CAUSES

Antibiotic therapy is one of the most frequent causes

In women, elevated hormones due to pregnancy, hormone supplementation, or birth control pills

Use of prednisone or other medication that is immuno-suppressant. Mercury from amalgam fillings is also suspect.

Depressed immune function in combination with a highly sweet and starchy diet

Frequent exposure to a high mold environment

Parasitic infection

Candida is particularly prevalent in conjunction with AIDS.

There is now medical coding for candidiasis of the colon, which indicates that Candida is now recognized as a cause of illness throughout the body. Until this time, it was viewed as a disorder primarily of the esophagus and the vagina only. Doctors are now beginning to view it as a legitimate health condition, throughout the rest of the body.

Yeast in the digestive tract produce toxins that can make you ill in a variety of ways. They also produce alcohol as a byproduct in the process of breaking down starches (which can cause brain fog and intoxication). They can produce pathogenicenzymes (called proteolytic or protein-digesting enzymes), such as Wobenzym or Theramedix PRX, that allow them invade the tissue elsewhere in the body, as is often seen in cases of AIDS and other conditions of immuno-suppression. The journal Medical Hypothesis has reported on research suggesting that chronic candidiasis is associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Leaky Gut Syndrome.

MAINSTREAM TREATMENT

Nystatin is the number one therapy – the most frequently used anti-fungal, which is available in capsules, liquid, powder, gels, and a troche (a lozenge).

Diflucan® (fluconazole) is very useful but an expensive treatment.

Nizoral® (ketoconazole) may be useful but may have accompanying liver toxicity. There are some people who have yeast condition resistant to all the previously mentioned drugs. For these, the risks of ketoconazole may be worth it. Before beginning this medication, consider getting the functional medicine liver detox test. (See testing – Chapter 17). It is also recommended that you get a liver enzyme profile periodically during the therapy to be sure the drug is not causing damage. An additional treatment option for those with resistant yeast is miconazole, available only from compounding pharmacies [See Appendix for information on compounding pharmacies.] Major systemic treatment that supports immune function could be helpful – ask a physician practicing functional/nutritional medicine about such treatment.

COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS

HERBS: Herbs alternated with drug therapy or used individually

Available from the health food store – garlic in enterically-coated capsule form; wild-crafted Mediterranean oil of oregano (Oregamax); GSE grapefruit seed extract (Nutritibiotic®); Pau d'arco; Specialized enzymes formulations for yeast (Theramedix CDX); tea tree oil (Thursday Plantation products); coconut oil capsules (Source Naturals) and caprylic acid (American Biologics or NSC). General immune stimulants include Echinacea and goldenseal.

From Chinese medicine – Ganoderma, Ling-Zhi (ling-shi) is a mushroom imported from China, which tends to removes toxins, may stimulate immunity, and seems to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

DIET

A diet very low in refined carbohydrates with no sugar is key in gaining control of this condition. Avoid foods with fermented content, except yoghurt (not commercially prepared mass-market brands with made-up Franken-flora with trademarks). Refer to The Yeast Connection by William Crook, The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates (B.E.D. Publications, 1996, 5th edition) and Depression Cured At Last by Sherri Rogers.

All these authors recommend staying off antibiotics and prednisone to the degree possible, staying off sweets and starches (simple carbohydrates such as sugar, pastas, and breads) and eating complex carbohydrates in moderation, such as whole-grain brown rice, tree-grown nuts and seeds. Avoid any product that contains brewer's yeast or baker's yeast, and minimize other fermented products. Avoid sodas and fruit juice; instead, develop the taste for spring or mineral water, lemon water (hot or cool), and herb tea (hot, iced, or even room temperature).

NUTRIENTS

Take probiotic supplements to restore the friendly flora. This is key. Treatment is not meant to totally rid the body of Candida – this is impossible. Rather, the goal is to keep them in balance and avoid overgrowth. Probiotics, periodically taken, can help maintain this balance. This is important, because yeast can become pathogenic when they overgrow.

Blood sugar and insulin swings tend to be associated with yeast conditions, in part of because of deficiencies in the trace minerals chromium and vanadium. These two minerals can be supplemented in capsule form as chromium and vandal sulfate and can help with insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance. If there is a significant overgrowth, also supplement trace minerals and/or ask your doctor to measure trace mineral levels, prescribe supplements, and monitor them. Mineral testing is available from National Medical Laboratories or Pantox Laboratories through a prescription from your doctor. Antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E are important, as well as alpha-lipoic acid (which is a metabolic anti-oxidant).

Risk factors: Diabetics tend to be more prone to yeast overgrowth because of the tendency to high blood sugar. Some people who consume too alcohol may actually alcohol cravings driven by the yeast. People who eat a highly sweet or starchy diet, with lots of yeast products may have a greater tendency to yeast. Soft drinks and commercial fruit juice are also high in sugar.

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES

Acupuncture can enhance immune function and assist the body to fight off the overgrowth of yeast and then keep the yeast population in balance. EPD therapy appears to be useful against yeast and fungal sensitivities.

Mind-body therapies: Keep stress to a minimum to allow your immune system to recoup and cope with overgrowth.

Allergy testing: In Germany, allergy testing and general evaluation is performed using a small non-invasive electronic acupuncture instrument, Voll electro-dermal skin testing (EDS) also called or bio-resonance therapy. This therapy is used to determine overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria and yeast, allergies, deficiencies in nutrients, and to determine the value of particular treatments. It measures the resonance at the acupuncture points. Then the practitioner either treats the meridians or uses homeopathy or herbs, based on the feedback received.