Pathogenic intestinal fungi

Dr. Eberhard Wormer explains why fungal infections occur and how they can be combated

The door is wide open for disease-causing fungi when their natural enemies, namely the beneficial bacteria in the intestinal flora, are incapacitated. The health author's new guide helps to deal with these annoying "roommates".

Less harmless than often thought

After being considered annoying but relatively harmless for a long time, conventional medicine is now increasingly concerned with the topic of fungal infections and their sometimes life-threatening symptoms. In his new book "Intestinal fungi - secret pathogens", health expert and guidebook author Dr. Eberhard Wormer presents the current state of knowledge and focuses in particular on the field of intestinal ecology.
On the one hand, the most dangerous fungi settle in the intestinal flora; on the other hand, the bacteria that are important for the body's immune system are found there. In addition to information on causes and pathogens, diagnosis and treatment options, the guide gives detailed recommendations on the right diet, the importance of which has been proven in combating fungal infections.

Susceptibility to weakened immune system

Doctors are increasingly having to fight for the lives of sick patients threatened by a fungal infection. There are reasons for the sharp increase in the number of infections in recent years: many people have to take medication that affects the immune system. Diseases such as AIDS and leukemia cause a general weakening of the immune system in those affected, and rising diabetes rates also encourage fungal infections. If antibiotics or other medications have damaged the natural intestinal flora, the most common pathogenic fungi - the so-called Candida - can spread there because the beneficial germs are missing as antagonists in the defense.
It is therefore primarily the state of health of a person that determines whether the otherwise harmless colonizer becomes a parasite and harms the person affected. Fungal pathogens only get a chance to penetrate the body when the immune system is not up to scratch. "Fungi are perfect at changing and concealing their appearance so that it is often only after years that they are discovered. There is hardly any other disease with which you hear so many different stories of suffering," says Dr. med. Wormer.

Healthy gut strengthens defenses

For a long time, experts believed that the large intestine was just a kind of waste bin for digestive work and not particularly important for health. The opposite is the case: whether fungi take hold or not depends solely on how well the protective mechanisms work. Trillions of microbes and hundreds of species populate a healthy intestinal mucosa. This provides the microorganisms with the necessary nourishment by supplying the intestine with nutrients. In return, beneficial bacteria in the intestinal flora produce protective substances that feed the mucosa and help to build a barrier against the penetration of fungi and disease-causing microbes.
Bacteria and fungi that cause illness deprive the beneficial helper bacteria of their livelihood because they use up important nutrients for themselves. A good supply of minerals and trace elements from plant-based foods is therefore crucial when the body is fighting a fungal infection. A diet with plenty of vegetables, herbs and natural spices helps the body to get fit again with the help of a diverse and stable intestinal flora.

Book tip:
Dr. med. Eberhard J. Wormer: Intestinal fungi - secret pathogens. How we can recognize fungal infections and get healthy again. With a detailed diet plan. Mankau Verlag, 1st edition March 2016, paperback, full color, 16 x 22 cm, 255 pages, ISBN 978-3-86374-281-2, 17.95 euros (D) / 18.50 euros (A).

Link recommendations:

• More about the guide "Intestinal fungi - secret pathogens"
• Reading sample in PDF format
• More about the author Dr. Eberhard J. Wormer
• Internet forum with Dr. Eberhard J. Wormer