Re: Minimalist Yeast Abatement Protocol

The ability of Candida Albicans to persist in the human host in spite of the abundant phagocytic entities (neutrophils and macrophages) capable of ingesting and killing it means that it must have evolved strategies for tricking its host into recognizing it as "self" rather than "non-self". As long as it reins in its own potential for pathogenicity,

See "Candida Albicans and Quorum Sensing" //www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1962569

it can continue to function below the immune system radar. Unfortunately, while it is "making a quiet home" for itself, the pulsed low-dosage excretion of acetaldehyde, a by-product of its carbohydrate fermentation, can set off a cascade of chronic and potentially debilitating diseases [1].

Neutrophils are the innate (evolutionary primordial) immune system's first responders. However, these cells alone may not be sufficient to deal with the sheer numbers of yeast cells involved in "commensal" colonization that have accumulated over the years. Neutrophils have a relatively short life span and can be destroyed themselves in an encounter with yeast that shifts morphology into its hyphal phase [2] and, even if successful, may not be viable afterwards [3]. With a doubling time of about an hour [4] yeast cells can easily re-establish their presence if immune system pressure subsides. Macrophages are a more advanced phagocytic cell that can function on both the non-specific (innate) and specific (adaptive) levels of immune function with a life span on the order of months rather than days as in the case of neutrophils.

Macrophages are certainly capable of dispatching Candida yeast cells [5]. The problem is that macrophages may not be responding to the yeast in the body, considering that Candida can hide its antigenic profile that might give away its presence [6]. Recruiting macrophages into the yeast abatement strategy would be extremely helpful in reducing the toxic presence of this fungus.

Whenever a medicinal herb or substance has a non-specific profile of usage throughout history for a wide variety of chronic conditions, it is always useful from the perspective of this study to look for attributes that may be present that reduce the impact of Candida Albicans on the body in one way or another. Wondro is an acetaldehyde scavenger -- nothing more, nothing less. Garlic is an antifungal with a medicinal history spanning thousands of years.

Shiitake mushrooms also share renown in Eastern cultures for their therapeutic value. Lentinan, a compound extracted from shiitake mushrooms, is a beta-glucan with a glycosidic beta-1,3;beta-1,6 linkage.

See "Beta-glucans" //www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1957451

It has been shown to have synergistic effects with other treatment protocols for cancer [7]. The cell walls of Candida Albicans contain mannoprotein chains of beta-1,3;1,6 glucans [8] and macrophages can be activated by beta-glucans [9].

This suggests that ingestion of these types of mannoproteins from shiitake mushrooms may be sensitizing macrophages to the presence of Candida Albicans in the body and bringing them online into the fight against these toxic intruders. The reduced yeast populations and commensurate reduction in acetaldehyde exposure may be a major influential factor in the benefits experienced from shiitake mushrooms covering a wide variety of disease conditions.

SHIITAKE JUMP-START TEA

• low-sodium broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable) (1 c)
• pomegranate juice (1/2 c)
• shiitake mushrooms (2 chopped very finely)
• ginger (1/2 tsp grated)
• garlic (1 small clove, crushed)
• brown rice syrup (1 tsp)
• lemon juice (1 squeezed)

Combine and bring to a boil (raw or undercooked shiitake mushrooms can cause a dermatitis reaction in some individuals). Continue to steep for a few minutes longer. This is a potent brew. It should be sipped slowly and only in limited quantities (above recipe quantity no more than once a day). It has an abundance of vitamin B6 which is balanced by its cofactor magnesium. However, if consumed just prior to retiring, this may trigger lucid dreaming including fiery images.

An activated immune system is a voracious consumer of nutritional resources -- pushing it too far, too fast may result in cofactor depletion. The reference ("Astrophysiology...and Yeast") describes techniques for monitoring nutritional status and requirements on a dynamic basis. These may be helpful in identifying and correcting imbalances in therapeutic protocols based upon an individual's unique profile. Anything, including food, that is consumed on a regular basis may acquire a "medicinal" profile capable of complex interactions that shift the body's equilibrium. Consult a qualified health practitioner if any unexpected or disturbing changes are noticed.

[1] "Acetaldehyde + Disease" from: Davis AP et al., "The Comparative Toxicogenomics Database: update 2011.", Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan;39(Database issue):D1067-72. Epub 2010 Sep 22.
http://ctdbase.org/detail.go?type=chem&acc=D000079&view=disease

[2] Scherwitz C, Martin R, "The phagocytosis of Candida albicans blastospores and germ tubes by polymorphonuclear leukocytes", Dermatologica, 1979;159(1):12-23.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/383529

[3] Rotstein D et al., "Phagocytosis of Candida albicans induces apoptosis of human neutrophils.", Shock. 2000 Sep;14(3):278-83.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11028543

[4] Ingham CJ et al., "Rapid susceptibility testing and microcolony analysis of Candida spp. cultured and imaged on porous aluminum oxide.", PLoS One. 2012;7(3):e33818.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22439000

[5] Lefkowitz et al., "Phagocytosis and Intracellular Killing of Candida albicans by Macrophages Exposed to Myeloperoxidase", J Infect Dis. 1996 May;173(5):1202-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8627073

[6] Galan-Diez M et al., "Candida albicans beta-glucan exposure is controlled by the fungal CEK1-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway that modulates immune responses triggered through dectin-1.", Infect Immun. 2010 Apr;78(4):1426-36. Epub 2010 Jan 25.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20100861

[7] Wang JL et al.," Combination therapy with lentinan improves outcomes in patients with esophageal carcinoma.", Mol Med Report. 2012 Mar;5(3):745-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22200763

[8] Kapteyn et al., "Covalent association of beta-1,3-glucan with beta-1,6-glucosylated mannoproteins in cell walls of Candida albicans.", J Bacteriol. 1995 July; 177(13): 3788–3792.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC177097

[9] Chanput W et al."β-Glucans are involved in immune-modulation of THP-1 macrophages", Mol Nutr Food Res. 2012 May;56(5):822-33.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22648628
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