Candidiasis
from
http://www.vitaminlady.com/Articles/candida_albicans.asp
Candida Albicans brings a mind-boggling list of of health problems in
its wake. Candida, a form of yeast cell (more than 150 different strains
have been isolated), is naturally present in our bodies at all times,
and therefore its mere presence cannot identify it as an enemy: if you
fall sick, there are few tests your Doctor can do which will definitely
fix it as the cause. It is an imbalance, dysbiosis caused by yeast overgrowth,
that brings about a disturbance in the natural order where the friendly
organisms in our gut designed to control the level of Candida organisms
in our body fail in their task. (Fortunately, there is now an inexpensive
laboratory test which will give some guidance on the level of yeast relative
to the level of good bacteria, and can also determine parasite infestation.
More about that below.)
This disturbance can be caused by antibiotic use, chemicals, faulty
diet, allergies, tobacco, nutritional deficiencies, steroids, poor liver
function, birth control pills or a combination of any of these. Estrogen/
progesterone imbalances increase Candida's tendency to attach to the
cells lining the vagina, and therefore both pregnancy and oral contraceptives
can increase one's risk. Oral contraceptives containing 75-150 micrograms
of estrogen are most likely to cause the problem; low-dose products are
seldom implicated.
Antibiotics, however, are the worst villains, since they cannot tell
the difference between the friendly bacteria our internal balance requires,
and the bad ones they have been taken to fight: they kill them all. The
situation is aggravated by high carbohydrate diets, which feed the yeast
organisms, allowing a population explosion.. When overgrowth occurs, several
things happen:
Firstly, Candida Albicans is a highly allergenic bacterium. Clinical
studies have shown that its presence in the intestinal tract can lead
to "leaky gut" syndrome, where food antigens and toxins can
be absorbed directly into the blood stream, leading to that "sick
all over" feeling. This happens because over time, Candida can behave
like a fungus, developing rhizoids that can grow into the wall of the
intestine, and contribute to its gradual weakening and permeability: it
is possible that this highly toxic state of affairs can contribute to
conditions as diverse as asthma and CFS.
Secondly, the toxins produced (among them ethanol, acetaldehyde - which
can damage organs, cause emotional disturbances, memory loss and mood
swings, and formaldehyde) may act as immuno-suppressants to prevent your
defenses from doing their job. This may mean not only that you are rendered
susceptible to re-infection by Candida itself, but also that auto-antibodies
may form, and hormonal dysfunctions may follow (Witkin, Ph.D. Cornell
Univ. Med. Coll 1985) together with a medley of seemingly unrelated health
problems.
Thirdly, the Candida may become systemic in nature. Having breached
the intestinal lining, it now has access to the bloodstream and from there
any part of your body, where it can set up its home and multiply. Some
of the symptoms of systemic Candida are digestive problems, muscle aches
and pains, fatigue, and recurrent urinary tract infections.
The following are some serious illnesses which have sometimes responded
favorably to treatment for Candida: they include MS, lupus, myasthenia
gravis, multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome, Chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia,
interstitial cystitis and cystitis, and endometriosis. I hasten to add
that I am not suggesting that they are cured by this means, but that some
of the symptoms lessen in intensity.
Nor is it my intention to suggest that the serious diseases mentioned
above such as MS, lupus, CFS, etc., are caused by Candida. What I see
happening here, (and much of my information comes not only from my own
clients, but also from Dr. Crook's wonderful books, The Yeast Connection
and The Yeast Connection and the Woman) is an accumulation of insults
to the body which result in illness. Consider the changes that have occurred
in our life styles over the past 50 years - increased exposure to chemicals
and toxins, the almost casual intake of antibiotics and synthetic hormones,
the decrease in healthy nourishing food and the increase in pesticides,
preservatives, sugar, hydrogenated fats, food colorings - the list goes
on and on. How can we not expect our bodies to pay a toll? Lowered immune
systems, alkaline/acid imbalance, and digestive disorders are high on
the list of first responses to these health stressors, and Candida feels
right at home in these conditions: once an imbalance starts, the body
reacts in many different negative ways.
