Majority of Germans have intestinal fungi

Majority of Germans have intestinal fungi

02/05/2011

Around 80 percent of Germans carry fungal pathogens in the gut. The normally harmless fungi can cause serious health problems if the ecological balance in the gut is disturbed and the fungal pathogens begin to multiply uncontrollably, warned Professor Richard Raedsch, spokesman for the Professional Association of German Internists.

„It is risky when the immune system is weakened and mushrooms can multiply uncontrollably“, said Professor Richard Raedsch, spokesman for the professional association of German internists and internists at St. Josefs Hospital Wiesbaden. Because it threatens fungal infections and inflammation of the skin - in the worst case even a fungal sepsis, a blood poisoning that can damage other organs and life-threatening consequences, warned Prof. Raedsch.

Intestinal fungi can cause significant health problems
The fungus pathogens found in four out of five people in the intestine do not pose a health threat to the body under normal conditions, said the spokesman for the Professional Association of German Internists. However, if the immune system is weakened, according to the expert, the fungi can grow uncontrollably and trigger various other diseases. Thus, fungal infections (candidiasis) are a possible consequence of uncontrolled fungal spread. For example, the so-called thrush, a fungal infection of the skin and mucous membranes, can lead to painful inflammation in the skin folds of the armpits or anal region, but also to inflammation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa, esophagus or genital organs, explained Prof. Raedsch. In particular, patients with pre-existing conditions such as rheumatism, diabetes or cancer are at risk from an uncontrolled spread of fungal pathogens, the expert explained. However, according to Raedsch, even ordinary hormonal changes such as during pregnancy or menopause weaken the immune system so that the fungi multiply dramatically.

Medications such as antibiotics favor fungal infections
However, the expert not only blames the immune system for the uncontrolled growth of fungal pathogens in the gut, but also emphasizes the crucial importance of drugs such as antibiotics, cortisone or various immunosuppressants (used after organ transplants, so that those affected do not reject foreign organs). Thus, caused by cortisone and immunosuppressants weakening the immune system also cause an uncontrolled spread of fungus, said Prof. Raedsch. When using antibiotics for bacterial control, however, not only the „bad“ but also the „good“ Bacteria, which make harmless, for example, the fungal spores eliminated, explained the expert. Thus, the ecological balance between fungi and bacteria gets out of joint and the fungi begin to multiply uncontrollably. As Frank Herfurth from the Association of Independent Alternative Practitioners in Cologne opposite „World Online“ explained, often uses it „A vicious circle“ one, there „the immune system (...) spends a lot of energy on the yeast (used) and this energy (...) is no longer available for the immune system“ stands. According to the experts, further weakening of the immune system is the result and the proliferation of fungi can increase significantly again.

Intestinal fungi extract vital vitamins and minerals
The intestinal fungi and other germs deprive the body of vital vitamins and minerals, as they use the nutrients absorbed for their own growth, said Frank Herfurth. The produced toxins of particularly high fungal concentrations could at worst pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream and thus cause further illnesses. „These are not only well-known fungal and digestive disorders, but also less known ones such as immunodeficiency or depression“, explained the alternative practitioner. Prof. Raedsch evaluated the diverse relationships that are produced between fungal pathogens in the gut and various diseases, but rather critical. So intestinal fungi are already for all sorts of diseases and sensitivities of „Heart problems, migraines and even loss of libido“ been blamed. The connection with the intestinal fungi, however, let „not always scientifically proven“, Raedsch explained.

Diagnosis of increased bowel fungus concentration
If there is a suspicion of excessive fungal concentrations in the intestine, a fungal culture is created for diagnosis and examined microscopically, Prof. Raedsch explained. Possible suspicions of excessive intestinal fungus concentration are, for example, regular gastrointestinal complaints or the long-term use of intestinal flora-damaging drugs. As part of the diagnosis, the number of germs per gram is determined in the stool, with values ​​below 10,000 are normal, said the spokesman of the Professional Association of German internists. Values ​​of more than one million germs per gram, values ​​between 10,000 and one million are critical „Although not alarming, but should be observed“, emphasized Prof. Raedsch. If a fungal concentration of more than one million germs per gram of stool is detected, the specialist should immediately initiate appropriate drug treatment. Otherwise could „It can lead to severe inflammation of the oral cavity, esophagus, rectum and also in the vaginal area“, the Wiesbaden Internist warned „Mushroom septicemia, a fungal poisoning of the blood, which also attacks the internal organs and can even lead to organ failure“, Prof. Raedsch explained. In naturopathy, the therapists used instead of medication, for example, on methods for colon cleansing, in which the intestinal flora by intestinal flushing, diet changes and phytotherapy (treatment with medicinal plants) to be brought back into balance.

Dietary habits crucial for the development of intestinal fungi
Prof. Raedsch and Frank Herfurth both attribute a decisive influence on the development of the intestinal fungi to the nutritional habits of those affected. In particular, sugar-rich foods, according to the experts favor the intestinal fungus proliferation. After successful treatment, sugary foods should therefore be avoided as far as possible and food containing calcium, iron and zinc should instead be used, explained Frank Herfurth. Because of the high concentration of fungi, the body is usually undersupplied with these important nutrients. For example, iron and zinc are contained in legumes, oatmeal and wheat germ, explained Herfurth. The „effective“ Iron source remains however „Meat, because the body can use iron from animal foods six to eight times better than iron from plant foods or dietary supplements“, emphasized the Cologne health practitioner. For the calcium intake, the expert recommends. Dairy products, but also various types of vegetables such as broccoli. According to Herfurth, caprylic acid, which effectively prevents the proliferation of intestinal fungi in a healthy intestinal flora, should also be taken up after a fungus therapy. So can be with this contained mainly in butterfat acid, the intestinal flora in the long term, explained Herfurth. On white flour, however, should also be better avoided. The conclusion of the alternative practitioner: „The most important lever for preventing the proliferation of intestinal fungus is nutrition. (Fp)

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