Candida Albicans is yeast found on the surface of all living things. Normally, yeast live in healthy balance within the digestive tract, functioning to recycle organic material in the body. For the average person with CFS or EI, candida-related health symptoms develop because of four main causes: (1) the presence of candida toxins, which weaken the immune system, (2) a leaky gut, which permits the absorption of food antigens and other toxins, (3) candida allergies, and (4) a compromised immune system, which can also prompt the proliferation of yeast.
When the immune system is compromised, yeast proliferation can cause your health to deteriorate. With abnormally high levels of yeast present in the body, over time the immune system is taxed as proteins pass through the bowel wall into the bloodstream and subsequently into various organs of the body. Candida overgrowth then interferes with the health of these organs, causing further systems to break down. (Shirley Price, Len Price, 1999).
The reason why yeast tends to proliferate in immune difficulties is not understood. It isn't clear if candida overgrowth is the primary cause or merely the effect of a dysregulated immune system, or if its presence suggests ongoing viral activity. When the body loses its immune protection or the acid—base balance of the bowel is altered; yeast can proliferate, producing toxins, which can heighten allergic reactivity. In allergic reactivity, histamines suppress the T-cell immune response to candida that, in turn, interferes with the metabolism of fatty acids. The activities of the T-suppressor cells eventually become impaired, causing excessive proliferation of antibodies, which react to the presence of candida.
Factors that weaken the immune system include high dietary intake of carbohydrates and sugars, repeated use of antibiotics, the use of birth control pills and hormonal medications such as corticosteroids, and parasitic infestations.....
