Candida Albicans Infection

When antibiotics are used they can transform the Candida Albicans fungus which is normally harmless in the body into a damaging fungus. This fungus can hinder the immune system. It is generally controlled by the friendly bacteria in our bodies. However, when the balance of friendly to unfriendly bacteria is disrupted from medications and antibiotic rich foods such as meats the delicate balance can be disrupted and the fungus is allowed to flourish. Effective strategies in restoring a healthy balance include modifying the diet and implementing healthy bacteria from foods and supplements.

Chronic Candida Albicans Infection

By Lawrence Wilson M.D.

Yeasts, molds, and funguses are one-celled organisms. Beneficial ones include brewers and nutritional yeast, and lactobacillus acidophilus. Candida albicans is not among them. It produces poisons including alcohol. Candida is found in the air, water, and food but not normally in our bodies. Slow metabolism, deficient acid in the stomach, an over-alkaline intestinal tract, and copper imbalance allow candida to flourish in the body. Weak adrenals, improper bowel flora, diets high in sugar and taking antibiotics, antacids, birth control pills, and steroid hormones contribute to candida infection.

SYMPTOMS OF CANDIDA

Symptoms range from chronic fatigue and depression to headaches, bloating, gas, and tightness in the shoulders. Candida can also contribute to brain fog, mood swings, memory loss, itching, joint pain, indigestion, ulcers, cancer, and many sinus infections. Learning and behavior disorders are often due in part to candida infection, especially in children who eat a lot of sugar. Chronic candida can also contribute to irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, heartburn, and gastric acid reflux disease, or GERD.

One form of candida is invasive, burrows into body organs, and can be life-threatening. Since candida Albicans produces alcohol and acetaldehyde, it may also contribute to many other subtle dysfunctions, including general toxicity, liver dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, and more. Some practitioners blame most illnesses on candida. I do not find this to be the case. However, it is a very common and important contributor to ill health.

DETECTION

Symptoms are often excellent for detection. If one is tired or spacy after eating sweets or a high-carbohydrate meal, candida is likely. If one gets yeast infections, candida is present in the intestines as well. Gas or bloating that improves when one stops eating sugars and carbohydrates is another simple indicator of possible candida infection.

A simple test is to eliminate all sugars, fruit, and juices for a week and take an anti-candida remedy such as grapefruit seed extract. If one feels better, or possibly worse due to a “die-off” reaction, candida is likely present. Antigen-antibody skin tests are another method of detection. Stool analysis is also used for detection, though it can miss hidden candida organisms. On a hair mineral analysis, a copper imbalance is associated with candida. The role of copper is discussed later in this article.

CAUSES – SLOW METABOLISM

In their order of importance, causes include slow metabolism, copper imbalance, alkaline intestines and tissues, medications, high carbohydrate diets, and other toxins. Most people with candida are slow metabolizers. While their cells are more acidic, their intercellular spaces are too alkaline. Their bodies do not generate enough acid end products of metabolism such as lactic acid. Calcium, an alkaline-forming element, also builds up adding to the alkalinity.

Candida thrives in an alkaline environment and becomes able to invade tissues and cause serious illness. Slow metabolizers are also often deficient in hydrochloric acid. Stomach acid normally kills candida. This is one reason acidophilus, an acid-forming organism often helps alleviate candida.

COPPER

Copper is the body’s natural anti-candida agent. Farmers often spray copper sulfate on fruits and vegetables to kill yeast and molds. Water departments may add copper compounds to drinking water for the same reason. Copper may be added to swimming pools and hot tubs to control yeast. Copper favors aerobic metabolism which disables yeast.

Everyone with candida has a copper imbalance. Most often, copper is present but not available to the body. This is due to the deficiency of ceruloplasmin, a copper-binding protein. Adrenal hormones are required to produce ceruloplasmin. Underactive, exhausted adrenal glands or sluggish liver activity cause a decrease in ceruloplasmin production. As a result, copper is not properly bound and is less available to the body. Until the copper-adrenal-liver condition is corrected, candida is difficult to control. Birth control pills impair copper metabolism. Some antibiotics act by removing copper from the liver. Steroid therapy slows the adrenal glands which make copper less available. All can cause or aggravate candida.

Women are more prone to candida infection. Copper imbalance is more prevalent in women as they tend to have more sluggish adrenals than men. Copper levels in women rise before the menstrual period. This is a common time of the month for women to experience yeast infections. Click here to read more about copper imbalance.

