252 Diet Wise
a workable proof that affords a satisfactory explanation. This casts doubt
on the basis of the theory. So it is today with ‘Candida.’
One thing is certain, there is virtually no correlation between
Candida in the stool sample and the existence of the ‘yeast syndrome.’
Indeed, Candida albicans is rarely identified in specimens, despite its known
very wide occurrence. This lack of correlation is disappointing but hardly
surprising, especially if we are looking for the wrong culprit.
It is true that treatment directed towards this type of organism
can be highly effective in selected individuals, so clearly a real phenomenon
exists. But that doesn’t prove that Candida is the true culprit and I want to
make sure readers do not fall into this logical trap. In fact I’d like to set the
debate alight with the claim that the culprit may not be Candida at all, or
that Candida is only one of many potential suspects.
Other available flora that might be at work include the yeasts of the
genus Saccharomyces (food yeasts), many different types of bacteria, viruses,
protozoa, parasites and other strange organisms called archea. In fact I
would like to suggest this whole thing is never just one organism, but many.
On-board brewery
Historically, Sarcina ventriculata is an important organism. In the old
days, when surgeons operated in top hats and frock coats, often smoking a
cigar while they butchered, once in a while they would literally blow up their
patients as the alcoholic gases generated by Sarcina were released from the
patient’s stomach when cut open; the cigar would ignite the fumes and a
fireball was the disastrous result!
These ‘on-board breweries’ are probably quite common. In the
early 80s we began to realize that an individual could present with quite high
levels of blood alcohol and yet be a non-drinker. There have been several
celebrated cases, including one of my own, in which individuals who were
guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol were able to show they had
not been drinking but that they did have significant infections with Candida
and so escaped the laws.
It may help to do a carbohydrate fermentation test: to fast, followed
by a challenge dose of fermentable sugars, and serial blood tests. This will
show if the sugars are being fermented or not.
But just as Candida isn’t the only contender for the role of pathogen,
ordinary ethyl alcohol is not the only product of biological fermentation we
seem to be dealing with. Many other substances can be derived from the