Why is Candida on the P88 DAT?

When candida is positive, this isn’t because you are eating it, so why is it on a food test? The reason it is included is because it has the potential to amplify other food reactions. When you see a high IgG, IgE or Complement titer to Candida, this could mean either a past infection or a current candida infection. However, if the titer is moderate or high, the level of immune reaction most likely means the infection is current.

When Candida overgrowth is occurring in your body, Candida albicans will release proteases that begin to degrade sIgA. As sIgA is decreased, the rest of the body responds by heightening systemic response, such as increasing titers of IgG and IgE. This means that even with the removal of foods, the titers will stay up longer than expected. Another important thing to know about Candida, is that there is a cross-reactivity between gluten and Candida, and so when you are reactive one, it can keep you reactive to the other. That is to say, you may have removed gluten for a long period of time, but if Candida is present, you will stay sensitive to it even after efforts to calm the immune response down. Candia can increase immune reactions to foods through cross-reactivity, and eroding IgA which helps to calm systemic immune response down.

Always corroborate elevations of titers to Candida with clinical symptoms, such as fatigue, brain fog, and bloating. See the Physicians Guide to the P88 for more information on an anti-Candida diet.

– Dr. Cheryl Burdette, ND.