The healthy gut contains both yeast and good bacteria, in balance
with each other. In many Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) kids, however,
one or the other can be out of balance. Bacteria can overgrow, or there
can be a complete lack of bacteria. Also, bad bacteria can develop and
take over, rather than good bacteria, causing major problems for our
children.
Bacteria live in the intestinal tract, sharing space with the yeast.
Antibiotic use makes yeast worse, or can start off an unhealthy reaction
causing yeast overgrowth. Antibiotics kill bacteria, both good and bad,
but not yeast. When using antibiotics, the bad bacteria can take over
the system and yeast can grow to fill in the space left by the removal
of the bacteria.
There are many strains of yeast that live in the digestive tract
including candida, which appears to be the most common. There are also
several different types of “bad” bacteria, including clostridia and
Citrabacter F.
Both good and bad bacteria exist in the gut. Common “good” bacteria,
also called beneficial bacteria, are lactobacillus acidophilus and
bifidobacterium, And don’t panic if you see it on your test but
bacteria like e-coli exist in the normal gut.
Overgrowth is made possible by a dysfunctional immune system or
gastrointestinal distress. A healthy immune system and regular, healthy
bowel movements should keep the Candida in check. Occasionally, these
complex systems “get out of check” and overgrowth of bad bugs becomes an
issue.
What is important to remember: Yeast live and feed on sugar. Limiting
high sugar (or foods that turn into sugar in the gut) is the first and
most important step.
What Does Yeast Overgrowth Look Like?
Yeast overgrowth manifests itself in two forms – behavior and physical.
Behavioral signs
- Headaches
- Inappropriate laughter
- Sleep disturbances
- Unexplained intermittent crying episodes
- Belly aches
- Constipation
- Bed wetting
- Gas pains
- Fatigue
- Depression
- “Foggyness”
- Inattention
- Hyperactivity
- Anger, aggression
- Increased self-stimulatory behavior
- High-pitched squealing
- Increased sensory defensiveness
- Climbing/jumping off things
- Sugar cravings
- Confusion
- Lethargy
Physical Signs
- in the mouth, in the form of thrush
- on the skin such as diaper rash or eczema
- red ring around the anus
- rash or cracking between the toes or joints
How Do You Test For Yeast?
According to best practices, yeast levels are best measured via a stool (poop) test.
Genova Diagnostics offers a stool test called the CDSA (Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis)
A test such as the CDSA tells you how much yeast, what types and
amounts of yeast and (both good and bad) bacteria your child has and
offers you information about which pharmaceutical and homeopathic
treatments might be the most effective to treat your child’s issues.
Other labs that offer a stool analysis include Doctor’s Data and Metametrix.
Urinary Organic Acid Tests (OAT) may measure levels of “fungal
metabolites” (yeast waste products) in the urine. Several labs offer
this test including:
How Do You Treat Yeast?
There are three main ways to treat yeast overgrowth – medications, homeopathic treatments and dietary changes.
Medications (prescribed) include:
- Nystatin
- Ketoconosal
- Sporonox
- Amphoterican B
- Flagyl (Metronidazole)
- Nystatin
- Diflucan (fluconazole)
- Bactrim
- Vancomycin
- Neomycin
- Lamisil
- Nizoral
- Vermox (kills what feeds on sugar)
Homeopathic treatments include:
- Probiotics
- HBOT (anecdotally)
- Colostrum
- ThreeLac
- Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)
- Olive leaf extract
- Oil of oregano
- Garlic extract
- Pau d’Arco
- Uva ursi
- Biotin
- Sugar-eating enzymes like CarbDigest or No-Fenol
- Caprylic acid
- Berberine
- MCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides) oil
Note: Dosing and frequency are recommended based on the
individual’s age and weight. Your doctor will prescribe the treatment
according to your child’s unique needs. Yeast treatments can require
several treatments or reoccurring treatments to remedy the imbalance.
Rarely is one yeast treatment the only requirement for keeping bacteria
in balance. Dietary intervention controlling sugar intake is also a
crucial step in this process.
Dietary changes include:
What Is a No/Low Yeast Diet?
