CANDIDA and the ANTIBIOTIC SYNDROME
By Walter Last
Lack of energy and digestive disturbances, arthritic joint pains,
skin disease, menstrual problems, emotional instability and depression. All symptoms of what I call the 'antibiotic
syndrome' which have greatly increased in
frequency in recent years.
On
further examination, more symptoms may be discovered. Most of the
gastro-intestinal tract is tender when pressed, especially the small intestine,
liver and gall bladder. There may even have been a gall bladder operation that
failed to improve the condition, sometimes even worsening the symptoms.
There
could be a history of thrush or oral, anal or vaginal itching. When these are
present the diagnosis of Candida is obvious but it may also be present in the
absence of these manifestations and that can be somewhat confusing. The yeast
or fungus Candida albicans, of course, thrives during
antibiotic treatment. I regard it as reckless negligence to prescribe
antibiotics without simultaneous fungicides and replacement therapy with
lactobacilli afterwards. I believe that this practice has greatly added to our
vast pool of a chronically sick population.
However,
the 'antibiotic syndrome' is not just due to Candida. I regard it more
generally as a 'dysbiosis' where the wrong kind of microbes inhabit the
intestinal tract, not just Candida and other fungi, but many types of
pathogenic bacteria including coli bacteria which are normal in the
colon but become disease-forming when they ascend into the small intestine.
If the
problem has existed for years, there is usually a lack of gastric acid which
then allows the stomach to be colonised by microbes, causing inflammation with
pain and later, ulcers. The toxins released by the microbial overpopulation
cause in addition chronic inflammation of the liver, gall bladder, pancreas and
intestines. I regard it as rather likely that a chronic inflammation of the
pancreas is a major contributing factor in the development of insulin-dependent
diabetes.
Bacterial
Attack
Specific
types of pathogenic bacteria appear to cause or contribute to specific
autoimmune diseases. One variety of coli bacteria, for instance, produces a
molecule that is very similar to insulin. When the immune system becomes
activated against this molecule it may then also attack related features at the
beta cells of the pancreas
Another
type of bacteria, Yersinia enterocolitica, induces
an immune response that attacks the thyroid gland and leads to Grave's disease
with a serious overproduction of thyroid hormones.
Ulcerative
colitis is linked to overgrowth with pathogenic microbes, the same as Crohn's
disease, osteoporosis and ankylosing spondylitis. In ankylosing spondylitis the
vertebra of the spine fuse together causing stiffness and pain. Other joints
may in time become affected.
Klebsiella,
another type of
pathogenic bacteria, produces a molecule that is similar to a tissue type found
in people with this disease. When Klebsiella numbers in the gut
decrease, related antibodies in the blood decrease and the condition improves.
Rheumatoid
arthritis is linked to other bacteria, called Proteus. Proteus is also a
common cause of urinary tract infections. Women suffer urinary tract infections
as well as rheumatoid arthritis twice as often as men, while men usually have
higher levels of Klebsiella and three times more ankylosing spondylitis
than women.
In
addition microbial overgrowth dam ages the intestinal wall so that only partly
digested food particles can pass into the bloodstream, causing allergies. In
this way all autoimmune diseases can be linked to food allergies.
While
rheumatoid arthritis is a frequent feature of the antibiotic syndrome, and I
regard it as relatively easy to cure, not many sufferers of this disease seem
to be interested in this natural approach. The other day a young man with
severe rheumatoid arthritis knocked at my door to collect money for a medically
sponsored walkathon. When I told him that I do not give money for drug
treatment as it can be overcome with natural therapies, he shouted: 'You are
mad!' and left visibly upset.
Other
autoimmune diseases that have so far been linked to dysbiosis are psoriasis,
lupus erythematosus and pancreatitis. When remedies are given that bind
bacterial endotoxins, these conditions usually improve. A further consequence
of dysbiosis is susceptibility to food poisoning as with salmonella bacteria,
while a healthy intestinal flora prevents these from multiplying and causing
trouble.
