Positive Health Online

Candida albicans is a prime example of an opportunistic pathogen (disease causing agent). Its presence in the digestive tract and in the urogenital tract is, of itself, not remarkable-nearly every human harbors small amounts of this ubiquitous germ. The toxins that Candida produces are only mildly irritating as long as their numbers are in check. Rarely are high fevers, elevated white blood cell counts, severe diarrhoea, etc. associated with Candida, as might be the case with so many other pathogens. However, when the opportunity presents itself, the yeast can begin to grow at an alarming rate. And as Candida grows, so does the concentration of its toxins; eventually even the most stalwart individuals will begin to suffer from the effects of yeast imbalance.

Candida is usually found in the small and large intestines and the urogenital tract (of men and women) where it competes for food and attachment sites with other microorganisms. Many researchers now believe that certain forms of the yeast can travel through the blood and eventually inhabit any organ of the body. Once Candida overgrowth takes hold, the potential for adverse effects is enormous: fatigue, indigestion, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, depression, anxiety, and a diminished libido are the most common effects: others include carbohydrate and alcohol cravings, frequent bladder and ear infections, various skin afflictions (acne, eczema) and reactions to perfume, cleansing agents, gasoline fumes, etc. For women, frequent vaginal infections and menstrually related symptoms signal the possibility that Candida is out of control.

The Genesis of Candida

How does an overgrowth of yeast come about? Studies have shown that the typical human digestive tract is inhabited by well over one thousand varieties of fungal, bacterial, viral, and protozoan species. The competition within this ecological environment is fierce: food and attachment sites are limited-only the fittest survive.

It is estimated that the microorganisms inhabiting the digestive tract of the average adult number in the hundreds of trillions. In fact, there are many times the number of such microorganisms than there are body cells. Most of the microbes belong to species that neither help nor hurt us. This relationship between host and visitor is called commensralism. Other species of microorganisms that perform scores of life-sustaining tasks are absolutely essential for our well-being. These are the symbiots: Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus belong to this group. A third class of microbes is considered parasitic because it grows at the expense of the host, often leading to illness and even death. The proportional balance of microbes residing within each individual depends on many factors: exposure to various microbes, age, diet, nutritional status, emotional stress, antibiotic-use (from drugs and food) and the general functioning of the immune system.

Given these (and other) factors, we can expect to find a different mix of microorganisms not only from one individual to another, but also from one geographical area to another. For example, the protozoa Entamoeba histolytica, is considered endemic in India and Pakistan. But the indigenous population has adapted itself to that amoeba which, though it may weaken them somewhat, is not as pathogenic as it is to an American tourist, for example, who is encountering it for the first time. Although mainstream medicine has perceived the endemic nature of E. histolytica in India, it has failed to recognize that people of the industrialized West have biologically selected out Candida albicans as one of our endemic species. And while symptoms associated with Candida imbalance are not as dramatic as those associated with certain amoebas, the insidious development of a Candida imbalance can lead to years of suffering, the cause of which often remains undiagnosed by conventional medical practice.

Beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium which secrete powerful antifungal enzymes that support the digestive and urogenital tracts are destroyed by pharmaceutical antibiotics, chlorine, and toxins found in food and drink. Once the health of our beneficial bacteria is compromised, an ecological niche opens up that is rapidly filled by other microorganisms, Candida among them. Because western diets are so rich in carbohydrates (sugars and starches), Candida and other carbohydrate-loving yeasts find the digestive tract an ideal environment.

While primary Candida imbalance inflicts great stress upon the immune system, it often happens that Candida is a secondary result of a longstanding immune dysfunction. AIDS, cancer, and chronic fatigue patients are always at risk of Candida imbalance. Their treatment must take into account the likelihood of additional stress from yeast.

Many of the pharmaceutical drugs that are used to fight Candida have proven quite toxic, especially to the liver. But there is good news too. According to world-wide reports from holistic physicians and thousands of their patients, Grapefruit Seed Extract is one of the best non-toxic remedies for Candida. Dr. Jay Gordon, a highly respected pediatrician practicing in California states:

I have been in private practice for sixteen years... I discovered Grapefruit Seed Extract about five years ago. We pediatricians treat a lot of oral and cutaneous yeast infections (the latter primarily in the diaper area of infants) and are often frustrated at the difficulty we have in clearing up these common and annoying problems. I now recommend Grapefruit Seed Extract at least three to four times every day to my patients and the response is uniformly positive... Grapefruit Seed Extract is an excellent formulation which I have found to be completely safe for even the youngest babies in my practice.

Treatment

Grapefruit Seed Extract should be taken between meals. If irritating to the digestive tract, it may be taken with meals or in powder form (capsule). Dosages given are for a person of approximately 150 lbs.; adjust dosage according to weight.

Days 1-3: ten drops (50/50 dilution, see page 124) twice daily in vegetable or diluted fruit juice (or one 125 mg. capsule twice daily)
Days 4-10: fifteen drops twice daily (or one capsule three times daily)
Days 11-28: fifteen drops three times daily (or two capsules two to three times daily)

Some people will show satisfactory improvement on the lower doses and therefore not require an increase; on the other hand, some resistant cases may require a slightly higher dose than given above. The schedule may also be modified: for some, the twenty-eight day course may prove unnecessary-two to three weeks may suffice. Once satisfactory improvement is noted, gradually reduce the Grapefruit Seed Extract dosage; if symptoms reappear, a return to a higher dose may be required. A four week treatment may not be sufficient-longstanding chronic cases may require four to six months of constant vigilance.

Vaginal Yeast Infection

Many holistic physicians believe that an imbalance in the vaginal microflora is often indicative of a similar imbalance in the intestinal tract. Therefore, for recurrent vaginal yeast infections, a complete, systemic anti-Candida program is usually required. However, certain isolated instances of vaginal yeast imbalance may be treated locally without resorting to a systemic program.

Note: Before beginning any treatment for vaginal infection, a diagnosis by a qualified practitioner is necessary in order to establish whether or not the perceived symptoms are in fact being caused by Candida. The possibility of reinfection by transmission from a sexual partner must also be considered if a cure is to be permanent.

Treatment

Vaginal rinse: add sixteen drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract to sixteen ounces of room temperature water (use only filtered, distilled, or boiled water) and shake well in a closed jar. Douche once daily for three days. (For greater retention of the solution, douche in a reclining position.) Repeat every fifth day thereafter.

Caution: If severe vaginal irritation occurs, reduce mixture to five drops per pint of water. Discontinue if irritation persists. Do not douche if pregnant or menstruating unless advised by a physician.

Most chronic Candida problems, whether systemic or localized, are related to certain life-style habits. Therefore Grapefruit Seed Extract should be considered an adjunct to the changes required for permanent resolution of the problem. To conclude this chapter I offer a condensed version of my Ten Step Program for Controlling Candida.

Extract from:

The Authoritative Guide to Grapefruit Seed Extract by Allan Sachs Dc. Life Rhythm, 1997. P.O. Box 806, Mendocino, CA 95460. Tel: (707) 937-1825 Fax: (707) 937-3052. Available in the UK from The Tao of Books, Tel: 01379 890190.