Candida albicans infections are increasingly prevalent, especially in those with conditions that suppress the immune system, such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other immunological disorders. Candida is a parasitic fungus most commonly found within the mouth, throat, stomach, intestines and vagina. This yeast can also present in raw and crusty fungal infections on the surface of the skin, such as diaper rash and ringworm. According to Dr. Leon Chaitow, candida is more prevalent in people with a poor diet, and in those who chronically use antibiotics, immunosuppressant drugs and steroid hormones. The treatment of this diploid yeast can call for the combined use of medications, the avoidance of fungal promoters and changes in diet.
Medical Treatment
Medical treatment involves using antifungals orally and, if needed, topically. Clinicians have a wide variety of antifungals to choose from. The pharmaceuticals that are prescribed are determined by effectiveness, the location of the infection and cost to the patient.
According to the 2009 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Candidiasis, for systemic yeast infections, medical practitioners prescribe drugs such as fluconazole, itraconazole or micafungin. Fluconazole is the most commonly used of this group due to its safe and cost effective coverage of most strains of candida. On the other hand, in cases of critically ill patients, echinocandin is generally preferred.
For oral infections, practitioners use a powdered or suspended form nyastatin. In situations of skin yeast infection, topical solutions and creams are applied. These medications include clotrimazole, mycostatin and nystatin cream.
Predispositions
Dr. William Crook explains in his 1999 book "The Yeast Connection Handbook" that it is important to address conditions that predispose an individual to frequent infections.
The 2009 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Candidiasis state that in cases of patients who are immunocompromised and/or required to take antibiotics, aggressive antifungal measures are administered. In terms of steroids, if they can be avoided, it is best to do so. Steroids hinder the body's immune system.
Drs. Joseph Mercola and Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt indicate in a 2001 article in the "Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine" that amalgam tooth fillings, which are 50 percent mercury, promote the growth of yeast in the intestine. Dietary measures can be taken to counterbalance this by eating a tablespoon of cilantro three times a day. Studies have shown that cilantro binds to the mercury, chelating it out of your system.
Uncontrolled diabetes has a high incidence of candidial infections. Treatment of candidiasis may include getting your diabetes under control through both medications and diet.
What to Avoid
A large part of the treatment of candidiasis involves changing your eating habits, including the avoidance of certain foods and substances.
In their book "The Yeast Syndrome," Drs. John Trowbridge and Morton Walker state that sugar is the number one thing that needs to be removed from an infected person's diet. The main food source for the yeast, sugar not only promotes its growth, but activates dormant fungi. So the most important part of the dietary treatment of candidiasis is to avoid all forms of sugar, including those such as soda pop, candy and white foods, which include white flours.
"The Yeast Syndrome" also recommends avoiding dairy products, alcohol, vinegar except apple cider vinegar, junk foods, breads, pastas, corn, seafood that could be contaminated with mercury, peanuts and mushrooms.
Candida Diet
The candida diet starts with an elimination of all the above mentioned items in addition to an emphasis on eating healthy meats and vegetables. The only fruit that are allowed within the first three weeks of this diet are apples and grapefruit. This diet includes eating grass fed meats; a large variety of vegetables, excluding corn and fungi; and seeds--especially flaxseed.
The only fermented foods that this diet suggests are things such as plain yogurt, kim chi and uncanned sauerkraut.
Food-based Antifungals
The most common food-derived antifungal, according to Dr. William Crook in his book "The Yeast Connection Handbook," is coconut oil. The caprylic fatty acid in the coconut oil has been shown to be an effective inhibitor of candida.
Candida-albicans-cure.com provides a list other natural antifungals that should be added to your diet, including garlic, grape seed extract, olive leaf extract, olive oil and oregano.
References
- "The Yeast Connection Handbook"; Dr. William Crook; 1999
- "PDR for Herbal Medicines" 4th ed.; Dr. Christof jaenicke and Joerg Gruenwald; 2007
- "The Yeast Syndrome"; Dr. John Trowbridge and Dr. Morton Walker; 1986
- "Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine"; Mercury Toxicity and Systemic Elimination Agents; Dr. Joseph Mercola and Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt; March 2001
- "Clinical Infectious Disease"; Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Candidiasis: 2009 Update by the Infectious Disease Society of America; Dr. Peter Pappas et al.; Aug 15, 2009
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