Articles / Candida
Homeopathy
for Candida
as
published in the Sept 2003 Human Spirit Magazine
While
I've been fortunate enough not to suffer with candida, I recently
decided to go on the 'candida diet' to get first hand experience
on what some of my patients with candida have to endure. Giving
up my morning coffee and bran muffin, for a boiled egg, some almonds
and a glass of water, was demoralizing. After 2 days of no bread,
I marched into the health food store and demanded yeast free bread.
They handed me a small dark loaf that could easily anchor a boat.
I was on the verge of tears when I discovered I could no longer
enjoy my daily dose of apple juice. "But apple juice is good for
you!; I protested vehemently, on the brink of an emotional temper
tantrum. Despite my dissent and peevishness, I persevered with
the diet and was delighted to discover more energy and a slightly
smaller waistline at the end of the four-week period.
What
is Candida
Candida,
a single celled fungal yeast, is an organism that is present in
the alimentary canal, or gut, of nearly every individual soon
after birth. Since it is among the most prolific organisms on
earth, it is impossible to keep candida out of the body. In healthy
individuals it does little harm because its population is kept
under control by beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus.
However when a person's immune system is compromised because of
antibiotics and other drugs, poor diets, illness or stress, candida
can quickly proliferate causing a multitude of health problems.
Candida
Albicans remains the most common infectious strain, accounting
for approximately 50% of total candida infections; Candida glabrate
(8-18%) tropicalis (11-25%) parapsilosis (7-15%) and krusei (2-4%)
have emerged as formidable players as well.[1]
While the human colonic microbiota is composed of well over 500
different species of bacteria and population levels can reach
1012 per gram of stool content, it is the decline of the friendly
genera of bacteria, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, that promote
most health problems. [2]
The overgrowth of candida in the body is called candidiasis. Candidiasis
in the mouth is known as oral thrush. Diaper rash in babies can
be caused by candida. Vaginal yeast infections in women are a
result of candida albicans present in the large intestine. Thus
treating yeast infections locally, with anti-fungal drugs, is
merely treating the symptom and, as most women suffering with
chronic yeast infections know, temporary.
According
to Andrew Lockie, M.D., 30% of everyone in the world over 12 years,
especially women, is suffering from yeast related illnesses because
of candida. Studies have found a strong correlation between vaginal
and intestinal cultures of candida. It is interesting that there
has been a 2-fold increase in the relative frequency and total
incidence of vaginitis since approximately 1970, which corresponds
to a decrease in incidence of gonorrhea and trichomonal vaginitis.
The single most likely reason for this is the increased use of
antibiotics, both therapeutically in humans, and as sub-therapeutic
doses in animal feeds.[3]
Health
Problems Related to Candida Overgrowth
When harmful yeasts, such as candida albicans, proliferate, they
block the sites of the bowel where the enzymes necessary for the
breakdown of food inhabit. This results in poor digestion, food
sensitivities/allergies, bloating and gas, and altered bowel habits
such as constipation and diarrhea. Often these complications are
collectively diagnosed as IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. An
overgrowth of candida in the colon can also inhibit the absorption
of essential nutrients, creating vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
During
proliferation, the candida cell can change from its simple form,
which looks like a microscopic fried egg, to a complex invasive
form, which grows roots that can penetrate the bowel wall. Subsequently,
the lining of the small intestines becomes damaged, causing it
to lose its inherent elasticity and allowing toxic substances
and undigested proteins to pass through the lining and into the
blood stream. This condition is often referred to as leaky gut
syndrome. Once it penetrates the bowel walls, the candida can
produce and release, into the bloodstream, over 75 known toxic
waste products that poison the human body and weaken the immune
system. One of such waste products is acetaldehyde and the bi
product ethanol. Ethanol can cause excessive fatigue, reduce strength
and take away ambition. It also causes the release of free radicals
and encourages aging. By penetrating the bowel wall the candida
also gains transportation to other parts of the body where infections
can arise, resulting in conditions like chronic cystitis, yeast
and other vaginal infections, sinus, ear and throat infections,
inflammation of the digestive tract, food allergies, gas and bloating.
Candida
overgrowth may also cause women to experience fertility difficulties
and can bring about birth defects in newborns. [4]
According to Bernard Rimland, PhD.of the Autism Research Institute
in San Diego, California, based on the significant amount of information
gathered to date, it seems highly probable that a small, but significant
proportion of children diagnosed as autistic are in fact victims
of a severe candida infection. Dr. Rimland further believes that
the successful treatment of the candida infection in these children
will result in a dramatic improvement of the autism symptoms.
