DISORDERS

(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,

causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)

Disorder: CANDIDIASIS

Description: Everyone has candida, a form of yeast (Candida albicans) normally confined to the lower bowels, the vagina, and the skin. Normally this fungus lives in healthy balance with the other bacteria and yeasts in the body. However, certain conditions can cause it to multiply, weakening the immune system and causing an infection known as candidiasis. The fungus can travel through the blood stream to many parts of the body.

Symptoms: Symptoms of candidiasis cover a broad spectrum, and can cause a number of diseases ranging from allergies, vaginitis, and thrush (a whitish fungus in the mouth or vagina), to an invasion of the genital-urinary tract, eyes, liver, heart or central nervous system. The most common symptoms in women with yeast infections are itching, burning, odor and an unpleasant vaginal discharge. At its most destructive, candidiasis is involved in autoimmune diseases such as Addison’s disease and AIDS. Other symptoms include digestive problems such as bloating, cramping, gas and diarrhea; constipation; headaches; bad breath; memory loss; mood swings; canker sores; muscle and joint pain; sore throat; numbness in the face or extremities; tingling sensations; night sweats; severe itching; acne; PMS; kidney and bladder infections; arthritis; respiratory problems; coughing; earaches, generalized fatigue; loss of libido; chronic fatigue; depression; hyperactivity; hypothyroidism; adrenal problems, and even diabetes. Symptoms often are worse in damp and/or moldy places, and after consuming foods containing sugar and/or yeast.

Incidence: Three in four women during their childbearing years will experience vaginal yeast infection. Candidiasis may affect both men and women; however, women of child-bearing age are more vulnerable. An infected mother may pass the fungal infection to her newborn. People with compromised immune systems are also susceptible. In addition, people on long-term antibiotic therapy often have overgrowths of candida somewhere in their bodies, because antibiotics weaken the immune system and also destroy the "friendly" bacteria that normally keep candida under control.

Causes: Frequently, candidiasis is caused by a combination of factors. Prolonged or repeated use of antibiotics alters the balance of intestinal flora and suppresses the immune system.

Treatments: Diet and nutritional supplementation is recommended for preventing candidiasis. (Note: If you have never had a yeast infection before, consult your doctor for proper diagnosis before starting treatment on your own.)

Nutrients:

Supplement Dosage Comments

Essential fatty acids (black currant seed oil and flaxseed oil are good sources)	As directed on label.	Important in healing and preventing the fungus from destroying cells.
Acidophilus	As directed on label. Take on an empty stomach.	Fights candida infection.
Garlic	2 capsules 3 times daily.	Inhibits the infecting organism.
Vitamin B complex	100 mg. 3 times daily.	Required for all bodily functions, resistance to infection, and all enzyme systems. Use a yeast-free formula.
Calcium And Magnesium	1500 mg. daily 750-1000 mg. daily	Often deficient in people with this disorder. Needed to balance with calcium.
Multivitamin and mineral complex with Vitamin A	As directed on label. 25,000 IU daily. If you are pregnant, do not exceed 10,000 IU daily.	All nutrients are needed for proper immune function and repair of intestinal lining and all tissues.
Zinc	15 mg.	Stimulates the production of T-lymphocytes, the cells in the immune system that clean up cells that have been invaded by infection.
Vitamin C	4000 mg. taken as 2 divided doses	Boosts immunity so the body is better able to stave off infections.
Vitamin E	400 IU daily	Protects against free radicals.

Herbs:

	Goldenseal, Oregon grape and barberry contain berberine, which has been proven beneficial as an anticandida agent.
	Other antifungal and antibacterial herbs include German chamomile, aloe vera, ginger, cinnamon, rosemary, licorice and tea tree oil. Fennel, anise, ginseng, alfalfa, and red clover are also effective.

