Intestinal Yeast and Candida

1.    Yeast secrete an enzyme that digests the lining of the intestines.

2.    Yeast shifts the immune system from Th1 to Th2. This sets the stage for allergies and viral infections.

3.    Yeast enzymes break down IgA. IgA is the most predominant type of antibody that is found covering the gut mucosa. IgA keeps toxins and bacteria from binding to the cells that line the intestines. Without enough IgA, the intestines become inflamed, and the lymphoid tissue in the gut swells.

4.    The byproducts of certain yeasts or fungus are able to alter the bacterial content of the intestines. (The fact that fungal metabolites can do this should come as little surprise. Many of our antibiotics are made from molds.)

5.    Candida secretes an enzyme that reduces the body’s ability to kill Staphyloccocus aureus, a common pathogen in human intestines.

6.    Yeast creates toxins like tartaric acid, acetylaldehyde and arabinol that interfere with the body’s ability to produce energy.

7.    Drs. Truss, Galland and Ionescu have all measured reduced levels of amino acids, imbalances of fatty acids and deficiencies of various vitamin and minerals in their yeast syndrome patients. In particular, yeast reduce the body’s coenzyme Q10, coenzyme B6, alpha ketoglutaric acid, taurine, and asparagine. Some types of yeast promote the formation of pentosines. These create a functional deficiency of B6, lipoic acid and folic acid.

The most dramatic proof of harmful yeast toxins comes from the Great Plains Laboratory. Tartaric acid from yeast causes muscle weakness. Dr. Shaw discovered very high levels of tartaric acid in the urine of two autistic brothers. Both had such severe muscle weakness that neither could stand up. When treated with an antifungal called Nystatin, the tartaric acid measurements declined, and the children improved. When the Nystatin was discontinued, the tartaric acid levels rose, and the children got worse. Often, Dr. Shaw also finds tartaric acid in the urine of those with fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by muscle pain, poor sleep and tender points.

Yeast can be present in the intestines even if they don’t show up in a stool culture. Dr. Leo Galland has shown that the yeast can be damaged and not grow in a culture, even though the yeast were present in a stool sample.

The most harmful place for yeast seems to be in the small intestine. This was shown in a study of children with failure to thrive. Biopsies of the upper small intestine were taken and were examined with an electron microscope. The yeast were embedded in the intestinal lining in their invasive fungal or mycelial form. Some of these children had no yeast showing up in their stool. Yet the yeast in this first part of their intestinal tract was interfering with their nutrition.

References

Naugle E, “The paradox of negative stool cultures for Yeasts in Symptomatic Yeast and Mold Allergy Patients” as part of the literature for the Candida and Dysbiosis Information Foundation. She has some interesting references, two of which are repeated here.

Montes, Wilborn, “Fungus-host Relationship in Dysbiosis, Arch Dermatol. 121:199-24 (This has pictures of yeast living inside host cells.)

Lorenz, Angelika, et al. “Pilzbefall auf der Duennadarmmucosa” Mykosen 27(10):506-10, 1984 (This has pictures of yeast imbedded in the cells and tissue of the upper small intestines.)

Naugle E, “Examining the (unnecessary) Candida controversy”, where she summarizes some of the information found in a Russian major review of the literature by Kaschin “Some Aspects of the Candidosis Problem,” Mycopath. et Mycologia appli. 53:173-81, 1974. This is written in English.
Puccetti P, Romani L, Bistoni F., “A TH1-TH2-like switch in dysbiosis: new perspectives for therapy.” Trends Microbiol. 1995 Jun;3(6):237-40.

Kaminishi H et al. Degradation of humoral host defense by Candida albicans proteinase. Infection and Immunity 63.3.984-8 1995, as referenced by Teresa Binstock in her notes “IgA and INFECTIONS a preliminary miscellany”