Also see Food Poisoning

Staphylococcus aureus is a particularly nasty organism that lives in the mucous membranes that line the nose, mouth, intestinal tract, and vagina. In its mildest form, it can cause boils, carbuncles, and internal abscesses. Other conditions associated with S. aureus include gastroenteritis, bone and joint infections (osteomyelitis), septic arthritis, toxic shock syndrome (TSS), scalded skin syndrome (SSS), pneumonia, meningitis, and inflammatory heart disease (endocarditis). When the friendly bacteria that keep S. aureus bacteria under control are depleted, this harmful bacteria is allowed to proliferate and wreak havoc.

Food contaminated with the toxins produced by S. aureus account for 25% percent of all food poisoning cases. The contamination typically occurs when a food handler with a staphylococcal skin infection touches food that is left to sit out at room temperature. This enables the bacteria to proliferate and produce toxins. As the staphylococci microorganism is typically found in the nose and throat, food can also become contaminated if it is sneezed or coughed on.

In all bacterial infections, the first line of defense is the use of a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Unfortunately, hospital studies show that around 90% percent of S. aureus infections have become resistant to most known antibiotics. In addition, the troublemaking Candida albicans yeast-fungus, actually helps S. aureus do its work. In her 1983 paper, "Enhancement by Candida of S. aureus, Serratia marcescens, and S. faecalis in the Establishment of Infection," published in Infection and Immunity, Dr. Eunice Carlson demonstrated that when there is a combined infection of S. aureus (or S. faecalis or Serratia marcescens) accompanied by candida overgrowth, there is an increase in the strength of the bacteria.

Dr. Carlson states, "Although these studies show that candida has a strong amplifying effect on the virulence of other organisms, how this is achieved is a mystery. One possibility is that the candidal infection process causes physical damage to the organ walls, which makes them ‘leaky,’ allowing other microbes or chemicals (perhaps toxins) or both to penetrate more easily; it is also possible that candida directly stimulates the growth of S. aureus."

One reason many doctors fail to either identify or treat candida aggressively is because they either don’t recognize that it is part of the problem, or they cannot prove its presence. Dr. Carlson refers to the known infestation of dentures with candida, saying, "It is now believed to be very common and to occur in
60% percent of all denture wearers. Biopsies of inflamed areas, however, consistently fail to demonstrate tissue invasion [by candida]. We can speculate that an equivalent infection of the small intestine would be virtually undetectable."

Dr. Carlson continues, "Physicians have reported therapeutic cures for a variety of diverse disease conditions by anticandidal drugs. It now appears possible that this fungus may play a key role in many disease conditions, not by its own toxic or invasive growth, but rather by enhancing secondary infection."

We know that strong colonies of friendly bacteria are well able to handle both candida and staph infections. Many doctors are becoming aware that the best approach to correcting the toxic bowel or any bacterial involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is by supplementing with friendly bacteria.

NOTE: The information contained on this site is based on the training, personal experiences and research of the author, Natasha Trenev. It is intended for educational purposes, and is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or replace medical care. Mention of any research organization or individual researcher should in no way be construed as an endorsement of this site or of any of the techniques therein. Because each person and situation are unique, the author urges the reader to check with a qualified health professional before using any procedure in which there is any question of appropriateness. It is a sign of wisdom, not cowardice, to seek a second or third opinion.