By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

Your body is a host to many types of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. Some good, some not so good. One of the most common types of fungi in the body is candida albicans.

Perhaps you’ve heard of candida before, maybe in passing conversation or reading a health magazine, and dismissed it as another health buzzword. However, it may be time to pay attention because this opportunistic fungus could be quietly taking over your body! Candida, specifically candida albicans, is a yeast fungus that naturally resides in your body, usually without causing any harm.

Don’t let its benign presence fool you, though. When left unchecked—or when the conditions are right, this crafty organism can quickly overgrow, leading to a condition known as candidiasis, or candida overgrowth. This can wreak havoc on your health, causing symptoms ranging from digestive issues to depression. It’s not fun, and can be serious at times—especially those with a compromised or weakened immune system.

Candida has a unique ability to adapt and thrive in various areas of your body, including your mouth, digestive tract, skin or nails, vagina, and even your bloodstream. Its versatility and opportunistic ability to grow in dark moist places is what allows it to cause such a wide array of health problems.

Our immune system and healthy gut bacteria generally keep candida in check. However, candida is a very opportunistic type of yeast, so when conditions are optimal, it can turn into an uncomfortable overgrowth almost overnight. Conditions that encourage candida growth include:

• High carb, high sugar diet
• Broad spectrum antibiotics
• Corticosteroids
• Food sensitivities/food allergies
• Alcohol—especially wine and beer
• Environmental allergies
• Weakened immune system
• Inflammation
• Stress
• Fighting off another illness
• Vegan diet
• Anemia and other nutritional deficiencies
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes/pre-diabetes
• Oral contraceptives/the ‘Pill’
• Smoking
• Immunosuppressive drugs
• Cancer
• Being in warm, humid weather
• Mold infestation in home
• HIV/AIDS
• Artificial nails

Like a stealthy invader, Candida often slips under the radar because its symptoms are wide ranging and frequently mistaken for other health issues. In fact, many people live with candida overgrowth without even realizing it. How can you tell if this unpleasant guest has taken over your body?

Candida naturally ‘lives’ in the vagina and the digestive system. When one—or more of the conditions listed above are present, candida can quickly start multiplying—often in the gut and the vagina (for women).

Candida overgrowth affects energy levels, brain function, skin, digestion, and moods. Sufferers often report severe brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, joint pain, sinus infections, rashes and weakened immunity. None of this is surprising really, when you consider how closely your gut health is linked to every part of your body.

What Happens if I Have Candida Overgrowth?

1. Yeast Infections–For women, recurring vaginal yeast infections are a sign of candida overgrowth that often starts in the gut and spreads to the vaginal area. Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection typically include redness, intense itching, pain during intercourse, thick white discharge, and ‘yeasty’ odor. Yeast infections in the vagina can be transmitted to your partner (men or women) as well. Yeast overgrowth can also occur in the mouth, causing thrush. Thrush causes painful red, raw patches in sensitive mouth tissues, as well as white patches of fungus, making it painful to eat or drink certain foods.

2. Extreme Fatigue–Candida can interfere with the way your body absorbs nutrients. Healthy bacteria in the gut help break down and metabolize food. Candida overgrowth slows this process down, and causes additional gut inflammation, leading to nutrient deficiencies. Candida overgrowth has been linked to low magnesium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin B6. Low levels of these nutrients often lead to poor energy. People who have chronic fatigue syndrome may be suffering with a candida overgrowth.

3. Brain fog–Candida produces a toxin called acetaldehyde. This is the same toxin that comes from drinking alcohol (ethanol). Acetaldehyde is a known neurotoxin and carcinogenic as well. The toxic chemical that contributes to bad hangovers is the very same toxin released by the candida living in the gut. With a candida infection, you may feel like you have a bad hangover: foggy head, headache, can’t concentrate, extreme fatigue, difficulty concentrating. Acetaldehyde also overloads the liver, making it work overtime. Candida infections can also cause moodiness, depression, and irritability.

4. Food sensitivities and digestive disorder–Yeast infections in the gut can cause leaky gut. Once candida is able to root down into your gut lining, it can create a “leaky gut” situation. Partially digested food particles then leak into the bloodstream, causing inflammation and a weakened immune system. This leaky gut condition then creates increased reactions to many foods, nutrient deficiencies, bloating, gas, indigestion, constipation, or diarrhea.

5. Cravings for starchy sugary foods–Candida living in the gut can influence the body to send signals to the brain and cause you to crave the very foods that candida yeasts feed on—sugary, starchy foods. The best thing to do is to avoid all foods with any added sugar, all grains and grain products, fruit, wine, and beer until the overgrowth clears.

6. Skin Problem–Many people suffering from candida overgrowth have skin problems—itchy, peeling skin, dry patches, acne, or rashes. Candida can grow in the folds of your skin as well, such as under the breast area, the buttocks, or in the groin. This dark moist environment is the perfect place for candida to flourish and is difficult to eradicate.

7. Sinusitis– Chronic sinus problems are often the result of fungal infections like candida or mold. These little organisms like to hang out in dark, moist areas inside the nose. Your sinuses are the perfect place for them to multiply, causing you to have a stuffy nose, red, raw patches inside the nose, and sinus headaches.

