Yes, quite possible. Traditionally, we have considered the viruses like rotavirus and bacteria to be the causative agents of diarrheal symptoms. However, little do we have imagined about the probable role of yeast like Candida in the development of diarrhea like symptoms. In recent times, a number of scientific works have linked Candia with diarrhea. There are even reports for the role of Candida in antibiotic induced diarrhea. Accordingly, the doctors have found it difficult to treat their patients with antibiotics in many cases as has been the usual practice. So, if you have developed diarrheal symptoms it is also necessary to get yourself checked for Candida overgrowth.
Scientific evidences for the relationship:
According to a report published in the journal Lancet, Dr. Garagusi have demonstrated for the co-existence of increased Candida population in the gastrointestinal tract with diarrheal cases amongst six patients studied. Similar results of Candida associated diarrhea have been established by Dr. Danna in elderly patients. While Dr. Ehrinpreis has observed the continuance of diarrhea in patients even after the administration of medications and confirmed the role of Candida in giving rise to symptoms of diarrhea.
However, Dr. Levine has suggested that Candida can cause diarrhea under selective clinical conditions. He further went on to describe the symptoms of Candida mediated diarrhea as abdominal cramp and pain with prolonged diarrheal secretion including mucus but without blood while nausea, vomiting and fever might accompany such symptoms. There are infact plenty of such available reports that has established Candida as one of the causative agents of diarrhea.
Scientific evidences behind the Candida mediated diarrhea?
Scientific analysis of the stool from normal and those affected by diarrheal has shown significant variation in the Candida CFU values. The feces from the diarrheal patients had increased number of Candida. At the same time there was marked reduction in the normal bacterial count that is considered beneficial for our health. This may have been caused due to the increased intake of antibiotics and other anti-bacterial medications leading to Candida overgrowth.
Dr. Hogenauer has suggested in a published article in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases that the release of toxins or related compounds by Candida could stimulate the symptoms of diarrhea. Some of the virulence factors that are considered to play a role in such diarrhea causing ability of Candida are phospholipases and secreted aspartyl proteinases (Saps). However, there seems to be disagreement amongst the researchers regarding the role of these compounds in the manifestation of diarrhea.
The role played by the reduction in probiotic bacteria:
We all know that the probiotic like strains present naturally within our gastrointestinal tract render a whole lot of beneficial effects in the maintenance of our normal physiological functioning. If we consider the physiological aspect of their function it is found that they form a dense covering of mucus layer over the epithelial layers of the gastrointestinal tract. This layer of cells competes out the yeast Candida in getting attached on the gut surface.
In addition, the bacterial strains synthesize certain compounds like bile acids or short chain fatty acids that act as toxic and growth inhibitory for the Candida. The yeast is also competed out for nutrients and other essential requirements. Specific results have been found on the toxic effects of butyrate like compounds on Candida. You can imagine the significance of the reduction in the probiotic strain population and its fall-out on our health.
Since the probiotic bacterial count of our system gets greatly hampered during diarrhea, it is needless to say that they require replenishment from outside through our diet or as supplements. Once administered in good viable conditions and in sufficient numbers the probiotic strains could establish themselves within our system and play the exact roles performed by their original counterparts from the GI tract.
The only thing to keep in mind is the selection of the proper strains that should be present in your probiotic product. It becomes all the more important considering the fact that only those strains that are resistant to the extreme physiological conditions presented to them within our body could serve well to our purpose. One such product consisting of the required probiotic strains is ‘Probacto’.
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