Staphylococcus
aureus or golden
staph cause serious infections in hospital patients. It has been found that not
only golden staph but also other infections are greatly potentized
when they occur with a Candida overgrowth. As Candida overgrowth is a natural
outcome of the standard hospital treatment, it is easy to see why golden staph
is so deadly in hospitals.
A
similar picture emerges with AIDS. People do not die from the AIDS virus but
from Candida-potentized bacterial infections. I also
see the antibiotic-induced dysbiosis in babies and infants as the main cause of
their frequent infections, glue ear and greatly contributing to cot death.
While
it used to be uncommon for children to have more than one or two infections a
year, now more than six is the norm.
In the
1940's Candida was found in only three per cent of autopsies, now the figure is
nearer thirty per cent. There are, of course, other factors that can cause
dysbiosis - the contraceptive pill, steroids and other drugs, radiation
treatment and chemotherapy - but the main culprits are, without doubt,
antibiotics.
Closely
related to Candida are the mycoplasms or pleomorphic
organisms. These have been shown to be a main factor in the causation of
cancer. Therefore, antifungal therapy has also major benefits in cancer
treatment.
Dr Orian Truss
In 1953
Dr Orian Truss discovered the devastating effects of
antibiotics in an Alabama (USA) hospital. During a hospital round Truss was
intrigued by a gaunt, apparently elderly man who was obviously dying. However,
he was only in his forties and in hospital for four months. No specialist had
been able to make a diagnosis. Out of curiosity Truss asked the patient when be
was last completely well.
The man
answered that he was well until six months before when he had cut his finger He
had received antibiotics for this. Shortly afterwards he developed diarrhoea
and his health deteriorated. Truss had seen before how antibiotics cause
diarrhoea. It was known that Candida was opportunistic and thrived in
debilitated patients, but now Truss wondered if it might not be the other way
round, that Candida actually caused the debilitated condition.
He had
read that potassium iodide solution could be used to treat Candida infestation
of the blood. So he put the patient on six to eight drops of Lugol's solution
four times a day and soon the patient was again completely well.
Soon
afterwards he had a female patient with a stuffy nose, a throbbing headache,
vaginitis and severe depression. To his amazement all her problems immediately
cleared with Candida treatment. Some time later he saw a female patient who had
been schizophrenic for six years with hundreds of electroshock treatments and
massive drug dosages. He started treating the woman for sinus allergies with a
Candida vaccine. Soon she had recovered mentally and physically, and remained
well.
From
then on he treated his patients against Candida at the slightest indication of
its presence. Many of his patients made remarkable recoveries from most unusual
conditions including menstrual problems, hyperactivity, learning disabilities,
autism, multiple sclerosis and auto-immune diseases such as Crohn's disease and
lupus erythematosus.
Every
experienced naturopath can relate similar success stories. Ironically,
antibiotics are usually not necessary in the first place. In a few per cent of
the cases in which they are necessary their serious after effects could easily
be avoided using fungicides and lactobacilli.
Many
people doubt the effectiveness of natural therapies against apparently serious infections,
but my experience leads me to believe that frequently natural therapies are
more effective, without causing the repeated and chronic infections seen after
antibiotics. I have seen patients who have been unsuccessful on long-term
antibiotic treatment recover within days or weeks with natural therapies.
Curing
the 'Antibiotic Syndrome'
The
main treatment for the 'antibiotic syndrome' is sanitation of the
gastro-intestinal tract combined with a low-allergy diet. In this way most
acute problems can be overcome within weeks while degenerated joints or organs
can start a slower road to recovery.
One
unpleasant side-effect of most methods used to reduce the pathogenic microbial
overgrowth of the intestines is the Herxheimer
reaction - a sudden worsening of symptoms due to toxins released by the dead or
dying microbes. This is sometimes used as a diagnostic tool, especially for
Candida.
I
recommend flushes combined with anti-microbial remedies to avoid or minimise
unpleasant side effects. An isotonic flush consists of nine grams or one heaped
teaspoon of salt in one litre of water and is suitable for sensitive
individuals and generally with low to normal blood pressure. A solution is said
to be isotonic if it contains a similar amount of salt as the blood. An Epsom
salt flush may contain one tablespoon of Epsom salt, more or less according to
need, in a large glass of water and is useful in cases of constipation and with
raised blood pressure.
