Candida and antibiotics are a problem that will not go away soon. In 1944, the use of penicillin was initiated during World War II. At that time, there were 0 studies on candida albicans. As antibiotic use increased, so did the associated research into candida albicans. The number of studies has increased from 0 studies in 1944 to a total of 1,401 in 2011. A search on PubMed now yields close to 28,000 studies since 1945. That’s enough research for every day of the year since 1945, plus an additional 8 years worth of studies. The link between candida and antibiotic use is undeniable.
Candida albicans, a yeast, is normally present in the human intestinal flora. Under the right conditions, it changes from its normal yeast form to a pathogenic, problematic fungal form. The main cause of this change is antibiotic use. As evidenced by the massive increase in candida research since the inception of antibiotic use in 1944, antibiotics ensure the existence and survival of the fungal form of candida.
Antibiotics destroy the normal healthy intestinal flora and function of the digestive tract. By eliminating this storehouse of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, antibiotics eliminate the barriers to the conversion and spread of fungal candida throughout the body. Some antibiotics, such as tetracycline are believed to directly stimulate this conversion. Others do it by eliminating the natural competition, altering intestinal pH and temperature, producing bacterial cell wall fungal stimulators, and suppressing immune system control.
Over the past 68 years, we have learned much about candida albicans. It is an amazing organism that has the ability to instantly adapt to the various environments found inside our body. While many believe that it needs carbohydrates to survive, research shows that it can survive in any environment through the use of its many adaptive mechanisms. It has the ability to live off of carbohydrates, proteins, or fats. It can manipulate our immune system response in such a way that it controls how effectively our body can respond to its presence. It’s presence in the body is associated with multiple sclerosis, arthritis, psoriasis, and other skin conditions; diabetes, hypertension, and immune system suppression; life-threatening sepsis; and various other conditions.
New research shows yet another one of its many mechanisms at controlling the internal environment. In as little as 5 days, antibiotics can wipe out the 100 trillion beneficial bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract, leaving in its wake only antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Researchers have now shown that the presence of candida albicans can manipulate which bacteria repopulate the intestinal tract. The growth of the Lactobacilli species of bacteria, which normally inhibit fungal candida growth, are eliminated by candida albicans in a post-antibiotic intestinal tract. This effectively eliminates at least two known barriers to the control and elimination of candida albicans, pH and bacterial inhibition. Up to this point, it was known that antibiotics permanently alter the make-up of the intestinal bacteria populations. Now we know that candida plays a specific role in reshaping the intestinal flora and thus perpetuating its ongoing survival.
Correcting for fungal candida imbalances is necessary in order to regain one’s health after antibiotic use. Antifungal drugs further suppress the immune system and create antifungal-resistant strains of candida albicans. Recent research even shows that antifungal drugs cause fungal infections. Herbal products are a much better choice, but are limited in their effectiveness in that they only inhibit candida albicans. Only undecenoic acid derived from castor bean oil has the ability to convert the fungal form of candida back to its normal yeast form.
Following Dr. McCombs Candida Plan helps to support normal healthy levels of candida in the body; boosts the appropriate immune response; detoxifies the body; and helps to restore normal tissue flora. The only way out of this post-antibiotic dilemma is to support the normal healthy function of balanced intestinal tract. It’s time to begin shaping your future!