Is There A Link Between Candida And Arthritis?
The importance of maintaining healthy gut flora is only just starting to be understood by modern medicine. With every new piece of research that is completed, we are finding out more and more about how imbalances in these tiny microorganisms can have extraordinary effects on other parts of our bodies.
By now, most people have read about the importance of a balanced gut flora to our immune systems. A fungal overgrowth can quickly weaken your immune system and leave you vulnerable to infection and disease.
There is also an increasing amount of research into the gut-brain axis and how probiotics can affect things like mood and mental health. But did you know that there are also clear links between those microorganisms living in your gut and arthritis?
In today’s post I’m going to describe how Candida albicans is linked to autoimmune diseases like arthritis, and make some suggestions for how the right diet and supplements can lessen your arthritis symptoms.
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Research On Candida And Arthritis
Here is a list of some of the most recent research on arthritis, along with a brief summary of the researchers’ findings. Taken together, these studies form a very compelling argument that Candida can contribute to (and perhaps even trigger) arthritis.
- A 2011 review looked at the current research into Candida and inflammation. The researchers found that “Candida colonization delays healing of inflammatory lesions”. They also noted that “These effects may create a vicious cycle in which low-level inflammation promotes fungal colonization and fungal colonization promotes further inflammation.”
- A recent Japanese study looked at the effect of Candida colonization on autoimmune diseases like arthritis. Researchers found that “C. Albicans in mice aggravates inflammation in allergic and autoimmune diseases, not only in the gut but also in the extra-gut tissues”. This is particularly important because it shows how Candida can cause an inflammatory response not just in your gut, but also in other tissues outside of it.
- A Dutch team in 2012 injected Candida albicans yeast cells into the knee joints of mice. They found that these mice exhibited not only “joint swelling and inflammation”, but also “enhanced destruction of cartilage and bone”. The study concluded that “minute amounts of fungal components, like C. albicans, are very potent in interfering with the local cytokine environment in an arthritic joint, thereby polarizing arthritis towards a more destructive phenotype.”
- Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that the presence of Candida caused an inflammatory response in the body, specifically the production of TH17 cells. These are thought to play a role in rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other autoimmune diseases like psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, and Crohn’s disease.
- A Swiss study also examined the role of Candida-related TH17 cells and inflammation. In the words of the author of the study, Dr Christina Zielinski, “I am convinced that an imbalance in our microbial microflora has a decisive influence on the development of chronic inflammatory illnesses like rheumatism.”
Some Simple Techniques To Reduce Your Arthritis Symptoms
Reducing inflammation in your body is one of the keys to getting relief from arthritis, and your diet is the first thing you need to look at. There are certain foods that will help to relieve your symptoms, and other foods that will just make them worse.
Some of the best anti-inflammatory foods that you should be eating include flaxseed and fish oil. Why is this? They both contain healthy amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found to significantly reduce inflammation. You should also focus on eating lots of vegetables and some lean protein. Spices that can help with inflammation include turmeric and ginger.
Now for the foods to avoid – sugar, trans fats, alcohol, and any kind of processed carbohydrate like white bread or white pasta. Sounds familiar? You should be avoiding these foods anyway as part of your Candida diet.
A good Candida treatment plan is full of naturally anti-inflammatory foods, and largely avoids any foods that might lead to inflammation.
Another natural way to reduce inflammation is the use of probiotics and probiotic foods. Researchers have been found they reduce signs of inflammation in the body. Many recent studies have proven the key role beneficial bacteria play in our overall health.
Beating Your Candida Overgrowth Can Improve Your Arthritis
The research studies listed above show a clear link between Candida and arthritis. If you believe that you suffer from both of these conditions, beating your Candida overgrowth can provide relief from your arthritis symptoms.
Attacking your Candida will help with your arthritis in two ways. Firstly, by destroying those Candida colonies in your gut, you prevent the need for an inflammatory response from your immune system. Secondly, by switching to a healthy, low-sugar eating plan, you will eliminate many of those pro-inflammatory foods from your diet too.
In our Ultimate Candida Diet program we describe a healthy diet, free of inflammatory foods, that could help you get relief from your arthritis symptoms.
3-Month Candida Elimination Kit Start Your 3-month Candida Cleanse
This Candida Kit contains all the supplements recommended on the Candida Diet:
- LIVER ONE to process and remove the toxins created by Candida.
- CANDASSIST to inhibit and weaken the Candida colonies in your gut.
- PROBIOTIC to replace the Candida yeast with probiotic bacteria.
Plus... the CANDIDA DIET RECIPE BOOK with 50+ low-sugar recipes
This information, and the other postings of Lisa Richards have begun to effect a major positive change in my lifestyle. Because of a congenital heart defect, doctors had me taking profolactic antibiodics from the time I was a teenager. I am now 68 years old and have fought candidais since my 30s. For a number of years it was managable, but in the last 5 years I got careless and engaged in a poor diet with the result of MAJOR, multi-system problems. Finally, I learned that my GYN doctor will treat Candidias (most MDs here still scorn this problem) and I got some releif.
Although things did improve considerably, I was still in great distress from arthritic problems, urinary problems (including significant foam in my urine and recurrent bladder infections), mouth sores, and numerous other problems.
In desperation, I began searching the Internet and came across Lisa Richards’ website. Wow! What a God-send! By following her regimin I have experienced marked improvement, changed my diet drastically, and finally have some hope of regaining my life. THANK YOU, LISA! THANK YOU!
I’m in a nightmare and so much pain with oral thrush. I never imagined my candida could do this. It’s insane. I ate so much candy, cake etc. Over the Holidays I guess it was like a sugar overdose. I can’t eat because my tongue hurts so much and painful blisters. So completely miserable. Rinsing with hydrogen peroxide and nystain and salt water. I can’t stand it and am taking pain pills and probiotics by the handfull. Also Braggs vinegar. There’s something called Violet something they said I should look at. Oy wouldn’t wish on worst enemy or actually I would.
Judi, I was overcome with Candida in 2012. After a month of diflucan I discovered taking probiotics put it back in check. And by take probiotics I mean 20 a day for three days and all my symptoms were gone.
What priobiotics did u take please
Yes what probiotucs and what strains and dosage please
I have been to numerous doctors about my internal and external issues all due to candida a. I didnt know what it was and obviously, neither did the doctors. Let me tell you, i was a hot mess with severe bloating, and external weeping sores that would not clear up. One doc told me to cut my fingernails to stop stratching even though i told her (dermatologist) that the lesions would just break through the skin. I was advised by a functional practioner to follow this program and i did. The results have been dramatic. Following the candida diet with nutritional protocols has been a life changer to a condition i have suffered with since 2015.
It’s interesting to learn that Candida can be treated with the help of proper diet which means avoiding inflammatory foods as you’ve mentioned. That would really be helpful as my dad had been diagnosed to have it and we are trying to find ways to keep his health in check. I would try asking around for other treatments that are proven to be effective in fending of Candida. Thanks!