Add a
crushed clove of garlic to the flush to reduce the microbial overgrowth. If
garlic cannot be used then up to two teaspoons of three per cent hydrogen
peroxide (food-grade) may be added instead. You can take another glass of water
after the Epsom salt to wash down the bitter aftertaste but not after the
isotonic flush, as it would no longer be isotonic.
The
flush will carry most of the dead microbes and their toxins out of the body and
minimise any unpleasant reactions. However, if the flush should not be
sufficient to produce a strong bowel movement within two to three hours, then
another flush, preferably with Epsom salt, should immediately follow or
unpleasant reactions may occur.
As a
precaution after antibiotic therapy, as a general body cleanse or if there are
only mild symptoms of microbial over-growth, it will be sufficient to continue
this for about three days. In severe and long standing cases the flush may be
used for several weeks. If Candida overgrowth is suspected, any sexual partner
should have at least a short flush period. If it is inconvenient to continue
with a flush, as for instance with work commitments, then it may be acceptable
to have a flush just once or twice and then continue for a long time with a
high intake of acidophilus and bifido cultures.
Some
individuals are highly sensitive and with multiple allergies. In this case it
may be necessary to proceed very slowly, remain on a stable low-allergy diet,
use anti-inflammatory measures, such as slippery elm powder before meals and
ginger with meals, and introduce probiotics, lactic acid fermented food and
anti-microbials only very gradually.
Acidophilus & Bifido
This
leads us to the next step: replacing the decimated pathogenic microbes with
desirable lactobacilli. This must be done in a massive dose 30-60 minutes after
each flush; otherwise the unwanted microbes may grow back to full strength
after the next meal. Acidophilus culture is used to repopulate the freed-up
spaces at the walls of the small intestines, while bifido bacteria are the
protective inhabitants of the colon or large intestines.
There
are several possibilities. These bacterial cultures are available from health
food shops as powders in brown glass bottles that should be refrigerated before
and after sale. You may buy a mixed culture and take two teaspoons in water or
vegetable juice or one teaspoon each of the separate cultures. If you suspect
cows' milk allergy, which is rather frequent in this condition, then use
milk-free cultures. Alternatively, you may take several high-potency capsules.
High-potency cultures should contain 10 Billion (or more) live bacteria per
gram or per capsule.
However,
it is even better to regularly use fresh self-made yoghurt or other lactic-acid
fermented food, initially combined with high-potency capsules or powders. You
may use any suitable cultures as a starter to make your own yoghurt. Because of
the frequent problems caused by cows' milk, I usually prefer goats' or sheep
milk, self-made almond milk or fermented bee pollen. These do not set as firm
and creamy like cow’ milk but that does not matter as the beneficial
bacteria are in the liquid whey; for different ways to make yoghurt see Recipes.
Take a
cupful of this yoghurt, best together with acidophilus powder or capsules,
after each flush, using more before other meals. Continue taking either the
cultures or yoghurt for several months after you have stopped taking a flush.
Women should also for a few days or weeks apply yoghurt or acidophilus powder
to the vagina. It is preferable initially for a few days to douche with diluted
hydrogen peroxide solution at a strength of one
teaspoon of three per cent peroxide to a glass of water, or more or less
according to sensitivity.
For
those who do not ingest lactic acid fermented food or other acidophilus/bifido
products regularly it would be good to take a course once a year just as a
precaution, but especially with or after taking any drugs, medical or
recreational, or when leading a stressful life. The diet during therapy should
be free of sweeteners, sweet foods, yeast, alcohol and, initially, fruits.
The
medium-chain saturated fatty acids in coconut oil are potent antimicrobial
agents, effective against fungi, viruses and many bacteria. The most effective
fatty acids are caprylic acid (with 8 carbon atoms), capric acid (10 carbon
atoms) and lauric acid (12 carbon). They appear to
work by causing microbial cell walls to disintegrate.
