CandidaWiki

Candida is a dimorphic organism with the ability to switch between a yeast form and a fungal form. It is also referred to as Candidiasis, Systemic Candida, Yeast Infection, and Candida-related Immune Complex. These terms are often used interchangeably when discussing candida.

The fungal, or problematic form, of candida is linked to an increasing number of diseases and conditions. It can cause or contribute to any disease or health condition that someone may experience. Historically, it has been most commonly associated with vaginal infections, it affects both mend and women and has be linked to diabetes, depression, obesity, Alzheimer’s, skin rashes, cancers and many other conditions.

There are over 200 species of candida, but only about 20 of them are linked to human infections. By far, the most common form of candida infection is Candida albicans, but other forms such as C. glabrata, C, dubliniensis, C. krusei and C. parapsilosis have slowly been increasing in recent years.

In most people, fungal candida can persist for years and decades without any obvious symptoms. It has the ability to adapt to most any environment inside and outside of the body allowing it to spread quickly and establish itself in any tissue of the body.

It is commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract in its normal yeast form when the gut flora is in a state of balance. Due to the disruptive effects of antibiotics on the gut flora, it converts to its problematic fungal form and can spread throughout the body within 4 to 52 hours after antibiotic use. The use of antibiotics drives at least 11 mechanisms that allow for the conversion from yeast to fungus.

The problems it can cause or contribute to are documented in over 86,000 research papers, with an average of 10 new science papers released every day. Despite the extensive body of work describing its effects on health, most medical doctors are poorly informed on the role it plays in disease.

Associated Diseases and Conditions

Candida is a strong driver of inflammation in the body and its ability to cause and chronic inflammatory response is the main reason it is linked to over 120 diseases and conditions. While some people like to think it is the only cause of many problems, it’s best to keep in mind that there are many other factors such as other infectious agents, chemicals, heavy metals, genetics, stress, emotions, etc., will also play a role in many diseases and conditions. When other factors are the main driver of a problem, fungal candida can still contribute by increasing levels of inflammation.

Acid reflux. Endometriosis Migraines

Acne Excess mucus Mood swings

ADD, ADHD Fibromyalgia Multiple sclerosis

Allergies Flatulence Muscle spasm

Anxiety Fluid retention Nail fungus

Arthritis Food allergies Osteoarthritis

Asthma Food cravings Penile itching

Athlete’s foot Frequent colds PMS

Autism Frequent infections Poor memory

Autoimmune conditions Fungal infections Prostatitis

Benign prostatic hypertrophy Gas Psoriasis

Bladder infections Gastritis Rashes

Blisters in the mouth Genital rashes Rectal itching

Bloating Gluten allergy Rheumatoid arthritis

Blood sugar imbalances Headaches Rhinitis

Body odor Heartburn Scleroderma

Brain fog Hormonal imbalances Sjorgen’s

Bronchitis Hypoglycemia Sinus problems

Burping Hypothyroidism Sores

Cancers Irritability Sore throat

Chemical sensitivities Irritable bowel Sugar cravings

Chronic fatigue syndrome Immune system dysfunction Swollen joints

Colitis Impotence Thrush

Concentration problems Indigestion Ulcers

Confusion Infertility Urethritis

Congestion Irregular menstruation Urinary frequency

Constipation Itchy skin Vaginal infections

Cough Joint pain Vaginitis

Chrohn’s disease Cystitis Lack of mental clarity Visual problems

Depression Leaky gut Weakness

Dermatitis Lethargy Weight gain

Diabetes Lupus White coating on tongue

Diarrhea Memory problems

Eczema Meningitis

Prevalence

Fungal candida is the 4th leading cause of bloodstream infections in hospital settings. Studies cite that anywhere from 53% to 78% of patients in hospital settings receive at least one antibiotic, which is a precursor to fungal candida.

Antibiotic use can impair anti-fungal immunity and increase the risk of death, as well as ongoing bacterial re-infection. Antibiotic use creates Anti-Microbial Resistant (AMR) strains and scientists continue to insist on greater stewardship with antibiotic use. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the annual death rate due to antibiotic-resistant infections could reach 10 million deaths per year by 2050. Due to the emergence of multi-drug resistant fungal Candida infections, the WHO has now developed the Fungal Pathogens Priority List to address this increasing threat.

Testing

Candida testing general utilizes stool, blood, and urine testing formats. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. Each test format is most accurate for the material/body part being tested.

Blood tests check for antibodies to candida. It is the least expensive and also considered to be the least sensitive of the three testing formats.

Stool testing is considered to be the most sensitive and most expensive format.

Urine testing moderate in cost and sensitivity.

The best approach would be to utilize 2 or 3 of the testing formats in combination for the best diagnostic impression.

Another unreliable format put forth by some people is called a spit test. It is not specific for candida and would yield a positive test result in someone with allergies, dehydration, bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, and some inflammatory states.

Treatment

Mainstream medicine has traditionally treated fungal candida infections with anti-fungal medicines, such as fluconazole and amphotericin. Inherent in the use of anti fungal medications is the development of anti-fungal resistant strains that no longer respond to treatment, as well as known toxicity issues with the drugs themselves. Long-term use of -azole anti-fungal medications increases liver-toxicity, hair loss, decreased libido, impotence, skin cancer, increased breast gland tissue in boys and men, and other side effects.

A study by researchers at the University of Toronto showed that even dead candida cells secrete a substance that kills our immune cells when they come along to clean up the dead debris created by medication use.

Alternative treatments often utilize plant-based anti-fungal substances such as oregano, Tea Tree oil, garlic, thyme, and others. Almost all plants produce some type of anti-fungal substance to protect the plan from fungus attacking the plant. These substances are only designed to inhibit fungus, not kill it and therefore have limited effectiveness in the body.

The safest treatment approach is also one of the oldest, undecylenic acid. Undecylenic acid first found use in the late 1940s in people who developed diseases and conditions after antibiotic use. It converts the fungal form of candida back to its normal yeast form. It doesn’t create anti-fungal resistance, since it is not trying to kill candida. Undecylenic acid is available only through physicians. It has been found to be 6 times more effective than caprylic acid, which is commonly available. There are some concerns that caprylic acid can contribute to kidney stones, although any such occurrences are very rare.

References

Yeast to Fungal Conversion – https://www.candidaplan.com/11-ways-to-get-candida-from-the-use-of-antibiotics/

PubMed – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=candida

Associated Diseases and Conditions – https://www.candidaplan.com/120-common-candida-symptoms/

Epidemiology of Invasive Candidiasis: A persistent Public Health Problem – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1797637/

Antibiotics Can Lead to Fungal Infection – https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2022/antibiotics-can-lead-to-fungal-infection-because-of-disruption-to-the-guts-immune-system

Pattern of Antibiotic Use among Hospitalized Patients – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10178860/

Pattern of Antibiotic Use among Hospitalized Patients According to WHO – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9220119/#:~:text=Among%20the%20surveyed%20patients%2C%2074.3,group%20received%20at%20least%20one

Long-term Antibiotic Exposure Promotes Mortality After Systemic Fungal Infection – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9283303/

New Report calls for Urgent Action to Avert Antimicrobial Resistance Crisis – https://www.who.int/news/item/29-04-2019-new-report-calls-for-urgent-action-to-avert-antimicrobial-resistance-crisis

Candida Testing Formats – https://shop.candidaplan.com/candida-testing/

Invalid Spit Test – https://www.candidaplan.com/5-mistakes-to-avoid-when-treating-candida/

Antifungal Drugs and Drug-induced Liver Injury – https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.891336/full

How a Deadly Fungus Evades the Immune System – https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150331074350.htm