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Candida Discussion Disclaimer
Medical Considerations
"Dynamic Pro-Biotic's": Replaces the delicate strands of the various acidophilus types of intestinal bacterium. This is essential during Candida die off so other Candida does not "refill" back into the empty spaces in the intestines.
"Dynamic Zyme: A very high quality, multiple digestive enzyme formula. Complete digestion of foods is essential during a Candida infection to help prevent developing food sensitivities from "undigested" foods leaking into the blood stream.
"Gastric-EEZ": A digestive enzyme formula without the enzyme Protease. Designed for individuals with gastrointestinal distress such as gastric or duodenal ulcers, indigestion, stressed gallbladder or liver.
"Liver Detox and Support": Essential to process, deactivate, package up, then eliminate high levels of Endotoxins released from Candida die off.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis: Tests for all levels of dysbiosis (imbalance of intestinal flora), plus presence of parasites and other factors that can affect health, which can be diagnosed via a stool analysis.
Natural formulations that kill Candida: We have several natural formulations that kill Candida overgrowth. We usually like to test the patient first to see if they will have negative or positive reactions from these formulas.
Drugs: The common drugs for Candida overgrowth infections are Nystatin and Diflucan. These drugs come in various potencies, and methods of delivery. There are possible complications of these drugs if you are on other meditations. This is where the doctor can get creative and treat the sinuses as well.
Antigens to Candida allergies:
Candida, also known as Thrush, is often associated with the well-known female vaginal infection. It presents as a white, cottage cheese vaginal discharge and is often associated with vaginal itching. Its cause is an overgrowth of the organism Candida Albicans. Candida infections can also occur in the gastrointestinal tract as well. When this occurs it is called "Systemic Candidiasis," and affects both men and women! This may be present without any symptoms or may be the cause of numerous problems. While gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping are predominate, other problems may occur as well including, headaches, sinusitis, palpitations, and environmental allergies and food allergies. Candida is a genus of yeast like fungi that are commonly part of the normal flora of the mouth, skin, intestinal tract, and vagina. It is a necessary bacterium as part of the normal flora for human health. The problems arise when Candida becomes out of balance. There are numerous different strains of flora present within the digestive system. The two main intestinal bacterium are Candida Albicans and Lactobacillus Acidophilus. I like to think of Candida as dandelions and Lactobacillus as grass. Candida is a very opportunistic bacterium and Lactobacillus is very delicate. When Lactobacillus gets killed off, (which occurs very easily), then Candida over-populates to fill in all the new space from the Lactobacillus die-off. If Candida is allowed to get too far in overgrowth, it takes on a second phase of existence, and becomes a mold, complete with rhizomes (roots) that penetrate the walls of the large intestine. When this occurs, undigested proteins and other foods begin to leak through the intestinal walls as undigested foods. Then the body will begin to have lots of further problems including food allergies. When the Candida bacteria present as a mold in the intestines, and the rhizomes penetrate the walls of the intestines, and the endotoxins from the Candida overgrowth begin to invade the rest of the body, then the meaning of "Systemic Candidiasis," begins to take a very new meaning. I have treated many patients whose Systemic Candidiasis infection was not discovered, and both the endotoxins, and further candida growth were discovered in other parts of the body. One example is a patient with sinus pressure, relentless, for many years. Her previous doctors told her it was all in her mind. Her pains in her sinuses felt like stabbing nails at times. Traditional antibiotics did not help, but actually allowed further intestinal growth of Candida, which allowed in her case, further Candida growth in her sinuses! When Candida infections become this involved, it is time to see a doctor, and not try to treat yourself. The proper treatment will involve the use of heavy prescription medication specifically designed to treat Candida. However the prescribing doctor must first understand traditional prescription instructions simply will not affect the yeast in the sinuses. There is another way to address this problem. The endotoxin die off, from the die off of the Candida overgrowth, especially in a fully Systemic Candida infection, can make a patient very sick. Other organ support must be addressed in these cases. Allergies specific to the Candida, and or its endotoxins, can become a real problem. Antigens specific to the Candida must be administered. This can only be done under the supervision and prescription of a doctor. The single largest organ to support in times of Candida die off is the liver. Some liver support supplements are readily available to the public without a doctor's prescription. (Listed above.) Dietary fiber improves all aspects of colon function. Of central importance is the role it plays in maintaining a suitable flora in the colon. A low-fiber intake is associated with both an overgrowth of endotoxin-producing bacteria (bad guys) and a lower percentage of Lactobacillus (good guys) and other acid loving bacteria. A diet high in dietary fiber promotes the growth of acid loving bacteria through the increased synthesis of short chain fatty acids, which reduce the colon pH. The incidence of Candida infections sharply rose at about the time of the Second World War. This is when antibiotics were discovered. Though antibiotics have saved many lives, heavy use of antibiotics are always associated with Systemic Candida Infections. This is because antibiotics generally kill off the delicate strains of the good intestinal bacteria such as Lactobacillus. Women are at increased risk of vaginal Candida infections when they have an overgrowth of intestinal Candida. This is due to the short distance between the vaginal opening and the anus. Proper hygiene will be of a definite benefit. A small but important piece of advice for women: Always wipe from front to back so you don’t "push" intestinal bacteria towards your vaginal opening.
