Fungal infections are commonly found in the central nervous system of people who suffer from diseases like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and ALS. Fungi trigger inflammation and thus worsen disease.
This post discusses types of fungi that have been discovered in the central nervous system, the symptoms they cause and the best ways to treat them.
Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) have increased significantly over the past few years.
Why the significant rise of fungal infections in the CNS?
The blood vessels of the CNS tightly regulate the movement of substances, toxins, cells and microbes between the blood and the brain. This blood brain barrier (BBB) is vital to protect the structure and function of the brain, and to protect the brain from circulating toxins or pathogens that cause brain infections.
Cell phones, tablets, computers, printers, wireless radiation cell towers and now 5G satellites have blanketed most of the earth with wireless radiation. Research shows that RF radiation increases the permeability of the BBB, allowing pathogens and their toxins to enter the brain and spinal cord.[i]
One study reported that it was 10 times easier to transport a substance across the BBB with an RF-field vs if an RF-field was absent.
“The RF-field can be applied simultaneously during [a] treatment with clinical agents or nanocarriers, improving the permeability of the BBB, which may contribute to therapeutic efficacy of many drugs that are used in neurological diseases.”[ii]
Pharmaceutical companies appreciate that applying radiation during a treatment may help the drug cross the blood brain barrier and improve the efficacy of their drug.
MS and Fungi
Past and recent studies suggest that fungi may play an important role in MS. Researchers have found fungi in the brain specimens of MS patients, including within the nucleus of brain cells.[iii]
Over 30 years ago, medically trained doctors like Dr. Rona, Dr. De Schepper, Dr. Truss and Dr. Crook understood that their patients suffering from chronic disease also had chronic fungal infections. As they treated fungal infections, many of their patients recovered.
In one study, the fungus Trichosporon mucoid was found in the majority of MS patients, followed by Candida as the second most common fungal infection. Trichosporon is a group of yeast-like fungi found in soil and water. They are also normally found on the skin and in the digestive tract.
The more active the Candida albicans infection was in an MS patient, the more severe their MS. Also, it has been observed that MS patients have Candida infections more often than healthy people.[iv]
The evidence also suggests that Candida infections may be associated with increased risk of MS.
When researchers infected experimental animals with Candida albicans before they induced EAE (the animal version of MS), it aggravated the severity of the disease. This was also true when they infected mice with other strains of Candida. This suggests an important role of fungi in promoting the progression of EAE.
Tests show that the fungi, Aspergillus and Saccharomyces, were also significantly higher in the gut microbiome of MS patients.
Although fungi are often present in the CNS of MS patients, attacks on the immune system by fungi in other parts of the body may also exacerbate MS.
Fungal toxins may play a role in the destruction of cells in the central nervous system that protect nerves and nourish myelin.
Gliotoxin
Gliotoxin, a potent mycotoxin secreted by Candida and Aspergillus species may also be responsible for the invasion of fungi and other parasites in the brain because it also alters BBB permeability.
Once this toxin reaches the BBB, cells surrounding the BBB will become targets for attack. This results in a compromised BBB, enhanced inflammation in the CNS, a breakdown of myelin and an exacerbation of MS.
Chitinase is an enzyme produced by immune cells that break down chitin, a component of fungal cell walls. Chitin is not present in bacterial and human cells.
It is interesting that elevated chitinase in the spinal fluid is an important biomarker of MS.[v]
Calprotectin is also higher in the spinal fluid of MS patients, and amyloid deposits are found in the brains of MS patients, which are both associated with an immunity to fungi. This also suggests that a fungal infection in the CNS of MS patients is critical for this disease.[vi][vii]
The Immune Response
Changes in the gut mycobiome of MS patients, mostly caused by the overuse of antibiotics, has led to changes in various types of immune cells.
Antifungal immunity and the immune response during an MS attack overlap, which leads to the speculation that fungi are responsible for the onset or worsening of MS.
While T immune cells are involved in MS and other autoimmune diseases, these immune cells also play an important role in immunity against fungi.
Recent studies have shown that fungi activate macrophage immune cells. This leads to a release of immune compounds which promote the activation of T cells.
This research is not inferring that MS is solely caused by fungal infections, but rather that MS and fungal infections are significantly associated. Fungi are decomposers and thrive in immune suppressed people.
Dysbiosis a disruption in the microbes present in the body where too many disease-causing parasites and not enough health-promoting microbes are present. Dysbiosis leads to inflammation, a sensitized immune system and disease.[viii] Many studies have revealed gut dysbiosis in MS patients.[ix]
Disease-causing microbes and their toxins can also suppress the immune system.[x]
So, although MS patients have a higher incidence of Candida infections which should be treated, these patients also suffer from dysbiosis and various other parasites.
Common symptoms of chronic fungal infections
- Brain fog
- Fatigue
- Sinusitis
- Thrush
- Dandruff
- Rashes
- Fingernail and/or toenail fungal infections
- Ringworm
- Jock itch
- Vaginal yeast infections
- Prostatitis
- Allergy to penicillin
Treatments for fungal infections
Herbs
- Raw garlic
- Pau D’arco
- Olive leaf extract
- Oil of oregano
- Grapefruit seed extract
Common Fungal Medications
- Fluconazole
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Nystatin tablets
Health promoting practices
- The Live Disease Free low carb diet
- Cardio Activity
- Saunas
- Optimal sleep
- Manage stress
Supplements
- Glyconutrients – MannaTech’s Ambrotose Complex
- A probiotic that contains Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus coagulans, Enterococcus faecium, Saccharomyces boulardii
- Chlorella
There are real solutions to recover from parasites today!
To restore health, we must focus on treating the cause of inflammation, which are parasites. First, identify the enemy (parasites), then support the body and treat the parasites while following a holistic approach. When parasitic infections are treated effectively, we can overcome inflammation or disease.
If you’re frustrated with the fact that our standard of care STILL doesn’t offer a real solution for treating MS and other diseases, then click on the link below to watch Pam Bartha’s free masterclass training and discover REAL solutions that have allowed Pam and many others to live free from MS and other diseases.
CLICK Here to watch Pam’s masterclass training
Or take the Health Blocker Quiz to see if you could have parasite infections
References:
[i] https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-642-30018-9_210
[ii] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006291X22001504
[iii] https://livediseasefree.com/ms-infections-not-chron/#multiple-sclerosis-and-fungus
[iv] https://livediseasefree.com/ms-infections-not-chron/#multiple-sclerosis-and-fungus
[v] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10415417/#:~:text=Based%20on%20the%20available%20evidence,%2Dremitting%20MS%20(RRMS).
[vi] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6370282/
[vii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6370282/
[viii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9632986/#:~:text=Microbial%20dysbiosis%20disturbs%20the%20immune,diseases%2C%20age%2C%20and%20lifestyle.
[ix] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1521661619303808
[x] https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/8/10/1587
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1077335/full#B25
https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/pau_darco.htm
Clinically diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28, Pam chose an alternative approach to recovery. Now decades later and still symptom free, she coaches others on how to treat the root cause of chronic disease, using a holistic approach. She can teach you how, too.
Pam is the author of Become a Wellness Champion and founder of Live Disease Free. She is a wellness expert, coach and speaker.
The Live Disease Free Academy has helped hundreds of Wellness Champions in over 15 countries take charge of their health and experience profound improvements in their life.
