Candida Research

[ Discussion Forum ]

Disclaimer: I am NOT a medical professional. I am a CFS sufferer who is relaying some of his experiences and opinions. None of the information on these pages is to be construed as medical advice. Please see a doctor for such advice. For further disclaimer information, see Expanded Disclaimer.

Note: Since writing these pages several years ago, I have expanded my research and recommendations far beyond Candida. Candida is an important opportunistic infection, but it is not the cause of CFS.

The Medical Establishment, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Candida Related Complex

Candida overgrowth is a very controversial subject among mainstreams doctors. It is widely accepted that Candida overgrowth or mucocutaneous candidosis is quite common among those with AIDS, leukemia or other immune suppressing conditions. In immune competent individuals most mainstream doctors either deny that the condition exists, or they contend it is very rare and almost always life-threatening.

There are blood tests which are backed by peer-reviewed research which can detect Candida overgrowth. I tested positive on these tests. I do not have HIV, leukemia or any other immune suppressing condition. I am not on my death-bed. I have corresponded with other individuals that have also tested positive and are not immune suppressed. The fact that any of us are around, means that the conventional wisdom is wrong.

I have shown these studies backing these tests to a number of doctors who don't believe in the condition and they still claim there is no research proving it exists.

These doctors are living in the past. Until these tests were developed and these studies were done a few years ago, there wasn't much research. Some who don't believe in CRC, have ludicrously stated that the absence of research proved the condition did not exist. I think it is far more likely that the absence of research proved that the mainstream medical establishment was afraid of the entire issue. The primary cause of Candida overgrowth is said to be overuse of antibiotics. Proof that the condition exists would be hugely embarrassing to many doctors.

I have broken this discussion into several parts as follows:

Description of CRC	This is a brief of Candida Related Complex as described by Dr. William Crook and Dr. Orion Truss
Pro and Con Arguments	A summary of the general arguments about CRC.
Candida Blood Testing	Yes, there are reliable blood tests for this "nonexistent" condition.
Food Allergy Blood Testing	Food allergies can aggravate many conditions including asthma, skin rashes, hay fever, and stomach problems. Did your doctor ever tell you this?
The Center for Disease Control and CFS	The Center for Disease Control says that Candida does not cause Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This conclusion is based on a study that is both grossly flawed and highly superficial.
The Dismukes Study	An inconclusive but very interesting study published in 1990 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Other Studies	Some other interesting studies on Candida.
Do It Yourself Research	You don't have to be a Ph.D. to do your own research. There are resources on the web where you can start.