Candida- The Silent Epidemic
The silent epidemic in the United States is Candida albicans overgrowth. One out of three people are suffering from Candida overgrowth. This condition is continually ignored by Western medicine because it symptoms mimic so many other conditions. It is to be taken seriously and is one of the greatest causes of physical imbalance today.
What
Is Candida?
Candida albicans is a harmless yeast that naturally lives
in everyone's gastrointestinal tract, mucous membranes and
on the skin. It lives there in a symbiotic world in a healthy
person's body. When your body's ecosystem becomes imbalanced
Candida overgrowth can occur thus allowing it to attack
any organ or system in your body.
What
Causes Candida Overgrowth?
Antibiotics, steroids: cortisone, prednisone, birth-control
pills, estrogen replacement therapy, poor diet, chemotherapy,
radiation, stress, and alcohol overuse are what cause Candida
albicans overgrowth.
The
Detriment Of Taking Antibiotics
The United States, because of its protocol of antibiotic
overuse, has one of the highest numbers of people with Candida
albicans overgrowth. A vicious cycle starts with the use
of antibiotics. For example, you have an infection, usually
a cold or flu, and you visit your doctor. The problem starts
right there because antibiotics are for bacterial infections
not viral ones. Antibiotics are useless when it comes to
colds and flu's. Overuse also creates super germs that are
resistant to common antibiotics and these germs that you
used to be able to kill off become life threatening.
Nonetheless,
you take the antibiotic, which wipes out the good and bad
bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract but does not affect
Candida albicans. Without the friendly bacteria such as
Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteria present, Candida
albicans will multiply. It only takes having had one dose
of antibiotics in your lifetime to raise yeast levels in
the body. Think about how many times you've had antibiotics
in your lifetime along with the antibiotics you get from
consuming dairy and animal products.
You're
not only dealing with yeast overgrowth but also the fact
that Candida albicans puts out 79 toxic by-products, all
of which weaken your immune system. One of the major toxins
produced from Candida albicans is acetaldehyde, which is
transformed by the liver to ethanol (alcohol), creating
the feeling of intoxication and brain fog. There have been
cases where Candida patients have been pulled over and tested
positive with elevated blood alcohol levels above normal.
As the
immune system continues to weaken from yeast overgrowth
and its toxic by-products, more infections arise and you
end up at the doctor's office taking more antibiotics. Thus
a vicious cycle has been created.
If yeast overgrowth is not arrested it will change form into a pathogenic (disease producing) fungus with roots causing a myriad of symptoms. This fungus burrows its roots into the intestinal lining, creates leaky gut, allowing the yeast/fungus to go into the bloodstream. This systemic yeast infection is called Candidiasis.
Taken
from William G. Crook, The Yeast Connection Handbook, Professional
Books, 2000. Used with permission.
A poor diet (refined sugar, dairy products, fermented foods) and high stress levels keep feeding the yeast overgrowth. Digestion becomes impaired, essential vitamins and minerals are lacking, and healthy cells are not replicated to repair the body. The result is chronic progressive disease over time.
What
Candida Albicans Likes To Attack
Candida albicans overgrowth primarily targets the nerves
and muscles, yet it can attack any tissue or organ in the
body depending on your body's predisposition. The most common
symptoms are, indigestion, bloating, gas, fatigue, disorientation,
poor memory, numbness, abdominal pain, constipation, attacks
of anxiety, depression, irritability and shaking when hungry,
incoordination, headaches, rashes, vaginal yeast infections,
and urinary frequency. You may experience a few of these
symptoms or many to have Candidiasis.
Dr. William Crook, M.D. author of the book "The Yeast Connection" is an expert in Candida and his books describe the condition in detail. I've included his questionnaire so that you can score yourself to become more aware of the symptoms that correlate to Candidiasis.
As time passes without treatment of the Candida albicans overgrowth, your immune system becomes more compromised, and the fungal overgrowth can interfere with nutrient absorption, altering amino acid and protein metabolism, which can alter multiple body functions. These imbalances create a situation in which the Candida overgrowth may be primary or secondary as the core problem, but either way it must be treated.
How
To Know If You Have Candida?
The way in which you identify if you have Candida albicans
overgrowth is to see a healthcare practitioner that treats
this condition. By taking Dr. Crook's test you will have
a good idea if Candida is a factor for you. I use his test,
along with taking an extensive case history, performing
a physical examination, and if needed a blood test and/or
stool test to detect Candida albicans overgrowth.
