Digestion & GI health

Systemic yeast / Candida?

by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

In this article, Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP explains what Candida yeast is, the symptoms of systemic yeast infection, the digestion problems associated with Candida yeast, and how to treat it, including instructions for a yeast-free diet.

“Pam” came in to my office suffering from diarrhea, bloating, gas, fatigue, insomnia, and frequent lower abdominal pain, especially after eating. She had suffered these symptoms for eight years and had seen a succession of doctors, including a gastroenterologist, who told her she had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gave her medication and recommended a high-fiber diet.

Like many women with similar digestion problems, Pam had tried this conventional regimen without success. We’ve come to realize that Pam and many like her actually suffer from systemic yeast, or Candida, often (though not always) accompanied by dysbiosis, which is an imbalance of the bacteria in the intestines secondary to parasites, yeast overgrowth, environmental or food sensitivities or other factors.

As Pam relayed her story to me she became teary-eyed because she felt no one had taken her seriously before. The truth is that conventional doctors, however well-meaning and professional, are taught little about digestion in their formal schooling. But we’ve learned in over 25 years of practice that Candida can always be overcome as long as you are willing to make changes.

We did a conventional work-up on Pam that included a blood panel and abdominal ultrasound to eliminate the possibility of ovarian problems or other serious diseases. We also ran a stool test using a laboratory we’ve found to be reliable. Examination of her stool confirmed the presence of parasites, systemic yeast, and imbalanced bacterial flora — the true underlying causes of her symptoms.

What is systemic yeast (Candida)?

Candida albicans is a fungal organism that is present in everyone’s intestinal tract. It is normally kept under control by the immune system and by beneficial intestinal bacteria.

This balance is upset when these bacteria are destroyed (typically by antibiotics), when our immune function is impaired (typically due to stress or illness), or when we develop environmental or food sensitivities.

Once that balance is upset, Candida begins to proliferate and invade and colonize our body tissues. It most commonly appears as a vaginal yeast infection or as oral thrush. But Candida albicans can also spread inside the body and become a systemic problem.

How does Candida albicans affect the body?

When Candida proliferates, it changes from its simple, relatively harmless form to an invasive form, with long root-like structures that penetrate the intestinal lining. Penetration can break down the boundary between the intestinal tract and the circulatory system. This may allow introduction into the bloodstream of many substances which may be systemic allergens, poisons, or irritants. Partially digested proteins may enter the blood through the openings created by Candida (called leaky gut syndrome), which explains why individuals with Candida also often display a variety of food and environmental allergies.

What are some of the symptoms of Candida yeast infections?

While many of these symptoms may be caused by conditions other than candidiasis, a woman suffering from systemic yeast will typically experience a number of the following symptoms:

Generalized: Fatigue, lethargy, migraine headaches, weakness, dizziness, sensory disturbances, hypoglycemia, muscle pain, respiratory problems, chemical sensitivities.

Gastrointestinal: Oral thrush, diarrhea, constipation, rectal itching, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), flatulence, food sensitivities.

Genitourinary: Yeast vaginitis, menstrual and premenstrual problems, bladder inflammation, chronic urinary tract infections (UTI’s), bladder inflammation, cystitis, PMS.

Dermatological: Eczema, acne, hives.

Mental and emotional: Confusion, irritability, memory loss, inability to concentrate, depression, insomnia, learning disability, short attention span.

Autoimmune: Multiple sclerosis, arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, myasthenia gravis, scleroderma, hemolytic anemia, sarcoidosis, thrombocytopenic purpura.

Diagnosis of systemic yeast (Candida) infection

A simple stool test can be done to determine if someone has Candida yeast overgrowth. If there are food sensitivities, a special blood test such as an ALCAT or RAST panel is done to identify reactive foods. This is important because while food allergies are easily noted, it’s more difficult to pinpoint the cause of food sensitivity since the reaction can take 8–72 hours. Although some conventional practitioners dispute the whole notion of food sensitivities, I personally have been impressed with the improvements my patients have experienced after eliminating the reactive foods the test panels revealed. (For more information on the RAST and ALCAT test, see our article on food allergies and sensitivities.)

Treatment of systemic yeast (Candida) infection

We use a combination approach, including dietary changes, supplements and lifestyle changes that provides a natural remedy for candidiasis.

Basic eating plan: Maintain a diet high in whole foods, with plenty of vegetables, regular moderate amounts of protein, moderate fat, and virtually no simple sugars. Ideally the diet needs to be free of artificial colors, sweeteners and dyes.

This is the basic dietary approach we recommend to all women. Those with Candida need to go on a yeast-free diet first until they complete the initial healing phase.

Our guidelines for a yeast-free diet:

1.  Avoid yeast-containing foods:

• Beer, wine, and all other forms of alcohol
• Breads, rolls, pretzels, pastries, cookies, and sweet rolls
• B–complex vitamins and selenium products, unless labeled “yeast–free”
• Vinegar or foods containing vinegar, such as mustard, salad dressings, pickles, barbeque sauce, mayonnaise
• Commercially prepared foods such as soups, dry roasted nuts, potato chips, soy sauce, cider, natural root beer, olives, sauerkraut

2.  Avoid mold-containing and mold-supporting foods:

• Pickled, smoked or dried meats, fish, and poultry
• Cured pork bacon
• All cheese, aged or fresh
• Mushrooms
• Tempeh
• Soy sauce, tamari, and miso
• Peanuts, peanut products, and pistachios
• Herbs and teas that may be moldy
• Malt or foods containing malt
• Canned or prepared tomatoes (fresh tomatoes are fine)

3.  Avoid all concentrated sugars:

• Honey, maple syrup, brown sugar
• Fruit juices (canned, bottled, or frozen)
• Dried fruits
• All processed sugar
• Anything containing high-fructose corn syrup
• High glycemic index foods

What foods can you eat in a Candida diet?

