The human
intestines are inhabited by billions of beneficial or "friendly"
bacteria together with some candida yeast and "unfriendly"
bacteria and parasites in a ratio of approximately 85 to 15.
These bacteria
and yeast, which are mostly located in the colon, aid in digestion
by fermenting substances that were not digested in the small
intestine and by breaking down any remaining nutrients.
Candida yeast
is a normal and necessary part of our digestive tract as one
of its functions is to destroy harmful bacteria and parasites
and keep them in check.
However, when
the intestinal tract is repetitively exposed to toxic substances
the 85 to 15 ratio of good bacteria becomes imbalanced and
the yeast becomes pathogenic and overtakes the good bacteria.
This
is known as intestinal dysbiosis.
Americans
are the most fungally infected in the world which has
now reached epidemic proportions. It is often an underlying
condition in many diseases. Such overgrowth of fungi, also
referred to as "systemic candida" or "candidiasis,"
now affects nearly 50 percent of the population and is no
longer simply the cause of "female yeast infections."
It now occurs in equal numbers of men and women.18
Chronic fungal
infections are one of the most common, and most under-diagnosed,
health disorders today!
Symptoms of a Fungal
Infection
The following "dirty dozen" symptoms
may be a sign of a systemic fungal infection, or "candidiasis,"
an intestinal invasion of fungus that can result in serious
health problems if left untreated:
1.
Skin rashes (moist red patches anywhere on the body), athlete's
foot, ringworm or jock itch.
2. White
patches in the mouth or on the tongue.
3. Irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS) in which abdominal pain or discomfort
is associated with a change in bowel pattern.
4. Chronic
sinus problems.
5. Gluten
intolerance and/or food allergies.
6. Increased
asthma problems.
7. Increased
chemical sensitivities.
8. Excess
gas, bloating, and/or chronic heartburn.
9. Chronic
fatigue, body aches, and/or general weakness.
10.
Decreased concentration an/or memory loss.
11.
Irritability and agitation.
12.
Excessive craving for sweets.
What causes fungal infections, and why have they become so
rampant during the past decade?
Those "Gremlins"
in our digestive tract!
As previously
stated, yeast is a normal and necessary part of the micro-organisms
that populate our digestive tract. Probiotic flora or "friendly"
bacteria keep the candida yeast in check, until . . . .
you take an
antibiotic
which kills off the "friendlies" but not the candida
because it hides in the lining of the intestinal tract. With
the good bacteria wiped out, the candida takes over!
Remember the
movie "Gremlins" where they were harmless, friendly
little critters until you fed them after midnight - at which
point they morphed into devious, destructive creatures that
caused havoc? Candida yeast behaves in a similar fashion!
Like Gremlins,
when candida gets "fed" it takes over and morphs
into pathogenic fungi which produce rhizoids, or tentacles,
that bore into the intestinal walls causing microscopic holes.
These holes compromise the immune system by allowing toxins,
undigested food particles and bacteria to enter the bloodstream
- a condition known as Leaky Gut Syndrome.
And what does
candida thrive on - sugar,
loads of sugar! It is, after all, a sugar-fermenting organism.
And the average person today consumes about 130 pounds of
sugar a year19
in the form of diet drinks, dried fruits, sodas, alcohol,
and refined carbohydrates such as sweet rolls, ice cream,
jam and jellies, pastries, white bread and white rice.
Processed and prepared
foods - so prevalent
in today's busy workday environment - promote systemic fungal
infections as they contain preservatives which are themselves
antibiotic and kill off friendly bacteria.
Stress
also destroys the vital balance
of beneficial bacteria and can seriously compromise our immune
system. And most people today live stressful lives. Minimize
the use of alcohol, caffeine and tobacco as these substances
deplete the body's anti-stress hormones.20
Likewise, anti-inflammatories,
such as prednisone, as well as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin,
Advil, Nuprin), fenoprofen (Nalfon), and related NSAIDS contribute
to weakening the adrenal gland which is responsible for enhancing
the immune system against fungi.21
Many of
the "autoimmune diseases" - a condition where the
body's immune system attacks its own tissue - may be the result
of "leaky gut syndrome" cause by pathogenic fungi.