If my patient's test results are negative that does not mean that I won't treat them for the condition because I rely heavily on my examination and their case history. A negative result may also mean the yeast is localized in the gut and is not in the blood.
Emotional/Mental
Imbalances
Emotional and mental imbalances are a common occurrence
with Candida albicans overgrowth. Depression is an almost
constant component of systemic illness related to chronic
yeast growth in the tissues. The reason is the link between
the gut and the brain. Leaky gut allows the fungus and toxins
to reach the brain, especially with a liver that is overstressed.
Unfortunately negative labels are given when you are imbalanced emotionally/mentally, implying that psychosis or neurosis is your initiating cause. Do not buy into the judgments you may receive from doctors. Search for the right healthcare practitioner that will treat your body/mind as whole.
Treatment
Once Candida albicans overgrowth has been identified, treatment
follows by killing the fungus/yeast and its toxins. It is
killed by taking an antifungal supplement and modifying
your diet so that there is nothing for the yeast to feed
on. Treatment is simple but takes diligence. An antifungal
source either herbal or pharmaceutical must be taken. When
your condition is mild an herbal compound/supplement is
sufficient. If your condition is chronic or severe, Nystatin
and/or Diflucan, or strong herbal compounds used by
alternative health care practitioners are what I find to be most effective.
Click here to view Conditions Directly or Indirectly Caused by Candida Overgrowth
Nystatin
Nystatin comes from a soil-based organism that is concentrated
and works by directly killing the yeast. It is safe and
effective and can be used with pregnant mothers and infants.
1 pill (500,000 units) taken three times a day is usually
the recommended dosage for an adult. If the powder, Nilstat,
is used a 1/8th tsp. is taken 3 times a day orally either
directly on the tongue or mixed with a little water.
Work up to three times daily to manage die-off symtpoms. The
difference with the powder is that it does not contain any
dye and kills yeast living in the mouth and esophagus as
well in the gastrointestinal tract.
Nystatin is not well absorbed into the bloodstream but with prolonged use it can get into the blood, helping those with autoimmune diseases. The problem is that most doctors prescribe Nystatin for less than 6 weeks. Better results show with a usage of three months or longer. In my case of MS I took Nystatin for two years. If you have a mild case of Candidiasis 3 or 4 months of Nystatin is usually sufficient.
Diflucan
Diflucan (fluconazole), an antifungal synthetic drug, is
found to be effective against systemic (in the blood) Candida
overgrowth. It is ten times stronger than Nystatin, but
it also more toxic to the liver. If Diflucan is used longer
than a couple of weeks have your doctor test and monitor
your liver enzymes. When you have symptoms of depression
or any mental imbalance, Diflucan can give you a jump-start
on eradicating the fungus. I recommend taking one Diflucan
pill (4 pills total), every other day for the first week
and then switching to Nystatin because it is safer and can
be monitored better. Unlike Diflucan, Nystatin permeates
the areas of the GI tract where yeast overgrowth usually
originates and it is essential to tackle both the blood
and the gut in a chronic or severe case.
Herbal
Antifungals
If your case is mild or a pharmaceutical antifungal cannot
be secured there are many good herbal compounds available.
Ones that I recommend are
Candida Cleanse by Rainbow Light or Fungal Defense by
Garden of Life (available at health food stores). If you cannot get either one then
look for yeast eliminating products at your health food
store containing a mixture of some of the following ingredients: Pau D'arco, Oregon grape root, garlic, berberine, undecylinic
acid, caprylic acid, black walnut, grapefruit seed extract,
and oregano oil, ginger, gentian root, marshmallow, and
fennel. * Work up slowly to the maximum dose.
Die-Off
Reactions
Note that starting a program of food elimination and taking
an antifungal can create a Herxheimer reaction, in which
you experience die-off symptoms from killing the yeast.
Basically you may feel worse before you feel better. To
assist with this process make sure that your elimination
pathways are open such as the liver, bowel, kidneys, lungs,
and skin.
A daily bowel movement is essential. If needed take fiber powder, a source with citrus pectin's, flax seed, or rice bran, not one with psyllium in it as it can create more gas and bloating. Gentle Fibers by Jarrow is a good fiber product. Take 1 level tbsp. in 10 oz. of water. Increase dosage in a week if needed. Drink a quart of red clover tea (hot or cold) daily to assist with cleansing the blood, liver, and kidneys. To make the tea boil 1 quart of filtered water and turn it off. Add 3 tea bags of red clover and let it steep for 15 minutes. Also engage in doing deep breathing several times a day to helps to remove toxins from the lungs. Exercise if you feel you can. Brisk walking or yoga is sufficient.