Symptoms stemming from candidiasis are too numerous to mention.
The fact that Candida can rob the body of its nutrition and poison
the tissues with its toxins is a major contributor, directly or
indirectly, to the following partial list of conditions: ADHD,
Adrenal/thyroid failure, Allergies, Anal irritation/itching, Asthma,
Athlete's food, Bad breath, Blood sugar (low), Colitis, Colon
cancer, Constipation, Chemical sensitivity, Chronic cystitis,
Colds & flu (recurring), Crohn's disease, Depression, Diabetes,
Diarrhea, Endometriosis, Epstein Bar virus, Fatigue (chronic),
Food cravings, Finger/toenail fungus, Gas/Bloating, Headaches,
Heartburn, Hemorrhoids, Hiatal hernia, Hormone imbalance, Hyperactivity,
Impotence, Indigestions, Infertility, Insomnia, Intestinal pain,
Irritability, Jock itch, Lupus, Mood swings, Muscle aches, PMS,
Poor memory, Premature aging, Respiratory problems, Sex drive
(diminished), Skin rashes & hives, Ulcers, Vaginal yeast,
Weight problems (over or under)[5]
Predisposing
Factors to Candida Overgrowth
-
Use of antibiotics can reduce the number of friendly intestinal
bacteria, which normally keep candida under control.
-
Hormonal imbalance, caused by the birth control pill, hormone
replacement therapy and multiple pregnancies.
-
Prolonged use of steroid hormones, immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory
drugs, chemotherapy drugs and ulcer medications or acid blockers.
-
Diet high in refined sugars and carbohydrates.
-
Weakened immune system from diseases such as cancer or AIDS.
-
Diabetics whose blood sugar levels are not well controlled.
High sugar levels in the blood and urine promote yeast growth.
- Certain
genetic disorders, such as celiac disease (which involves intestinal
malabsorption) or hemochromatosis (in which iron accumulates
in body tissue).
- Excessive
emotional or physical stress. Stress causes the release of the
hormone cortisol, which depresses the immune system as well
as raises blood sugar.
-
Intestinal parasites can destroy friendly bacteria allowing
candida to proliferate.
-
Excessive alcohol consumption overloads the liver, kills friendly
bacteria and allows candida to grow.
- Toxic
metals and chemicals such as mercury (found in dental amalgams
and sometimes seafood), aspartame, MSG and others can kill friendly
intestinal bacteria and weaken the immune response.
-
A moist, warm environment encourages fungal growth. Prime areas
include the webs of fingers and toes, nails, genitals and folds
of skin.
- Use
of vaginal sponges and intrauterine devices (IUDs).
-
Obesity (over 20% overweight).
-
Thrush is a common minor infection in babies and young children.
Babies and children who suck their fingers are at higher risk
for cutaneous candidiasis.
- Candida
in the male genital area, known as balanitis, has been found
to be more common in uncircumcised males or diabetics, and can
also result from intercourse with an infected partner.
-
In exceptional cases, the candida fungus may invade the bloodstream
through surgical wounds, an intravenous (IV) tube, urinary catheter
or tracheostomy site. If the infection travels to other organs,
such as the kidneys, lungs or the brain, it can cause serious
systemic complications.
What
Homeopathy Can Do
Homeopathy is a gentle but powerful approach to curing many physical
and emotional ailments. When an individual goes to a medical doctor
for a specific disease, they are given a medication that will
eliminate the symptoms of that disease. If, however, the reason
for the symptoms still exists then the problem will return, either
in the same or more complex form. The reason for this is that
the core problem wasn't addressed. This is called suppression
and Classical Homeopathy recognizes the clear distinctions between
suppression and cure. Homeopathy aims to target and eliminate
the root cause. As a result, the symptoms, which were mere signals
alerting you of the root cause in the first place, fade away.
Since
homeopathic treatment of a disease is very individual, each person
suffering with candidiasis will most likely be prescribed a different
homeopathic remedy. The remedies are matched to the unique symptoms
produced by each individual. A homeopath does not need to know
the medical label of a given disease in order to cure it. The
person's medical history, combined with their familial predisposition,
their symptoms, feelings, fears, phobias, dreams and other details
about the person, will guide the homeopath to the indicated remedy.
