There is certainly more than a grain of truth in ‘the Candida Syndrome’ - but it really needs to be put in perspective - it probably would be more accurate to speak of ‘fungal dysbiosis’. Candida is a fungus and not a virus or a bacterium and there are many other troublesome moulds that may affect the body other than candida.
My experience is that many people with chronic health problems ranging form PMS to irritable bowel syndrome to chronic tiredness including probably some forms of eczema have an illness that is likely fungus-related. Many people are helped by going on a low refined carbohydrate diet which is low in yeast-containing foods. Men also may be affected, but not as frequently as women.None of us can stick to a terribly restricted diet for ever and a day
The problem my patients were experiencing was: As soon as they began to have a tiny piece of cake , dessert, Auntie Mary’s (compulsory) apple pie or that occasional glass of wine then the symptoms slowly crept back. Also when people went out to dinner at friends’ houses or were eating out they felt embarrassed in having to refuse this food and that food.
I have met more than one patient in my time who has been persuaded by some irresponsible ‘advisor’ to stay on a lifelong ‘anti-candida’ diet despite the fact that they experienced zero or marginal improvement and ended up looking like a stick-insect.
How could a fungal infection cause such a wide range of problems including fatigue, bowel problems, skin problems, recurrent infections and hormonal problems?
My impression is that the fungus starts to overload the immune system. So the individual ends up with a low-grade chronic infection which stresses their immune system and renders them more vulnerable to recurrent infections.
There is some evidence that it may contribute to some premenstrual syndrome problems by partially blocking progesterone binding-sites on cell walls thus effectively blocking or at least severely reducing the action of this important hormone. In my opinion this may also play a role in the development of endometriosis.
As regards the bowel it is theorised that low-grade fungal infection in the small intestine bowel wall affects the immune tissue which is abundant in the bowel wall. This may be a possible mechanism for the development of some of the immune problems that may be associated with candida.
I have come to the conclusion that ‘The Candida Syndrome’ exists but it is an iceberg-tip: We need to find and fix that part of the iceberg which is below our patient’s water-line. Merely giving patients anti-fungal medication is not enough. Then hopefully they may avoid a strict, lifelong ‘anti-candida’ diet. In my experience many patients who are troubled by chronic intestinal or vaginal candidiasis may also have some of the problems listed below which also must be attended to for a good outcome:
Any co-existent ongoing low-grade bacterial bowel infection Until this is treated they will not be able to reduce the fungal infection problem properly but only be able to contain it by means of a draconian diet. Some of these people will notice that they have extremely foul wind and that they use a lot of air-freshener after any trip to the bathroom!
Stomach acid deficiency: People with gastric acid deficiency tend to find red meat particularly hard to digest and often tell me that food just ’sits there’ in their tummy. They may also have problems with constipation.
Pancreatic enzyme deficiency: which may demonstrate itself in stools that tend to float overmuch and that do not flush well and the person may find that they have very dry skin (from poor essential fatty acid absorption). Food may also ’sit’ on their tummy and they may get full very easily, even after a very small portion of food and furthermore they may, also, feel quite tired after even quite modest meals.
Individuals suffering form persistent fungal infection need more than just anti-fungals !!!