8. Hormonal imbalances– can be a symptom of candida as well. It is important to recognize that a candida infection can cause worsened menopause/perimenopause symptoms, PMS, low sex drive, migraines, endometriosis, water retention, mood swings, and an inability to lose unwanted pounds. Candida overgrowth causes your body to become inflamed, as the yeast spreads beyond the digestive tract. One of the byproducts of candida can mimic estrogen, leading to a serious hormonal imbalance.

Getting and Keeping Candida Under Control

While it can be nearly impossible to fully eradicate this sneaky fungus, you can take steps to get it—and keep it—under control. Candida generally always lives in your gut—and in small amounts, as it is beneficial. The important thing is to keep it under control.

There are medications that can help kill off candida, but these antifungals often have harsh side effects such as liver toxicity, and candida ‘die-off’. What is candida die-off? Candida die-off may cause symptoms of your yeast infection to temporarily worsen, or it may even cause new symptoms, such as a fever or stomach pain. It is often called the “Herxheimer reaction.” Scientists do not fully understand what causes candida die-off, but it is thought that as the candida cells break open and die, they release harmful substances that temporarily make the symptoms worse.

While medication may temporarily kill of candida, without the necessary lifestyle and dietary changes to keep candida in check, it will just return.

Making dietary, nutritional, and lifestyle changes to keep candida levels low and in balance with the other friendly gut bacteria is the best way to reduce the overgrowth and get candida in check. Preventing candida overgrowth means supporting a healthy immune system in the gut, religiously avoiding sugars and refined carbohydrates, and taking specific probiotics and nutritional supplements.

Here are some simple rules to follow on a Candida Cleanse diet:

1. Avoid all added sugars—sucrose, fructose, cane sugar, beet sugar, glucose syrup, high fructose corn syrup, maple syrup, agave, etc.
2. Avoid processed foods—they are almost always high in carbohydrates, inflammatory seed oils, processed starches and grains, and sugar.
3. Eat non-starchy vegetables—avoid carrots, beets, potatoes, parsnips, squash, corn, etc.
4. Eat low-sugar fruits—strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, and blueberries okay in very small amounts. Avoid bananas, mangoes, pineapple, watermelon, apples, peaches, plums.
5. Enjoy healthy proteins—grass fed meat, organic free-range poultry, wild caught fish, pastured eggs.
6. Use healthy fats and oils—Avoid all omega 6 processed vegetable oils.
7. Avoid all grains.
8. Fermented foods are ok to eat: plain yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchee, cheeses.
9. Avoid alcohol—especially wine and beer or sugary mixed drinks.

It is most important to avoid all types of sugar. Candida albicans uses the sugar in your diet for fuel and to multiply. It also uses sugar to create biofilms that disguise it from your immune system.

Where possible, you should also avoid inflammatory foods like processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine as much as possible while on your anti-candida diet. By doing this, you can lower inflammation, boost gut health, and speed up your recovery.

You can also help your immune function by getting regular sleep of 7-8 hours nightly, getting outside, and getting 30-60 minutes of exercise daily.

Supplements that Help Fight Candida

Any supplements that help boost the immune system are also helpful in regaining control of candida. Over the last decade, common fungi like candida albicans are beginning to develop resistance against prescription antifungal medications. Many people are resorting to natural antifungals instead. These tend to be well-tolerated, have fewer side effects, and are highly effective.

Caprylic acid–Coconut oil is made up of three fatty acids: caprylic acid, capric acid and lauric acid. Of these, caprylic acid is the most important. Taking caprylic acid during your treatment can get your gut health back in balance and help to prevent candida overgrowth again. Studies have shown caprylic acid’s potency to be similar to prescription antifungals.

Caprylic acid damages the cell walls of Candida yeast cells. The short chain fatty acids penetrate the cell wall, where it enters the cell membrane and ruptures it, destroying the entire yeast cell. Multiple studies have found caprylic acid to be effective at killing Candida albicans yeast cells, as well as reducing symptoms in those with chronic Candida infections.

Oregano Oil– Oregano oil capsules may improve gut health in several ways due to its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antibacterial properties. Research shows that the compounds in oregano oil, carvacrol and thymol, can help to treat small intestine bacterial overgrowth, as well as candida overgrowth. Oregano oil is especially effective in killing off candida albicans in the gut. Yeasts and fungi do not develop a tolerance to oregano oil.

Probiotics—Adding healthy bacteria to your gut can help crowd out the unwelcome guests, and protect your digestive system from further invasions. A high-quality probiotic helps restore the healthy diversity of good bacteria in your intestine. There are also several fermented foods that are also very beneficial, if they do not contain any added sugars. Those foods include plain unsweetened yogurt, kimchee, sauerkraut, and some cheeses.

While probiotic supplements can be an individual fit, the best probiotics to battle candida include:

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus
• L. acidophilus
• L. casei
• L. fermentum
• L. paracasei
• B. lactis
• Bifidobacterium

Berberine—This popular blood sugar-lowering natural supplement is also powerful as an antifungal agent. Berberine is the active ingredient found in barberry, Oregon grape and goldenseal.

A 2016 study found that berberine has antifungal activity against several types of yeast, including antifungal-resistant Candida. Berberine killed off the yeast cells by breaking down the yeast’s membranes. Berberine can also be used alongside antifungal medications to enhance its overall antifungal activity.