• All fresh vegetables — a large variety, raw or lightly steamed, is best; be sure to include dark green leafy vegetables.
• Fresh protein at every meal, including beef, chicken, fish, turkey, eggs, and shellfish. Organic is best, but fresh is essential.
• Complex carbohydrates, including grains (rice, buckwheat, barley, millet, couscous), whole grain oatmeal, beans (kidney, lima, red beans), and certain types of pasta (whole wheat, spelt, corn, rice). Be careful not to get too many carbs — 15 grams per meal maximum.
• Unprocessed nuts and seeds, except peanuts.
• Unrefined olive, sesame, safflower and corn oils (be sure to keep them in the refrigerator after opening to prevent spoiling).
• Lemon juice with oil for salad dressing — this may be a prepared product, but be careful to avoid any salad dressing that contains vinegar.
• Beverages such as mineral or spring water, soy milk, and unprocessed nut milks.
• Limited quantities of fruit (three daily), unless you see a reaction, then limit to twice weekly. Avoid grapes, raisins, dates, prunes and figs.

If you notice an adverse reaction to certain foods, remove them from your diet for 4–6 months. If you know you’re upset by something but aren’t sure what it is, there’s a simple way to isolate your food sensitivities: don’t eat the same foods every day. Instead, rotate what you eat over a 4–5 day cycle. (Remember, it can take up to 72 hours for the adverse food reaction to appear.) By a process of elimination, over time you’ll identify the foods you’re sensitive to. It might help to keep a diary of what you eat at each meal, how you feel, and your bowel movements. (Refer to our Wellness Diary.)

In any case, avoid the artificial colors, sweeteners and dyes found in almost all processed foods. Try to eat simply and naturally. Avoid toxins and pollutants, especially in the first few weeks of these dietary changes. You may notice that you become more reactive to environmental toxins such as paints and cleaning agents.

What are the supplements to remedy candidiasis?

1. In our experience, the best supplement for countering candidiasis is Candex, which contains digestive enzymes. Other natural antifungal/antimicrobial agents include uva ursi (bearberry), and berberine, a plant alkaloid. There are several others that are helpful, as well.

2. Probiotics, such as the one we offer through our Personal Program, boost the population of beneficial bacteria and friendly yeast in the digestive tract. Normal intestinal flora include sufficient Lactobacillus, bifidobacteria, and beneficial yeast to optimally digest food; however, those with candidiasis often have a serious imbalance that these supplements will correct.

3. Essential fatty acids such as fish oil, flaxseed, and borage seed oil capsules. These fats play an important role in many of the body’s biochemical processes, especially in strengthening the immune system.

3. Vitamins and minerals, including nutrients such as calcium, iron, and magnesium that are essential for body function and healing. Other micronutrients such as trace minerals are often lacking in those diagnosed with food allergies, dysbiosis or candidiasis.

All these supplements are available in health food stores or over the internet. What’s important is to get pharmaceutical-grade products. Note also that in our practice we often add other supplements depending on the results of the stool test.

Other general measures

If possible, avoid using antibiotics, birth control pills, and steroids. These medications alter the immune system and change the intestinal flora. Use chemical-free and all-natural deodorants and laundry detergent whenever possible. Avoid chemicals and molds in the environment, both at work and at home. If you find you have a lot of mold in the bathroom, use bleach or vinegar to clean it off — just be careful not to absorb them through your skin.

Because stress is a contributing factor, it’s important to find a regular aerobic exercise routine that suits your lifestyle. Doing at least 20–25 minutes, four to five times a week will help your circulation, enhance your energy levels and act as a wonderful stress reducer. Remember to get outside to get fresh air and sunshine.

How long does it take to heal a systemic yeast infection?

Most often, we recommend that you stay on this program for four months, then repeat the stool test. We usually find that enough progress has been made for a patient to wean off the antifungal agent and the probiotic supplement, and to moderate the anti-yeast diet at that point.

Two points to remember when reading this article. First, no two people are exactly alike: symptoms vary from person to person, and reactions vary in the same way. Therefore, the treatment regimens may be different as well. The second point is that many women when beginning the dietary and other changes have what is called a “die-off reaction”; that is, they feel worse for seven to ten days or so and then feel much better. The ultimate goal is for a total feeling of wellness, in the body, in the mind, and in the spirit.

Where to go for help with systemic yeast

With patience and determination, it’s possible to follow the program outlined above by yourself. All the supplements are available over-the-counter — just make sure they are of good quality to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit. Click here to read about choosing a multivitamin.

In our Personal Program we provide pharmaceutical-grade supplements plus optional phone support from our Nurse–Educators. While the Personal Program isn’t a medical practice, many women find the right combination of guidance and support from our nurses, who are highly trained. To learn more about the Program call toll-free, 1-800-798-7902.

Some women find that the most effective option is to work with a qualified local practitioner. Look for a practitioner experienced in treating candidiasis with natural methods. While we cannot make specific referrals, we recommend finding a provider who practices functional medicine, which combines the best of conventional and alternative methods.

Of course, you are always welcome to become a patient of our medical clinic. We have many years of success in treating candida. You may visit us in Yarmouth, Maine, or take advantage of our telephone consultations. Just call toll-free 1-800-340-5382.

 

Original Publication Date: 06/30/2004
Last Modified: 02/16/2010
Principal Author: Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP