Fungal disorders

DISORDERS

(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,

causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)

Disorder: FUNGAL INFECTION

Description: Fungal organisms (simple parasitic life forms including molds, mildew and yeast), can infect the skin and/or mucous membranes; they can also grow under the nails between the toes, or on internal surfaces of the colon and other organs. Fungal infections are most common in places where skin tends to be moist and one skin surface is in contact with another, such as the groin area (jock itch) and between the toes (athlete’s foot). Fungal infection of the mouth is referred to as oral thrush. Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin or scalp characterized by the development of small red spots that grow to a size of about one-quarter inch in diameter. As the spots expand, the centers tend to heal and clear while the borders are raised, red, and scaly, giving them a ringlike appearance.

Symptoms: Symptoms include discoloration of the nail beds; itchy, reddened patches over various part of the body; creamy-looking white patches on the tongue and mucous membranes of the mouth (oral thrush); cheesy and smelly vaginal discharge (yeast infection). Fungal infections are often accompanied by intense itching.

Incidence: May be more common and/or severe in people taking long-term antibiotic or corticosteroid medications, immunosuppressant drugs, contraceptives, and in people with conditions such as obesity, AIDS and diabetes mellitus.

Causes: Fungal infections are caused by certain types of fungi (most commonly candida and tinea). Women who use oral contraceptives and people taking antibiotics are at higher risk, as are people who are obese and/or who perspire heavily.

Treatments: Avoid foods high in yeast such as beer and breads made with yeast. Also avoid sugar of all sorts, including honey and fruit juices, while the infection is being treated.

Nutrients:

Supplement Dosage Comments

Acidophilus	As directed on label.	Supplies the "friendly" bacteria that are usually deficient inn people with fungal infections.
Garlic	2 capsules 3 times daily with meals.	Neutralizes most fungi.
Vitamin B complex plus extra Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)	50 mg. 3 times daily with meals. 50 mg. 3 times daily.	Needed to correctly balance "friendly" bacteria in the body. Plays a role in the formation of antibodies and aids in the utilization of nutrients.
Vitamin C With Bioflavonoids	5,000-20,000 mg. daily, in divided doses.	Needed for proper immune function.
Vitamin E	400-800 IU daily.	Needed for proper immune function.
Zinc	50 mg. daily. Do not exceed a total of 100 mg. daily from all supplements.	Needed for proper immune function.
Vitamin A	25,000 IU daily. If you are pregnant, do not exceed 10,000 IU daily.	Aids healing of skin and mucous membranes. Needed for proper immune function.

Herbs:

	Tea tree oil is a natural antifungal for external use. It can be applied to the affected area several times a day, either full strength or diluted with water or cold-pressed vegetable oil.
	Drink 3 cups of pau d’arco tea daily.
	For toenail or fingernail fungus, soak nails in a mixture of pau d’arco and goldenseal. Make a tea with 6 teabags in a gallon of water. Bring to a boil and then allow to cool slightly. Add the contents of 4 capsules of goldenseal. Soak your feet or hands in this mixture for fifteen minutes twice a day.

Recommendations:

	Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and moderate amounts of broiled fish and broiled skinless chicken.
	Fungi thrive on sugar. Do not eat any foods containing sugar or refined carbohydrates.
	Eliminate foods that promote secretion of mucus, especially meat and dairy products.
	Avoid cola drinks, processed foods, grains, and fried or greasy food.
	Apply honey and crushed garlic, alternately, to the affected area.
	Wear clean cotton clothing and underwear. Wear clothing and use towels only once and then wash them in hot water with chlorine bleach added.
	If you are nursing a baby and your baby has thrush, or if you develop sharp, shooting pains while nursing, or both, consult both your baby’s and your own health care provider. You may have a fungal infection. Both you and your baby should be treated to ensure a cure.
	For ringworm, put crushed raw garlic over the affected area and cover it with sterile gauze or a cotton cloth that allows air to penetrate.
	If you have been treating a fungal infection on your own and you develop symptoms such as increased redness and swelling or fever, consult your physician. You may have developed a bacterial infection on top of the fungal infection.

Considerations:

	There are numerous topical antifungal preparations available. However, we believe that garlic works as well and is safer.
	See also Candidiasis.

Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:

Product No. 59618	Description	Comments	Cost
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
891-15	Vitamin B complex 50 mg. tabs.	1 tablet 3 times daily.	$6.95/100
888-12	Vitamin B5 Pantothenic acid 500 mg.	As directed on label.	$6.50/60
970-12	Vitamin C 1000 mg. with rose hips tablets	1 tablet 3 times daily.	$5.75/60
958-15	Vitamin A natural 10,000 IU softgels	2 softgels daily	$3.95/100
234-15	Vitamin E 400 IU (d-alpha tocopheryl)	2 softgels daily	$8.95/100
923-15	Zinc gluconate (chelated) 50 mg. tablets	As directed on label.	$3.64/100

Sources:

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2^nd Edition

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

Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide

Compiled by the Burton Goldberg Group