Recommendations:

Include the following in your diet:

	Plain yogurt containing active Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures. (If the yogurt contains live cultures, it will say so on the label.) Eat a cup a day to decrease recurring yeast infections.
	Vegetables, fish, and gluten-free grains such as brown rice and millet.
	Supplemental acidophilus to help restore the normal balance of flora in the bowel and vagina.
	Some type of fiber daily. Oat bran is a good source.
	Distilled water.
	Garlic

Eliminate the following from your diet:

	Sugar in all its forms. These include sucrose, dextrose, fructose, fruit juices, honey, syrups, molasses, milk products which contain lactose, most fruit (except berries) and potatoes (whose starch converts to sugar).
	All alcohol (since it is composed of fermented and refined sugar).
	Foods containing or promoting yeast; i.e., aged cheeses, baked goods and vinegar.
	All grains containing gluten (wheat, oats, rye and barley)
	Pickles, raw mushrooms, soy sauce, and sprouts.
	Citrus and acidic fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, tomatoes, pineapple and limes. (Eliminate these for one month; then add back only a few twice weekly.)
	Do not use corticosteroids or oral contraceptives until your condition improves. Oral contraceptives can upset the balance of microorganisms in the body.
	Wear white cotton underwear, and change underclothing daily.
	Avoid clothing that fosters a warm, moist environment, including wet bathing suits, panty hose, skintight jeans and leotards.
	Avoid household chemical products and cleaners, chlorinated water, mothballs, synthetic textiles, and damp and moldy places, such as basements.
	Consult your health care provider if you have chronic or persistent candida infections. This may be a sign of an underlying illness such as diabetes or immune system dysfunction.

Considerations:

	All persons on long-term antibiotics or chemotherapy are at high risk for severe cases of candidiasis. Taking antibiotics also can cause a deficiency of vitamin K, which is manufactured by the "good bacteria" in the intestines. Eating plenty of leafy greens, alfalfa, strawberries, whole grains and yogurt can restore the vitamin K balance.
	Because there is no simple, accurate test for candida, it is difficult to determine if it is the cause of a baby’s diaper rash.
	Allergy testing is advised for anyone with symptoms of candida infection.
	Doctors commonly recommend over-the-counter medications to treat yeast infections, such as miconazole (Monistat) and Clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin) or the new one-dose, prescription drug fluconazole (Diflucan) all of which bring relief within less than a week. However, these medications do not eliminate candida for good, and yeast infection recurrence is common. Boosting immunity through good diet and nutritional supplements is recommended.
	Systemic yeast infection (candidiasis) and AIDS both cause immunosuppressive symptoms. Because they can mimic each other, misdiagnosis is common. Severe yeast infections are common in people with AIDS.
	Candidiasis may be related to hypoglycemia.

Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:

Product No. 59618-	Description	Comments	Cost
111-15	Flaxseed Oil 1000 mg. Softgels	As directed on label.	$7.95/100
888-15	Acidophilus with pectin hardshell	As directed on label.	$6.95/100
978-15	Garlic 400 mg. odor free tabs.	2 tablets 3 times daily.	$5.50/100
499-15	Calcium citrate 1000 mg. tabs.	1 tablet daily.	$5.95/100
232-15	Magnesium 200 mg. caps.	3 capsules daily, taken with calcium	$4.95/100
968-15	Multi Vitamin with Minerals Spectrum	As directed on label.	$6.95/100
924-15	Vitamin A & D 10,000 IU/D400 IU Softgels	As directed on label.	$3.95/100
970-12	Vitamin C 1000 mg. with Rose Hips Tabs.	2 tablets in divided doses.	$5.75/60
234-15	Vitamin E 400 IU (D-Alpha Tocopheryl)	1 softgel daily.	$8.95/100
265-15	Zinc Gluconate (chelated) 25 mg. tabs.	1 tablet daily.	$3.49/100

Sources:

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2^nd Edition

By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.

Prevention’s Healing with Vitamins, by the Editors of

Prevention Magazine Health Books

Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide

Compiled by Burton Goldberg

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