microbes still require an unclean environment to live and to survive; their population is naturally reduced
in size when their food supply becomes limited. Our body’s “ecosystem” is not exempt from this law of
nature. The belief that man is powerful enough to bypass the laws of nature and use antibiotic drugs for
minor infectious diseases is crushed by a few evasive microbes we cannot even see with our bare eyes.
The more people stop “feeding and fighting” them, the less dangerous they will become for us humans.
This is a major lesson for survival on the planet.
Candida—Microbes Versus Microbes
An increasing number of Natural Health Care Providers acknowledge that a clean intestinal tract with
the proper balance of “beneficial” and “destructive” bacteria is one of the most important foundations for
achieving a continuous state of optimal health. A healthy intestinal tract is inhabited by over 400 different
species of bacteria, of which there are thousands of strains. The delicate balance between the two basic
types of bacteria constituting the intestinal flora becomes easily disturbed through the use of antibiotics.
One of the most common side effects of using antibiotics against infection is the overgrowth of
Candida albicans—a natural and even necessary yeast inhabitant of our gut. A popular misconception is
that Candida albicans is a prime enemy of the body and therefore should be eradicated by all means. But
nothing could be further from the truth. Candida albicans is one of the essential microorganisms in the
body that are termed "saprophytic," meaning they decompose dead, potentially toxic tissue. Candida only
proliferates to help the body prevent a major toxicity crisis. Candida albicans is not out to harm the body.
Candida overgrowth problems tend to gradually lessen as the body detoxifies itself.
Candida albicans also helps to break down sugar. When carbohydrate digestion is incomplete or
impaired, you can expect a drastic increase of these microbes. Under normal circumstances, Candida
bacteria, which reside in most mucus membranes, are kept in check by beneficial, so-called “probiotic”
bacteria, such as lactobacillus acidophilus and bifido. We have more of these beneficial bacteria in our
body than we have cells, and one third of our eliminated fecal matter consists of these tiny helpers. We
actually could not survive without them. When excessive amounts of undigested carbohydrates (sugars),
harmful waste matter and damaged or dead cells are present in the gut, the need for the destructive type of
bacteria (versus probiotic bacteria) increases. Hence, the proliferation of Candida.
Antibiotics, which target the specific microbes linked to some kind of infection, also kill off the
probiotic bacteria in the gut. Subsequently, Candida production goes into overdrive and spreads like mold
throughout the intestinal tract. This greatly interferes with the activity of enzymes that break down food,
resulting in poor digestion and bloating. If the Candida continues to grow, it develops tentacles that
penetrate the bowel walls allowing toxins to enter other parts of the body, including the brain. This can
cause an entire range of physical and emotional symptoms. These include sinusitis, ear infections,
gastrointestinal dysfunction, weight gain, water retention, hormonal imbalance, mental confusion,
depression, insomnia, anxiety, chronic fatigue, vaginitis, increased premenstrual tension, urinary tract
infection (cystitis), oral thrush, skin and nail infection, conjunctivitis, constipation, kidney problems,
gallstones, and food cravings, particularly for sugar and sweets.
Besides antibiotics, other drugs such as the contraceptive pill and Hormone Replacement Therapy
(HRT) have been shown to cause Candida. The latter two increase vaginal glucose by up to 80 percent,
which means more food for Candida bacteria. The typical modern junk food diet that is high in fat and
sugar contributes to a further spread of Candida. Like most other disorders, Candida, too, is but a toxicity
crisis, and merely one of the body’s natural responses to rid itself of accumulated toxins and suffocated,
dead cells. Candida spreads wherever toxins need to be “digested.” Any weakening influence that robs the
body of its energy reserves leads to a buildup of toxins and helps to spread Candida further.