Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Candida Albicans (Candidiasis, Yeast Infection)

by


Maria Teresa De Donato, PhD, RND, CNC, CMH, CHom






Candida albicans is a fungus that manifests as yeast and filamentous cells creating opportunistic (= by pathogens) oral and genital infections in humans (1, 2) and an infection on the nail plate called candidal onychomycosis. It resembles a parasite infection. Its ideal environment is found in warm-blooded animals, especially in the digestive and vaginal tracts.

An overgrowth of yeast occupying the gastrointestinal tract generates a serious medical condition called candidiasis or yeast syndrome able to bring disruption in all body's systems and even morbidity and mortality in people with an already compromised immune system. Several factors contribute to candidiasis: among them there is a prolonged use of antibiotics and birth control pills, estrogen replacement therapy and elements such as environmental pollutants, like pesticides, industrial chemicals and heavy metals which, while destroying the body's beneficial bacteria, facilitate the fast growth and multiplication of harmful bacteria such as yeast. Antibiotics and steroids are also contained in most of the meats and animal proteins people consume (3), this increasing the intake in the human body to a much greater extent.

The high consume of simple carbohydrates (sugars, though also bread, pasta and pizza made of white flour are also included) is the first element responsible for yeast to prosper to such an extent as to damage our health by generating Candida. The latter has proven to be linked also to a high consume of alcohol “due to the combination of high sugar content in alcohol and the inability of alcoholics to assimilate nutrients.” (3) No need to say that by highly decreasing the “white” products and the sugar intake (even that contained in soda bevarages) yeast infection can be completely healed. Though depending on our kind of diet, generally speaking some 30 millions people may suffer from a Candida condition at any given time in their lives. Blood Tests, Stool Analysis and/or Electrodermal Biofeedback Screening are the methods used to dyagnose candidiasis.

But why is Candida so dangerous and how does it harm our organism? With its ongoing presence a yeast cell can produce more than 75 toxic substances able to damage the tissues, compromise our “immune system, glands, bladder, lung, liver and even our brain and nervous system”. (4) The yeast prospers to such an extent as to invade the gastrointestinal wall. In so doing, it destroys the protective barrier which separates the intestinal tract from the bloodstream. As consequence, toxic substances enter and pollute the body generating or even worsening an already existing state of auto-intoxication. This means that proteins and other food by-products which are not completely digested or eliminated can attack the immune system and cause serious allergic reactions, fatigue and other health issues. Once Candida and other harmful bacteria enter the bloodstream then soreness of the joints, chest pains, sinus and skin problems as well as many other conditions may arise.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) links Candida overgrowth, which is considered a immune inhibitor, to the concept of “dampness” characterized by “feeling of heaviness, sluggishness, mental dullness, possible infections with yeast and other microorganisms, and pathogenic moisture such as edema and excess mucus” (5) It can be transmitted from one person to the other through sexual intercourse. Candida is, therefore, a serious health problem which needs to be taken care of or, better said, prevented through healthy and balanced diet and lifestyle.

Acetaldehyde and ethanol are respectively the major waste product of yeast and the by-product. Anemia can occur in this case due to the fact that Candida makes the absorption of iron difficult when the tissues do not receive enough oxygen. Excessive fatigue and lack of energy at a cellular level step in because of ethanol. This also causes free radicals to be released, which accelerate the aging process. Symptoms related to the presence and overgrowth of Candida albicans are many and run from constipation to diarrhea, from colitis to abdominal pains, from sinus infections to acne, arthritis, depression, muscle and joint pains and many more.

While ignoring the root of the problem and not removing it, mainstream medicine deals with Candida through antibiotics. Nystatin (Nilstat or Mycostatin) and Ketoconazole (Nizoral) are the pharmaceutical drugs physicians usually prescribe in those cases. However, besides the fact that Nystatin has proven to cause insomnia, depression, anxiety and even paranoia in some patients, and Ketoconazole (Nizoral) liver damage, all of them may even worsen the situation in the long run by further destroying the good bacteria necessary to maintain the intestinal flora's balance and by weakening the immune system.

Hence, a good approach to Candida albicans (candidiasis, yest infections) consists in preventing it from happening in the first place through a proper and balanced nutrition and lifestyle habits and in following a complete detoxification program if the Candidiasis has already been diagnosed by a licensed physician.

To better understand why detoxifying the body is so important you can click on the following link

Disclaimer: The informations above are for educational purpose only and not intended as medical advice. Should you be under medical treatment for yeast infections (Candidiasis, Candida albicans) I can still assist you with a customized program to help you detoxify from the infection and the toxins accumulated through the use of antibiotics, to boost you immune system so that healing can occur completely and more quickly, and suggest a proper diet according to your personal needs.

References

1) Ryan KJ, Ray CG (editors) (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology (4th ed.). McGraw Hill. ISBN 0-8385-8529-9.

2) d'Enfert C & Hube B (editors) (2007). Candida: Comparative and Functional Genomics. Caister  Academic Press. ISBN 978-1-904455-13-4.

3) Trivieri L., Anderson, J. W. (2002). Alternative Medicine – The Definitive Guide. Candidiasis (pp. 618-623). Second Edition. Berkeley, CA: Celestials Arts
4) GCNM (2008). Module 01. Nutritional Consultant (BSHH 401). NC 12: Toxicity & Detoxification. Candida Albicans (pp. 20-22)

5) Pitchford, P. (2002). Healing with Whole Foods – Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition. Third Edition. Chapter Five: Interior/Exterior: Building Immunity. Candida Overgrowth: Immune Inhibitor (p. 71). Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books