Berberine can also be used as an immune stimulant. Its ability to activate macrophages (white blood cells) has been shown to enhance the body’s overall defense system, allowing it to fight not only Candida infection but other invading pathogens.

After your symptoms have subsided, you should continue eating a diet that is high in protein and low starch vegetables, while limiting or avoid grains, fruits, sugar, and high-starch vegetables like white potatoes. Continue to consume fermented foods to help keep your gut in balance and prevent any more candida invasions. Prevention is the key to good gut health.

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References
https://www.mygenefood.com/blog/which-probiotic-strains-get-rid-of-candida/
https://draxe.com/health/candida-symptoms/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21513811/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3667795/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4860025/
https://www.apathtonaturalhealth.com/blog/is-your-sugar-addiction-feeding-your-intestinal-candida
https://www.thecandidadiet.com/why-does-candida-need-sugar/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/candida-die-off#causes

The post Candida overgrowth – This Sneaky Fungus Can Take Over Your Body appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

What is Candida?

As we should know by now, our bodies are host to a variety of yeasts and bacteria. Some of them healthy and some not so healthy. Candida is one of those yeasts—or fungus that normally lives in our bodies. The most common form of candida is candida albicans.

Candida is the most common types of fungus in the human body. Certain health conditions can cause the yeast to grow out of control and at that point, candida can cause a variety of unwanted symptoms. It’s generally harmless, but an overgrowth of this fungus can lead to a yeast infection.

Candida lives primarily in areas like the mouth, skin, fingernails, digestive tract, toenails, rectum and vagina. When candida grows out of control in these areas, it is called “candidiasis”. Overgrowth in the mouth can cause a condition called “thrush”. Overgrowth in the vaginal tract is generally called “vaginal candidiasis”.

Rarely, for some people with compromised immune function, candida can grow out of control and become systemic.

What Causes Yeast Infections?

Yeasts like candida, generally kept in check by our immune system and by healthy bacteria in our bodies. However, antibiotics can kill off all the beneficial bacteria that would hold candida back, opening the door for unregulated candida growth. Candida is a very opportunistic fungus, so it grows where the environment is best for it. That includes the mouth, the vagina, and the digestive tract where it is warm, moist, and dark.

Other things that can contribute to the unchecked growth of candida include high blood sugar—as in people with diabetes, people with suppressed immune function—as in those who may be undergoing chemo for cancer treatments, and even high estrogen levels. People with celiac disease or types of gluten sensitivity and food allergies often suffer from an overgrowth in their digestive systems as well, as the gut microbiome is often ‘off’.

The most common cause of yeast overgrowth is a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates and low in healthy fiber and vegetables. This contributes to higher than normal blood sugar levels, which actually feed candida. Higher blood sugar contributes to an overgrowth in the digestive system, leading to a condition called “dysbiosis”. An overgrowth in the digestive system can actually cause cravings for more carbs and sugar, leading to the theory that the candida organisms themselves can actually control our cravings.

This study shows that cutting back on sugar and refined carbohydrates can actually help lower the chances of yeast infections in women.

Several other health and lifestyle practices can lead to an increased incidence of yeast infections.

These include:

• Taking antibiotics
• Eating a diet high in sugar and refined carbs
• High alcohol intake
• A weakened immune system
• Dysbiosis (overgrowth of bad bacteria and yeasts) in digestive system
• Food allergies and gluten sensitivity
• Taking oral contraceptives
• Diabetes
• High stress levels

How Would I Know if I Have a Yeast Infection?

Yeast infections are pretty obvious, and you will have a feeling of fatigue, brain fog and just general malaise. There are also some claims that yeast infections can lead to joint aches, increased food allergies due to intestinal permeability, migraines, and food cravings, but these claims have not been scientifically researched.

Let’s take a look at some of the other signs of candida overgrowth:

1. Fatigue and Brain Fog

One of the most common symptoms of candida overgrowth is brain fog and fatigue. Brain fog and fatigue can be attributed to a variety of causes, including food allergies, environmental allergies, not enough sleep, high blood sugar and several other health issues.

But when tied with any of the above risk factors, like antibiotic use, brain fog and fatigue may be attributable to candida. Overgrowth of candida can also create nutritional deficiencies and malabsorption of important nutrients, including vitamin B6, which is essential to the creation of energy. Other deficiencies caused by overgrowth of candida include magnesium and essential fatty acids. Prolonged candidiasis can lead to other issues with fatigue including chronic fatigue syndrome. This study shows a possible connection of yeast to chronic fatigue syndrome.

2. Recurring Vaginal, Genital or Urinary Tract Infections

It is true that candida is normally found in most women’s vaginal tracts, but in some, it grows out of control. It is estimated that at least 75% of all women will have at least one vaginal yeast infection in their lifetime, and most of those have more than one recurrence.

Yeast infections don’t just happen to women, they can also occur in men, and get transferred back and forth from sexual partners.

Symptoms of vaginal yeast infections include redness and itching, along with a thick, white or yellowish, cheesy discharge from the vagina. In men, there are little to no symptoms. Candida infections can also cause painful intercourse, and vaginal candidiasis can worsen with intercourse, as seminal fluid contains nutrients that candida feed on.

