Candida And Allergies - Yeast Related

Candida And Allergies

Based on the research studies of Iwata and Witkin in the 1960s and 1970s, and the clinical observations of Dr. Truss, superficial yeast infections may adversely affect the immune system, which, in turn, may adversely affect many different parts of the body. Yet, I'd never thought about the yeast relation to asthma until a physician friend added a note to a Christmas card I received in the early 1990s that said, "One of my patients with intrinsic asthma showed a marvelous response to Nizoral." 

My interest in the yeast connection to allergies increased when I read two 1994 abstracts published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. One of these abstracts cited the observations of Belgium researchers who described the favorable response of some of their asthmatic patients to (ketoconazole) Nizoral. They found that four out of five of their asthmatic patients treated with this antifungal drug improved, while four out of five of the placebo group did not improve.
 

Candida And Allergies

A second abstract, published by researchers at the University of Virginia, described a study of 10 patients with asthma and associated fungal infections of their feet. In a randomized study, they found that eight of the ten asthmatic patients were able to reduce their steroid dosage with no adverse reactions to fluconazole (Diflucan), in a dose of 100 mg. daily, were noted in any of the 10 patients, including "those maintained on fluconazole for up to two years."

Signs Of Yeast Allergy - Asthma and Allergies

Signs Of Yeast Allergy

More than 50 million Americans suffer from asthma and allergies. Of these, 17 million have asthma, a potentially life-threatening disease that affects airflow when breathing muscles squeeze, swell or are blocked by excess mucus.

More than 70% of asthma sufferers also have allergies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the prevalence of asthma has increased dramatically in recent years, up 75% in just 14 years, between 1980 and 1994. Experts theorize the increased amount of air pollution is responsible for at least part of this increase.
 

Signs Of Yeast Allergy

CDC statistics also show that 9.1% of women suffer from asthma, and 5.1% of men have the disease. 

Yeast And Allergies - Support By Practicing Physicians

Yeast And Allergies

Hundreds of practicing physicians have found that they can help many of their chronically ill patients by identifying and eliminating foods that play a major role in causing their symptoms. One such physician, my good friend Dr. Elmer Cranton, has for more than a decade used elimination/challenge diets in treating his patients with yeast-related health problems. In a recent letter, he said to me: 

I routinely prescribe elimination/challenge diets in all of my patients with yeast-related problems. By identifying trouble-making foods and removing them from the diet, I have decrease the patient's allergic load. Then the antifungal diet and other parts of my treatment program are much more apt to be successful.
 

Yeast And Allergies

Many other physicians who are members of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, the Pan American Allergy Society and the American Holistic Medical Association, use elimination/challenge diets in helping their chronically ill patients.

Candida Yeast Allergy - Treatment

Candida Yeast Allergy

Treatment for allergies starts with avoidance of the allergen. Over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines relieve and sometimes prevent the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and some other allergies. Decongestants can help shrink the blood vessels and relieve nasal congestion.
 
WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FOOD ALLERGIES/SENSITIVITIES 

I've said this before and it bears repeating here: Every person with a yeast-related problem has an overgrowth of Candida albicans in the digestive tract. This creates a disturbance in the normal balance of good bacteria, which, in turn, leads to a weakness of the membrane lining the intestinal tract and what is commonly called a "leaky gut." As a result, antigens (or toxic substances) in food are absorbed, and this plays a part in making you sick.

Candida Yeast Allergy

More than a decade ago, J. O. Hunter, a fellow of England's Royal College of Physicians, in a discussion of irritable bowel syndrome, suggested that patients with food intolerances have an abnormal gut flora, even though pathogens may not be present. In a discussion of food intolerance in the British journal, The Lancet, he said that food allergies may actually be caused by fermentation in the colon and by correcting imbalances in the gastrointestinal flora, those intolerances may be resolved.

Allergies And Yeast Infections - Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Allergies And Yeast Infections

I know I've mentioned this story before, but it bears repeating here with a few more details.
 
When I completed my internship and residency training and returned to Tennessee to open my first medical office, I knew nothing about hidden food allergies.
 

Allergies And Yeast Infections

I continued to be a food allergy ignoramus until the mid-1950s when Aileen, the mother of a 12-year-old boy, opened my eyes. Here's what happened: Her son, Tom, was so tired she could hardly get him out of bed for school each morning. Tom also complained of headaches, belly aches and muscle pains, and often was so irritable, Aileen said, "You can hardly stay in the house with him."