Candida Mode of Action

When candida species proliferate beyond their normal numbers, the trouble starts. Increased levels of candida often initiate the proliferation of long root-like structures (mycelia and rhizoids) that penetrate the mucosal membranes, creating microscopic breaks in the normal mucosal boundary of the gastrointestinal tract. The resulting perforations permit antigens -- foreign substances such as candida and its toxic acetaldehyde byproducts, other toxins, and incompletely digested dietary proteins -- to leak into the bloodstream, which in turn creates antibody release and inflammation.

The Leaky Gut Connection

Microecology of the gastrointestinal tract can be divided into four major components (Fig. 3):
1) the epithelial lining and mucosa of the gut wall the specific functions of which vary throughout the intestinal tract;
2) the gastrointestinal secretions that enter the hollow organ;
3) the intestinal microflora that live within the gut; and
4) foods that are fed into the tract.


Figure 3. Components of the gastrointestinal ecology are depicted.

The epithelium of the small bowel is essential for the absorption of all major nutrients. Fermentation in the colon of dietary fibers leads to the production of a number of end products, including gases such as hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide, as well as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The predominant SCFAs are acetate, propionate and butyrate. SCFAs are almost entirely absorbed by the colonic mucosa and thus provide a source of energy to the host. The epithelim of the colon is nurtured mainly by the butyric acid. The integrity of the epithelium of the esophagus, stomach, and small and large bowels is essential in maintaining the balance of the microecology.

The lactic acid and the SCFAås mainly acetate, propionate and butyrate are predominantly produced in the first part of the large intestine (the ascending or proximal colon, fig. 4), while the phenolic and the nitrogenous compounds are produced in the descending (distal) and the sigmoid colon where many gastro-intestinal disorders develop.



Intestinal permeability, called "leaky gut" syndrome, is a common but poorly recognized problem linked to ecological disturbances. Individuals with leaky gut syndrome experience a wide range of problems including allergic responses, mood swings, depression, agitation, joint and connective-tissue pain and inflammation, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fatigue, and skin problems. Long-term "leakiness" may also predispose an individual to autoimmune responses such as Crohn's disease (inflammatory bowel disease) and rheumatoid arthritis.

Leaky gut syndrome is linked to factors that predispose a person to intestinal microflora imbalances and irritation of the gut wall lining. Eliminating candida requires addressing the body's ecological balance, its gut integrity and overall immunity.

How Do I Know I've Got Candida?

Candida symptoms are many, as indicated earlier.
You can identify candida overgrowth and monitor your treatment by having your doctor order some simple lab tests. Common diagnostic tests to determine the presence of candida and leaky gut include the following:

• Candida Immune Complexes is a blood test that has been proven to be effective in the detection and monitoring of candida overgrowth (Candidiasis). Candida Immune Complexes correlate to clinical symptoms of Candidiasis;
• Candida antibody panel (IgG, IgM, IgA) ( is a blood test);
• Intestinal permeability testing for leaky gut syndrome (a blood test); and
• Digestive stool analysis and culture.

These tests help health care practitioners detect candida overgrowth, measure your resistance levels and determine your digestive efficiency and the presence of leaky gut. Food allergy screening (including IgG), which exposes delayed or hidden food responses, gluten sensitivity screening, and immune profiles further refine the therapeutic program.

HOW CAN CANDIDA BE CONTROLLED AND REMOVED.

Candida is very “tricky”, to say the least. One has to be trickier. It creates imbalances in the intestinal and vaginal flora. The more the imbalance, the more the symptoms (as indicated above).

Three strategies can be used to control or get rid of candida, as depicted in the diagram below:



1. Diet and Fiber.

Nutritional programs including internal cleansing are one approach to controlling candida overgrowth. As indicated above, diet should exclude fruit, sugar and yeast. Especially in the beginning of the treatment you have to be very strict and disciplined. You will find out about the importance of diet, when you “cheat” and feel the effect. You have to be tuned to your body and understand why symptoms come and go. Without that understanding, it will be difficult to control the Candida “monster”. That is the reason we have included a lot of information on our website regarding this and other issues related to microflora balancing.

The following dietary suggestions are important to follow:

1. Eliminate or minimize the use of antibiotics, steroids, immune-suppressing drugs and oral contraceptives (only after consulting with your health care provider or physician).

2. Change your diet to one that will not encourage the growth of Candida. Eliminate fruit and fruit juices, sugar and other sweeteners including honey, cheese, dairy products and yeast. Candida thrives in a sugary environment, so your diet should be low in carbohydrates and contain no yeast products or sugar in any form. Soy sauce, mushroom, breads with yeast, baked goods and peanuts should be eliminated, as should any refined foods and any foods to which you are allergic or sensitive. Avoid coffee, soda and alcoholic beverages, as well as any fermented foods or beverages such as vinegar.

