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By Jim English
Yeasts – tiny fungi-like organisms found on plant leaves, flowers and in soil and saltwater – assist in
the decomposition and recycling of plants and algae. Yeasts also play an important role in human
culture and history – imagine a world devoid of beer, wine and bread. Commercially, yeasts produce
alcoholic beverages by fermenting rice, wheat, barley, and corn, and in the baking industry they are
used to help dough to rise. Brewer's yeast, a rich source of protein, B vitamins, niacin, and folic acid,
is often taken as a supplement.
Although it's easy to find enjoyment in a rich golden ale, a fine wine or a fresh loaf of bread, it’s difficult
to appreciate these organisms when they are unleashed and allowed to run rampant in a human host.
Candida Albicans
Candida albicans is a saprophyte, a common yeast-like fungus that survives by eating dead tissues.
Normally present as a harmless symbiont, this organism is found in the blood, gastrointestinal tract
and vagina of warm-blooded animals (including humans), and thrives in the folds, creases, and
wrinkles of our skin. (1) In the GI tract candida is inhibited by the actions of beneficial bacteria and
ahealthy immune system. Unfortunately this internal ecology can easily be disrupted, leading to
conditions that not only allow, but actually promote, the rapid growth of yeasts. Left uncorrected these
conditions can:
As a result, the yeast cells quickly multiply out of control, especially in the colon.1-5
A Widespread Problem
Approximately 80 million Americans suffer from yeast-related problems. Of these, seventy percent are
women. Factors that encourage yeasts to grow, colonize and spread systemically include:
• Diet: Refined foods provide sugar and simple carbohydrates that the yeast
ferment for nourishment. The modern American diet is frequently low in biotin
and other nutrients that inhibit the conversion of benign yeast to the invasive
fungal form.
• Environmental Toxins: Exposure to toxic agents in food, air and water may
lower immunity, alter homeostasis and promote susceptibility to candidiasis.
Once they have penetrated the protective barrier of the intestinal tract and invaded the circulatory
system, yeasts release waste chemicals (toxins) and, in the process, allow undigested food proteins
and other toxins to enter the body. These and other foreign substances assault the immune system,
leading to tremendous allergic reactions, fatigue and other health problems. These conditions are
generally referred to as candidiasis or Candida-Related Complex (CRC).
Symptoms of Candida
The clinical picture for candidiasis may be different for every person. The symptoms may be similar to
chronic Epstein-Barr virus syndrome, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, adrenal maladaptation
(hyperadaptosis), fibromyalgia, and others. For example, intestinal candida symptoms may resemble
Crohn's disease. As a result, the problem may be misdiagnosed when other problems occur
simultaneously. Some patients just feel lousy all over. Others have minor, annoying, periodic, and
seemingly unrelated disturbances, or even severe mental or physical incapacitation. Often, physicians
either believe the cause is another disease or they send the patient to a psychiatrist because they
cannot determine a physical cause. Consequently, since the underlying cause is often not properly
diagnosed, it cannot be treated properly.
Candida has been found to produce 79 distinct toxins. These toxins have been shown to cause
massive congestion of the eyelid area, ears, and other parts of the body. These toxins may be
responsible for many of the symptoms that Candida sufferers have.
When this occurs some people become hypersensitive to environmental substances or develop
multiple food allergies. These undigested particles may also pass through the blood/brain barrier
where they can be mistaken for neurotransmitters, leading to mental symptoms that may create
abnormal behavior.
Systemic Problems
Systemic candida is a great imitator. It can mimic many diseases such as cystitis, Crohn's disease,
gastritis, multiple sclerosis, endometriosis and various forms of mental illness. Candida may be part of
the pathology in colitis, pancreatitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, malignancies,
endocrinological pathologies, and autoimmune disorders.
Undetected Candidiasis?
Many individuals can suffer from candidiasis and never know it. Candida may be the underlying cause
of chronic illness, bringing about a wide variety of seemingly unrelated or intermittent symptoms and
clinical disorders of varying magnitude that defy diagnosis.10-14
All of these responses make a positive diagnosis of candidiasis frequently difficult. However, recurrent
and common symptoms of CRC (Candida Related Complex) do exist and fall into different categories.
These symptoms are listed in.11,12
• Direct stool exams for chronic intestinal candidiasis. A gram stain for
yeast along with direct microscopic examination is a very accurate diagnostic
tool for Candida. This method avoids quantification inaccuracies that appear
with cultures.
A candida culture may also be considered if there is presence of oral thrush/white coating on the
tongue. Excessive growth may be an indication, especially if it increases with your symptoms.
Other laboratory tests that may not be as accurate in the diagnosis of Candida:
• Serum Candida antibody levels (IgG, IgM, and IgA). Will not be definitive
since the body's ability to defend against Candida is limited due to its position
in the gastrointestinal tract. Positive or negative responses are difficult to
interpret. Candida IgE may be helpful. However, a test of IgG blood antibodies
to Candida albicans in conjunction with a direct yeast culture stool sample
evaluation is recommended. These tests can be performed by Great Smokies
Diagnostic Laboratory, (63 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, North Carolina 800-522-
4762)
Part 2 of the Candida Yeast Protection Program will outline a four-phase treatment program
designed to free the body of candida and prevent future recurrences. Topics covered in this
multiphased program include:
By Jim English
Part I of the Candida Yeast Protection Program covered the symptoms of yeast overgrowth that
afflict close to 80 million Americans each year. In Part 2 we examine a five-phase treatment program
designed to free the body of candida and prevent future recurrences. Phase I deals with starving
candida through dietary modification. Foods to avoid and foods to eat freely will be discussed in detail.
