Candidiasis Flashcards
Candidiasis
- Candida albicans is the most common commensal yeast that asymptomatically inhabits mucosal surfaces.
- Candida is usually kept under control by native bacteria and the immune defences (especially by neutrophils, macrophages and T helper 1 cells.
- Infections are usually limited to the mouth or genitals (thrush) and skin, but infections can become systemic in severe immunocompromise.
- Signs and symptoms: Frequent UTIs, fatigue, digestive symptoms (e.g., bloating), sugar cravings, joint pain, depression, anxiety, brain fog, food sensitivities, skin and nail fungal infections, etc
Candidiasis pathophysiology:
- Disruption of the host bacterial environment or immune dysfunction can allow opportunistic candida to proliferate (terrain theory).
- C. albicans can then penetrate epithelial cells and switch morphology from commensal to pathogen.
Candidiasis Key risk factors:
Antibiotic use
Low immunity (low sIgA)
Chronic stress (↑ cortisol)
↓ digestive secretions
High sugar intake
Dysbiosis
Impaired liver function
Exposure to toxins
Candidiasis testing
- Stool test — mycology culture
- Organic acids test — elevated arabinose is indicative of yeast infection.
- Saliva test — candida antibodies.
- Blood test — circulating candida antigens.
A simple waking, at home spit into a glass of water. Healthy saliva floats but if you see strings coming down or it sinks, you may have a candida overgrowth.
Naturopathic approach to candidiasis
Create an environment where candida cannot overgrow (optimise the terrain) while optimising the body’s ability to heal itself naturally.
- Optimise elimination and detoxification.
- Adopt an anti-candida diet.
- Use natural antifungals and address biofilms.
- Address predisposing risk factors.
- Support the microbiome.
- Restore nutrient deficiencies.
- Promote detoxification and elimination
- Resolve constipation if necessary.
- Drink plenty of water (>1.5 L / day).
- Increase intake of soluble fibre and eat foods rich in mucilage (e.g., flaxseeds, chia seeds, psyllium husk).
- If necessary, silymarin (milk thistle) to enhance liver function (protects against phase I metabolites — increases glutathione and SOD).
- Consider a binding agent (e.g., lactoferrin and lactoglobulin or chlorella) to ‘mop up’ potential candida ‘die off’ (Herxheimer reaction).
- Anti-candida diet:
- Eliminate refined / simple sugars and minimise carbohydrates.
- Go gluten / dairy free and avoid other suspected allergic foods.
- Eat lots of non-starchy vegetables and low-sugar fruit.
- Eliminate yeast or mould-containing foods (e.g., alcohol, cheese, dried fruit, vinegar, peanuts).
- Opt for organic where possible.
- Oxalates impair carboxylase enzymes (CE), which help the body to eliminate candida. Research suggests that by reducing oxalates, CE increases and candida reduces
- Anti-fungal / anti-biofilm agents:
Natural antifungal agents:
* Berberine containing herbs.
* Caprylic acid (in coconut oil; a fatty acid that is incorporated into candida membranes → rupture).
* Pau d’Arco (naphthoquinones have strong fungicidal effects).
* Oregano oil, thyme, rosemary, allicin.
Biofilm disrupters:
* Proteolytic enzymes
(e.g., serrapeptase) take away from meals.
* Plant-based biofilm disrupters e.g., allicin, curcumin, berberine, NAC
Take a biofilm disrupter along with two antifungal agents. 3 months is advised. Start slow, build up slowly to prevent die-off symptoms
- Address predisposing factors:
- Help clients deal with stress and advise on sleep hygiene.
- Recommend avoiding alcohol, sugar, smoking.
- Review ongoing medications (with GP support).
- Restore nutrient deficiencies:
- Use diagnostic testing to determine specific deficiencies (e.g., zinc, vitamin D) or introduce a high-strength multiple vitamin / mineral.
- Support the microbiome:
- Increase SIgA (mucosal immunity), e.g. Saccharomyces boulardii.
- Prebiotics (e.g., FOS) and probiotics with meals (e.g. multi-strain formula with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria strains).
