Candida and Yeast Support for Lyme disease
Your gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) is responsible for providing your body with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals found in the food you eat. Trillions of beneficial bacteria live in your GI tract, and are referred to as normal or good flora, and are essential for your overall health. As more than 70% of your immune system resides in your GI tract, its importance in Lyme disease treatment cannot be ignored.
Disbiosis occurs when the balance of your normal flora is disrupted by invading microorganisms. This occurs for several reasons, including stress, chronic inflammation, chronic illnesses, like chronic Lyme disease, poor diet, suppressed or compromised immune system, toxicity, antibiotics, alcohol, steroids, and birth control pills.
Candida is a type of parasitic yeast like fungus that normally inhabits your GI tract which is kept in check by your normal flora. When disbiosis occurs, candida can over. It can proliferate the gut, penetrate the intestinal wall and then be carried by the circulatory system throughout the body. This is known as candidiasis and can infect organs, muscle tissues, and compromise the entire immune system. If candidiasis persists, it can lead to leaky gut syndrome and impair nutrient absorption. Treatment of Lyme disease with antibiotics, especially long term antibiotic treatment, can be a leading cause of candidiasis.
The most common symptoms of candidiasis are constipation, diarrhea, colitis, abdominal pain, headaches, bad breath, rectal itching, memory loss, mood swings, prostatitis, heartburn, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, allergies, food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome, congestion, cough, numbness in the face or extremities, tingling sensations, acne, night sweats, severe itching, sinus congestion, PMS, burning tongue, white spots on the tongue and in the mouth, extreme fatigue, vaginitis, kidney and bladder infections, arthritis, depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, hypothyroidism, adrenal problems, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and psoriasis.
There are several test to determine if you have candidiasis. Once confirmed, it needs to be addressed. You will never get rid of Lyme disease with candidiasis compromising your immune system.
Here is what we found helpful in the fight against candidiasis:
Anti-candida and anti-inflammatory diets.
Use probiotics daily, especially during and after antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease.
Remember when you kill any invading microbe you can experience Herx die-off reactions. ALWAYS start slow and work your way up to full doses. If a herx reactions does occur, see our Herx/die-off section for suggested products to make you more comfortable through the process.