What does this mean? When a scientist reaches a destination, he needs
to know the road he traveled by, and that it leads only from there to
here. It is difficult for a trained scientist to accept that one road
can lead to many destinations, or that one destination can be reached
by many roads. Dr. Truss in his book The Missing Diagnosis says: "
you may seem neurotic ... but do you experience ... depression, anxiety,
irrational irritability, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn,
indigestion, loss of self-confidence, inability to cope, lethargy, symptoms
from contact with food and chemical odors, acne, migraine, headaches ...
urethritis, cystitis, repeated vaginal yeast infections, premenstrual
tension, and menstrual problems? .. These may be symptoms of a treatable
illness." It is hard for an allopathic Doctor to accept not only
that Candida can cause so many and such diverse health problems, but that
its cause and correction is also multi-faceted.
Treatment of Candidiasis is truly not simple, but the first step is
the proper diet (avoiding sugars in all forms, even limiting complex carbohydrates
usually thought to be good for you, (see below for a detailed list) Candida
is a yeast, and anything that might feed it must be avoided; this means
cutting out all sugars (yes, even honey), fruits, starches, vinegar and
alcohol. No more maple syrup, corn syrup, white bread, soft drinks, or
cereals. They should be replaced with vegetables and lean proteins. No
more dried or fresh fruits, mushrooms, pizza or pastries. As and when
the condition improves, some of these things may be added back in - but
many people feel so much better without them, they want to keep the improvement
permanently!
Next come detoxification, enhancement of digestive and immune function,
balanced nutritional supplementation and herbal and medicinal anti-fungal
agents can be successful. I usually recommend the following protocol:
First, cleansing and detoxing.
Second, attacking the yeast with a selection of herbs that have natural
antifungal activity, such as Olive Leaf, Garlic, Pau d'Arco, Grapefruit
Seed Extract and Oregano. The more diverse your weapons, the better your
chance of success.
The wall of the Candida yeast cell is composed largely of cellulose,
and it is vulnerable to digestion by Cellulase enzymes. It has no defense
- it cannot change the structure of its cell wall. These enzymes should
always be used between meals, otherwise they will be wasted digesting
the cellulose in your food. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO TAKE THEM SEPARATE FROM
FOOD.
Saccharomyces Boulardii is in effect a friendly yeast that fights Candida:
it is much used in France, where they refer to it as the yeast- fighting
yeast. If your Candida is connected to food allergies, this may be especially
helpful for you; it releases IgA which helps heal the lining of the gut.
Saccharomyces is helpful to prevent and relieve diarrhea, particularly
when medication related.
Third, rebuilding the colon and repopulating it with friendly bacteria
such as Bifidus and Lactobacillus.
Fourth, maintenance. I recommend HSOs/ Primal Defense, continued use
of probiotics, and cyclical use of Candex.
Fifth - aiding digestion: deficiencies of HCl or pancreatic enzymes
can mean that you are not absorbing your foods properly. Improve your
absorption, and there will be less to feed the yeast. There is also a
connection with Gallbladder malfunction, since a healthy supply of bile
helps keep Candida Albicans in check. If you have Candida, and have had
your gallbladder removed, and NOTHING seems to control the infection,
consider adding a source of ox bile.
Sixth - balance acid/alkaline. Interestingly, while many Candida sufferers
have very acidic pHs, some people suffering from recurrent Candida infections
are found to have a highly alkaline body chemistry: this is usually in
conjunction with a low metabolic rate, and can occur even if the diet
is high in acid foods. Excessive alkalinity in the colon encourages the
growth of yeast. In fact, one of the means by which acidophilus controls
yeast overgrowth is by acidifying the large intestine ... Homeostasis
is a state of balance, when the entire body is in harmony and functioning
perfectly. Disturbance of this homeostasis either is, or leads to, disease.
In other words, disturbance of the pH balance IN EITHER DIRECTION, whether
acid or alkaline, can facilitate opportunistic Candida overgrowth. However,
Candida is absolutely happiest in an acid environment , which is what
most of us in the US are - see my article in Resources at right - this
usually means that the stomach is paradoxically LOW in acid, or HCL.
Each step should be supported and enhanced by proper diet and supplements
to support the immune system such as Moducare, Colostrum, OPCs, and B
Vitamins. Add also a multi-vitamin and mineral, since many Candida sufferers
compound their problem by not absorbing the nutrients they need for basic
good health.
Determine the cause of the Candida: whether it be diet, allergy, stress,
hormones, medications - unless you find out what caused it and eliminate
that cause, the problem WILL RETURN!!
