Yeast , the missing link

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By Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D.

Health advisor, yeastconnection.com

 

Yeast: The Missing Link?

 

There are numerous theories about the causes of these two debilitating

illnesses, ranging from viral infections, neurotransmitter imbalances, immune

system failure, intestinal bacterial and yeast overgrowth.

 

One way of looking at chronic candidiasis, CFIDS and fibromyalgia is from an

immunological point of view:

 

CFIDS is defined as an immune disorder

The symptoms of fibromyalgia indicate widespread immune involvement

Candidia albicans releases dozens of toxic waste products that trigger immune

reactions throughout the body

 

 

We also know that in the most severe immune disorder we know--acquired

immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)--100 percent of patients have candida

overgrowth and candidiasis symptoms. I've talked and written about the downward

spiral into candidiasis, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia for decades.

 

Here's how the story goes beginning chronologically at birth and medically

leading to candidiasis, CFIDS and fibromyalgia:

 

The Baby Years

 

Diaper rash, caused by candida, is treated with cortisone creams that

encourage the growth of more candida

Childhood ear infections can begin at birth as yeast infections. The infant

picks them up from Mom passing through her candida-overgrown birth canal. Rounds

of useless antibiotics are given for undiagnosed fungal infection resulting in

oral thrush (candida in the mouth)

Ear infections become chronic and children are given multiple courses of

antibiotics, leading to intestinal candida, irritable bowel and diarrhea.

Colic develops due to antibiotics

 

Inability to digest milk due to an irritated bowel leads to frequent changes

of formula and further digestive disturbances

Ear infections swell the adenoids and tonsils. Surgery is recommended.

Anesthetics used in surgery add another toxin to the mix

Symptoms still occur and more surgery is recommended to place tubes in the

ears

Gas and bloating and eczema result from a hard-to-digest soy formula

Eczema is suppressed with cortisone creams (homeopaths say this practice

leads to asthma)

 

Childhood

 

Allergies to foods especially sugar, yeast, wheat and dairy arise from leaky

gut syndrome caused by Candida albicans invading intestinal tissue

Asthma is treated with medications including cortisone inhalers

Multiple colds and flus are treated with many courses of antibiotics and

annual flu vaccines. The mercury in vaccines acts as an antibiotic in the gut

and leads to more candida overgrowth. Mercury also causes widespread immune

impairment and toxicity

 

Craving for sweets triggered by candida overgrowth causes and aggravates

hyperactive behavior in children

Allergic reactions are treated with allergy shots, antihistamines and

cortisone sprays

Children receive toxic mercury amalgam fillings, with absorption of mercury

leading to more candida overgrowth and toxicity

 

Young Adulthood

 

In young women, birth control pills (BCPs) cause chronic vaginal yeast

infections that are often treated with antibiotic creams creating more candida

Many adolescents take long-term oral antibiotics for acne caused by hormonal

imbalance and poor diet

 

Many teens and young adults, especially in the malnourished, beer-drinking

college years, develop mononucleosis. Up to 20 percent never feel quite as

healthy again and may go on to develop CFIDS

 

Adulthood

 

Bladder in & shy;fections, common after intercourse, are treated with

antibiotics, which cause yeast infections

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and high dose antibiotic treatment are

common in young people because fewer men use condoms due to the BCPs

Infertility is increasing and the treatments include powerful fertility drugs

that increase candida

After childbirth, chronic sleep deprivation and poor diet is common and is a

major stress on the immune system unable to cope with over growth of candida

Intestinal infections from traveling are usually treated with antibiotics

Hospitalization for infections or surgery usually warrants intravenous

antibiotics and a host of other drugs

Major colds and flus can lead to bronchitis and pneumonia, which are treated

with strong antibiotics

 

Dysmenorrhea, irregular periods, infertility and worsening premenstrual

symptoms occur due to a build-up of toxins and lack of nutrients. Long term BCPs

are recommended for women with these symptoms

Depression, anxiety, panic attacks and palpitations are treated with

anti-depressants creating more drug toxicity in the body

Infection with mononucleosis in college, the build up of infections, and

thousands of chemicals in our air, food, and water accumulate in a toxic,

inflammatory overload resulting in symptoms of CFIDS and fibromyalgia. They are

treated symptomatically with anti-inflammatory drugs, sleeping pills, and

anti-depressants, which often make the symptoms worse

Environmental allergies develop in people with CFIDS and fibromyalgia. They

experience extreme sensitivities to inhalants, especially perfumes, colognes,

household products, pesticides and molds, which are treated with cortisone

 

Yes, it's a nightmare scenario. It may seem extreme, but you have only to look

around you, talk to a neighbor or look at your own health history to see the

pattern.