Candida can also cause urinary tract infections as well, especially with a prolonged or recurrent vaginal yeast infections. Candida infections can also be very common for those with indwelling catheters.

3. Oral Thrush

Since candida is an opportunistic organism and likes warm, moist areas of the body like mucous membranes, it can grow out of control in the mouth and throat as well. This is called “thrush.”

Thrush generally occurs in newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune system, such as people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. People with certain types of dental work or dentures can also get thrush more easily.

Thrush looks like reddened, sore areas with bumpy white patches on the tongue, inside the cheeks, on the gums, tonsils or the throat. The mouth may be sensitive and sore and can bleed easily. Often the tongue can be red and swollen as well with a thick white coating. In particularly bad cases, the thrush can spread down the throat making swallowing and even breathing difficult.

4. Digestive Issues and Intestinal Permeability

Healthy gut bacteria and a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut is massively important to our health overall, and the health of our digestive system. Gut bacteria also play a role in digesting and breaking down foods including starches, fiber, and some sugar.

An imbalance of gut bacteria and an overgrowth of harmful bacteria and yeasts can create unhealthy issues within the digestive system. When yeasts and bacteria in your gut become unbalanced, you can experience digestive issues, including constipation, diarrhea, nausea, gas, cramps and bloating.

Some studies have shown that overgrowth of candida in the digestive tract may be associated with chronic diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease).

Severe candida overgrowth in the intestines can also cause increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut syndrome), an increase in food allergies, and even systemic candida infections as the micro-holes in the gut can allow candida to escape into the bloodstream.

5. Sinusitis

Many adults have chronically inflamed sinuses. This can be due to ongoing allergies either in the environment or the diet, but also can be due to candida. The nasal passages and sinuses are another warm, moist mucous membrane area of the body that can allow candida to grow out of control, given the proper circumstances. Common symptoms include a runny nose, nasal congestion, loss of smell and headaches.

Most sinus infections are short lived and caused by either a bacterial or viral infection, and often clear up with medication, but many long-term sinus issues are believed to be fungal infections.

This study by the Mayo Clinic looked at a group of 210 individuals with chronic sinus infections and found that 96% of them actually had fungi in their mucus. While antibiotics are the usual line of treatment for acute sinus infections, they would most certainly make a chronic fungal infection worse. If you have recurring sinus infections or an infection that lasts longer than a month, you may have a candida infection.

6. Skin and Nail Infections

Bacteria on the skin and nails also help to keep candida from growing out of control. But certain conditions can make it more conducive for candida to grow on the skin or nails. Candida yeasts also like to grow on the skin and nails in warmer, moist conditions, which is why a yeast infection can often occur on the feet, between the toes. Armpits and the groin can also foster yeasts readily as well.

In men, it is called “jock itch”, in babies, it is diaper rash. On the feet it is often called “athlete’s foot”. Candida can also grow in the folds of skin of obese people and babies.

Antibacterial soaps can encourage the growth of yeast infections, as do warm, moist, dark areas of the skin. Candida can also contribute to ringworm and toenail fungus as well.

Babies who may be taking antibiotics for an ear infection or other illness, may experience a candida diaper rash.

Candida infections on the skin result in itchy, blotchy red areas, while candida infections in the nails can cause the nail to pull away from the bed of the nail, look white, gray or yellow. The nail itself becomes crumbly and loses its integrity.

How to Treat Candidiasis

The standard medical treatment for candida overgrowth is antifungals. Antifungals can be topical for the skin and nails, suppositories for vaginitis, or taken internally for severe digestive overgrowth or systemic candida infections. Many conventional medications for candida can be especially harsh, with unwelcome side effects, including liver dysfunction and have to be monitored carefully.

Candidiasis is generally not considered life threatening, unless the immune system is severely compromised as it is in people who are on cancer treatments, or those with immune disorders such as AIDS.

A better, more gentle treatment is to try an anti-candida diet to treat the underlying cause in the gut. Eliminating all sugars, grain-based carbohydrates and fruit is a good start. In addition, it is recommended to avoid lactose in dairy products, fruit, and any foods you may be sensitive or allergic to. For those who are gluten sensitive, candida overgrowth is fairly easy to treat by eliminating gluten and slowing the inflammation and immune reaction in the digestive system.

By eliminating grain based carbohydrates, all added sugars, fruits and fruit juice—as well as high yeast drinks such as beer and wine, you help to starve the candida yeasts.

Certain foods and drinks actually are proven to encourage growth of beneficial bacteria and kill off candida, including:

• Taheebo or Pau d’arco tea–Pau d’arco actually contains two primary active ingredients, lapachol and beta-lapachone. These two natural chemicals are what make it effective against bacteria, fungi, yeasts, viruses and even parasites. Lapachol is known to not only kill many different types of fungi, bacteria and yeasts—like candida, but it also lowers inflammation.

• Garlic—Garlic contains the powerful substance, allicin, which is an antifungal. It has been shown to be active against candida yeasts in animal and test tube studies.

• Coconut oil—Coconut oil contains a substance called lauric acid which is toxic to candida cells.

• Turmeric and Curcumin—curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric can kill or reduce candida growth as well as reduce any accompanying inflammation that may occur with a yeast infection.