Some people manifest their yeast problems not only internally, but by
overgrowths of thrush in the mouth, disfiguration of the nails on hand
or foot, and sometimes even malodorous rashes on the skin, under the breasts
and around the genitals being favorite sites . I have come across a solution
of Silver which is proving to be very helpful for such problems, as a
gargle, or as a topical application.
I am amazed, too, at the frequency with which I find that people with
really intractable Candida also have parasites. I would recommend testing
for this (UroKeep Test for Candida and parasites) and using a course of
Renewlife's ParaGone, which contains many of the things that attack
Candida also.
Dr. Morton Walker's book about Olive Leaf Extract points out that
hospital acquired infections from pathogenic fungi, mainly Candida Albicans,
increased from 6 to 11 percent between 1980 and 1990. Most antifungal
drugs work by inhibiting the growth of fungi: this leads to the survival
of some fungal cells in the body, which eventually become resistant to
the drug treatment. Olive Leaf is a fungicidal substance, and kills the
invading fungus rather than just slowing it down - this means that fewer
of the cells survive, and resistant mutations are also fewer. It also
means less risk of relapse after ceasing treatment with the Olive Leaf.
There is a mistaken belief that people with Candida overgrowth need
to adhere to a yeast free diet. In fact, there does not appear to be any
connection between the consumption of food yeasts (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae)
and the overgrowth of Candida yeast. Dr. Jack Sobel, who has a list a
yard long of qualifications to speak on the subject, says "There
is no association between Saccharomyces in the diet and systemic Candidiasis
... I never put patients on yeast free diets, as they are painful, non-nutritional,
extremely difficult to comply with, and ill-advised in my opinion".
(Interviewed by Dr. Passwater, While Foods July 99 p. 60)
If the Candida still persists, consider an elimination/ rotation diet
to spot possible food allergies, which may play a large role in this scenario.
The Coca Pulse Test for allergies can be very helpful. See Resources at
right. The most common offenders are yeast, (and if yeast is an allergen
for you, then it should be avoided) milk, wheat, corn, eggs and citrus.
Candida overgrowth is definitely an under-diagnosed problem in allopathic
circles. Most nutritionally oriented Doctors who are addressing this imbalance
have concluded that the way to diagnose Candida, is to treat the symptoms,
and determine from the results whether or not the diagnosis was correct.
This might seem an irrational approach, were we talking about strong drugs
that could be harmful to the patient, but Candida can be tackled, and
often conquered, using measures which actually contribute to overall health.
The advantage of the natural approach is that you are not only much
more likely to control the yeast permanently, but you will also put your
immune system back on track, able to help you resist other problems that
may come your way.
If you have taken antibiotics frequently or for lengthy periods of time,
have suffered from yeast infections of the nails, digestive tract or genitals,
feel sick all over with no explanation, are bothered by memory problems,
have taken birth control pills for more than 2 years, are really bothered
by exposure to cigarette smoke or chemicals, feel worse on damp, muggy
days, - consider Candida as the cause.
Check List for Candida:
Cleansing: I recommend CleanseSmart, by Renew Life.
Attack: I recommend the Candex, by Pure Essence. Use
in conjunction with Renew Life's CandiGone or Paragone.
Rebuild: Probiotics and HSOs. (Homeostatic Soil Organisms)
Attention to proper diet, limiting carbohydrates, and eliminating allergens.
Maintain controlled diet, occasional use of Candex, continued monitoring
of internal bacteria with use of acidophilus and HSOs
Avoiding carbohydrates:
Breads, pastas, baked goods, sauces soups and dressings thickened with
flour, and/or sweetened with sugar, candy, chewing gum, and sugar in all
forms (fructose, sucrose, honey, maple syrup)
Dairy products such as milk and ice cream. Unsweetened yogurt, without
fruits, is acceptable, some cheese and cottage cheese is OK.
Fruits and berries
Sweet vegetables such as corn, yams, sweet potatoes, peas, beans, carrots,
beets.
Many prepared foods. Read the labels! Even canned hams and imitation
seafood can be a carbohydrate problem.
YOU MAY SUSPECT, BUT DO YOU KNOW? There is a simple test that can be
done to determine whether you have a Candida problem: we have the kits
here. The cost of the kit is $15.96 plus shipping, and you then send a
stool sample off to the lab. You are personally responsible for the lab
fee of $80.00. The results are sent directly to the Health Care Provider
you select. I have often found that those with the most serious Candida
problems also have parasites, and this Lab can test for those, too.
|
Friendly