Yeast lives and feeds on sugar so a low/no-yeast diet would be one
that limited or removed sugars, and foods that break down into simple
sugars such as corn, rice, fruit. Removing juices (which are high in
sugars), removing candy and all sugars is the first step.
Read here for a list of sugar and carbohydrate foods that feed yeast.
What Should I Expect To See When Treating Yeast?
Die-off (rapid dying of gut bugs, leading to excess release of
toxins) of massive quantities of yeast and bacteria can be physically
hard on the body. That much dead or dying stuff flying around can wreak
havoc so it’s common that we see a negative reaction, before a good
reaction when starting yeast treatment. This is also called a
“Herkshimer” reaction, a massive die off of pathogens. There are ways to
help combat this reaction and bring your child through the process with
the least bad reaction.
Things that can help lessen the negative reaction:
- Activated Charcoal capsules
- Alka Seltzer Gold (not regular)
- Drinking lots of water (8 oz every 2 hours minimum)
- High doses of Vitamin C or magnesium to get them to stool the toxins out faster
Typically, the die off following initial treatments can be
disconcerting. Witnessing a die off reaction in the first week is
typically a sign that the treatment is starting to work. Stopping the
treatment regimen prior to its completion is not recommended as it can
aggravate and make the condition worse. Consult your doctor for details
and to address any concerns. Not every individual on a yeast treatment
protocol experience “die off” or a negative reaction.
After the typical “die off” is over, usually lasting 3-7 days, most
parents report that treatment improves their children’s behavior and
concentration –– kids seem more aware and less “foggy.” Anecdotal
reports claim that the frequency of inappropriate noises, teeth
grinding, biting, hitting, hyperactivity, and aggressive behavior
decreases. The child acts less silly and shows less inappropriate
laughter, just to name a few.
Does Yeast Ever Stop Being a Problem?
Parents often have to fight yeast over and over. Here are some reasons that it returns in our children.
- Certain treatments that we use for other issues in autism, like
chelation for removal of heavy metals, or anti-virals to reduce
extremely high viral markers can also exacerbate yeast.
- A common mistake parents make when starting the GFCF diet is to
substitute a lot of high-sugar, high carbohydrate foods for the gluten
and casein thus causing more yeast.
- Weak immune system – since yeast overgrowth wouldn’t be possible
with a healthy immune system, it’s very important to get the immune
system stabilized. Leaving the immune system weak can bring back yeast
in a hurry.
- Side effect of a prescribed supplement or a drug.
- Toxic metals, such as mercury and chemicals, such as aspartame, MSG
and others can kill friendly intestinal flora, alter immune response and
allow yeast to proliferate.
- Disorders like hormonal imbalance, celiac disease or hemochromatosis.
- Reports back from parents indicate that as the child’s overall
health improves, yeast and other bacteria imbalances become less of an
issue. This process takes time and a dedicated doctor to monitor and
assist in this process.
Tips For Keeping Yeast At Bay
- Probiotics – Rotating probiotics every 3 months to include different strains.
- Diet – makes sure your child is not getting too much sugar or too many carbs in their diet. Limit juice consumption.
- Enzymes – Use sugar-eating enzymes.
- Immune boosters – products like colostrum, zinc, Vitamin C,
cranberry extract, Grapefruit seed extract, and others will boost the
immune system.
- Vermox – using this starves sugar-eating organisms, the standard is one pill every 10 days.
- Gut cleanouts – To “wipe the slate clean” every 6-12 months can be a
good thing. This is a standard pediatric gut clean out protocol that
has worked for us for many years:
- Bottle of magnesium citrate (any drug or grocery store)
- Fleet enema
- Lots of water
- Dulcolax: Give first according to package directions, and start
hydrating with water. The next day, do enema, then give the magnesium
citrate. Keep your child hydrated with water.
Suggested Additional Reading on Yeast Overgrowth:
www.autism.com/triggers/candida_org.htm
www.nutritioninstitute.com/Autism.html
www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/yeast.asp
Related Links:
Dietary intervention (including GFCF, SCD)
Gluten-free, casein-free diet
SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet)
