Candida Allergy
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Candida albicans is a micro-organism of the fungus family. Candida is found in humans and animals but is usually balanced out in the body by another organism called lactobacillus acidophilus. When candida becomes overpopulated then a person may experience yeast allergy symptoms. Some of the early signs that this is happening may include digestive problems, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, irritability, fatigue, skin rash, white coated tongue or thrush, and dizziness. There is no definitive test to diagnose candida overgrowth but physicians will normally diagnose it based upon the severity and number of symptoms present at the time of an examination. 2
The white form of yeast infection is called acute pseudomembranous candidiasis (acute means active; pseudomembranous means false membrane): In the white form, yeasts actively grow on tissue surfaces, releasing digestive enzymes and metabolic products that kill epithelial cells. The dead tissue turns white, forms a false membrane, and sloughs off in clumps. Examples include oral thrush, Candida esophagitis, vaginal yeast infections and intestinal candidiasis (also called the yeast syndrome). The white form of mucosal yeast infection is the classic example illustrated in medical textbooks. 3
In most cases candida overgrowth will usually manifest in the digestive system first. An intense overgrowth can cause a condition called leaky gut syndrome. The irritation of the yeast can cause leakage through the intestinal wall of undigested food into the bloodstream. Common symptoms may be similar to yeast allergy symptoms and include abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion, and heartburn. In addition, shortness of breath and asthma may occur. Chronic joint and muscle pain are not uncommon as well as skin rashes, and other types of infections. Before seeing a doctor the person with problems should write down information that could help to diagnose the condition. Unexplained health related problems can be very frustrating. God’s word is living and active providing His children with hope. 4
Many patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are disillusioned by the lack of efficacy of treatments and suffer from numerous symptoms not covered by the Rome criteria for IBS, as the current empirical treatment regimes fail to address these persistent debilitating ‘IBS associated symptoms’. These symptoms are similar to other symptom complexes like chronic fatigue and the so called ‘candida syndrome’, and many seek help from alternative medicine. The possible role of Candida and yeasts in non-immune compromised individuals is disputed and is the subject of this review. 1
Some sources believe that candida infections can be an underlying cause for other illnesses. Some of these include AIDS, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypoglycemia, schizophrenia, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome. A yeast free diet may trigger relief from some of the symptoms caused by these illnesses. In addition there may be some unexplained symptoms that are related and can be linked to candida allergy. Sugar cravings, muscle and joint pain, ear problems, psoriases, infertility, and bladder infections in some cases may be linked to an overgrowth of yeast within the body. 5
Treatments for a yeast infection usually include the use of antifungal drugs and creams. Creams can be used for skin rashes and vaginal infections caused from an overgrowth. In addition, a yeast free diet will keep the problem from occurring again unless the patient is being treated for an infection with antibiotics or has other immune system problems. Taking acidophilus at the same time of taking antibiotics may help to prevent the imbalance that occurs in the digestive tract. Some yogurts found in the supermarket contain active cultures of lactobacillus acidophilus and can be eaten to help to prevent overgrowth of candida albicans. Drug stores and supermarkets usually carry acidophilus as well as many health food stores. 6
Primarily an infection from candida may be linked to immune system dysfunction. Yeast allergy symptoms are caused by toxins from the overgrowth. Immune system dysfunction can lead to other types of illnesses and allergies. People who suffer with reoccurring sinus inflammation and infection, chronic coughing, sore throats, insomnia, and nervousness should ask their doctor about candida overgrowth. Skin conditions associated with candida allergy include athlete’s foot, diaper rash, impetigo, jock itch, dandruff, and dermatitis. Anyone who has had an unexplained rash that will not go away should check with their physician for the possibility of a fungi infection. 7
Patients who suspect an allergy should avoid sugars, fruit, simple carbohydrates, and foods that seem to make them feel worse. Eating too much sugar will feed the candida and make it multiply. Milk and milk products that contain a high content of lactose should be avoided. Some of the vegetables to limit on a yeast free diet include potatoes, corn, yams, and parsnips. Any foods, sauces, or drinks that contain sugar, syrup, soy, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and other sweeteners or syrups should also be avoided. Pickles or pickled vegetables should be avoided since they are stored in vinegar. A patient who makes healthy lifestyle changes that include eating healthy and exercising may find that most of their symptoms diminish and in time may even completely go away. 8
Danger with Immune Deficiency Diseases Opportunistic growth of candida occurs in people with defective immunity, and can be life-threatening. Metabolites of candida, in increased concentrations, can be toxic, and whole body effects from intestinal overgrowth should be expected. Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen among immune-compromised, hospitalized patients, accounting for roughly 50-60% of all bloodstream fungal isolates. 9
Saying that, however, the bottom line is to observe what you eat and then watch how it affects your body. If eating that birthday cake once a year sets off your candida problem again, then do not eat the cake (or do not complain when the candida problem comes back). If you have tried the nutrition change and the candida problem persists, there is likely more at work than just too much sugar intake. 10
Others have observed that yeast overgrowth occurs in certain situations where there is abundance of carbohydrates [13–15] and it is suggested that the symptoms in patients with gut dysbiosis are worsened by exposure to yeasts and mould containing foods [7]. Much of this work is admittedly controversial. Patients are thus increasingly asking their health providers for information, clarification and treatment of yeast related issues. The possible role of Candida and yeasts in non-immune compromised individuals is disputed and is the subject of this review. 11
The proponents of the existence of this syndrome base their diagnosis on the clinical picture previously discussed [490, 491, 2459]. There is no laboratory test that allows a clear identification of patients affected with this presumed disorder. Actually, “no clear definition of the disease has ever been advanced” [220]. Considering these facts, it is impossible to set criteria to establish and identify patients affected with this supposed disease. 12
All patients with giardiasis and 86% of patients without giardiasis complained of digestive symptoms, but these were generally mild. The most interesting difference between the two groups lies in the positive association between giardiasis and symptoms such as myalgia, muscle weakness, flu-like feelings, sweats and adenopathy. Cure of giardiasis resulted in clearing of fatigue and related ‘viral’ symptoms (myalgia, sweats, flu-like feelings) in 70% of cases, some palliation of fatigue in 18%, and was of no benefit in 12%. It indicates that G. lamblia infection may be a common cause of CFS, at least in the United States. It is noteworthy that tricyclic antidepressants, a standard treatment for CFS, suppress the growth of Giardia in vitro (Weinbach et al., 1985). 13
Candida albicans is the most common cause of candidasis in humans, but other species of Candida such as C. tropicalis , C. parapsilosis , C. krusei and C. glabrata may also be responsible. The pathogenesis of disease associated with Candida in humans is driven by host factors. Candida does not seem to produce specific mycotoxins [24] although some strains produce gliotoxin which may impair neutrophil function [25]. However, it is a polyantigenic organism contain�ing up to 178 different antigens [26-28], which might explain the number of cross-reactions to yeasts (Malassezia, bread/brewers yeast) and moulds [28,29] and even human tissue [30]. 14
It was shown recently that there is a potential cross reactivity with gluten because of several amino acid sequences that are highly homologous to alpha-gliadin and gamma-gliadin. Such a mechanism might lead to wheat intolerance with its accompanying symptoms and even trigger celiac disease in genetically susceptible people [31]. Furthermore, a placebo controlled crossover study revealed that dietary yeast may affect the activity of Crohn’s disease [32]. 15
References
The Panacea offers these health-extracts to help people investigate health-related subjects in greater depth using the references given in each paragraph. Kindly note that these are current extracts from the web, meant for research, and that these are not meant to be medical advise. For all your health-related needs you must consult trained and licensed personnel.
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