A large body of evidence over the past 75 years has demonstrated the preventive health value of eating foods fermented with Lactobacilli or Bifidobacteria. These beneficial bacteria are referred to as Probiotics. Probiotic bacteria are considered “friendly” bacteria. They are an essential component of a healthy gastrointestinal tract as they inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, boost immune function, decrease infection in the digestive tract, and enhance digestion through enzyme production. There are numerous species of lactobacilli and many strains for each species. The most well known of these, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteris, are normal inhabitants of the human digestive tract. Others, like L. bulgaricus and L. Salivarius are not. These organisms, though, still play an important role in maintaining the proper ratio of “friendly” organisms in the bowel by producing “bacteriocins”, chemicals which destroy harmful (unfriendly) bowel organisms. Acidophilus and bifidobacteria maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora by producing organic compounds such as lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid. These compounds increase the acidity of the intestine and inhibit the growth of less desirable organisms that fair poorly in this acidic environment. By occupying an ecological niche in the intestine, they further limit the growth of opportunistic organisms. A number of studies have demonstrated benefit of supplementation with Probiotics. The Annals of Internal Medicine published a study which showed that Lactobacillus ingestion reduced and prevented vaginal yeast infections in women. Lactobacillus has also demonstrated positive benefits in irritable bowel syndrome. The DDS-1 strain developed at the University of Nebraska, has proven to be a superior strain in terms of its compatibility with the human GI tract and its stability. (Therefore, the DDS-1 strain is used in this formula.) In another recent study, increasing levels of bifidobacteria reduced the count of Clostridium, a pathogenic disease causing bowel organism. Lowering of the level of Closridium reduced the amount of large bowel toxic chemicals believed to promote cancer. Also, the incidence of “traveler’s diarrhea” which is caused by pathogenic bacteria can be reduced by preventive use of probiotics. It is also important to utilize Probiotics after antibiotic use as recolonizing the intestine may reduce post antibiotic infection in the digestive tract by fifty percent. The choice of Probiotics is very important. TeraFormaHealth uses highly viable, stable strains of organisms that survive passage through the digestive tract and take up residence in the GI tract. Side Effects: There are no known side effects with the use of probiotics. References:
1. De Simone C, Vesely R, Bianchi SB, et al. The role of probiotics in modulation of the immune system in man and in animals. Int J Immunother 1993;9:23–28.
"Dynamic Pro-Biotic's" Ordering Instructions:
DynamicZyme™: Specific Health NOTES: 1. DynamicZyme™ is a TOTAL ENZYME FORMULA. Once you start taking DynamicZyme™ with your meals, you'll never stop. For optimum health, we recommend daily DynamicZyme with your meals 2. Individuals with extreme cases of Gastritis, Gastric or Duodenal Ulcers should begin their Enzyme Supplementation with Gastric-EEZ™ and gradually transition over to DynamicZyme™ in about 4 weeks. This is due to the situation that the Protease within DynamicZyme may temporarily have a burning sensation, for individuals with these situations, thus Gastric-EEZ™ does not contain Protease for this reason. 3. DynamicZyme™ nutritional supplementation provides nutritional support for ·Most digestive disorders ·Prevention of malabsorption ·Food allergies ·Gallbladder stress, ·Sugar intolerance ·Dairy intolerance and ·Intestinal disorders. Supportive Information for all Enzymes: Enzymes are responsible for every activity of life. Each and every chemical reaction that takes place within the human body requires enzymes. Our digestive processes are dependent on adequate levels and functioning of digestive enzymes. Raw food has intact enzymes that assist in digestion. Mother nature intended us to obtain these enzymes from our food sources. Most individuals though, ingest high amounts of cooked food devoid of such enzymes. As our own body’s enzyme function likely diminishes with age, failure of proper digestion can result. This may evolve into a lack of adequate nutrition and the development of a number of chronic medical conditions. The TeraForma Health line of enzymes is wide and includes not only the "DynamicZyme" and "Gastric-EEZ" enzyme formula, but also specific individual enzymes. "Dynamic Amylase" is specific for carbohydrates and polysaccharides. "Dynamic Lipase" is specific for fats and fat-soluble vitamins. "Dynamic Protease" is specific for proteins. All of TeraForma Health's enzymes are plant based. This is very important as plant based enzymes work under nearly all pH environments. Animal based enzymes will only work "after" your stomach lowers its pH to around 3.0. This certainly will not benefit those individuals who already have digestive problems related to improper stomach pH values. There are two classes of enzymes recognized: 1. Metabolic enzymes - These are responsible for repair, formation and function of each cell within each and every tissue of the body. Over the course of time, these enzymes "wear out" and require replenishment by the body. 2. Digestive enzymes - These include proteases, amylases and lipases, which are involved in the breakdown of ingested proteins, carbohydrates and lipids (fats) respectively. Proper breakdown of these ingested foods is necessary to allow proper absorption of the nutrients to occur. The current use of metabolic enzymes is limited to specific medical situations such as clot dissolution through intravenous use. Digestive enzymes, though, have been used and are available in supplemental form to assist in numerous digestive disorders. There is extensive evidence that supports the use of digestive enzymes for a wide range of Gastrointestinal illness including malabsorption, pancreatic insufficiency, celiac disease and lactose intolerance. There are at least two studies that have shown benefit in food allergies with the use of enzymes. Conventional physicians frequently recommend enzymes for all of these aforementioned situations. Heartburn and indigestion also frequently may respond to enzyme nutritional support. Additional uses: European literature recognizes additional uses for plant based proteolytic enzymes such as those found within Teraforma Health’s Enzyme Products. These compounds have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, fibrinolytic (blood thinning) and anti-tumor properties in a number of animal experiments. A study in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases showed benefit in individuals with arthritis. 