Coconut
oil appears to be effective within days. With Candida take initially 4
tablespoons of coconut oil spread out during the day, and after improvement you
may reduce this to 2 tablespoons for several more weeks. This seems to be
effective against systemic as well as localised infestations, including those
of the genitals. However, it is advisable to apply coconut oil topically as
well.
The
best commercial product is cold-pressed or virgin coconut oil. However, this
has been heat-stabilised to destroy lipase. Therefore, my preference is
self-made raw coconut cream or milk: press coconut pieces through a low-speed
juicer, or alternatively blend with water, strain and refrigerate.
For
topical applications and for those with fat malabsorption the lipase-rich
coconut milk can be expected to be much more effective than heated coconut oil
with only a very low concentration of free fatty acids. Alternatively, you may
use lipase supplements with coconut oil.
Lugol's
Solution
Iodine
appears to be the best remedy to eliminate systemic yeast infections. If you
have reason to believe that other measures have not eliminated all Candida in
the blood or internal tissues, take a course of Lugol's solution. That is how
Dr Truss originally cured his patients.
Lugol's
solution is an internal iodine solution designed to eliminate Candida and
possibly viruses and other microbes from the bloodstream. Obtain 100ml of
Lugol's solution, also labelled Aqueous Iodine Oral Solution B.P., from a
chemist. Take a test drop in liquid other then just water to make it taste less
strong. If this does not cause an allergic reaction, continue to take 4 x 6
drops daily in liquid or mixed with food, but not together with vitamins A, C,
E, grape seed extract or cysteine. Iodine is an oxidant and it is best to
reduce the intake of antioxidants while using it.
Continue
for 3 weeks, but interrupt if you develop a serious reaction. Do not take the
iodine for more than 3 weeks as that interferes with thyroid activity. If
necessary, repeat the course after several months. You may make Lugol's
solution yourself by dissolving 44 g or 1.5 ounces of iodine and 88 g or 3
ounces of potassium iodide in one quart (liter) of water. First dissolve the
potassium iodide in a pint of water, then add the iodine and fill up to one
quart. Shake from time to time until dissolved after about a day. Instead of Lugol’s solution, also a saturated solution of
potassium iodide (SSKI) appears to be effective if taken in similar amounts.
Other Remedies
Some
other antifungal remedies are pau d'arco, propolis, wormwood, and the oils of
tea-tree, neem tree, cinnamon, eucalyptus, mustard
and thyme. Pau d’arco, also called taheebo or lapacho,
has the advantage of tasting reasonably pleasant. Wormwood may be used if you
want to eliminate fungi and parasites at the same time, for details see Specific Health Problems. Also see ‘Intestinal Sanitation’ in Healing Foods.
Many with Candidiasis have
benefited from using inulin, a non-digestible
polysaccharide, which helps to feed the beneficial intestinal bacteria,
especially in the colon. It is present in
In
addition to Wormwood or Lugol's solution and possibly as an alternative, you
may use a Beck-type blood purifier or zapper to eliminate Candida and other
fungi and infectious agents from the blood, for details see the article Electronic Zapper & Magnetic Pulser.
Furthermore, the magnetic pulser may help to sanitise pockets of Candida
infestations inside the mouth, vagina or underneath affected skin areas.
Many individuals
have found urine therapy effective against Candida, parasites, intestinal
inflammations and Leaky Gut Syndrome; for details see Urine & Urea Therapy.
Don't
let the antibiotic syndrome creep up on you. Always try natural alternatives in
preference to antibiotics, but when they are absolutely necessary, supplement
your treatment with a fungicide and probiotics.
For
more detailed instructions to treat Candida, parasites, autoimmune diseases,
intestinal inflammatory diseases and “Leaky Guts Syndrome” see OVERCOMING
CANDIDA and Other Infections at http://www.theartof-life.com/Products_02.html.
Drugs for yeast infection are not
recommended. Consult with your naturopath before attempting to treat any yeast
infection with drugs.