Candida albicans is a naturally occurring yeast that flourishes in moist areas, such as the digestive tract, the vagina, and skin folds. Ordinarily, its population is kept in check by bacteria that live in the same areas. When normal bacteria are disturbed by antibiotics, however, yeast populations can grow to abnormally high levels.
For women, the most common form of excess candida is a vaginal yeast infection , as marked by itchiness, redness, burning on urination, and a yeasty odor. Candida can also overpopulate in the mouth (thrush), in the warm moist environment under a diaper (diaper rash), and in other areas.
Candida usually confines itself to the surface of mucous membranes and does not penetrate deeply into the body. However, in people whose immune systems are severely depressed, such as those with AIDS or leukemia, candida can become a dangerous, invasive organism. The medical name for this rare and dire condition is systemic candidiasis.
Besides this official meaning, systemic candidiasis has another meaning that was coined in the world of alternative medicine. As used there, it is a loose term connoting a whole syndrome of symptoms proposed as related to candida overgrowth. Equivalent terms are chronic candida , the yeast syndrome , the yeast hypersensitivity syndrome , or just plain candida for short.
Conventional medicine does not recognize this alternative use of the term systemic candidiasis as valid. However, for several years it was practically impossible to walk into an alternative practitioner's office and not walk out with the diagnosis of candida. Fortunately, this excess enthusiasm has cooled in recent years.
The story of "the yeast syndrome" begins in 1983, when Orion Truss published The Missing Diagnosis. This was followed by William Crook's much more famous The Yeast Connection. These books claim that a person who is chronically colonized by too much candida may develop an allergy-like hypersensitivity to it. The symptoms of this allergy are said to be similar to those of other allergies, including sinus congestion, fatigue, intestinal gas, difficulty concentrating, depression, muscle aches, and many other common complaints.
The regimen outlined by Dr. Crook consists of two parts: treatments that tend toward diminishing the total body burden of candida, and less convincing recommendations that attempt to lessen allergic reactions toward yeast in general.
To decrease the amount of yeast in the body, Dr. Crook recommended avoiding certain substances, including antibiotics, corticosteroids, birth control pills, sugar, and most sweet foods. (It is his contention that dietary sugar "feeds yeast.") He also recommended the use of various supplements and even strong prescription drugs to directly kill yeast or at least interfere with its growth.
Next, Dr. Crook recommended avoiding foods containing yeast of any type, for he believed that those who are allergic to candida will also be allergic to other members of the fungus family. Thus Dr. Crook forbade fermented foods, such as beer, cheese, breads containing baker's yeast, tomato paste (which has a significant mold content), and even mushrooms.
Proposed Natural Treatments for Candida/Yeast Hypersensitivity Syndrome
Many treatments can reduce the amount of yeast in the body. Unfortunately, it isn't possible to eliminate Candida albicans permanently. No matter how successful a treatment may be, as soon as it is stopped, candida will return. It has to because it is a natural inhabitant of the body. However, we know from other conditions, such as vaginal yeast infections, that sufficient intake of probiotics, or "friendly" bacteria, can help keep yeast regrowth within reasonable bounds. It is probably best to use a mixture of organisms, including acidophilus, bulgaricus, and bifidus. For more information, including dosage and safety issues, see the full Probiotics article.
Other agents that may reduce the amount of yeast in the body (especially the digestive tract) include caprylic acid, grapefruit seed extract, betaine hydrochloride , barberry , red thyme, pau d'arco (also called lapacho ), and garlic . Various essential oils have also been proposed for this purpose, including peppermint oil , oregano oil , lavender oil, and tea tree oil . However, the scientific foundation for the use of any of these treatments in candida infections is weak, and some may be toxic if taken to excess or for prolonged periods.
- Reviewer: EBSCO CAM Review Board
- Review Date: 07/2012 -
- Update Date: 07/25/2012 -