Effectively diagnosing and treating Candida

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Oct, 2005 by Jacob Teitelbaum

Everyone's immune system has strengths as well as weaknesses. Some people never get colds but have frequent bouts of athlete's foot or other skin fungal infections. Others never get fungal infections but tend to get colds. Many people seem to have a diminished ability to fight off fungal infections.

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Fungi are very complex organisms and can cause difficulties to many mechanisms. It is suspected that fungal overgrowth may suppress the body's immune system. The body may also develop allergic reactions to components of the yeast.

This allergic reaction was suggested in a study that connected the fungal organism Candida albicans with allergic skin dermatitis (eczema). This study was published in The Journal of Clinical Experimental Allergy in 1993. It found that there is a significant correlation between the body having antibodies to Candida albicans and allergic dermatitis or eczema. In addition, we have found that unexplained rashes that have lasted for many years often clear up with antifungal treatment. Many physicians feel that yeast overgrowth causes a generalized suppression of the immune system. In other words, once the yeast gets the upper hand, it sets up a cycle that further suppresses the body's defenses. Interestingly, a recent Mayo Clinic study showed that most cases of chronic sinusitis seem to be associated with a reaction to yeast in the sinuses--something that holistic physicians have proposed for many years. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that yeast are also normal members of the body's "zoo." They live in balance with bacteria--some of which are helpful and healthy, and some of which are detrimental and unhealthy. The problems begin when this harmonious balance shifts and the yeast begin to overgrow.

Many things can prompt yeast to overgrow. One of the most common causes is frequent antibiotic use. Antibiotics kill off the good bacteria in the bowel along with the bad bacteria. When this happens, the yeast no longer have competition and begin to overgrow. The body is often able to rebalance itself after one or several courses of antibiotics, but after repeated or long-term courses--and especially if the body has an underlying immune dysfunction--the yeast can get the upper hand.

Other factors are also important. Studies have shown that animals that are sleep-deprived and/or have increased sugar intake develop bowel yeast overgrowth. Many physicians feel that eating sugar stimulates yeast overgrowth in people as well. Sugar is food for yeast. Yeasts ferment sugar in order to grow and multiply. Yeast overgrowth due to the overuse of sugar also seems to cause immune suppression, which facilitates bacterial infections, which then require even more antibiotic use. Poor sleep also results in marked suppression of the immune function.

Diagnosing Yeast Overgrowth

There are no definitive tests for yeast overgrowth that will distinguish yeast overgrowth from normal yeast growth in the body. In my experience, however, using Dr. William Crook's yeast questionnaire is still the most reliable way to tell if a person is at risk of yeast overgrowth. If the symptom score is over 140 points, I recommend treatment. Another option is to suspect yeast in those with chronic sinusitis or spastic colon, anyone with chronic fatigue or pain who has been on recurrent or long-term antibiotics (especially tetracycline for acne), or those who intermittently have painful sores in different parts of the mouth that last for about ten days (aphthous ulcers) which persist after nutritional support. In our experience, most people who have irritable bowel syndrome (spastic colon) or chronic sinusitis, have yeast overgrowth in both of these--usually resolved with proper therapies including antifungals.

Treating Yeast Overgrowth

A number of very effective methods can be used to take care of a yeast problem. Some involve dietary changes and supplements, others prescription medications. Combining both approaches may be more effective than any one method alone.

Natural Yeast Treatments

Primary among the methods for treating yeast overgrowth is avoiding sugar and other sweets. Patients can often enjoy one or two pieces of fruit a day, but should not consume such concentrated sugar sources as juices, corn syrup, jellies, pastry, candy, or honey. They need to stay far away from soft drinks, which have 10 to 12 teaspoons of sugar in every twelve ounces. This amount of sugar has been shown to markedly suppress immune function for several hours.

Using stevia as a sweetener is a wonderful substitute for sugar. Stevia is safe and natural, and patients can use all they want. Many Stevia brands are bitter, and therefore I recommend the one made by Body Ecology (1-800-4Stevia--they even have cookbooks available for using stevia.) or the Stevita brand. Although more expensive, xylitol (which also decreases osteoporosis) and inositol (which is also very helpful for anxiety) are also excellent sugar substitutes and look and taste just like sugar. When telling people to eliminate sugar, I generally add the three magic words "Except for Chocolate." This improves compliance considerably. I also let them know that "they can have their cake and eat it too" by using the sugar-free chocolates. Some brands are awful, but the Russell Stover brand has dozens of types of chocolates which taste excellent. The main downside of the sugar free chocolates is that the sweetener maltitol can sometimes cause gas and diarrhea.