Could there be direct correlations between a systemic fungal
infection and many auto-immune diseases for which medical
science has no specific cause, no known prevention, and no
cure? Many
auto-immune diseases share the same symptoms and are ameliorated
by similar remedies. Consider:
Many systemic
fungal infections go unchecked and undiagnosed. Or
are they perhaps being diagnosed as RA, "allergen attacks,"
gluten intolerance, chronic sinus infection, or fibromyalgia?
Rheumatoid
arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease where
the body's immune system attacks its own tissue. Clinical
studies show individuals with RA have increased intestinal
permeability to dietary and bacterial antigens as well as
alternations in bacterial flora.22
Generally,
RA is not found in societies that eat a more primitive diet
of whole foods, vegetables, and fiber and is found at a relatively
high rate in modern societies consuming a diet rich in refined
sugars and carbohydrates - the very foods preferred by fungi.
23
Food allergies
and allergens. Any substance, foreign to the body, will
provoke an immune response. We also know that allergens are
chemical compounds, commonly proteins, which cause the production
of antibodies and hence and allergic reaction. We also know
that a systemic fungal infection, if left unchecked, can result
in compromise of the stomach lining and result in "leaky
gut syndrome."
Celiac Disease
(Gluten Intolerance) is triggered by gluten proteins from
wheat in susceptible people. Again, medical science has no
specific cause as to its onset, no known prevention, and no
cure. A recent study, however, shows that the cell walls of
candida contain the same protein sequence as wheat gluten
and may trigger or stimulate Celiac Disease!24
Chronic
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal sinuses commonly
known as a sinus infection. About 37 million Americans suffer
form sinus infections each year and its prevalence is on the
rise - indicating that the common treatment methods are missing
the root cause of the problem.
Most cases
of sinusitis are treated with antibiotics, which unfortunately,
help cover up symptoms in the short-term but are a disaster
when used on an ongoing basis. The reason is simple. A
sinus infection is not really an infection at all!
Researchers
have found that most cases of chronic sinusitis are not caused
by infection but are actually an immune disorder caused by
fungus. The researchers (Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Sept.
1999) discovered that fungal organisms were present in
the mucus of 96 percent of patients who had surgery for chronic
sinusitis.
Other studies
have determined that a fungicide was effective in decreasing
inflammation and nasal swelling among participants suffering
from chronic sinusitis.25
Fibromyalgia
means pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons - the soft
fibrous tissues in the body. While the severity of symptoms
fluctuates from person to person, this disease resembles a
post-viral state. This similarity is the reason many experts
believe that fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and chronic fatigue
syndrome (CFS) may actually be the same condition.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(IBS) symptoms are
found in approximately 40 to 70 percent of fibromyalgia patients.
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease or GERD also occurs with
the same high frequency.
A Word about
Probiotics
The normal
human digestive tract contains about 400 types of probiotic
bacteria that reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and promote
a healthy digestive system. The largest group of probiotic
bacteria in the intestine is lactic acid bacteria, of which
Lactobacillus acidophilus is the best known.
While
probiotics are important because they restore the "friendly"
bacteria to the gut, they cannot do their job until the pathogenic
fungi have been destroyed and eliminated. Otherwise, the
patient is merely feeding the "friendlies" to the
"gremlins."
Additionally,
parasitic infections are on the increase because of
changes in our lifestyles that have occurred over the last
few decades. Dangerous intestinal parasites, called protozoa,
are ingested every day from foods purveyed by sidewalk vendors,
unclean restaurant kitchens, contaminated water, and uncooked
food that has not been properly washed. Imported produce and
immigrants from countries where sanitation is sub-standard
contribute to the spread!
