Candidiasis, a Closer Look

My soon-to-be 7 year old princess was discovered to have candidiasis in November 2008, 3 months after we discovered her severe allergies to dustmites and food.

It was Dr Wong from Tangkak who highlighted this to us and to him, we are thankful. Because from then on, we were adviced to minimize sugar and unnatural foods for her, mushrooms and yeast. He started her on probiotics which Vic has been religiously taking every day.

But it was only sometime last year that I chanced upon this book in a church book shop, just as I was about to leave but my eyes caught sight of the words "Candida and yeast infections" and correct me if I am wrong, but mention candida to most people on the streets, they give you the blank look. Even our usual paediatrician insists there is no such thing as candidiasis or yeast infection, because "if anyone does have it, s/he would be dead by now." Oh, what ignorance, so I decided not to argue with a man who has spent years studying and practicing medicine.

So this book tells me many things I do not know, helped me to understand Victoria's condition more, in an idiot-proof way. In a way, it answered me why. Why Vic. Why this. It also writes indepth about the cures (goodness, there IS a cure!)

Let me explain some salient points here, to start with. The below points are taken directly from "The Bible Cure for Candida and Yeast Infections" by Don Colbert, M.D.

1. Under normal conditions yeast lives in our bodies without causing us any problems... That's until we upset this delicate balance with antibiotics, prednisone, hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, too mush stress, diabetes, or by eating too much sugar and highly processed foods.

2. ... the harmless yeast can transform itself into an invasive fungal form. This invasive form, called "mycelial form" actually produces root like tentacles called "rhizoids". These roots can then penetrate through the lining of the GI tract, causing a painful condition known as "leaky gut" which is increased intestinal permeability.

3. When you have a leaky gut,partially digested food particles are able to pass through the intestinal lining and directly enter the bloodstream. Not only that,but toxic waste produced by the candida passes right into the bloodstream too. When this happens, food allergies can result, as well as symptoms of excessive bloating, gas, belching...

4. Food allergies may begin to surface as well as other food sensitivities. Once candida weakens the digestive system, it becomes increasingly difficlt to break down proteins into amino acids. When the partially digested proteins, called pepetides are absorbed directly into the bloodstream, your immune system recognizes them as foreign invaders. At this point your body may begin to form antibodies to attack them.

5. The most common reason that yeast grows out of control is due to excessive use of antibiotics.

Stop.

At this point, I am convinced that my little girl was NOT born with allergies. Her guts were spoilt by the antibiotics prescribed by her then paediatrician, a supposedly experienced but past retirement age man who has practiced privately and operates from his clinic, relatively well known in a town like Seremban.

I have no excuse eventhough we were young and first time parents. We were not hands on. We did not google, nor read on the severe side effects of antibiotics and allergies. Vic had at least twice or thrice been diagnosed with ear infections, which was why the doctor prescribed antibiotics. There was also occassions when she was feverish for few days and he put her on antibiotics as well. Sometimes up to 7 days.

Do I blame him? Do I hold any anger, even after 6 years? Yes! For goodness sake, my girl was less than 2 years old and she has had easily 3 rounds of antibiotics within 12 months. Of course it would be easy to point all our 20 fingers or more, and even our toes at him, but no, we are moving on. For everything that happened, there must be a reason, and I'm convinced God has great plans for her, to prosper her and not to harm her. And He will restore her health.

6. Food allergies are often related to a problem called "leaky gut". Leaky gut occurs when the lining of our intestines, which is supposed to absorb food and act as a barrier to keep out invading organisms,lies down on the job. This can happen when candida damages our GI tract.

7. When a yeast cell dies,it becomes food for another yeast cell,which tends to encourage the yeast colonies that are still present.

Vic is on a stricter diet now, since her last blood test that shows that yeast allergy has gone up. No sugar, or any kind - that includes all molasses, white or brown sugar, syrups, honey, fructose, glucose, maltose. Even sugars found in fruit juices and high sugar vegetable juices must be omitted.

Only Stevia, a herbal sweetener is an excellent alternative to sugar. However, I have yet to find Stevia even at the Village Grocer's or organic shops. The only place that sells it here is Vitacare however it contains addictives.

I may have to resort to ordering from the States.

Besides restrictions in diet, she is also on oil of oregano and grapefruit seed oil, pro/prebiotics and fibre drinks.

In a few weeks' time we will bring her to see a doctor for Nystatin to kill off the candida. What we may expect is a condition called Candida Die Off, then another round of blood test.

My hat goes off to the little warrior. Please pray with us.