• Aloe vera—Aloe vera gel is effective for use against oral thrush, inhibiting the growth of candida and soothing sore inflamed oral tissue as well.

• Pomegranate—Plant compounds in pomegranate peel are beneficial against candida yeasts as well but care must exercised as most pomegranate juice you purchase in the store may have added sugars or other fruit juices, helping to encourage candida growth.

• Kombucha tea—Rich in tea antioxidants, acetic acid and a plethora of beneficial bacteria, kombucha makes an excellent drink to encourage growth of helpful bacteria, as well as working to kill off candida.

• Apple Cider Vinegar— ACV works as both an antibacterial and antifungal agent. A very recent study found that undiluted ACV can prevent the growth of candida. It appears this opportunistic fungus does not get along well with ACV, but more research is necessary to determine if it is because it makes the body less receptive to candida or that it actually kills the candida.

Unfortunately, dietary changes may not always do the trick, in which case conventional antifungal medications often seem to be the only other choice. However, there are several natural antifungal treatments that work well against candida—without the harmful side effects.

Some of the most effective natural treatments include grapefruit seed extract, oregano oil capsules and clove oil. One of my favorite supplements that not only kills off candida, but also other harmful parasites is a product called Intestibal, which contains oregano oil, clove, ginger, wormwood and evening primrose oils.

It’s important to keep in mind, when combating candida, there can be a candida ‘die-off’ reaction as the candida cells break open and release a toxin which can sometimes make you feel worse for a short time.

Sticking to a low carb diet of unprocessed foods, avoiding grains, gluten and dairy and steering far away from any foods containing sugar will go a long way to helping you avoid annoying candida overgrowth. Always check with your doctor before starting any supplements to be sure they do not interfere with any other medications or health conditions.

References
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/candida-diet#downsides
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-candida-diet-separating-fact-from-fiction/
https://www.healthline.com/health/apple-cider-vinegar-candida
https://draxe.com/health/candida-symptoms/

The post The Truth About Candida appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

If you’ve ever forgotten where you parked your car, lost your keys in your own house, or walked into a room and forgot why you went there, you are not alone. We all have days like that. But often as we get older, forgetfulness tends to cause more than just temporary anxiety. We sometimes jump to the conclusion that we are getting dementia or have Alzheimer’s disease.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are words that strike fear into many of us. Growing older, losing our ability to remember, think, reason, speak, or care for ourselves is not the way we want to view our own aging or that of our loved ones.

There are many forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s itself does not have a specific test to determine its presence; doctors merely rely on a cluster of symptoms to recognize it. Doctors often diagnose dementia as a generalized disorder that affects the brain causing memory loss, confusion, personality changes, and even physical manifestations.

Other symptoms of dementia of various types include:

• short-term memory loss
• difficulty speaking and communicating
• mood changes
• apathy
• difficulty completing tasks
• confusion
• difficulty following a conversation
• loss of sense of direction
• difficulty recognizing loved ones and familiar faces
• difficulties walking or moving around

Dementia is one of the most commons forms of disability and dependency among elderly people. Dementia can have a major impact physically, psychologically, socially, and economically, not only on those with dementia, but also on families, loved ones and caregivers.

Dementia is a syndrome – usually of a chronic or progressive nature – in which there is deterioration the ability to process thought, beyond what might be expected from normal aging. It affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, judgement and even movement.

Since dementia is so common—especially in the elderly, there’s probably a good chance your life has been touched by someone with dementia. However, it’s important to note that dementia is not a necessary part of aging. By taking care of your health, and avoiding processed foods, sugar and starchy carbohydrates and excessive alcohol, you can lessen your chances of getting dementia.

One of the most important things to note is that many health conditions can create similar symptoms to dementia. Don’t let the doctor just diagnose dementia for you or any of your loved ones without checking into the below health issues, which can mimic dementia—and are often reversible.

1. Gluten Reactions

Gluten reactions and celiac disease are reactions to gluten in wheat, rye, and barley. The classic symptoms of gluten sensitivity show up as bloating, diarrhea, weight loss, cramping and nutrient deficiencies. A standardized blood test can check for this immune response and is diagnosed in a small percentage of people.

However, other subtle symptoms of gluten sensitivity include headaches, skin rashes, skin breakouts, brain fog, depression, anxiety, ADHD and even anemia, even if the test for celiac disease is negative.

While the standard gluten sensitivity lab test may turn up negative, one can still have serious physical and mental reactions to gluten and other components in wheat, rye and barley. The standard test for celiac disease, looks for a reaction to ONE specific gliadin, alpha gliadin and tissue transglutaminase, tTG-2. So, a doctor may call a celiac test “negative” for celiac disease even in the presence of bad reactions to other wheat proteins or transglutaminases.

For every ONE case of celiac disease diagnosed, 6.4 cases of gluten intolerance remain undiagnosed—many with NO obvious GI symptoms at all.
That means that only about 15 percent of people with gluten issues are actually diagnosed.

Celiac disease does major damage to the small intestine and destroys its sensitive lining that absorbs nutrients from food, especially the B vitamins, which have much to do with nerves, the brain and moods.

A well-known neurologist from Mayo Clinic, Keith Josephs, MD made the connection between gluten and dementia when he examined a patient suspected of having a type of dementia called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. While this patient did not have CJD, they did have celiac disease with dementia as a result.

