Is This You?
"I'm so tired all the time." "I crave sweets." "I have trouble concentrating." "I feel like I'm in a fog." "I'm bloated." "I have so much gas." "My muscles ache." "My allergies are acting up." "I can't seem to shed these extra pounds." "My skin itches." "I have vaginal discharge." "I have headaches."

I hear these complaints so often from my clients sitting across from me. I also hear them from friends, colleagues and family members. It seems like the whole world has many of the same complaints. Why are these complaints so widespread?

I also hear: "Will I ever feel better?" "Is there really a way to cure this?" "I've tried many so many things and nothing seems to work."

These are all great questions. My observation is that most people are looking for cures in the wrong places. They are investing time and money in quick-fix solutions that often just prolong their situation. For example, many of my clients come to me after they have completed many rounds of antibiotics or medications such as Diflucan, Nystatin and Monistat, with little or no relief. They usually report strong feelings of discouragement wondering if this problem will ever go away.

This condition can be cured, but only if we address the underlying problem - holistically.

The problem lies in your intestinal ecology. Without a healthy "inner garden" it is impossible to feel vibrantly healthy. In my experience, the inner garden's most common problem is an overgrowth of yeast.

The healthy gut is populated by both bacteria and yeast - the most common yeast is Candida Albicans. Most of the bacteria (approximately 80%) are the good bacteria that are vital for proper digestion and for the assimilation of nutrients from our food. These good bacteria are called probiotics.

The ideal ratio of yeast to bacteria in our gut is 1 to 1 million: 1 yeast to 1 million bacteria. When present in these small amounts, the yeast does no harm; it is an integral part of the intestinal ecology and a source of food for the healthy bacteria.

But our modern culture and living habits have led to a shift in the intestinal ecology.

In my observation, most of the population is suffering - in one degree or another - from an overgrowth of yeast in their bodies. This condition is called Candidiasis.

Why is there this overgrowth of yeast?

First Reason:
Antibiotics. Bacteria (both the bad and the good) are killed by the antibiotics. But antibiotics do not kill the Candida. Using antibiotics even once creates a very favorable situation for yeast to get the upper hand in your intestinal ecology. Over the years, most of us have taken antibiotics many, many times. After each round the good bacteria are usually not fully replaced; meanwhile the yeast, without the good bacteria to keep it in check, proliferates and grows out of control. The more we use antibiotics, the more our inner ecology is altered.

Second:
Sugar, white flour, soft drinks and alcohol are staples in the Western diet. These foods feed the Candida and help it to proliferate. Once the Candida begins to get the upper hand, you will crave these foods more and more, a cycle kept going by this hungry yeast.

I know, but we just love our chocolate and our croissants - and don't forget the morning muffins or red wine and ice cream with dinner. And wait, a few cookies here and there, but who's counting? Well, the Candida is counting and growing strong thanks to this feast.

Third:
Add to the mix the stress of daily life and environmental pollution (both of which lower our immune system), and we have a full-blown problem.

When Candida proliferates in the gut, it will eventually take on a fungal form. One result is fungal patches that attach themselves throughout the digestive tract. In this fungal state, Candida grows very large roots, called rhizoids, which actually puncture the delicate intestinal lining and lead to a condition called leaky gut syndrome. This means that the intestinal lining has holes in it, and these holes allow yeast, toxins and undigested food particles to pass into the bloodstream. As the yeast leaks out, it wreaks havoc throughout the body. It can spread to the liver, urinary tract, vagina, skin, nails, mouth, brain, joints and other organs. As a result of this leakage, many chronic conditions often develop - and it's quite a list!

They can include: chronic fatigue, sugar cravings, brain fog, depression, allergies, sinus problems, joint and muscle pain, arthritis, persistent bloating and gas, constipation, severe itching, vaginitis, acne, food sensitivities, headaches, insomnia, recurrent kidney and bladder infections, ADD, fibromyalgia, chemical sensitivities, athlete's foot, bad morning breath, rectal itching, diarrhea, colitis, white spots on tongue, nagging coughs and adrenal problems.

Candida also secretes waste products known as mycotoxins, one of which is acetylaldehyde. In the liver, acetaldehyde is converted to alcohol. As the alcohol builds up in the system, symptoms develop that are associated with feeling drunk: dizziness, mental confusion and trouble concentrating.

• Use of antibiotics.
• A diet high in refined carbohydrates such as sugar, muffins, breads, cookies, ice cream, cakes, bagels, soft drinks, most pastas, etc.
• Alcohol and caffeine (both are strong gut irritants and alcohol feeds yeast).
• Stress and Environmental pollution (both suppress the immune system).
• Chemotherapy (suppresses the immune system and kills the good bacteria).
• Oral contraceptives (progesterone from the birth control pills changes the vaginal lining, making it more hospitable to yeast).
• NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen, Naprosyn, Celebrex, Indomethacin, etc.) suppress the immune system and encourage the overgrowth of yeast.
• Constipation.

Candida is a very persistent organism, and curing it needs more than just taking pills. It involves a holistic approach consisting of inspiring changes in diet and lifestyle, along with carefully chosen supplements and herbs.

I am ready to design an individualized program for you based on principles I've seen work time after time. And at a pace that fits into your busy life!

"5 months ago today i thought i was signing my life away but little did i know, after almost 5 years of struggling to find the answers i now have my life back! i now have the answers and the knowledge to move forward and have never felt better. thanks so much Dr. Salzarulo!!"
- Melissa Morrissette, NYC

“Before seeing Dr Salzarulo I got monthly yeast infections, and frequent urinary tract infections that wouldn’t go away. I also had bad acne breakouts and I was never without a pimple and I had lots of red marks where the pimples once were.
I also felt very tired, I needed a nap every afternoon and I did not have excitement and motivation with my work no “get up and go.”

Since seeing Dr Salzarulo I haven’t had a yeast infection in months, my urinary tract infection is gone, my pimples are gone, I barely need make-up, redness has faded, and I no longer need an afternoon nap and I am very focused and excited about my work!”
- Erika S

About the Author
Dr. Salzarulo is a Holistic Doctor who has been in practice for over 17 years, treating, inspiring, teaching and coaching people to empower and heal themselves. He is available for both in-person and telephone consultations. Click here to contact Dr. Salzarulo.