Chiropractic's Next Frontier: Adjusting the Microbiome

Restoring a healthy microbiome to help treat disease may be the next frontier in chiropractic offices around the country. This topic was highlighted when the White House announced its $121 million National Microbiome Initiative,¹ and more and more studies are showing that the microbiome plays a large role in the body's ability to function properly. Chiropractors nationwide are beginning to incorporate this type of treatment and instruction into their practices in order to more effectively treat the whole patient.

While patients typically think of microbes invading the body as a thing to fear, there is, of course, a certain symbiotic relationship that usually benefits health. But where there is a deficiency or imbalance in this complex relationship, pathology ensues and can wreak havoc on the body.

Gut Inflammation

There are generally two factors that help explain the pathogenesis of gut inflammation and consequent symptoms of disease: 1) overactivation of immunological cells and 2) a gut microbiome that has been altered. When the gut is inflamed and improperly balanced, an assortment of inflammatory diseases can occur, including cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, arthritis and various autoimmune diseases.

What Destroys the Microbiome?

Many things can contribute to destruction of the gut microbiome, but some of the most common are:

• Alcohol
• Antibiotics
• Caffeine
• Stress
• Steroid drugs
• Nutrient-poor diet

These can destroy the healthy microbiome that ordinarily helps keep a common microbial yeast called Candida in check.

What Is Candida?

Candida albicans is a single-cell fungus present in healthy genital and intestinal tracts.² Not only are yeasts common in our food, but they are also in the air, in the water and on the surface of nearly every living thing.

There are hundreds of different strains of yeast in the human body, but Candida albicans is one of the most common. However, most people refer to "Candida" as an overinfestation of yeast in the body. It has unique characteristics that make it especially dangerous when too much of it grows, because it can grow long, mold-like tendrils that penetrate tissues in the body, causing inflammation and cell damage.

When these same yeasts invade the gut, they cause structural damage and widespread inflammation. Gut Candida weakens the body's organs and the body becomes toxic.

Causes of Candida Overgrowth

The body's natural defense systems are designed to keep Candida under control. When a body is healthy, it does this on its own, and small Candida colonies in the gut are nothing to worry about. However, yeasts are creatures that thrive on sugary, starchy foods. When there is an abundance of "yeast food" available, yeast cells multiply, wreaking havoc as they go.

Too much starch and sugar can cause a rapid overgrowth of Candida. In addition, when a person consumes antibacterial or antifungal medications, this only causes the strongest bacteria and fungus to survive, handicapping the body's natural ability to fight Candida overgrowth on its own.

How Candida Wreaks Havoc

Candida overgrowth in the gut wreaks widespread havoc on the entire body, causing symptoms ranging from anxiety to obesity. When Candida yeasts become overgrown in the gut, they damage intestinal walls, allowing food particles, bacteria and other toxins to enter the bloodstream. The most common toxin entering the bloodstream excreted from yeasts is a variety of toxic chemicals called mycotoxins, which can do some serious damage when transported to vital organs through the blood.

Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth

What most patients don't realize is that so many ailments can be traced back to an overgrowth of Candida. Each of the following symptoms include a spectrum of variations:

• Allergic reactions
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Respiratory problems
• Cardiovascular problems
• Genitourinary problems
• Musculoskeletal problems
• Skin infections
• Central nervous system problems
• High levels of stress hormones
• Fatigue
• Weight gain

Healing Gut Health: Your Role

In order to help your patients who suffer from Candida, you need to focus on healing their gut health. Toxins should be eliminated and the underlying cause of disease should be addressed. A specific eating plan for each patient to get the nutritional support they need should be created and, with encouragement from you, adhered to strictly by the patient. Recommended during the first few weeks of treatment are a great variety of vegetables and lean meats for ridding the body of the Candida overgrowth.³

Office staff should follow up and offer support, maximizing the chances for success. These changes can be drastic for a patient, and finally giving them the help they need (in a manner that doesn't involve prescription drugs) will give them hope and, more importantly, health.

Editor's Note: The digital version of this article includes an extensive list of suggested foods for helping eradicate Candida overgrowth.

References

1. Microbiome Analyses. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Human Microbiome Project.
2. Rogers PD, Whipple B. "The Yeast Within." Nutrition Science News, June 1999.
3. Nelson LT. Fibromyalgia & Candida: Living Symptom Free, 3rd Edition. Beneficial International, 2002.