Mayo clinic gastroenterologist and celiac disease expert Joseph Murray, MD, says he was surprised that the link was so strong. “I was not expecting that there would be so many celiac disease patients with cognitive decline,” he said.

In other similar cases, the celiac symptoms and mental decline occurred simultaneously. Many patients have recovered mental function when they followed gluten-free diets. Strict avoidance of wheat and other gluten-containing grains is the main treatment for celiac disease.

The connection between celiac disease and mental deterioration is not fully known but it could be a combination of several factors. One theory is that the immune response to celiac disease attacks the brain.

Gluten can also cause an immune reaction in the gut, breaking down its all-important immune system. When the body’s immune function is low, candida (see below) and other opportunistic organisms will grow out of hand. Another problem with gluten is overall increase in inflammation in the body, which can trigger dementia and brain fog. Strict avoidance of all gluten in all foods will stop triggering the celiac/gluten reaction and can help reverse this condition. Keep in mind it may sometimes take 6 months or more for the body to fully recover from the inflammation and chronic reactions from gluten.

2. Candida Overgrowth

Candida albicans is a common species of a type of fungus that grows naturally in the human gut, mouth, and vagina. This yeast is mostly harmless, but in many people, it can grow out of control, causing a wide range of health issues including thrush (yeast infection in mouth), vaginal yeast infections, bladder infections, toenail fungus, brain fog and confusion.

A new study, which appears in the journal Nature Communications, shows that this fungal infection can also enter the brain, causing inflammation and impairing memory, much like dementia. This fungal infection can also lead to the formation of abnormal structures in the brain, very similar to that of Alzheimer’s disease.

In a research experiment, C.albicans was injected into mice. The fungus penetrated the blood-brain barrier and triggered a type of inflammatory response that created amyloid structures (similar to Alzheimer’s patients) around the yeasts in the brain. Mice with the infection showed reduced memory and confusion. However, when the yeast infection was eliminated, memory and confusion went away.

Yeast overgrowth in the gut can result from a diet high in carbohydrates, sugars, processed foods and gluten. Other things that can cause yeast to grow out of control include:

• Antibiotics
• Food allergies
• Alcohol
• Weakened immune system
• Chemotherapy
• Diabetes
• Celiac disease or IBD

Yeast overgrowth also crowds out the beneficial bacteria in the gut, causing an imbalance in healthy gut bacteria. All of this leads to brain fog and confusion.

The candida in the gut actually lives off of sugar and starches, fermenting it to produce energy. Another very common symptom of Candida overgrowth is intense sugar cravings—those are actually the little yeasts in the gut telling their host to ‘feed’ them!

This fermentation process produces chemical byproducts, alcohol and acetaldehyde, which are actually toxic to the body. Here are a few of the ways acetaldehyde impairs cognitive function and causes brain fog:

• Reduces the amount of oxygen carried by red blood cells to your brain.
• Causes a deficiency in vitamin B1, which plays a critical role in brain function.
• Damages nerve cells in a similar way to chronic alcoholism or Alzheimer’s.

The good news is that candida overgrowth can be eliminated by a variety of medications, both natural and pharmaceutical. Pharmaceutical medications include Nystatin which is more gentle to the system, or fluconazole (Diflucan).

Some of the natural solutions to candida overgrowth include oregano extract capsules, pau d’arco tea or capsules, grapefruit seed extract, caprylic acid, curcumin, kombucha tea, probiotics and garlic extract. Keep in mind, symptoms of candida may feel worse as the treatment causes a ‘die-off’ reaction. Dietary changes will necessary to eliminate carbohydrates, alcohol, and all sugars.

Once the candida overgrowth is eliminated, brain fog usually clears, memory improves, and people should feel as sharp as ever.

3. B Vitamin Deficiencies

The B vitamins represent a group of essential dietary nutrients that work together and are absolutely essential for every aspect of brain and nerve function. B vitamins are water soluble and are easily washed out of the system and can also be taken at higher levels without toxicity. In fact, most research on B vitamins shows that they actually should be taken at levels well above the current dietary recommendations.

The B-vitamins, including vitamins B12, B6, B1, B2, niacin (B3) and folate (B9), have been implicated as protective risk factors against cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
Most diets are lacking in B vitamins in sufficient quantities to supply what is needed. In addition, many people do not metabolize B vitamins well enough to have them do what is necessary to preserve health.

People who possess the MTHFR gene variant (present in 50-70% of population), or who have Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, or problems with their gut microbiome may also be susceptible to B vitamin deficiencies, especially B12 and B9 (folate). Vegans cannot get B12 from their diets, and so are often deficient in B12, as well as people who take metformin for diabetes.

Niacin (B3) deficiency is a known cause of pellagra, a disease characterized by symptoms of dementia, diarrhea, and dermatitis that can be resolved through niacin supplementation. The symptoms include psychosis, disorientation, memory loss, and confusion. Niacin deficiency is common in populations that consume large amounts of corn or sorghum, but can occur also as a result of alcoholism or gastrointestinal disease.

Aging people are especially at risk of poor metabolism of B vitamins, especially B12. As people age, the ability to absorb B12 declines. Stomach acids required to break down and absorb vitamins decline with age. And, people who take medication for stomach acid reduction are at very high risk for a B12 deficiency.

