The Yeast Connection--What's New?

The Yeast Connection--What's New?

By William G. Crook, M.D.

During the 1990's, new information has become available on yeast-related disorders and chronic fatigue. Here are some brief summaries:

Researchers from the University of Virginia and also in Belgium reported at American Academy of Allergy and Immunology 50th annual meeting. Anaheim, California, in March, 1994, that oral anti-fungal medications (Diflucan® and Nizoral®) helped a number of their patients with intrinsic asthma (Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 1994 Jan;93 (1 pt 2):163ff).

University of Tennessee researchers made a further report on the favorable response of patients with psoriasis to anti-fungal medication. (Acta Derm Venerol, Stockholm. 1994: Suppl. 186:149-150).

William Shaw, PhD and colleagues at the University of Missouri Kansas City found fungal metabolites in the urine of individuals with autism (Clin Chem 1995 Aug;41(8 pt 1):1094-104, 1995). Following treatment with oral antifungal agents, the abnormalities improved and the children's symptoms lessened, often dramatically. In his continued studies in 1996-97, Shaw found similar fungal metabolites in the urine of other individuals with yeast-related disorders, including children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).

Two Boston psychiatrists reported on the favorable response of two of their female patients with chronic depression to Nizoral®, (J (Stovner R, Fogelman S. Clin Psychiatry. 1996 May;57(5):227-8).

R. Scott Heath, MD, a Cincinnati neurologist treated eight patients with multiple sclerosis with Diflucan® and diet. Although their response was not dramatic, Heath labeled them "encouraging."

Two women with interstitial cystitis (IC), showed significant improvement when treated with Diflucan® and dietary changes. Because of their response, Philip Mosbaugh, an Indianapolis urologist, began a study in May 1997 on 15 women with IC. Although the study has not been completed, according to reports, a large majority of the women have improved.

Beginning in 1993, two Colorado professionals (Susanna Choi, MD, a board certified gynecologist, and Kathy Gibbons, PhD) observed that many of their patients with PMS improved significantly on a treatment program which featured dietary changes and oral anti-fungal medication. During the past two years these professionals noted that women with severe fatigue, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and other symptoms often respond to dietary changes and oral anti-fungal medications.

In 1996 the Endometriosis Association described the relationship of Candida albicans and endometriosis in their newsletter. Here is a brief excerpt: "No other approach to endometriosis has given as consistent, long-term, positive results as the treatment for Candida albicans / allergy / infection and its related problems." (Endometriosis Association, 8585 N. 76th Place, Milwaukee WI 53223).

According to a recent report, some women with endometriosis show an allergic reaction to Candida albicans and are "in need of treatment that includes ... anti-fungal drugs and proper diet." (Current Approaches to Endometriosis, Patient Care, Jan. 15, 1997,pp.34-38).

In a February 1997 scientific article, investigators from Finland reported that a number of their patients with eczema improved following therapy with probiotics.

Scientific studies and clinical reports show that oil of oregano is an effective anti-yeast agent and more potent than caprylic acid. (The Journal of Applied Nutrition 1995,7:1996, 101).

During 1996-1997, a number of Candida clinicians have found that the prescription anti-fungal medication, Lamisil®, is a useful adjunct in treating their patients with yeast-related disorders.

Copyright © 1998 by William Crook, MD
International Health Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 3494
Jackson, Tennessee 83803 USA

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