Fungal infections have been around since ancient times. Although ancient healers were unable to identify Candida as the organism most often responsible for yeast infections, they were able to successfully treat yeast infections using herbs with natural antifungal properties. Microscopic fungi like Candida have always thrived, but human yeast infections were rare until modern times, when two main factors set the stage for yeast overgrowth in America to be as common as apple pie:
1. Antibiotics – Overuse of antibiotics is one of the leading causes of yeast infections and other forms of fungal overgrowth. Modern antibiotics do not discriminate between the pathogens they target and the beneficial microorganisms or probiotics that normally inhabit the gut in large numbers.
When the delicate balance of essential flora in the gastrointestinal tract is upset, yeasts and other pathogens quickly seize the opportunity to multiply. If left to grow without treatment, candida can invade the intestinal walls and break down until they begin to leak harmful bacteria and larger proteins into the bloodstream. The toxicity resulting from long-term “leaky gut” and the constant burden on the immune system can have devastating consequences for your health.
2. Refined Carbohydrates: Our high-carbohydrate diet alters pH levels, lowers basic immunity, and directly fuels the yeast infection cycle in our bodies.
Types of yeast infection
There are more than 20 species of Candida, the most common being Candida Albicans. These fungi live on all surfaces of our body. Under certain conditions, they can become so numerous that they cause infection, particularly in warm, humid areas. Examples of such infections are vaginal yeast infections, candidiasis (mouth infection), skin rashes and diaper rash, sinus and nail bed infections. In rare cases, the infection can spread throughout the body. Most people do not survive systemic infections due to the enormous amount of inflammation and toxicity they produce.
Underlying causes of yeast infection
Like antibiotics, corticosteroids also deplete the body of beneficial bacteria and undermine basic immunity, encouraging yeast overgrowth. Birth control pills can also promote yeast infections.
Several factors influence the body’s ability to directly or indirectly control Candida overgrowth:
• Mineral imbalance or deficiency: Trace minerals such as zinc and copper are essential to the body’s ability to keep yeast in check.
• Stress affects the function of the immune system and depletes the body of essential minerals.
• Excessive alkalinity promotes excessive yeast growth. Adrenal depletion and thyroid insufficiency contribute to increased alkalinity.
• Heavy metal toxicity: People with Candida often have high levels of mercury, lead, or cadmium in their tissues. Hair analysis can be helpful in identifying toxicities.
• Inadequate cellular energy production: Biochemical energy is required for all body functions, including the function of the immune system and all other body systems.
• Impaired metabolism of short-chain fatty acids: Short-chain fatty acids are protective compounds that are made as a by-product of normal metabolism. Caprylic and butyric acid are frequently used as antifungal agents. Hair analysis and organic acid tests can be helpful in identifying deficiencies.
• Thyroid suppression is both a cause and a symptom of candidiasis due to its role in impaired immunity and energy production. Candida overgrowth in turn causes a buildup of mycotoxins that suppress thyroid function.
Yeast infection symptoms
Symptoms of yeast infection can vary widely depending on where the infection takes hold, from vaginal itching, burning, and discharge to allergies and skin disorders, brain fog, thyroid and immune suppression, sugar cravings, and chronic fatigue.
Some natural doctors estimate that due to the factors listed above, 70-80% of Americans are dealing with some type of fungal overgrowth. Don Dennis, MD, board-certified EENT and plastic surgeon in Atlanta states that yeast infection accounts for the vast majority of chronic sinusitis sufferers. According to Dr. Dennis, “Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) affects more than 37 million Americans, making it more common than arthritis or high blood pressure.”
Most CRS patients, like virtually all patients with chronic fungal infections, are trapped in an endless and seemingly hopeless cycle of secondary infection and reinfection with repeated exposures to antibiotics and steroids leading to their familiar pattern of symptoms.
cancer connection
Many doctors are convinced that yeast overgrowth plays a central role in the growth of many types of cancer due to the toxic load and oxidative stress it places on the body… not to mention the estrogenic effect of mycotoxins, hacking of valuable cellular resources or the consequences of an overwhelmed immune system. Having a chronic yeast infection is like trying to row a boat with the anchor out!
Morgellons Connection
Similarly, fungal overgrowth appears to be a common factor among those suffering from Morgellons disease, a horrific and increasingly common condition involving immune compromise and bioterrain failure with multiple infections and infestations with plant pathogens. and soils that normally do not affect humans. The greatest danger of chronic candidiasis may be that it sets the stage for secondary opportunistic infections.
Treatment of yeast infections
Mild cases of candidiasis are easy to treat, but successful treatment of chronic candidiasis requires time, patience, determination, and a multifaceted approach. There are five critical areas of intervention that are required to eradicate entrenched yeast infection in the body:
1. Diet – Anyone who has endured marathon struggles with candida overgrowth can attest to the difficulty of displacing established fungal infections, especially when underlying challenges such as heavy metal toxicity provide favorable conditions even when strict dietary restrictions are followed. . But the fact is, without a proper diet, there is virtually no hope of breaking the cycle of infection and re-infection. Basically, we need to eat what God has provided…a diet of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, while limiting meat and dairy and avoiding anything processed…especially refined carbohydrates.
2. Restore Digestion: Probiotics and digestive enzymes are necessary to restore the proper amount of beneficial bacteria in the GI tract and improve digestive efficiency. Enzymes also help control yeast directly and perform a “house cleaning” function in the body. Hydrochloric acid (Betaine HCL) can also be helpful in restoring pH levels and improving protein and mineral absorption.
A high-potency, broad-spectrum probiotic is highly effective in restoring the balance of essential flora in the gut. Don’t be fooled by hype about enteric-coated delivery systems. God doesn’t package our probiotics in little plastic bubbles; neither should we.
3. Antifungals: Prescription antifungal creams and suppositories can be very effective for topical or vaginal use. Systemic medications are also available, but they can be very hard on the liver and kidneys. Natural practitioners prefer to use herbs and nutrients that are just as effective but lack the drawbacks of chemical treatments, such as oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract, caprylic acid, proteolytic enzymes, butyric acid, black walnut and wormwood.
4. Detoxification support: Regardless of whether natural or conventional treatment options are sought, it is advisable and very helpful to provide the body with some liver support to help promote detoxification pathways that are heavily laden with mycotoxins generated in the death of yeast cells. This will minimize the effects of Herxheimer’s as the body attempts to rid itself of these toxins.
5. Heal the Gut – This may seem redundant as all of the above strategies aim to restore the digestive process, but when this happens, certain nutrients can be particularly helpful in repairing the integrity of the intestinal lining, such as L-Glutamine, Omega Three Fats and, once progress has been made, Whey Protein Isolate (a great source of pure amino acids, the building blocks needed for repair). Glutamine is an amino acid that is particularly helpful early in treatment and can also help with sugar cravings.
Yeasts like Candida have been with us all along, but our collective choices have made yeast infections and other types of fungal overgrowth and secondary infections a growing epidemic around the world. For those who have battled chronic yeast infections and fungal overgrowth for years, you should know this:
Due to the uncompromising and pleomorphic (self-mutating) nature of the microbes involved (not to mention the secondary infections they cause), don’t expect a first-round knockout, expect an epic multi-round fight. With each round of treatment, the fungal load decreases a bit; with each round, the toxic load gets a little lighter. With each round, the battlefield is a little more level until finally the immune system is no longer outnumbered or outflanked.
With faithful determination and by the grace of God, this is a battle worth fighting; It is a battle that can and is being won.