Phase II deals with killing candida with fatty acids, herbal concentrates and antifungal drugs. Phase III
involves counteracting the toxic reactions to dying yeast cells with fluids, fiber, activated charcoal,
digestive aids and nutritional supplements. Phase IV involves reinoculating the bioculture of the
bowel, and Phase V is a list of recommendations for lifestyle changes to prevent future recurrences.
There are several dietary culprits that must be avoided during the program:
1. Avoid sugar and simple carbohydrates that break down rapidly (yeasts
ferment sugar and thrive on simple carbohydrates).
Dietary Guidelines
Follow a very strict diet the first three weeks, then try making the following dietary changes.
1. Try eating different foods from the Foods To Eat With Caution category
(see below). If a particular food does not cause a negative reaction then it may
be added to the basic diet.
3. During the program, eat different foods daily and rotate food groups.
4. Consume high amounts of fiber to absorb dead yeasts and their toxins.
5. Eat small meals frequently and do not skip meals. For snacks, munch on
vegetables.
8. Properly store foods in the refrigerator. Avoid leftovers and any foods that
spoil or become moldy.
Calcium Undecylenate
Calcium undecylenate is an extremely effective, well-tolerated, broad-spectrum antifungal. It is a
calcium salt of undecylenic acid (UA). derived by the vacuum distillation of castor bean oil. It’s an 11
carbon mono-unsaturated fatty acid (the antifungal properties of a medium chain fatty acid increases
as the chain lengthens and peaks at 11 – caprylic acid contains only 8 carbon chains). Several studies
have demonstrated that undecylenic acid is 4-5 times as powerful an antifungal agent as caprylic acid
in the same dosage.
Berberine Sulfate
Berberine is the alkaloid contained in golden seal, barberry and oregon grape which is most
responsible for the antibiotic therapeutic actions of these botanicals.
Berberine exhibits a broad spectrum of antibiotic activity. Berberine has shown antimicrobial activity
against bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, Berberine's action against Candida pathogens is actually
stronger than that of antibiotics commonly used for these pathogens.
Berberine increases the blood supply to the spleen. This improved blood supply may promote optimal
activity of the spleen by increasing the release of compounds such as tuftsin that potentiate immune
function. Berberine also activates macrophages by priming and triggering them.
According to published sources, GSE is effective against more than 800 bacterial and viral strains,
100 strains of fungi, as well as a large number of single cell and multicelled parasites. Grapefruit seed
extract has powerful anti-fungal activity at concentrations as low as 200 parts per million. During 1989-
90, an international research team reported in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine (Volume 5, No.
3, 1990) the effect of GSE on 770 strains of bacteria and 93 strains of fungus in comparison with 30
antibiotics and 18 fungicides. They found that GSE performed as well as any of the tested agents.
As a result of these actions, chronic candidiasis (both intestinal and systemic) is being treated with
excellent results using grapefruit seed extract, according to numerous clinics and medical
practitioners. Its acidic nature augments the activity of calcium undecylenate which is most effective at
a pH below 6.0.
Pau D’Arco
The inner bark of this South American tree has a long history of folk usage in the treatment of wide
variety of afflictions. Researchers discovered that the active pharmacological agents in Pau’Darco
included lapachol and a series of phytochemcials called napthoquinones. These quinones have strong
microbiocidal and fungicidal actions and are highly effective against Candida albicans. Lapachol also
has demonstrated anti-viral, anti-parasitic and anti-neoplastic effects.
Sorbic Acid
Sorbic Acid is a mold yeast inhibitor obtained from the berries of mountain ash. It also reduces the pH
of the formula to insure proper delivery and activity of the calcium undecylenate.
2. Fiber and bulking agents can help absorb and carry off toxins released
when the organism dies off (the Herxheimer Reaction - see below).
Other death-stress chemicals cause direct cellular toxicity throughout the body. Immune/yeast
complexes trigger the release of histamine, an irritating tissue hormone which initiates tissue
inflammation and causes discomfort. Severe allergic and toxic reactions exacerbate the symptoms of
candida. Die-off reactions may last from a few days to a few weeks but usually clear up in less than a
week.
Perhaps one of the most unfortunate aspects of a severe Herxheimer reaction is that it may cause
individuals to abandon a successful treatment prematurely. The Herxheimer reaction keeps many
individuals indulging in their pro-yeast lifestyle like the withdrawal reaction keeps drug abusers
addicted.
An effective means to reduce the discomfort of die-off is to take the supplement compounds listed
under "Other anti-yeast supplements," (at left), drink plenty of fluids, and consume 30-40 grams a day
of dietary fiber. That will deactivate, absorb and rid the body of toxic debris from dead yeasts.
Food Chart For Candida Albicans Recovery
Program
1. Allowable Foods
Eat these foods freely unless they cause an allergic reaction.
• Proteins: Eggs, meat, fresh and saltwater fish, yogurt (fruit-free and sugar-
free), casein (milk protein), albumen (egg protein) or lactose-free whey protein
powder, soy beans.
• Fats: Unprocessed vegetable oils, butter, nuts and seeds (peanuts and
pistachios are likely to be moldy).
• Unleavened breads.
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Packaged and processed foods (they frequently contain sugar and hidden
ingredients).
• Dairy products, except live yogurt (dairy products contain lactose - milk
sugar).
• Malt-containing products.
• Fermented beverages (cider & root beer). Commercial root beer sodas are
not fermented.
Avoid or minimize exposure to household chemicals or work related substances, and evironments
causing either a toxic or allergic reaction. Filter your drinking water and air, if possible. Avoid contact
with mold spores and don't live in damp surroundings. When you need medical advice and
supervision, seek out experts in the fields of environmental medicine and clinical ecology.
Maintain a strong immune system. Develop effective stress control measures to minimize the natural
release of adrenal corticosteroid hormones which lower immunity and promote yeast overgrowth.
References
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