 

Solutions

 

If you have chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, headaches, muscle aches, memory loss,

digestive disorders and other symptoms listed above, you may benefit from a

comprehensive treatment program that includes the following five-step approach:

 

1. Diet and exercise

 

Eat a diet rich in meats, fish, chicken and eggs (free range and organic), seeds

and nuts, vegetables and oils while avoiding sugars, grains, and fermented

products like vinegars and preserved meats. This diet restricts the amount of

fuel available to the yeast in your intestines. A grocery list of foods to get

you started is available at our Web site.

 

Once you've started on the diet, begin to exercise, even if for only five

minutes a day, especially for people with CFIDS. You'll also find help with an

exercise program at our site.

 

2. Supplements

 

Probiotics: These supplements contain friendly bacteria that help you keep a

natural, healthy balance of microorganisms in your digestive tract. There are

many different forms and brands of probiotics available in foods and pills and

capsules. However, to be effective, they need to be able to bypass harsh stomach

acid and deliver at least 1 billion live organisms to the intestines.

 

Digestive Enzymes: These supplements help break down foods so that incompletely

digested food molecules don't enter the intestines and become absorbed, which

causes food allergies and sensitivities. Most good products contain several

enzymes to promote optimal digestion.

 

Herbs and Nutrients: These elements inhibit the growth of candida albicans.

Before resorting to prescription antifungal medications and their possible side

effects, a variety of herbs and nutrients can help support a healthy balance of

intestinal bacteria, reining in yeast growth. Among the nutrients that work

together to stop candida overgrowth are caprylic acid, pau d'Arco, oregano oil,

black walnut, grapefruit seed extract, garlic, beta carotene and biotin.

 

Vitamins and minerals: Taking a good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement

daily helps supply your body with the nutrients it needs to help you regain your

health. A good calcium-magnesium-vitamin D supplement is also essential to

optimal health, especially for women.

 

Visit our site for recommendations on each of these supplement groups.

 

3. Avoid exposure to chemicals

 

Chemical sensitivities and allergic reactions are very common in people with

yeast overgrowth. Avoid exposure to paints, pesticides, herbicides, household

cleaners, perfumes and scents.

 

4. Address emotional and psychological issues

 

This step also profoundly impacts your ability to cope and helps balance the

chemistry of your body and brain. Visit our site for advice.

 

5. Work with a kind and caring health professional

 

Spend some time interviewing doctors and finding one willing to work with you.

You'll find links at our site to help you in this search.

 

Dr. Crook wrote, " I feel that CFIDS and fibromyalgia are often yeast-related.

People with these disorders seem to develop them because their immune systems

are weakened (by yeast overgrowth), viruses are activated, yeasts multiply, food

and chemical allergies become activated, and nutritional deficiencies develop. "

 

Dr. Crook was careful to note that he didn't think that yeast overgrowth was the

primary cause of CFIDS and fibromyalgia. I fully concur, yet based on Dr.

Crook's experience and my own, following a diet free of sugar and processed and

refined foods plus the correct supplementation, can be exceedingly successful in

helping people suffering from these conditions.

 

Extensive resources on yeast overgrowth, related conditions and ways of treating

them are available at our site.

 

 

Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., is health advisor to Woman's Health Connection at

www.yeastconnection.com and is featured on the website's " Ask A Pro " page. Her

latest books are The Miracle of Magnesium and Natural Prescriptions for Common

Ailments.

<< Previous[ Part I, Part II ]

 

 

Related Articles:

 

PMS and The Yeast Connection

 

Depression: Is Yeast a Missing Link?

 

Allergies: Is Yeast a Missing Link? Part I

 

Fibromyalgia Pain is Real -- What You Can Do to Relieve It

 

Diet Helps Fibromyalgia

 

Physicians' Protocol For Using Antibiotics in Rheumatic Disease

 

 

 

References

 

Dismukes, W. E., J. S. Wade, J. Y. Lee, B. K. Dockery, and J. D. Hain. 1990. A

randomized, double-blind trial of Nystatin therapy for the candidiasis

hypersensitivity syndrome. N. Engl. J. Med. 323:1717-1725.