B vitamin deficiencies, especially B12, often manifest in brain function problems, or nerve dysfunction, such as numbness and tingling in feet and hands. The body’s inability to correctly absorb B12, a vitamin found in animal products like meat, cheese, eggs and milk, has been linked to neurological disorders.

Depression, dementia and mental impairment are tied to B12 and also to folate deficiencies, especially in the elderly. A new study by The Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging at Trinity College in Dublin has found that an alarming number of older adults over 50 are deficient in both vitamin B12 and folate, another B vitamin. One out of 8 participants were deficient in B12 and one in 7 deficient in folate, with deficiencies increasing with age.

Low B12 is actually associated with brain shrinkage, along with diminished brain function. Low B12 can mimic symptoms of Alzheimer’s or dementia, with confusion and brain fog. Other symptoms associated with B vitamin deficiency include:

• Pins and needs feeling in hands and feet
• Trouble walking (also a sign of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s)
• Fatigue
• Fast heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Sores in mouth or on tongue
• Problems with thinking clearly, loss of memory, brain fog
• Irritability
• Decreased appetite

Excessive use of alcohol can also result in another form of B vitamin-related dementia, called Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, which is caused by severe, long term deficiencies of the B vitamin thiamine.

If caught early enough, B vitamin deficiencies can be reversible, and the proper B vitamin supplements can even slow down the onset of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

B vitamins should be taken in higher doses than the recommended daily amount (since they are water soluble and any excess is excreted), and should be in a form that is easily broken down and utilized in the body such as methylcobalamin for B12, and methylfolate for folate. B6 should be taken in the form of Pyridoxal-5-phosphate, or P-5-P or PLP, instead of the more common form of pyridoxine hydrochloride.

4. Thyroid

Thyroid dysfunction is often associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Hypothyroidism (low thyroid) is a significant cause of reversible cognitive impairment. Hypothyroidism means the thyroid gland is not producing enough active thyroid hormones, either T3 or T4.

Low thyroid levels affect the entire body and also affect brain function and mood. Low thyroid also causes low levels of essential brain chemicals such as dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline, which have been associated with poor brain health and issues such as dementia, depression, and even Parkinson’s disease.

Hypothyroidism often occurs in middle age or elderly people with more females than males affected (about 1 male to every 5 females). The gradual progression of hypothyroidism can make it hard to distinguish from primary dementia. As a consequence, when hypothyroidism has been going on for some time, dementia is a normal consequence.

Older adults who have hypothyroidism will have deficits in memory, intelligence, visual perception and even motor skills such as walking. These people may also have anemia, extreme fatigue, intolerance to cold, dry skin, a hoarse voice, weight gain, slow heart rate, and constipation—all things are often viewed as ‘normal’ for an aging person.

Lab work is vital for anyone showing these symptoms, especially an aging person. General hypothyroidism can be tested by a simple TSH test, but this should not be the only test performed. Many people with a low thyroid will have trouble converting T3 to T4, especially if they have poor gut health. It is important to have a full thyroid panel done to show T3, T4 and free and total levels as well. Treatment with thyroid supplementation (especially medication that includes both T3 and T4) can help reverse this health condition.

5. Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are fairly common in elderly people and while most of us recognize a UTI by the burning feeling and urgency when we urinate, often the first sign in an elderly person is sudden onset dementia. Even if your loved one hasn’t officially been diagnosed with dementia, you may notice that dementia-like symptoms, such as confusion, come on fairly quickly.

UTI’s result when bacteria, often e.coli bacteria, enters the urethra and travels to the bladder. If left untreated, the bacteria can also move to the kidneys and cause a kidney infection, which becomes even more serious. Women are more susceptible to UTI’s than men; however, people with in-dwelling catheters, diabetes, or a weak immune system may be more at risk—whether male or female.

Women who have passed menopause age are at a higher risk for UTIs because they don’t have as much estrogen in their system. Estrogen actually tends to help prevent UTI’s in younger females.

Because most people who get a UTI complain of painful burning urination, possible fever, or lower back pain, this condition often can go un-diagnosed in older people. Caregivers, family members and loved ones can be alert to this condition and be sure anyone with sudden unusual behavior gets checked for a UTI.

Behavior can include confusion, agitation, withdrawal, fantasy stories, manic episodes, yelling, crying and agitation. Other symptoms include:

• Restlessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hallucinations
• Extreme fatigue
• Unable to complete simple tasks they could do before
• Urinary incontinence
• Cloudy or even pink or brown colored urine
• Strong odor to the urine

The most important thing to remember about the link between UTI and dementia is that the behavior change is usually very noticeable, and happens quickly, usually over a period of one to two days. Antibiotics are given to clear up the infection and should be given as soon as possible. Infections that are left untreated can spread to the kidneys and beyond, and can be life-threatening. Once treatment is completed, the dementia should be reversible.

6. Poor Air Quality and Allergies

Did you know that older women who live in areas where air pollution is worse are 92% more likely to develop dementia than those who live in areas with cleaner air, according to a 2017 study. The link was the strongest in women who inherited the APOE4 gene and area more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. And, if you look at these results across the general public, that means that air pollution, including high ozone levels, can be responsible for about 21% of dementia cases.