3. Eat plenty of vegetables and lean protein. The following foods are beneficial: most vegetables, especially broccoli, kale, garlic, turnip greens, onions, cabbage, eggs, fish and chicken. Homemade soups and stews are excellent. Substitute yeast-free millet bread with gluten free grains such as millet and quinoa. Limit potatoes, beets, carrots and corn.

4. Drink plenty of distilled or purified water: about 6-8 glasses a day.

5. Enhance digestion by eating more raw foods, chewing thoroughly and taking enzymes with every meal.

6. Re-establish beneficial flora in your intestinal tract with acidophilus and bifidus supplements, to help restore the normal balance of flora in the bowel and vagina, as indicated throughout this web site. Our Adult Formula CP-1 and our custom probiotic powder formulations are of the highest quality and potency available on the market today. Dosage is of utmost importance. The higher the intestinal flora imbalance due to Candida or other pathogenic bacteria, the higher the dosage of multistrain probiotic culture will be needed to overcome the resistance created by these pathogens. That dosage differs from person to person. It may be 50 billion cfu’s per day, 500 billion or even more. Thus gradual increase in dosage will determine the optimum dosage for each individual.

7. Improve immune function by stimulating lymph flow through exercise and deep breathing.

8. Increase fiber consumption. This will help absorb and sweep out the toxins that are being created as Candida dies off. Ground flaxseeds are an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and phytochemicals called lignans. Colloidal bentonite and psyllium husk are also effective fibers.

9. Cleanse your system with herbs that help reduce Candida.

10. Repairing the intestinal wall and healing the ‘leaky gut’ by replacing or augmenting nutrients that support gastrointestinal mucosal healing. Vitamins, minerals, L-glutamine and fiber work synergistically to heal the intestines. A program including glutathione, N-acetylcysteine, milk thistle, dandelion, B-complex vitamins and a range of antioxidants can further help the liver in the detoxification process.

11. Stay on a probiotic and fiber supplement and continue on a maintenance diet and add back fruits and grains slowly!!

12. Probiotic retention enemas performed once a week or month, to replace “friendly” intestinal bacteria is also beneficial. Candida reside mainly in the colon and especially in the lowest part of the colon. This is due to a progressive increase in bacterial numbers and diversity towards more distal regions of the colon, where many gastro-intestinal disorders can develop (see fig. 5 bellow and table 1 in the section “About Probiotics”). Also, the usage of anti-Candida medications may accumulate part of the “dead” Candida in the descending and sigmoid colon and hence their removal is beneficial.



Since the majority of “friendly” bacteria in the colon are bifidobacteria and some lactobacilli, a mixture of pure probiotic powder, dissolved in water and injected as an enema can be helpful to replenish the flora in the lowest part of the colon.

2. Probiotics

Probiotics are live microbial food supplements that benefit humans and animals by improving intestinal microbial balance. As we indicated earlier, the causes of Candida are manifold. Candida results from a change of the intestinal and vaginal microflora creating an imbalance between good and bad bacteria. The more the imbalance, the more varied the symptoms. In addition, the strain type of candida overgrowth affects the severity of symptoms and duration of treatment.

The use of probiotics is the most natural and common sense method to bring back the balance. Dosage differs from person to person. The greater the imbalance, the higher the dosage that may be required to overcome the resistance that Candida creates against probiotics to reinoculate the digestive and vaginal systems. That is the reason we start at a medium dosage of 50 billion cfu’s per day and go up to a maximum of 500 billion cfu’s a day. Dosage is determined by the individual taking the probiotics.

To be most effective, probiotics must be live or viable, multistrain containing both Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria (see sections “About Probiotics" and “Products and Pricing”). The probiotic count must be verified by independent lab testing.

Hence quality and high potency probiotics must be used to change the microflora imbalance created by Candida and other pathogenic bacteria.

3. Anti-Fungals.

The major anti-fungal prescription medications are: Nystatin, Diflucan, Nizoral and Sporanox. Natural antifungal and antibacterial agents are garlic, olive leaf extract, oil of oregano, pau d’arco, uva ursi, golden seal, caprylic acid and citrus seed extract.

Generally speaking, proper diet, high potency and quality multi-strain probiotics and natural anti-fungal agents should be first priority in the prevention, control and elimination of Candida. If you have a more virulent Candida strain, you may require prescription medication. The kinds and dosages of prescription anti-fungals should be determined by your health care provider, based on your stool, urine and/or blood analyses. Simultaneously, the use of highest potency and quality multi-strain probiotics is essential.

As the intestinal and vaginal microflora become balanced, you can tolerate a greater variety of foods.

If you think you might have symptoms of candida overgrowth, consult a health care practitioner who is familiar with this condition. Other conditions have similar manifestations. Self-diagnosis and self-treatment may cause these conditions to be overlooked.


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