by Lawrence Wilson, MD
© June 2013, The Center For Development

Chronic Intestinal Yeast Infection

Yeasts, molds and fungi are one-celled organisms that are ever-present in the environment. Beneficial ones include brewers yeast, bakers yeast and nutritional yeast. Many others are beneficial as well, and are used in industry and in our bodies to produce various vitamins, for example, and other beneficial substances.

In small quantities, many yeasts are harmless. However, under the right conditions, some of them, such as Candida Albicans, overgrow and become pathogenic. They secrete extremely poisonous chemicals in our bodies such as alcohol and acetaldehyde, and can cause or contribute to a wide range of health conditions.

Why is intestinal candida overgrowth more of a problem today? Today intestinal yeast is even more of a problem than in the past because:

1. Sugars and carbohydrates in the diet. Many people consume far too much wheat, sugar, fruit, juices, and starches that “feed the yeast” in the intestines. In other words, these foods tend to break down or contain sugars, that are the natural food for intestinal yeasts.
2. Antibiotics. This class of drugs favor yeast overgrowth and are massively overprescribed for many conditions from acne to colds and flus. Residues of antibiotics are also found today in drinking water supplies, and in our food supply.
3. Copper toxicity. This also favors yeast overgrowth and is extremely common. It is discussed in detail below, as are the other causes.
4. Mercury toxicity. Evide