Candida albicans is a dimorphic organism. This means that under normal conditions it is a sugar fermenting budding yeast. In acidic pH or when our immune system is weakened, it shifts into its fungal form and becomes pathogenic (disease causing, harmful). This condition is known as candidiasis. Candida overgrowth then sets off a cycle that leads to the further weakening of the body's defenses, which in turn allows candida to spread even further.

To break the cycle it is usually necessary to address many of the contributing factors, but eliminating candida is the first and crucial step. Without that, no treatment is likely to have a substantial and lasting effect.

As a defence against the many disorders caused by candidiasis, Ninazu Health Products offers ThreeLac and a range of other proven products.

What is candidiasis?

Our gastrointestinal tract is lined with mucus that is home to up to 500 different species of microorganisms, primarily bacteria and yeast. These organisms serve very important functions. They produce enzymes that help us digest food and keep pathogenic microorganisms in check. The intestinal ecosystem, however, is very fragile and can be easily thrown out of balance by

• Large and/or repeated doses of antibiotics
• Orally administered steroids (contraceptive pill and other steroid-containing medication)
• Stress
• Compromised immune system due to illness, chemotherapy or heavy metal toxicity
• Diabetes
• Parasites
• Acidic pH in the digestive system (due to red meat and refined sugar consumption).

When the protection of the useful microbes and that of the intestinal lining is impaired, proliferation of harmful organisms starts (dysbiosis). Candida transforms itself from a harmless yeast form to a pathogenic fungal form, a condition called candidiasis. Antibiotics contribute to this state twofold. They kill or suppress many of the useful bacteria in the intestines (together with the bacteria they were supposed to kill elsewhere in the body) and also serve as growth promoting factors for candida.

Dangers of uncontrolled candida growth
When Candida growth becomes uncontrolled the following happens: First, fungal metabolites and/or toxins interfere with the functioning of nutrient-uptake and their transfer into the bloodstream. Then the fungus grows long stringy structures (rhizoids) that can penetrate the upper cell layer of the intestinal wall causing symptoms very similar to those of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Leaky Gut Syndrome
Over time, the rhizoids can penetrate the gut wall and make it inflamed and porous causing Leaky Gut Syndrome. The damage to the gut from candida comes both from impaired biochemical processes in cells of the intestinal lining and the physical damage caused by the spread of the rhizoids. In the next step the rhizoids break down the barrier between the intestine and the circulatory system in which case candida can enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body (Systemic candida). Candida can invade virtually any organ or part of the body where the defenses (physical and immunological) are weakened.

Leaky Gut Syndrome is thought to be the underlying cause of bowel disorders and very likely the stage of candidiasis that contributes substantially to food intolerances, environmental sensitivities, allergies and asthma.

Food intolerance and environmental sensitivities
As the intestinal mucosa becomes permeable, macromolecules (partially digested dietary proteins), toxins and pathogens can enter the bloodstream and reach organs that they normally would not. Food intolerance and environmental sensitivities are adverse reactions to certain nutrients and environmental pollutants (tobacco smoke, dust, chemicals etc.) that do not involve the immune system's actions. They cause milder symptoms than allergies, but they are not harmless. They can be the prime cause of many niggling, long-term problems that are able to run down the immune system and make one feel ill over time.

Allergies and autoimmune disorders
Allergies develop when the agents (antigens) that entered the bloodstream set off a reaction by the immune system. Some of these molecules are similar to molecules of human tissue and when the immune system develops antibodies to attack the antigens it attacks healthy tissue as well and autoimmune disorders develop. It is possible to distinguish between the toxic and allergic reactions by testing for antibodies against suspected antigens.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Candida overgrowth often contributes to malabsorption (decreased nutrient uptake) as well, a problem that can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies that in turn can affect a large number of enzymatic functions throughout the body. Of the mineral deficiencies most notable are copper, zinc (typical of children with autism) and magnesium.

Candidiasis and the nervous system
The effect on the nervous system of candida overgrowth is also manifold. Candida produces toxins (canditoxin and ethanol) that affect our brain and it releases metabolites that are also toxic and interfere with our biochemical processes. Overgrowth leads to the release of these molecules in large quantity.

Canditoxin, when injected into rats, causes unsettled behavior, paralysis of the limbs and ultimately death. We read a mention (but could not find the Japanese reference) that canditoxin also causes long-term impairment of the immune system.

Ethanol (alcohol) is known to cause fatigue, aggression, depression and toxicity. Most notable of the fungal metabolites is tartaric acid, a very toxic molecule similar to malic acid. Malic acid is a key molecule in the energy producing biochemical process of our cells (Krebs cycle). By replacing malic acid in the Krebs cycle, tartaric acid compromises cellular energy production, and is likely to be directly linked to the fatigue and cognitive problems (brain fog) that often accompany chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, for example. Tartaric acid is highly toxic to muscles (and the kidneys), which would explain why muscle pain is so prevalent in many of the disorders discussed here. Another yeast metabolite, arabinose, has been also been suggested to play a role in hypoglycemia and protein dysfunctions.

In addition to the above-mentioned inhibition of energy production, effects of canditoxin and ethanol, it has been shown that the brain can be reached by partially digested molecules from dairy and wheat products such as casomorphine (from dairy products) and gluteomorphine/gliadorphine (from wheat and other grass seeds). These molecules, if they enter the brain, act like morphine by interacting with the brain's opioid system. The opioid system is central to the regulation of cognition, pain perception, memory, blood pressure, sexual activity and some aspects of immune function.

Summary
In summary, candidiasis is a condition that develops when the immune system is weakened and/or improper diet is followed. Candida overgrowth then sets off a cycle that leads to the further weakening of the body's defenses, which in turn allows candida to spread even further. This cycle is illustrated here.

To break the cycle one usually has to address many of the contributing factors, but eliminating candida is the first and crucial step. Without that, no treatment is likely to have a substantial and lasting effect.

In the light of the above discussion it is not surprising that candidiasis has been linked to so many symptoms, such as:

• food and environmental allergies/intolerances/sensitivities
• neurological and psychological problems (hyperactivity, irritability, mood swings, depression)
• Cognitive problems (brain fog, problems with short term memory)
• overall feeling of sickness (low energy and aches and pains)
• digestive problems
• sleep disturbances

And it is also less surprising to see candidiasis as an etiological factor is disorders as diverse as:

• high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)
• neurodevelopmental disorders (Autism/PDD, AD/HD)
• autoimmune diseases (Addison's disease, Fibromyalgia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis etc.)
• bowel diseases (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome)
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Asthma

The more commonly known symptoms of candidiasis that we will not address here are skin and mucosal infections such as:

• thrush
• recurring vaginal infections
• dry, itchy, flaky skin
• acne
• jock itch
• athlete's foot
• severe diaper rash

References:

Intestinal candidiasis. A clinical report and comments about this opportunistic pathology.
Ruiz-Sanchez D, Calderon-Romero L, Sanchez-Vega JT, Tay J. Mycopathologia. 2002; 156(1): 9-11.

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