A Magazine of People and
Possibilities
Now Celebrating 17 Years In Print and 11 Years Online!
Fungi, Yeast or
Candida Disorders
by Dr. Raj Rakhra
Fungi, these single cell organisms can be found everywhere
in the water, earth and air. With the right stimulus, fungi can
change from a round, benign yeast-like form to an invasive budding
mycelial form. Single fungi can be seen under a microscope, colonies
can be seen by the naked eye in the form of mold etc. These fungi
can enter our bodies through our nose, lungs, and gastrointestinal
tract. At any one time we may have thousands of different species
of fungi living in our bodies as normal inhabitants of the skin,
vagina and G.I Tract. Our Immune system, PH levels and other friendly
bacteria protect us against major infections of fungi. With immune
system debility the fungi can infect the blood stream, as in the
case of AIDS which leads to death through general toxemia. Less
life threatening but still serious in terms of functional impairment,
other immune system illnesses such as chronic fatigue are always
complicated with over growth of fungal infestation.
Ideally there should be a balance between fungi and normal flora.
Ordinarily, candida and other fungi are benign and live in balance
with other microbe in the bowel. They become invasive in special
circumstances. Candida and other fungi produce a large number
of biologically active substances called mycotoxins. These toxins
are secreted to serve the fungi by protecting it against viruses,
bacteria, and parasites like protozoa, insects, animals and humans.
In the human host, these toxins can get into the blood stream
and produce an array of central nervous system symptoms such as
fatigue, confusion, irritability, mental fogginess, memory loss,
depression, dizziness, mood swings, headache, nausea, numbness
and symptoms of hypoglycemia. Mycotoxins associated with Candida
albicans infestation can produce chronic illness, frequently described
as "feeling sick all over".
Yeast and fungi thrive unchecked in the gastrointestinal tract,
when provided with large doses of sugar and in consuming large
amounts of refined carbohydrates like candies, chocolate, cakes,
soft drinks, white breads, and alcohol. Other foods containing
yeast, mold and fungi, even the common edible mushroom, can increase
the gut fungal population. Diabetics frequently suffer from the
effects of overgrowth of yeast, especially when blood sugar levels
are not under control. Many other diseases where the immune system
is compromised are associated with yeast infections. Many number
of scientific studies link fungal infections with silver, mercury,
dental amalgam, hypersensitivity, stress, chemical additives and
nutritional deficiencies which create an over population of yeast
in the colon, which can spread up the digestive tract. Over growth
of Candida can convert into more invasive mycelial form. When
host defenses are weakened, they can invade the blood stream and
spread to practically all organs and tissues in the body. In the
gut, permeability of the bowel changes, allowing undigested or
partially digested proteins to enter the circulatory system. When
this happens, previously well-tolerated foods may start to behave
as allergens and cause food allergy symptoms.
Fungi, through production of mycotoxins can initiate many degenerative
diseases: Cancer, heart disorders, gout, arthritis and autoimmune
disorders, thyroditis, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis,
systemic lupus erythmematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and many more.
The major killer diseases in North America are intimately connected
to fungal mycotoxins. The diseases of unknown etiology often have
a fungal connection. The mycotoxin fusarium found in cigarettes,
has been linked with lung cancer, esophageal cancer and cancer
of the uterus. Alcohol is a fungal produced toxin and has been
documented to cause brain and nervous system damage, liver cancer,
birth defects and many other negative health conditions.
One well known mycotoxin called Cyclosporin is used for organ
transplantation to prevent rejection. Unfortunately, cyclosporin
causes cancer, high blood fats and hardening of the arteries in
anyone who received it. Practically all anti-fungal therapies
will lower low-density cholesterol and help revers arteriosclerosis.
The Fungal related complex manifest primarily
in five areas of the body:
Digestive system symptoms are: bloating,
gas, cramps, alternating diarrhea with constipation, multiple
food allergies.
Nervous system: The symptoms includes
abnormal fatigue, spaciness, anxiety, mood swings, drowsiness,
memory loss, depression, insomnia, mental fogginess, even hallucination
and violent behavior can occur, Autism, hyper activity, learning
disabilities in children can be a manifestation of fungal infestation.
Skin: symptoms may be hives, psoriasis,
excessive sweating, and acne and nail infestations.
Genito-Urinary tract symptoms in
women may be premenstrual syndrome (depression, mood swings, bloating,
fluid retention, cramps, sweet cravings, and headaches prior to
menstruation), recurrent bladder or vaginal infections and loss
of interest in sex. In males, common problems include chronic
rectal or anal itching, recurrent prostatitis, impotence, genital
rashes and jock itch.
Endocrine System: An intimate relationship
exists in the body between the immune system, the nervous system,
and the endocrine system. The thyroid and adrenal glands in particular
may be involved. Both hypo and hyperthyroidisms, especially the
autoimmune variety is strongly linked to fungal overgrowth. Candida
fungal toxins can travel to virtually all organs and tissues in
the body. The syndrome has been associated with practically every
medical condition including cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis,
aids, asthma, arthritis, chronic sinusitis, recurrent flu, middle
ear infection, alcoholism, diabetes, eating disorder, hypoglycemia.
In some of the diseases fungi are secondary opportunistic infections.
In many, fungal mycotoxins may be the cause. In either case, a
healthy immune system is the only natural defense against these
microbes and their poisons. Dietary changes alone do not reverse
Candida/Fungal syndromes. Aggressive antifungal therapy is also
necessary in almost all cases.
Dr. Rakhra's clinic is located
at 121 - 14 Street North West in Calgary, Alberta.
He may be reached at: 403-270-7033.
See display ad in this issue for more information.
Visit his webiste at: www.aynh.com
A Magazine of People and Possibilities
Now Celebrating 17 Years In Print and 11 Years Online!