Symptoms
of Die-Off
Flu-like symptoms, headaches, aches, or abdominal distress
may be present as part of your detox process. If your die-off
symptoms are too intense cut down on your dosage of the
antifungal and increase it slowly as you feel you can handle
it. Stick with the program and work with your healthcare
practitioner. Having these symptoms usually means that you
are on the right track because toxins are pouring out into
the bloodstream. After a couple of days to a week these
initial symptoms will pass. Consume as much water as possible
in addition to drinking the red clover tea.
Dietary
Changes
The other essential ingredient to killing off the fungus/yeast
is making dietary changes. All sugars, dairy products, refined
carbohydrates, yeast products and wheat need to be eliminated
for as long as you take the antifungal. Wheat does not directly
feed yeast but I find it to be a common food sensitivity
and it is good idea to eliminate in it the beginning. Mild
cases of Candida albicans overgrowth usually take 6 weeks
to three months to feel better. For severe conditions, such
as multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, myasthenia gravis,
six months to two years may be necessary to feel the full
effects. The excess yeast must be starved off, which can
only take place by taking an antifungal and following a
Candida-free diet. Doing one without the other does not
produce positive results. Both the antifungal and diet must
be done simultaneously and for a long enough period of time.
What
To Do Once You Are Well
For chronic Candida albicans overgrowth cases it is important
to take an herbal antifungal compound (Candida Cleanse) each day for the rest
of your life at a reduced dose, increasing it during times
of travel and holiday festivities. Candida albicans overgrowth
can come back even more virulent if not kept in check. You
can rotate with other antifungal products to make sure you
are getting the full benefits from being on them. For more mild cases once you finish your program stay on a probiotic (good bacteria) lifetime to maintain a healthy GI tract. Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics 12 Plus by Essential Formulas is an excellent brand.
Moderation with your diet needs to be practiced once you stop your treatment. Take care with indulging in foods that contain sugar, dairy, yeast, and refined carbohydrates from here on out. A good way to be moderate is to eat healthy Monday through Friday and on the weekends enjoy a little of the "no-no" foods. If you notice food intolerances and reactions, such as a rapid pulse rate 90 to 180 beats per minute after eating, fatigue, internal itching, gas, bloating, headache, hives, stay away otherwise you might ignite another fire.
No
Side Effects
The good news is that following the Candida albicans elimination
protocol cannot harm you. The regime consists of cleaning
up your diet and taking an antifungal. This is a protocol
in which most everyone can benefit from doing. There are
many good references now available to help you become educated,
see resources.
Candida
Diet - Foods To Eat |
|
MEATS (Antibiotic & Hormone free) Beef
(small amounts - 1x/wk) |
OILS (Cold-pressed) Flaxseed
(not used for cooking) |
GRAINS (Whole - not refined) Amaranth *If gluten intolerant stay away from barley, oats, rye, spelt |
NUTS & SEEDS (Raw) Almonds |
DAIRY (Antibiotic & Hormone Free) Butter |
VEGETABLES All
(except mushrooms) |
CONDIMENTS Apple
cider vinegar (raw & unfiltered
- refrig.) |
DRINKS Water
- filtered |
BEANS & LEGUMES* All
(except fermented soy products,
i.e.
miso, tempeh) |
MISCELLANEOUS Carob
- unsweetened |
FRUITS (1 per day) Apples
(granny smith - peeled) |
SWEETENERS Stevia |
| * Stay away from common allergen foods if allergic (citrus fruits, corn, milk, tomatoes, wheat) | |
Candida
Diet - Foods To Avoid |
|
MEATS Processed
& Packaged meats |
OILS Peanut
Oil |
VEGETABLES Corn |
NUTS & SEEDS Cashews |
DAIRY All
cheeses including cottage cheese |
GRAINS Breads (unless wheat, dairy, yeast and sugar
free) |
CONDIMENTS All
vinegars (except apple cider vinegar
- raw & unfiltered) |
MISCELLANEOUS Candy |
BEANS & LEGUMES Peas |
DRINKS Alcohol |
FRUITS Apricots |
SWEETENERS Aspartame (NutraSweet) |
| * Stay away from common allergen foods if allergic (citrus fruits, corn, milk, tomatoes, wheat). | |
Click here to download The Candida Questionnaire & Score Sheet
