You’ve likely heard ofCandida or yeast infections. You may have even experienced one. But exactly what is this yeast?
First of all, yeast (like a bacterium) is a eukaryote… a single-celled organism. It reproduces asexually… in other words, it does not need a partner to make baby yeast cells.
In biological terms, yeast is classified as a fungus. Scientists have identified about 1,500 species of yeast. Yeast is present in just about every place on Earth, in soil, on plants, and on and in the bodies of animals (yes… including humans).
It may surprise you to know thatCandida, the dreaded yeast that we recognize as causing so many problems in our bodies, is a normal part of our digestive system. There are actually more than twenty species ofCandida present in our bodies. The one that we hear about most frequently as causing yeast infections isCandida albicans.
In a healthy person,Candida may be present on the skin, the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, in the vagina, and within the digestive system.
If Candida is Supposed to be there, Why is it a Problem?
As long as it remains in balance,Candida is not a problem. ButCandida is opportunistic, which means that it doesn’t usually cause issues in healthy individuals.
The trouble arises when our bodies get out of balance, possibly with a compromised immune system, giving theCandida a chance to grow out of control.
Problems occur when an illness or weakened immune system gives the yeast an opportunity to thrive and reproduce unchecked. Changes in the body's pH due to medication or pregnancy can also cause the yeast cells to flourish.
One of the things that keeps yeast growth under control is the presence of beneficial bacteria in the gut and sensitive areas of the body for both men and women. That’s why women more frequently experience yeast infections after a round of antibiotics. The antibiotics tend to kill all bacteria, both bad and good, leaving the yeast unrestrained.
Common Types of Yeast Infections (yes, they affect both males and females)
Yeast grows under warm, moist conditions. The most common places whereCandida overgrowth occurs will be in these environments. Common names for fungal infections caused by yeast include:
- Vaginal yeast infections
- Jock itch
- Thrush (yeast overgrowth in the mouth and/or throat)
- Some diaper rash (not all diaper rash is fungal)
- Athlete’s foot
- Nail fungus (common on toenails and fingernails under artificial nails)
Whether due to damp or tight-fitting clothing, socks and shoes, wet or dirty diapers, or just because it’s a warm, moist area of the body,Candida will take full advantage of these opportunities to flourish and can quickly get out of control.
While these conditions can be a painful, itchy nuisance, systemic or invasive Candida infections can become quite a serious health threat. Occurring most often in people with compromised immune systems, candidiasis can affect the blood (candidemia), heart, brain, eyes, and bones.
Candida can overtake the intestinal microbiome, producing gas and bloating. And it can overwork the liver, leading to serious complications like autoimmune disorders.
Drug Resistance
When a patient is seen by a physician and they determine that a fungal infection is present, an anti-fungal medication is usually prescribed.
Often when experiencing a recurring infection, one may already believe that the cause of their discomfort is fungal … perhaps they made a visit to Dr. Google. They may purchase over-the-counter anti fungals such as fluconazole, miconazole nitrate, terbinafine hydrochloride, or clotrimazole… some of the many medications available for athlete’s foot and vaginal yeast infections.
Unfortunately, fungi, just like bacteria, can over time become resistant to the drugs that we use to kill them. When a medication doesn’t kill all of the fungi, those that survive are now resistant to that particular drug. Since they don’t need a mate to produce offspring, the surviving cells continue to reproduce with ease, all of their progeny now resistant… unable to be killed by that anti-fungal medication.
As you can probably guess, this can become quite a problem, especially for people with the invasive forms ofCandida yeast infections that can lead to disability.
A better solution is needed if we are to win the battle against pathogenic yeast in the long run.
Alkalinity and the Human Body
The human body is alkaline by nature… the pH of blood ranges between 7.35 to 7.45. Alkaline is the opposite of acidic. The immune system has a tendency to reject things that it sees as foreign, or a threat.
Enter pH Balanced Alkaline Structured Silver
With alkaline structured silver, its alkaline pH means that it works in harmony with the blood, rather than being rejected by the immune system as is the case with older forms of colloidal silver which are formulated with nitric acid.
Alkaline Structured Silver vs. Yeast Cells
Studies have shown silver in the presence of yeast may cause the death of the fungal cells by causing the cell’s components to break down or collapse. This cellular breakdown is kicked off thanks to the destruction of the cellular membrane by the structured silver.
pH balanced Alkaline Structured Silver, which is bonded to pure, distilled water molecules, has a tetrahedral, crystalline structure. It attacks microbes in multiple ways. When structured silver is exposed toCandida or other infectious fungi, the silver attacks the cell walls of the yeast. The yeast cells then break down, no longer able to hold themselves together.
Is Structured Silver as Effective as Anti-fungal Medications in Fighting Yeast Infections?
By now you may be wondering if silver may be as effective as the anti-fungal drugs on the market? In short, the answer is, 'Absolutely!'
Studies have shown structured silver to bemore effective than fluconazole, one of the leading anti fungals on the market today.
A Little History Lesson
Silver actually has a long history. From silver water vessels to colloidal silver, the precious metal has been used for centuries to protect the health of people across the globe.
Silver is one of the first five metals discovered by our human ancestors. (the other four are gold, copper, lead, and iron.) Evidence of its use goes back over 6,000 years… to ancient Greece, Anatolia (which is now Turkey), and Sumer.
Silver’s use in tableware such as pitchers, goblets and cutlery served to kill off harmful and potentially deadly bacteria and microbes long before people knew or understood that bacteria, microbes, or germs even existed.
Herodotus, the 5th century BCE Greek writer known as the “Father of History,” reported that the Persian kings would only drink water that had been kept in silver containers. In civilizations such as Ancient Rome, Egypt, Greece, and Phoenicia, the use of silver containers helped to preserve their water and food.
Even in the early days of American colonization when the European-American pioneers traveled westward, silver coins were placed in water containers to keep it safe to drink during the long and arduous journeys.
Silver's Earliest Appearance in Medicine
Evidence of the use of silver for medical purposes is seen as far back as the Macedonian times. Even theGreek physician Hippocrates, the “Father of Medicine,” is known to have used it for healing wounds and treating ulcers in his patients.
References:
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica,Yeast, Encyclopædia Britannica, February 06, 2019
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Candidiasis
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Invasive Candidiasis
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Antifungal Resistance
Hwang, I. , Lee, J. , Hwang, J. H., Kim, K. and Lee, D. G. (2012), Silver nanoparticles induce apoptotic cell death inCandida albicans through the increase of hydroxyl radicals. The FEBS Journal, 279: 1327-1338. doi:10.1111/j.1742-4658.2012.08527.x
Apoptosis: definition, mechanisms, and relevance to disease, The American Journal of Medicine, ISSN: 0002-9343, Vol: 107, Issue: 5, Page: 489-506, Pub. 1999
Kim KJ1, Sung WS, Suh BK, Moon SK, Choi JS, Kim JG, Lee DG, Biometals. 2009 Apr;22(2):235-42. doi: 10.1007/s10534-008-9159-2. Epub 2008 Sep 4,Antifungal activity and mode of action of silver nanoparticles on Candida albicans
Kim KJ1, Sung WS, Moon SK, Choi JS, Kim JG, Lee DG, J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2008 Aug;18(8):1482-4,Antifungal effect of silver nanoparticles on dermatophytes
Chemicool, Silver Element Facts
Alexander, James. (2009). History of the Medical Use of Silver. Surgical infections. 10. 289-92. 10.1089/sur.2008.9941.