MEDICATIONS

Antibiotic overuse ranks high as a cause for candida. Acidophilus and other “friendly” yeasts help maintain an acidic intestinal environment. Antibiotics often kill acidophilus. E. coli and other bacteria replace the friendly organisms and produce an alkaline environment in which candida thrives. Some antibiotics are also toxic for the liver and may impair its ability to produce ceruloplasmin. They can persist in the liver for years. They should be used only as an absolute last resort and not for viral infections. Antibiotic residues are now found in tap water. The drugs are excreted in urine and feces, do not break down and reappear in city water supplies. This has been documented in several nations.

With infrared saunas, vitamin A, vitamin C, and propolis, antibiotics are very rarely needed. Millions of pounds of antibiotics are also fed to animals. Commercially grown meats, poultry, milk, and eggs contain antibiotic residues. Although this occurs less today, it is best to buy meat, poultry, and dairy products from sources that do not use antibiotics in animal feed. Animals raised in a healthful manner rarely require antibiotics.

Antacids and other drugs that reduce acid may worsen candida by creating a deficiency of stomach acid. Ulcers and heartburn are often due to wheat allergy or factors other than excess stomach acid. Antacid drugs include Prilosec, Prevacid, Zantac, Pepcid, Tagamet, Mylanta, Maalox, Gaviscon, Riopan, Rolaids, Tums, Nexium, and others. Birth control pills and steroid drugs such as cortisone or prednisone also contribute to candida.

DIETARY CARBOHYDRATES

Candida starts in the intestines. Excessive consumption of carbohydrates, particularly sugars, encourages candida infection. The adrenal glands regulate blood sugar. Sugars in the diet weaken the adrenal glands by causing large blood sugar fluctuations. Sugar is the natural food for candida. Sugar and carbohydrate cravings may be candida organisms calling for dinner. When “deprived” of carbohydrates, the yeast dies, releasing toxic substances. These can cause unpleasant “die-off” reactions that can draw one back to sugary foods to end the discomfort. Many, many people overeat on carbohydrate foods. Besides common foods such as starches and sugars, they include milk, fruit, juices, and sweetened electrolyte drinks.

OTHER TOXIC SUBSTANCES

Excessive mercury often accompanies copper toxicity. Mercury can stimulate the thyroid which causes adrenal imbalance. Several years are needed to remove excess mercury. Cadmium is a highly toxic metal that interferes with zinc needed to balance copper and required for the proper functioning of the adrenals. Cadmium also accumulates in the liver and can impair its ability to synthesize ceruloplasmin.

Lead toxicity interferes with calcium metabolism. This can slow the adrenals by altering the electrolyte balance. Toxic chemicals found in the home, air, water, and food also accumulate in the liver, impairing its ability to produce ceruloplasmin.

IMPROPER BOWEL FLORA

Improper bowel flora is extremely common and often contributes to candida infections. Much of the problem is due to antibiotic use and constant ingestion of small doses of antibiotics found in drinking water and commercial animal products. Other toxic chemicals or additives in foods may also be a factor.

The low fiber in the diet, parasitic infections, and stress also impair bowel activity. Debris in the intestines, often in pockets in the colon, also harbors bacteria that interfere with normal bowel flora. Constipation also aggravates candida infection. If one does not have a daily bowel movement, extra fiber, ox bile, pancreatin, and magnesium will usually correct the problem. Herbal laxatives can be habit-forming.

One may, however, be constipated even if one has daily bowel movements. Food should pass through the intestines within 48 hours. When it is delayed, harmful organisms have more time to multiply and generate toxins. To test bowel transit time, eat some beets at one meal and note how long it takes for the red color to show up in the stool. Extra fiber and an improved diet will often decrease bowel transit time.

SUGAR ADDICTION

Alcohol produced by candida can contribute to fatigue, spaciness, impaired judgment, emotional problems, and learning and behavior disorders in children. Some people notice they feel tired after eating sugar. Sugar feeds their candida which increases the production of alcohol. Alcoholics are often addicted to sugar without understanding the connection.

Sugar addiction may occur because depriving candida of their sugar reduces alcohol production. This causes withdrawal symptoms including negative thoughts, anxiety, shakiness, and fatigue. This drives many people back to sugar to enhance alcohol output. Hypoglycemia due to weak adrenals is another factor in sugar addiction.

IMPAIRED IMMUNE SYSTEM

Factors other than copper imbalance may also impair the body?s immune system, reducing its ability to defend itself against candida and other intestinal infections. The most common causes are nutrient deficiencies and excesses of toxic metals or toxic chemicals. Click here to read an article on the immune system.

CORRECTION – DIET

Dietary change is most important, especially minimizing all sweets including fruit juices. This includes reducing cookies, cakes, ice cream, pastries, honey, rice syrup, and barley malt used in soy and rice drinks and other products. Stevia and artificial sweeteners are somewhat better as they do not contain sugars, though they present other problems. Stevia contains some lead, however. Reducing all sweetener use is best.

