Antifungal agents

Related articles: Co-infections, Palliative vs. curative treatments

Antifungal agents such as fluconazole (Diflucan) are sometimes prescribed to treat fungal infections, of which Candida is one kind. While some patients have reported feeling better after taking antifungal agents, antifungals interfere with immune function.

The antifungals directly inhibit the enzyme CYP27B1, which is needed for the mitichondria in the macrophages to convert 25-D to 1,25-D.1) With an artificially depressed rate of generating 1,25-D, patients taking antifungals tend to feel better for a period and then relapse worse than before.

By increasing levels of 25-D and therefore inhibiting immunopathologyA temporary increase in disease symptoms experienced by Marshall Protocol patients that results from the release of cytokines and endotoxins as disease-causing bacteria are killed., long-term use of antifungal drugs may delay progress on the Marshall Protocol (MP).

Note that, at least according to one study, patients are a poor judge of whether they have fungal infections.

Patient symptom scores were a poor predictor of yeast infections based on yeast culture results. … Self-reported symptoms are not reliable for diagnosis.

Susan Hoffstetter et al. 2)

Types of antifungal agents

If candida is suspected, I usually treat prior to starting MP. This is often helpful also as gives a mild herx reaction and can prepare them for MP herx. Occasionally, I have used nystatin with patients on Benicar. These are usually patients who have had high dose antibiotics for Lyme disease in the past. This is very rare though.

Dr G.B.

Ketoconazole cream

Related article: Skin protection

Ketoconazole cream, sometimes referred to as “K-cream,” is a topical cream or shampoo that may reduce sun flare or light-driven immunopathology. Although ketoconazole cream was once recommended to MP patients, the recommendation that patients routinely use K-cream has been withdrawn. Like the other antifungals, ketoconazole cream may inhibit bacteria die-off, especially in the skin areas where it has the highest concentration.

Patients for whom light sensitivity is a problem should consider zinc oxide as an alternative for preventing moderate symptoms associated with sun exposure that cannot be avoided. For some of the most severely sun sensitive, ketoconazole cream or shampoo seems to work better for preventing or reducing sun flare symptoms, but for others, zinc oxide (not an anti-fungal) seems to work better. Both may have inhibitory effects on the immune response.

Patients experiences

Before the MP, I tolerated nystatin but the Diflucan shut down my liver function. I never saw big improvenments in my health with the nystatin, so I don't think the yeast was a major part of the underlying problem with me. Diet changes as you know should go along with any possible course of nystatin. As the immune system kicks in on the MP, the yeast infections seem to be much less frequent or stop altogether.

P.Bear, MarshallProtocol.com

I was at the doc for my annual physical and he suggested a anti-fungal medication. I knew I was “playing with fire” but I was feeling very well- excercising regularly and taking a sauna at least three time per week- without any IP. Well, six weeks into the anti-fungal medication, I was awaken from a sound sleep into a deep, very physical panic attack.

I stopped the medication immediately. That was a few days ago. I have not had any (further) panic attacks but the anxiety and depression have been significant.

bobi August 2017

I put coconut oil, with crushed, powdered olmesartanMedication taken regularly by patients on the Marshall Protocol for its ability to activate the Vitamin D Receptor. Also known by the trade name Benicar. tabs in it, on my toenails and the rest of my feet daily. It's taken 9 years! but the fungusy nails are gone except for a slight hint on one nail. Itchiness between the toes resolved in the first few months of this topical olmesartan. I was recently told by the “pedi care” nurse who cuts nails at the senior center by appointment that she recommends coconut oil as an antifungal. Also a podiatrist commented on the surprisingly good health of my feet's skin compared to most of the elder feet she sees, and attributed it to the coconut oil. I personally think the olmesartan gets the credit, but I guess coconut oil as a vehicle for the olmesartan was a good choice.

Grateful Survivor August 2017

===== Notes and comments =====

From: Dr. Greg Blaney Date: 2010-07-04 14:39:15 Reply: https://www.marshallprotocol.com/reply.php?topic_id=13184

If candida is suspected, I usually treat prior to starting MP. This is often helpful also as gives a mild herx reaction and can prepare them for MP herx. Occasionally, I have used nystatin with patients on Benicar. These are usually patients who have had high dose antibiotics for Lyme disease in the past. This is very rare though.

I did a quick pubmed seach and found two useful articles that indicate natamycin’s action may be “to disturb ergosterol-dependent protein functions” and that “natamycin acts via a novel mode of action and blocks fungal growth by binding specifically to ergosterol” rather than acting on the fungi cell membrane.

1. Natamycin Inhibits Vacuole Fusion at the Priming Phase via a Specific Interaction with Ergoste https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2876427/

2. Natamycin blocks fungal growth by binding specifically to ergosterol without permeabilizing the membrane. https://www.jbc.org/content/283/10/6393.long

While a search in wikapedia states under natamycin saftety that, “Natamycin lacks acute toxicity“ it then goes on to state that “In humans, a dose of 500 mg/kg/day repeated over multiple days caused nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.”

===== References =====

1)
Schuster I, Egger H, Nussbaumer P, Kroemer RT. Inhibitors of vitamin D hydroxylases: structure-activity relationships. J Cell Biochem. 2003 Feb 1;88(2):372-80. doi: 10.1002/jcb.10365.
[PMID: 12520539] [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.10365]
2)
Hoffstetter SE, Barr S, LeFevre C, Leong FC, Leet T. Self-reported yeast symptoms compared with clinical wet mount analysis and vaginal yeast culture in a specialty clinic setting. J Reprod Med. 2008 Jun;53(6):402-6.
[PMID: 18664056]