Chlorine And Its Effect On Your Immune System

Chlorine is almost certainly added to the drinking water in your area. This means that if you are drinking unfiltered tap water and taking unfiltered showers then you are exposing yourself to a major potential cause of Candida overgrowth. Chlorine can kill your gut flora just like antibiotics.

So why is this harmful chemical added to our drinking water? The answer is that it is a highly efficient disinfectant that kills any harmful organisms or pathogenic bacteria.

Although killing pathogenic organisms is clearly a good thing, unfortunately chlorine also kills many of the other bacteria in your body, including the good bacteria that populate your gut and prevent Candida overgrowth.

How Chlorine can lead to Candida overgrowth

Along with keeping Candida in check and aiding your digestion, the good bacteria in your gut also form a highly important part of your immune system. These good bacteria line your intestines to prevent viruses and harmful bacteria from getting in your system. A healthy population of gut flora uses nutrients quickly and efficiently, preventing colonies of harmful organisms from getting the fuel they need to grow.

The lymph tissue that lines your digestive system creates over sixty percent of your immune cells. It decides what bacteria and elements get through and which ones should be eliminated. It acts as a barrier for bad bacteria and a transport for good elements. Another role that your good bacteria play is by communicating with this part of your immune system to focus it on ‘foreign’ microbes.

When chlorine gets in your system, it destroys much of your beneficial intestinal flora. This not only disrupts your digestion and causes issues such as bloating and indigestion, but also also allows the Candida yeast to run rampant and weaken your immune system.

Everyone has small amounts of Candida in their system, but they are limited by the good bacteria in your digestive tract. When your system is healthy, the Candida Albicans cells are harmless. However, when your system has been compromised the Candida will multiply and turn into its fungal form. This is Candida overgrowth, a condition that can damage your intestinal wall, weaken your immune system and cause numerous other health issues.

How to Avoid Chlorine

The first step to reducing your chlorine intake is by starting with the water you drink. Most cities add chlorine to their water, so the best solution is a whole house filtration system that removes it before it even enters your house. You can buy different kinds of systems, but be sure to buy one that filters your entire water supply. That way, not only will you have pure drinking water, but the water you cook with, bathe with, and wash your clothes with will be free of chlorine.

Not all filtration systems remove the same chemicals. Talk to a good salesperson and do your research to find out which systems most effectively remove the chlorine from your water. You may end up paying more for a whole house system but it will be worth it for your health.

If you cannot afford a whole house water filtration system, get individual filters for your kitchen sink to keep your drinking and cooking water safe. You can also buy a shower filter or one for your bathtub. Don’t forget your bathroom sinks too.

Your water supply is not the only source of chlorine in your daily life. Do not buy chlorinated bleach for your laundry, and check the list of ingredients in your laundry supplies. Remember to also check your cleaning products for chlorinated bleach as an additive. Whenever possible, it is best to use natural products that are gentler on you and what you are cleaning.

Another area that is important to consider are pools and hot tubs. Public pools and hot tubs contain high levels of chlorine to kill bacteria from multiple users. You should really try to avoid these as much as possible. A refreshing swim in the sea or fresh water is a much healthier option.

When you go somewhere like work or shopping, take your own bottled water or buy it rather than drinking from public places. You will never be able to avoid all sources of chlorine, but the more you can, the stronger your immune system will be and the better chance you have of beating your Candida overgrowth.

Just because something has been made available for public use does not mean it is safe for everyone. This is the case with chlorine and new studies are starting to show its harmful effects. Candida overgrowth is just one of many health problems that excessive exposure to chlorine can cause. So if you are following a strict Candida diet, taking your antifungals and probiotics and you still can’t get rid of candida, consider taking steps to reduce your chlorine intake as much as possible.

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