Systemic Yeast Infections and Parkinson’s Disease
There are still a lot of unknowns about what causes Parkinson's disease. Several studies indicate that dopamine metabolites are involved in some way. Several studies show something called Salsolinol works in ways that interfere with the dopamine balance and works in similar ways.
Salsolinol can be synthesized from dopamine and acetaldehyde.
Patients with chronic polysystemic candidiasis (or yeast) exhibit significantly higher levels of acetaldehyde in the gastrointestinal tract. This is coming directly from the invading pathogen, which in most cases is Candida albicans.
Chronic Polysystemic Candidiasis
Also referred to as a chronic yeast infection, this is basically dysbiosis (imbalance) in the gut. It is a yeast infection of the gut and mucous membranes.
Causative factors include long term use of broad spectrum antibiotics, corticosteroids and oral contraceptives. A diet rich in sugars and carbs can make things worse, which is why a person wit this infection would be put on a special diet.
Yeast Infections Can Affect the Whole Body
Yeast begins to grow in the gut first (typically), which may present with gastrointestinal signs and symptoms. But as it grows, there can be a wide array of physiological and mental symptoms.
As alluded to above, the candida itself can result in elevated acetaldehyde. This can form into Salsolinol, which can exhert toxic effects on the brain and include Parkinson's Like disease.
It should be noted, there are still a lot of doctors who don't believe in polysystemic candidiasis, although there is strong evidence for it. If you suspect this in yourself, seek a doctor who is at least familiar with the concept and open to discussion.
Candida Yeast Infections and Toxins
It's suggested that Candida albicans can produce up to 50 different toxins, of which acetylaldehyde is one.
Usually, the liver would take care of these types of toxins. That is, the liver should be able to degrade these toxins and we would okay - no symptoms per se. After all, we are subjected to toxins daily.
The issue is with chronic or high exposure to these toxins, such as the case with chronic candidiasis. The ability to break these toxins is simply overwhelmed by the sheer number of toxins in the system.
The Role of Salsolinol in Parkinson's disease
Salsolinol has been detected in both rats and humans' brains. As mentioned above, it can be made from dopamine and acetaldehyde. Candida (yeast infections) results in lots of acetaldehyde being formed. Salsolinol is not found to be elevated in the healthy brains, or urine of healthy individuals.
Salsolinol is known to be dopaminergic neurotoxic, which results in loss of catecholamine cells.
Research shows people with Idiopathic Parkinson's disease have elevated of salsolinol in their urine.
What Does All This Mean?
Many patients with systemic candida infections have neurological signs and symptoms, including Parkinson's like disease. Targeting the infection may be one way to help alleviate the neurological signs. Understanding these connections allows for doctors and patients alike, to understand and treat these conditions more effectively.
Summary
Chronic yeast infections (candidiasis) results in elevated acetaldehyde, which can be made into something called Salsolinol.
Salsolinol works as a neurotoxin and has clear ties to Idiopathic Parkinson's' disease.
References
About the Author - Dr. Johann de Chickera
Dr. Johann is a fully licensed Naturopathic Doctor. His approach emphasizes the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and improving one’s health naturally. Dr. Johann obtained a Doctor of Naturopathy at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). Education at CCNM is a vigorous four years, with a curriculum involving biomedical sciences, physical diagnosis, clinical nutrition, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, botanical (herbal) medicine, physical medicine, homeopathy and lifestyle management.
While Dr. Johann has a general practice, he focuses on fertility, hormonal imbalances, gut health, and autoimmune disease.
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