Reducing grains may be helpful, especially wheat and spelt, and at times rye, oats, and barley. These foods include bread, pasta, deep-fried food, cream soups thickened with flour, crackers, cakes, and cookies. Reducing fruit is also helpful. Ripe fruit is best, as the sugars are more quickly absorbed. Avoid very sweet fruits such as dates, figs, and dried fruit. Best fruits are apples, pears, peaches, berries, kiwi, and other less sweet fruits. Reduce dried beans such as pintos, lentils, black beans, and peanuts. Peanut butter is very sweet and best avoided. Toasted almond, cashew or sunflower seed butters are much better.

Some candida books recommend eliminating all fermented foods such as cheese, wine, pickles, and yeasted bread. This is usually unnecessary unless one is specifically allergic to all yeast. Candida albicans are very different from yeasts in bread, wine, and cheese.

Milk and buttermilk are high in sugar. Soda pop, Kool-aid, fruit and vegetable juices, and sweetened teas are best avoided. Unsweetened live-culture yogurt is good. Unsweetened tea, water, or water with lemon are excellent. The very strict diet in the yeast books is often unnecessary when combined with a nutritional supplement program to correct underlying causes. If one follows a strict candida diet, eat more fats and oils for calories or one will lose a lot of weight.

EATING HABITS

Humans have a limited ability to digest cellulose fiber in foods. Proper chewing breaks down fiber so that more can be digested. Insufficient chewing causes excessive fibrous material to remain that can feed candida. Eating in a hurry, in one’s car, when working or when upset or anxious also impairs starch digestion and worsens candida.

LIFESTYLE

Lifestyle plays a critical role. Reducing stress rests the adrenal glands and helps improve copper metabolism. Plenty of rest and sleep are important, as lack of rest stresses the adrenal glands. Stimulant use such as caffeine or heavy exercise decimates the adrenal glands. Improving eating habits and positive emotions and attitudes reduce stress and promote healthy digestion. Deep breathing and good posture assist oxygenation of the body which inhibits candida.

ANTI-CANDIDA MEDICATION

Substances that control candida include grapefruit seed extract, tannic acid (Tanalbit), garlic, and acidophilus. I am impressed with the use of lactobacillus Plantarum, which digests protein as well as sugars. Other natural products are caprylic acid, other medium-chain fatty acids, and echinacea. Some herbal preparations may be toxic. Anti-candida substances may not be needed if body chemistry is balanced with diet, excellent habits, and lifestyle correction.

Prescription drugs for candida include Diflucan, Nystatin, and Nizoral. These may be needed in emergencies, but are toxic for the liver. One should avoid them if possible. If more natural methods are not working and one needs drugs, remain on them no more than two weeks. Anti-fungal products are helpful but are not the entire answer. They control symptoms but do not address underlying causes.

NUTRITIONAL BALANCING

Correcting slow metabolism, copper imbalance, weak adrenals, and over-alkaline body chemistry requires a hair mineral analysis. When performed and interpreted properly, it can assess body chemistry and guide recommendations for diet, supplements, and detoxification procedures. The process can take several years and greatly improves general health.

Many times candida infection is just one of many imbalances contributing to poor health. It is often a symptom of deeper systemic problems that ought to be addressed. The advantage of a nutritional balancing program is it is not a symptomatic approach. It addresses many imbalances and deeper causes at the same time.

HOW LONG UNTIL I AM HEALTHY?

A better diet often leads to improvement in a few days to a week. Anti-candida medications also often work quickly. Permanently improving copper balance, eliminating toxic metals, and enhancing the oxidation rate takes longer, up to several years. However, time and effort are well worth it.

If one has taken antibiotics recently or took a lot in the past, more time is needed to remove residues stored in the liver and other organs. Do not be discouraged if results take longer.

Sauna therapy can significantly speed up the correction of candida infection. It assists the elimination of toxins, inhibits the sympathetic nervous system, improves circulation and oxygenation, and directly disables candida organisms. The electric light sauna described in the last issue is an inexpensive way anyone can enjoy the great benefits of infrared sauna therapy. Sauna therapy is the finest method of eliminating unwanted organisms in the body.

The best results are achieved by combining an excellent diet and lifestyle with a nutrition program based on mineral analysis to correct underlying metabolic imbalances. Anti-candida supplements or medication may be helpful in long-standing and severe cases. With these methods, most candida can be permanently corrected. Books including The Yeast Syndrome and The Yeast Connection offer more in-depth information about Candida Albicans infections.

Dr. Lawrence Wilson