What effect does progesterone have on candida?

There is a myth doing the rounds that vaginal candida is exacerbated by progesterone.

This is simply not true.

It is in fact exacerbated by oestrogen at in vivo levels and studies done on the two hormones show only too clearly that progesterone does not cause an overgrowth, that it is in fact protective.

Oestrogen reduces the ability of vaginal epithelial cells to inhibit the growth of candida, and has been found to induce the conversion of candida from it's yeast form to it's mycelial form, the more virulent of the two. Progesterone and oestrogen work to balance each other. If there is a high level of oestrogen, either endogenous, or from external sources, there is nothing to inhibit the candida.

In women a high level of endogenous oestrogen can be caused by a low level of progesterone. In both men and women a high level of oestrogen can also be caused by oestrogen mimics found in our food, water, air and the skin care products we use.

Our planet is so polluted with synthetic oestrogens, over 100 have been found that mimic our own, that every living thing is affected. Particularly fishes and reptiles living in water.

What is needed is a clean planet, organic food and clean water.

Another concern is the skin care products we use, particularly women, but increasingly men. Most are made with petrochemicals, antioxidants that mimic oestrogen like BHA and BHT and other toxic substances such as preservatives. BHA and BHT are also found in baked goods containing oil, such as biscuits, crisps, breakfast cereals etc. (see websites below for more information on endocrine disruptors).

Approximately 1.5 kilos of bacteria live in the gut, most of it friendly (probiotics), some of it not. A diet high in sugar, refined grains, processed food and fruit cause the un-friendly bacteria and fungi to proliferate.

To aid the body in ridding itself of the pathogens the supplements listed below will help. Note also the 'avoid' and 'diet' lists below.

As candida is notoriously difficult to test for, it is best to go by the symptoms and try both the supplements and the diet.

Symptoms

• Abdominal bloating after eating grains or sugar
• Aching joints
• Acne
• Allergies- seasonal/respiratory
• Allergies or sensitivities to food or chemicals
• Athletes foot (increased susceptibility)
• Bladder infections (increased susceptibility)
• Constipation
• Cravings for sugary foods
• Cystitis (increased susceptibility)
• Depression
• Diarrhoea
• Endometriosis
• Erratic vision
• Fatigue/tired all the time
• Fungal nail or skin infections
• Fuzzy brain
• Irritability
• Itching of the vagina, penis or anus (thrush)
• Loss of libido
• Lung infections
• Muscular aches
• PMS
• Post nasal drip
• Prostatitis
• Sensitivity to fumes- chemical, perfumes
• Sinus infections
• Skin on hands and feet peeling
• Vaginal discharge
• Vaginitis

Avoid

• All sugars and anything containing sugar, i.e. chocolate, honey, jams, drinks, preserves
• Alcohol
• All grains, especially wheat and anything made from it, i.e. cakes, biscuits, pastries, bread
• Canned foods, which often contain sugar
• Breakfast cereals
• Fruit and fruit juices and dried fruit because of high sugar content and surface moulds
• Root vegetables, because of high sugar content, especially potatoes as these damage the lining of the gut
• Stimulants such as coffee and tea, as these increase sugar levels in the body
• Any preserved meats and fish, these can contain high amounts of nitrates
• Any fermented foods as yeasts are used in their manufacture, i.e. soya sauce, black tea, beer, wine, vinegar, cheese, (except cottage and yoghurt). Although candida does not live off yeasts, the body is already sensitive to them and they might cause allergic reactions
• Mushrooms, fresh and dried, yeast extracts
• Antibiotics - these kill off the probiotics as well as the pathogens
• Vitamins and minerals derived from a yeast source, get yeast free
• Meat from animals which have been given antibiotics
• Stress - causes a reduction or the complete disappearance of the probiotics
• Radiation
• Cortisone
• Oestrogen, particularly that found in The Pill and HRT
• High blood sugar
• Undercooked meat and fish, salmonella bacteria are only killed when the temperature reaches 74C or 165F.

Diet

All food should be organic if possible...

• Green leafy vegetables, sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, celery, aubergine etc
• Apples, under ripe bananas and under ripe pears
• Eggs
• Cottage cheese and yoghurt
• Fish
• Meat

Some common probiotics

• Bifidobacterium bifidum and lactis - natural inhabitant of large intestine and vagina
• Lactobacilus acidolphilus - natural inhabitant of small and large intestine
• L. bulgaricus - transient bacteria - found in yoghurt
• L. casei - transient bacteria found in cheese
• L. kefir - transient bacteria found in kefir
• L. plantarum - transient bacteria found in sauerkraut
• Streptococcus thermophilus - transient bacteria found in yoghurt.

Some common pathogens and their symptoms

The probiotics can sometimes benefit the following...

• Ankylosing spondylitis - a link has been found with klebsiella
• Labialis - Herpes simplex
• Infection of the genitalia - Herpes
• Mouth lesions - Herpes simplex
• Mouth ulcers - Herpes simplex
• Rheumatoid arthritis - linked to proteus
• Ulcers of the cornea - caused by herpes
• Diabetes - a possible link to E Coli overgrowth
• Graves disease - a link to yersinia enterocolitica
• Ulcerative colitis - an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria
• High cholesterol levels - some L. acidophilus strains break it down
• Acne - effective treatment
• Diarrhoea - very effective treatment
• Migraine - linked to streptococcus faecalis, which causes the amino acid tyrosine to be converted into tyramine. Tyramine is found in cheese, chocolate and many wines

The Herxheimer reaction

Die-off of the candida can occur rapidly after treatment or it can take up to ten days. Toxins are released into the blood stream faster than the body can remove them, which temporarily worsens symptoms and causing new ones. Some of the symptoms appear to be due to an immune response, releasing histamine, causing pain and swelling.

Do not discontinue the treatment, as this is a critical stage in the control. The feeling can persist for days, sometimes weeks if the infestation is severe.

The Herxheimer reaction is often mistaken for an allergic reaction. The chief difference is that the allergic reaction will last for hours, the Herxheimer reaction can last for weeks. It is worth remembering that eventually the adverse symptoms will pass and health will be restored.

Note...

Parasites are often overlooked, but they are aggressive organisms, which need to be eliminated before real health can be achieved. They can weaken an immune system allowing other pathogens to take hold. The plant extracts of black walnut, wormwood and cloves are potent anti-parasitic agents. If you suspect you have an overgrowth then it is worth taking a tincture made of these. There are no adverse side affects from taking these three herbs. See label for dosage instructions.

Mycoplasmas are often overlooked. They are bacteria that lack a cell wall and several species are pathogens in humans. Causing atypical pneumonia, respiratory disorders, and possibly pelvic inflammatory disease. As they lack a cell wall, they are unaffected by some antibiotics. Cholesterol is needed for their growth.

Mycotoxins are produced by fungi. Some can be helpful, one such is penicillin (unless a person is allergic to it, when it can be lethal), most are harmful though. A few well known examples are aflatoxin from Aspergillus spp, wild mushroom mycotoxins which have mild to lethal affects, Fusarium graminearum which produces zearalenone, an oestrogen mimic.

Nystatin -is an anti fungal medicine made from the soil bacteria Streptomyces noursei, it kills candida by rupturing the cell membrane. Nystatin is not absorbed from intact skin or mucous membranes, including the gut lining, it therefore has no side effects as it remains within the gut. If candida is severe is would be advisable to take this. Please be aware that the Herxheimer reaction could occur rapidly, see above.

References

Recent Pat Antiinfect Drug Discov. 2012 Aug;7(2):111-22
Potential applications of antimicrobial fatty acids in medicine, agriculture and other industries