoiding stress is tough. People are rude, traffic is horrible, you’re overworked and tired. Plus, living with MS makes everything much worse. You need to retrain your brain to be positive. Let go of anger, anxiety, bitterness, disappointment, and envy. Stop thinking negatively and start thinking positively. It’s not “if” you get better, it’s “when” you get better.
- Avoid things that cause you to stress, no matter how small
- Don’t be a procrastinator
- Leave for work a little early so you won’t be late
- Get rid of clutter, it puts your mind at ease
- Stay off of social media, it’s full of negativity
- Stop talking negative and avoid negative people
- Stop watching the news and drama television
The best thing you can do is to learn to relax and let go of the stress. I know from experience how hard letting go of stress can be. But, it’s extremely important to learn different techniques to stay stress-free.
Stressbusters:
- Go for a walk
- Laugh
- Listen to relaxing music
- Pet your cat or dog
- Play with your kids
- Read a book
- Spend time outdoors
- Soak in a tub
- Take up a fun hobby
- Watch a funny movie
Changing your habits doesn’t happen overnight. Remind yourself to talk positively and keep a smile on your face. 🙂
Quick Links You May Be Interested In:
The Connection Between MS and Candida
How to Tell if You Have Candida
6 Incredible Foods That Kill Candida
Want to remember this candida and multiple sclerosis health tip? Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board!
Resources:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibiotic_use_in_livestock
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycotoxin
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170919102530.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC164220/
