Fungus: Overlooked and Undetected

[Guest guest]

Fungus: Overlooked and Undetected

Mark A. Stengler, NMD

La Jolla Whole Health Clinic

Lilia had uncontrolled asthma and wheezing. She had suffered from sinus

infections and was repeatedly treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory

steroids. Natural remedies cleared up her sinus infection but not her wheezing.

Concerned, I sent her to a lung specialist and asked for a fungal infection

test. Antibiotics are known to destroy the body's healthful bacteria, which

usually keep fungi in check. Sure enough, the test came back positive. Treatment

with an antifungal protocol rapidly improved her respiratory problems.

WHAT IS FUNGUS?

A fungus is a spore-producing, plantlike organism. Yeast, mold, mildew and

mushrooms all are fungi. More than 100,000 species of fungus have been

documented, and a few hundred can be detrimental to human health.

Fungal infections are the root cause of many illnesses -- from sinusitis to

kidney disease. And they are an area of medicine that is largely ignored by

conventional physicians. How to protect yourself...

FUNGUS IS EVERYWHERE

Fungi harm us by triggering allergic reactions... causing either localized or

systemic infections... and exposing us to poisonous waste products called

mycotoxins, which have been shown to depress immune function (and have been

linked to certain types of cancers) and promote inflammation (associated with

heart disease).

Fungi invade through our lungs, skin and digestive tract. Food, especially

grains and peanuts, is rampant with fungi. Once inside our bodies, fungi can

survive indefinitely. Fungal infections have been documented in every body part

except teeth.

HOW FUNGI CAN AFFECT HEALTH

Lifelong exposure to fungi leaves the body vulnerable to disease. There's

growing evidence based on research in the US (at the Mayo Clinic) and around the

world linking fungi to many ailments, including...

Eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions

Upper-respiratory tract symptoms

Chronic sinusitis

Kidney and bladder diseases

Parkinson's disease

Dementia and Alzheimer's disease

Cancer of the liver

Tumors of the kidneys, urinary tract and colon

Endocarditis (inflammation of the heart lining and valves)

Atherosclerosis

Diabetes and hypoglycemia

Hormone imbalance

Weight gain

Kidney stones

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE A FUNGAL INFECTION

Blood tests that detect fungal infections have not yet been developed, although

sputum culture tests (for lungs) and stool tests (for the digestive system) can

detect fungus.

For those with the conditions listed above who get sick often or whose

conditions do not improve with treatment, the best way to determine if your

health is being affected by fungi is to go on an antifungal diet. This type of

eating kills off the fungi inside your body by starving them of the nutrients

that they need.

Going on an antifungal diet before you have a disease such as Alzheimer's can

reduce your risk for the disease. If fungus is causing a disease (such as liver

cancer) to thrive, getting rid of the fungus may slow the progression of the

illness. And if your chronic condition is caused by fungus, you may be able to

relieve some of your symptoms.

THE ANTIFUNGAL DIET

One of the best sources of information on fungus is Doug Kaufmann, who has

specialized in these infections for 30 years, after suffering from one himself.

He teamed up with Hollander, MD, to create Know the Cause, a Web site

(www.knowthecause.com) and syndicated television show on the subject. They have

created a multiphase antifungal diet that is high in protein and low in

carbohydrates.

Fungi thrive on sugar and high-glycemic carbohydrates (which the body easily

converts to sugar). The antifungal diet eliminates these foods and increases

those that inhibit the growth of fungus. For the first phase of the antifungal

diet...

Avoid...

Grains, including rice, corn and wheat

All sugars

Pistachios and peanuts

Potatoes and mushrooms

Processed foods.

Consume...

Eggs

Beef from cattle that has been grass-fed, which reduces the likelihood of fungus

contamination

Fish and chicken (all types)

Nuts, other than pistachios and peanuts

Vegetables, including carrots, broccoli, cabbage, onions

Green apples (which have less naturally occurring sugar than other apples),

berries, grapefruit, lemon, lime, avocados, flaxseeds

Plain yogurt, real butter

Oregano

Coconut oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, flaxseed oil.

If your health improves after two to four weeks on this diet, there's a good

chance that you have a fungal infection. Kaufmann then recommends a less

restricted diet, gradually reintroducing some foods, including some grains.

Caution: Carbohydrates are an important energy source for young children and

women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. They should not follow this diet

unless monitored by a physician. People with advanced kidney disease (who should

not consume a lot of protein) should avoid this diet.

OTHER WAYS TO REDUCE FUNGUS

Antifungal remedies and medications. If the antifungal diet does not improve

your condition or if you want a more aggressive approach, try one or more

natural remedies (in combination with the diet), sold separately as olive-leaf

extract, grapefruit-seed extract, oregano (fresh, dried or oil), garlic, herbal

pau d'arco tea, zinc, citrus bioflavonoids and d-limonene (oil extracted from

citrus rind). Or look for a combination formula, such as CandiGONE by Renew Life

(800-830-1800, www.renewlife.com). Take as directed on the label for one month.

If your symptoms do not improve, speak to a physician about a prescription

antifungal medication, such as nystatin (Mycostatin) or fluconazole (Diflucan).

Mark A. Stengler, NMD, is a naturopathic medical doctor and leading authority on

the practice of alternative and integrated medicine. He is author of Bottom Line

Natural Healing newsletter, author of The Natural Physician's Healing Therapies

(Bottom Line Books), director of the La Jolla Whole Health Clinic in La Jolla,

California and adjunct clinical professor at the National College of Natural

Medicine in Portland, Oregon. To learn more about his work, visit

www.DrStengler.com and www.LaJollaWholeHealth.com.