556 people with various forms of arthritis were studied. 283 had good to excellent improvement and 219 showed mild to moderate improvement. The specific enzyme Bromelain, found within TeraForma’s DynamicZyme™, has been used successfully in Europe as an anti-inflammatory in diverse conditions such as allergic rhinitis and minor trauma including sprains and strains. TeraForma Health’s Enzyme formulas thus have a broad range of applicability from improvement in digestion and gastrointestinal disorders, to enhancement of blood flow in individuals with circulatory disorders, to lessening of allergic and arthritis symptoms. Side Effects: Individuals with gastric or duodenal ulcers should use Gastric-EEZ™ initially in order to avoid Protease, which may cause burning in these individuals. After 4 weeks gradually transition over to DynamicZyme™. There are no other known side effects with the recommended use of these supplements. Drug Interactions: There is a theoretic concern for the use of Coumadin and proteases (found within these formulas) due to the fibrinolytic properties of these enzymes. No human studies have addressed this though. References:
1. Oelgoetz AW, Oelgoetz PA, Wittenkind J. The treatment of food allergy and indigestion of pancreatic origin with pancreatic enzymes. Am J Dig Dis Nutr 1935;2:422–26.
Enzymes Ordering Instructions:
Cynara Scolymus - This is the Brazilian name for the globe artichoke. This herb has demonstrated highly specific properties as a cholagogue (increases bile production in the liver), choleretic (increases the flow of bile from the gallbladder), and choliokinetic (increases the contractile activity of the bile duct). Animal studies have shown an ability to increase the flow of bile by 60 % to 400 % in a twelve hour period. Additionally, artichoke has demonstrated cholesterol and lipid lowering properties. Carqueja - This herb has many properties including hepatoprotective (liver protective) properties. It is commonly used by the indigenous peoples of the rainforest of South America in many types of liver disorders. In a study with mice in 1986, a crude water extract of Carqueja protected against liver damage and increased survival rate by 100% in mice exposed to a toxic liver chemical. Mutamba - Mutamba has had a place in herbal medicine in almost every country where it grows. In Brazil and Peru its uses include assistance in enhancing liver health. It contains a number of recognized constituents including alkaloids, bet-sitosterol, mucilage, tannins, terpenes and proanthocyanadins. Chanca Piedra - This plant is so named as its Spanish name means “stone breaker”. It has been used for generations by Amazon peoples as a remedy for gallstones. The plant is also employed for its hepatotoxic protection attributed to two compounds in the plant, phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin. These were isolated and described by Indian researchers in 1985. Some studies have also documented anti viral activity against the hepatitis virus but this remains controversial as not all studies have confirmed this. Erva Tostao - The worldwide use of Erva Tostao roots for various liver complaints and disorders was validated when researchers demonstrated in 1980 and 1991 that a root extract provided antihepatotoxic properties in animals, protecting the liver from numerous introduced toxins. Picao Preto - A research group in Taiwan has stated that this herb “can protect liver injuries from various hepatotoxins and have potential as broad spectrum antihepatic agents”. Jurubeba - This herb is listed in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia as specific for anemia and for liver disorders. Gervao - North American practitioners have used Gervao leaves as a natural remedy for parasite, liver and digestive problems. Boldo leaf - In herbal medicine today, Boldo is used extensively throughout Europe, North America, South America and Latin America as a specific treatment for gallstones, and many types of liver, stomach and digestive disorders. Sarsaparilla- This herb has been reported to enhance the absorption and bioavailablity of other phytochemicals and herbs. It is often included in small amounts for this attribute. Milk Thistle Extract - Milk thistle extract may protect the cells of the liver by blocking the entrance of harmful toxins and assisting in removing these toxins from the liver. Its active ingredient is silymarin. Silymarin is an antioxidant with powerful liver protective effects. Side Effects: As a number of these herbs have diuretic properties, increased frequency of urination is possible. No other known side effects. References:
1. Brown DJ. Herbal Prescriptions for Better Health. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1996, 151–58.
"Liver Detox and Support" Ordering Instructions:
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided for Educational Purposes Only and has NOT been designed to diagnose, treat or cure any health conditions. Please consult a qualified Health Care Professional with Nutritional Training to diagnose your health conditions and avoid self-diagnosis. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have not evaluated statements about these health topics or any suggested product compositions.
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