Homeopathy
proposes that we all have a vital force, or life force, that sparks
and organizes our existence. It is suffused throughout our being
and connects the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual planes
and keeps them healthy. This primordial organizing force may be
thought of as a form of intelligent energy. Homeopathy considers
all illness to be a weakness, disturbance or blockage of the vital
force, which your body tries to correct by creating physical,
mental and emotional changes called symptoms. And when your vital
force is not up to doing the job alone, homeopathy steps in to
give you a helping hand and move you along the path to wellness.[6]
Case
history #1 'Fascist' was how Eleanor referred to the prolific
occupants of her intestines. The 44-year-old history teacher had
been suffering with fatigue, constipation, insomnia and recurring
vaginal yeast infections for 3 years when she sought homeopathic
treatment. She had tried the strict candida dieting, which had
temporarily improved her energy levels, but was unable to stick
to it for long periods. The initial consultation revealed a long
history of 'tetracycline' use for acne. The acne was under control,
but Eleanor had not been well since the antibiotics. Two doses
of homeopathic China Officinalis, over a period of 6 weeks, eliminated
her insomnia, yeast infections and improved her constipation by
50%. The 6-month homeopathic treatment combined with probiotic
supplements restored Eleanor's vitality.
Case
history #2 "It's nothing! It will go away!"; is what Maria's medical
doctor told her when she complained of severe abdominal pain,
excessive gas and bloating, and constipation alternating with
diarrhea. Maria had gone to several specialists, enduring several
blood, urine and kidney tests, as well as colonoscopy and cystoscopy,
all of which showed 'normal' results. After 8 years of suffering,
her intestines had stopped functioning properly and her peristaltic
action was very weak. Everything Maria ate produced gas causing
her great discomfort. To avoid embarrassing situations with gas,
and diminish her numerous false signals to have bowel movements,
Maria would not eat all day. When I started treating Maria 5 years
ago, I was unaware of her diagnosis. After careful examination
of her medical history and specific symptoms, I prescribed Sepia
12C daily. In a matter of days the gas and bloating had diminished
noticeably. After 2 months, the abdominal pains disappeared completely,
and one year later Maria had regained 75% of her bowel functioning.
Two years of homeopathic treatment, a healthy diet, and probiotic
supplements awarded Maria optimal health.
Diagnosis
and Treatment
Since most of us have been exposed to candida and have developed
antibodies to this fungus, it is difficult to detect it through
serology (study of blood serum). Electrodermal testing (EDT) systems,
such as "Intero", and Live-blood Analysis are commonly
used to diagnose candida, and are sometimes considered to be inexact.
More reliable methods of diagnosing candida are medical history,
the presence of the symptoms mentioned earlier as well as the
predisposing factors.
First
step to recovery is to starve the candida with the 'candida diet',
which restricts yeast, refined carbohydrates, and all forms of
sugar, including most fruits. There is lots of free 'candida diet'
information on the internet, two of which can be found as follows:
http://www.candidadiet.com
and http://www.healingyou.com/living/article2.asp.
The second step in combating candida is the consumption of high
potency probiotics such as acidophilus and bifidus. The highest
potency probiotics I have found on the market come from a California
company - http://www.customprobiotics.com.
The final and most important step to overcoming candida permanently
is to strengthen your immune system through carefully prescribed
homeopathic medicines.
For
many years, holistic practitioners and doctors have maintained
that the health of an individual is directly related to the health
of their digestive tract. Modern living, poor diets and antibiotic
and other drugs are upsetting the delicate balance of our gastrointestinal
microflora. Candida is an incredible destroyer of health and is
the main missing link in many of our modern day diseases and sub-health
conditions.
If
you are feeling fatigued and sick all over, have a few or more
of the predisposing factors and symptoms mentioned earlier, and
doctors cannot diagnose the cause of your ailments, you may be
a victim of candidiasis. Whether or not you suffer from candidiasis,
I challenge you to try the candida diet. You will be pleasantly
surprised with the results.
Tamara
Der-Ohanian is a Classical Homeopath practicing and teaching in
Toronto and Bolton. She can be reached at 416-385-1001.
References
[1]
http://www.customprobiotics.com/candida.htm
[2]
Atwood & Gibson, Aspects of Probionic use in Preventive Medicine.
Food Microbial Science Ynit, Department of Food Science and Technology,
The University of Reading, UK.
[3] Lockie,
Andrew, M.D. & Geddes, Nicolla, M.D., The Women's Guide to
Homeopathy, Penguin Books Limited, 1992, p 77.
[4] Parks
Trowbridge, John, M.D. & Walker, Morton, The Yeast Syndrome,
Bantam Books, 1986, p11.
[5] http://www.candidayeastinfections.com
[6] Bruning,
N. & Weinstein, C., M.D., Healing Homeopathic Remedies, Lynn
Sonberg Book Services, 1996, p. 13
