Candida

(see above under Antibacterial, antibiotic, and antibacterial, also below under Immune deficiency)

Candida albicans is a parasitic yeast present in everyone’s digestive tract. Normally it is dormant and harmless, but if the gut flora (consisting of at least 2,000 or so bacteria species covering 300 square metres of mucosal epithelium) gets out of balance, due for example to taking antibiotics, stress, or poor diet, the yeast is able to multiply, eventually causing symptoms which may range from peristent thrush and bloating to sugar cravings and hyperactivity.

Antibacterial agents present in Wrack seaweed have been shown in clinical research to make it it effective against common food poisoning bacteria including the fungus Candida albicans; Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and E. coli; and a bacterium associated with pneumonia (109). Lectin extracted from Fucus seaweed agglutinates Candida guilliermondiii and C. krusei (138).

The complex sulphated polysaccharides in Seagreens® stimulate lymphocyte and interferon production and other anti-tumour activity; also the immune enhancing T- and B-cells, inhibiting viral pathogenesis. Recent research (2000), using a red algæ Dumontiaceæ has shown that these polysaccharides support the body’s specific immune response to Herpes Simplex and Herpes Zoster viruses, helping to reduce or prevent the occurrence and severity of outbreaks. There was anecdotal evidence of marked improvement in cases of Epstein Barr and Candida.

Two US patents were filed for clinical efficacy in the treatment of Herpes I & II. A useful inhibitory effect against AIDS virus infection can be expected from the special polysaccharides in wrack seaweed (63), which make up approximately half of total carbohydrate 600mg/g (see Table 2 below for a comprehensive nutritional profile).

“Seaweeds have exceptional value in the treatment of candida overgrowth. They contain selenium and (all the) other minerals necessary for rebuilding immunity; furthermore the rich iodine content is used by enzymes in the body to produce iodine-charged free radicals which deactivate yeasts.

Before the advent of anti-fungal drugs, iodine was the standard medical treatment for yeasts. When candidiasis is complicated with tumours or cancers, then seaweed is of additional benefit. Salt should normally be restricted during candida overgrowth” (1 p36).

Its usefulness in mineral provision and salt replacement is well documented.