Taking probiotics
is not recommended while under treatment for parasitic
infestations because "friendly" bacteria are also
"food" for protozoal parasites.26
It is a safe bet if pathogenic fungi have
overtaken the friendly bacteria there will also be considerable
protozoal parasites in the gut as well.
Natural
anti-fungal herbal based medicines, such as Factor Two: Bactrol-C,
are very useful in the treatment of fungal infection because
they can enter the blood stream where probiotics cannot.27
This is vital if the fungus has penetrated
the lining of the intestines and has traveled throughout the
body. Further, Factor Two: Bactrol-C kills parasites
as well as pathogenic fungi.
Recommendations to
eliminate systemic fungus and restore health and vitality:
(1)
Take the therapeutic dosage of 4 capsules of Factor Two:
Bactrol-C with meals for a minimum of one month or as
directed by your health practitioner.
(2)
Begin taking a probiotic such as acidophilus following
the therapeutic course of Factor Two: Bactrol-C.
(3)
The patient may take a digestive aid such as Factor Seven:
Digestin which will help normalize gut flora and pH balance.
(4) A depressed
immune function is one of the the underlying causes of fungus infections,
therefore the patient should consider taking a multivitamin.
(5)
Avoid the use of corticosteroids, antibiotics or oral contraceptives
until "friendly" bacteria has been restored.
(6)
Practice stress reduction and relaxation techniques such as
meditation, yoga, or just taking a quiet walk. exercise is
also important for reducing the stress that takes a high toll
on the immune system. When pushed for time, consider taking
Factor Six: Sommaserene, a non-narcotic stress reducer
and natural calmative.
(7)
Avoid aged cheeses, chocolate, dried fruits, simple carbohydrates
and sugars in all forms. Candida thrives in a sugary environment.
(8)
Avoid excessive use of alcohol, coffee, antacids, and tobacco.
(9)
Avoid processed and prepared foods which contain preservatives
which kill "friendly" bacteria. Such foods include
bacon, ham, sausage, hotdogs, and sandwich meats.
(10)
Consume as much raw foods as possible including fresh salads,
vegetables, and fresh fruit (in moderation as fruit contains
sugars).
(11)
Consume brown rice, millet and yogurt (sugar free) while avoiding
fried foods and fats.
(12)
Use a new toothbrush every thirty days to prevent re-infection.
(13)
Keep all body parts clean and dry. In general, fungus needs
moist, undisturbed areas to grow.
(14)
Increase fiber consumption. Fiber is nature's broom which
cleans out the intestines and keeps toxic substances from
being absorbed.
(15)
Attempt to maintain a healthy weight. Ideal body fat percentage
for men should fall between 18% and 26%. For women, body fat
should fall between 26% and 32%.
(16)
For women: Avoid pantyhose and tight under things made of
synthetic fabrics which reduce air circulation at the vagina,
causing over-warmth and perspiration.
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2. Ibid, p 67
3. Quillin, P, Healing Nutrients,
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5. Aggag, ME, et al., Planta
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8. Recio, MC, et al., Phytother.
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9. Kelly, GS, "Clinical applications
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16. Chevallier, A, The Encyclopedia
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17. Kubo, I, et al., Journal
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18. Hobson, R, Journal of Hospital
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19. Hale, F, Biological Psychiatry,
vol. 17, p. 307, 1983
20. Christiansen, L, et al.,
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21. Newman, WM, et al., The
Lancet, vol ii, pp. 11-13, 1985
22. Segal, AW, et al., British
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23. Hicklin, JA, et al., Clinical
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24. The Lancet, vol. 9375,
pp. 2152-54, June 2003
25. American J. Respiratory
and Critical Care Medicine, vol 166, pp. 144-145, 2002
26. Galland, L, "Dysbiotic
Relationships in the Bowel," American College of Advancement
in Medicine Conference, Spring 1992
27. De la Fuente, M, et al.,
Immunology Cell Biology, vol. 78(1), pp. 49-54, Feb 2000
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