CANDIDA ALBICANS

( Yeast Infection)

by Stephen A. Levine, Ph. D & Larry Jordan

DESCRIPTION

Candida Albicans is a normal fungus inhabiting the mouth, throat and gastrointestinal tract. Excess development may result from certain types of life style and can be an indicator of immune status. Scientifically classified as fungus, these yeast organisms are free of chlorophyll and therefore cannot by photosynthesis make their own food from sunlight; hence they depend on their host for nourishment. They use oxygen for metabolism.

Candida can be cultured from the mouth, vagina, or feces from most people, and more frequently from debilitated individuals. Yeasts such as candida are often secondary invaders in other infections. Traditional beliefs hold that those most susceptible to candida infections are infants (thrush), women (vaginitis), persons who have undergone extended antibiotic therapy or used birth control pills, and postoperative patients. (1)

CAUSES OF/OR CONTRIBUTORS TO GROWTH IN THE BODY

The use of Antibiotics
Birth Control Pills
Cortisone
Sugar & fat in the diet
Yeast in the diet
Insufficient supply of nutrients
A genetic deficiency of Ig A (Immunoglobulin A)
Drugs or stress induced immune depression and related diseases
Hypothyroidism - this is a condition that is fairly common, as a low body temperature
permits easier and faster growth of candida albicans

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

In the last five years much interest has developed with the recognition that candida overgrowth can underlie common gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract conditions such as:

Indigestion
Heartburn
Bloating
Cystitis
Anal itching
Vaginitis
AsthmaHives
Acne
Hay fever
Bronchitis
Earaches
Mental & Emotional problems including:

Headache

Confusion

Extreme irritability

Depression

Memory lapses

Lethargy

Proliferation of Candida will cause damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa and eventually allow absorption of the organism into the blood stream so that it will reach other tissues. Other common yeast associated problems are related to malfunction of glands and other organs, such as hypothyroid or hyperthyroid conditions, adrenal failure, ovarian failure, hormone deficiencies, etc. (2)

CLINICAL SYMPTOMS

Oxygen-carrying red blood cells are rigid and stiff when compared to patients without candida
Fatigue
Carbohydrate craving
Topical infections of fingernails, vaginal infections, underarm infections
White coated tongue
Increased allergic symptoms
Reduced thyroid function
Lowered immune system and increased susceptibility to viral infections
T-cell helper/suppressor ratios radically lowered
Staphylococcus danger increases as much as 1000,000 times
Up to 3/4 of the lymphocytes become paralyzed
It produces the chemical toxin acetaldehyde - the precursor of ethyl alcohol and the first by-product of alcohol's oxidation. This toxin depresses the citric acid cycle (by which the body produces energy from food) and disrupts collagen production and fatty acid oxidation. It blocks synapses - the junctions between neurons or between a neuron and an organ, where electrical or chemical impulses are transmitted. It also binds to neurotransmitters and causes brain symptoms. Acetaldehyde is a close molecular cousin to formaldehyde, and the two toxic substances are metabolized similarly by the body. Thus exposure to formadlehyde in carpeting, furniture or particleboard often causes candidiasis to worsen.
Candida seems to upset the function of organs as opposed to damaging them.

CONDITIONS THAT HAVE RESPONDED TO CANDIDA TREATMENT

Allergic symptoms
Asthma
Skin rashes
Hormonal blockages
Learning disabilities
Hyperactivity
Multiple sclerosis
Spots in the eyes
Lupus
Crohn's disease

Psychiatric problems
Ear infections
Fungus infections
Vaginitis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Staph infections
Toxic shock syndrome
Hypersensitivity to chemicals and foods

REFERENCES

Krupp and Chatton: Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment; 1982, Lange.
Truss, Orien: The Missing Diagnosis.
Levine, S. and Kidd, Parris: Antioxidant Adaptation: Its Role in Free Radical Biochemistry; 1985, Biocurrents Press, San Francisco. Spallnolz, T.: Selenium in Biology and Medicine; Aui Publishing Co., Inc., 1981.
Wuepper, Ray: Investiga. Dermatol. 67 7003, 1976
Truss, Orien: Journal of Orthomolecular Psychiatry, Vol. 2, 1984.
Rodex, G.E., et al.: New Zealand Medical Journal, August 10, 1983.
Levine, S. and Kidd, Parris: Beyond Antioxidant Adaptation, Journal of Orthomolecular Psychiatry, 1985, Vol. 14, No. 3.
Levine, S. and Kidd, P.: Manuscript in preparation, 1985, San Francisco.