Breathing in tiny particles that float around in dirty air can trigger inflammation throughout the body and brain. Inflammation is one of the triggers that helps push people towards Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The same thing goes with environmental allergies. Inflammation from environmental allergies like dust, mold and pollen, can create brain fog, which over time can cause chronic forgetfulness, memory issues, and slowed responses, leading to dementia.

Seasonal pollen allergies can cause sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and a foggy-feeling head, which leads to an inability to concentrate, focus and stay alert. They can also cause irritability, and even depression and anxiety.

Most seasonal allergies occur in the spring, summer and fall, but with the warming climate, many seasonal allergies have been extended into longer periods. People often take over the counter antihistamines for seasonal allergies, but for many people, taking allergy medication can actually contribute to dementia!

A 2016 study published in JAMA Neurology shows brain imaging that detects how anti-cholinergic drugs impact the brain. By utilizing MRI and PET scan imaging technology, the researchers were able to show how people taking anti-cholinergic drugs experienced lower brain metabolism and higher brain atrophy. Participants taking the anti-cholinergic drugs also tested worst on memory tests.

Anti-cholinergic drugs include some antihistamines like Benadryl, tricyclic antidepressants, medications to control overactive bladder, and drugs to relieve the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

When allergy season strikes, there are healthy alternatives to allergy medications. Try essential oils instead to relieve symptoms naturally—without the unhealthy side effects.

7. Mold Toxicity

There are literally thousands of different molds floating around in the air, the soil, in your home, and even in your foods. A few of these molds can be very toxic to humans. One of them is black mold. Mold allergies and mold toxicity, however, are two different things and you do not have to be allergic to mold to react negatively to toxins in the mold.

Toxic mold based illness is actually a very common, but un-diagnosed condition that can show up in many different ways, including serious brain fog, confusion, memory loss and even depression/anxiety. While only about 25% of us are vulnerable to mold reactions, a whole family can be living in the same house, but only one family member will react to mold.

Mold growth happens often in housing and buildings, especially older buildings. Mold gives off toxins which can accumulate in the body and create a variety of health problems. Toxic mold actually gives off volatile toxic vapors that float around in the air causing a chronic inflammatory response.

Mold toxicity can manifest with so many different and diverse symptoms, that it is frequently misdiagnosed. It is likely that some cases of chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, histamine intolerance, irritable bowel, leaky gut, multiple sclerosis and even Lyme syndrome, can be caused or exacerbated from a chronic inflammatory response caused by toxic mold.

Other symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, weakness, clumsiness, headache, blurred vision, memory problems, confusion, disorientation, mood swings, slurring of words and dizziness.

Some companies specialize in mold testing and mold mitigation. One of the more cost effective and reliable means of testing your home is with mold growth plates which can be purchased online. Laboratory tests can also identify some mold toxins that show up in the urine as well.

The good news is that once a mold toxicity diagnosis is made, this can be a very treatable and reversible condition. Some treatments include using natural binders such as charcoal and clay, which trap the toxins and to remove them from the body. Other natural treatments include taking probiotics such as Saccromyces Boulardi, and anti-fungals such as oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract or nystatin.

Stay Sharp and Help Keep Your Loved Ones Sharp

Medications are also common culprits in mental decline and dementia. As we age, the liver becomes less efficient at metabolizing toxins and drugs, and the body has a harder time getting rid of these potentially harmful products.

As a result, drugs and other toxins tend to accumulate in the body. Elderly people in poor health and those taking several different medications are especially vulnerable. Keep an eye out for these drugs that can cause dementia-like symptoms:

• Antidepressants
• Antihistamines
• Parkinson Drugs
• Anti-Anxiety Medications
• Cardiovascular Drugs
• Anticonvulsants
• Corticosteroids
• Narcotics
• Sedatives

More than 50 conditions can cause or mimic the symptoms of dementia, with a small percentage of dementias that are reversible. Staying tuned in to your health and that of your loved ones will help you be aware of any of these reversible conditions, so that you can stop the damage and restore brain health to live a long, healthy and happy life.

References
https://www.alzheimer-europe.org/Dementia/Other-forms-of-dementia/Metabolic-diseases/Thyroid-disorders
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
https://www.amymyersmd.com/2018/01/whats-behind-brain-fog-banish/
https://draxe.com/health/dementia/
https://www.beingpatient.com/b12-brain-health-dementia/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/popular-drugs-for-colds-allergies-linked-to-dementia/
https://www.helpguide.org/harvard/whats-causing-your-memory-loss.htm
https://www.consultant360.com/exclusives/revisiting-dementia-s-relationship-hypothyroidism
https://www.pathwayshealth.org/home-health-topics/link-uti-dementia-older-adults/
https://bebrainfit.com/seasonal-allergies-brain-fog/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324106.php
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/holistic-psychiatry/201708/mold-toxicity-common-cause-psychiatric-symptoms?sfns=mo
https://www.consultant360.com/exclusives/revisiting-dementia-s-relationship-hypothyroidism
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/candida-symptoms-treatment#section8
https://www.health.com/alzheimers/memory-loss-dementia-surprising-risk-factors
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/celiac-disease/news/20061013/celiac-disease-linked-dementia#1
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20181022-there-is-mounting-evidence-that-herpes-leads-to-alzheimers

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