Case Report on Auto-Brewery Syndrome (“ABS”) Focuses on Antibiotics and Yeast Overgrowth

By Cesar Collado

Last week, several news stories highlighted a case of a 46-year old man who was arrested for a DWI, where he emphatically claimed that he had not been drinking. It took some time for the man to realize what was happening.

Following a 3-week course of antibiotics for a thumb injury, he began experiencing symptoms that included personality changes, depression, brain fog, and aggressive behavior. A doctor-prescribed an antidepressant for the issue. The DWI recorded an alcohol blood level well beyond the legal limit.  The family investigated, tracked his alcohol levels, and visited several physicians.  A physician then experimented by providing a high carbohydrate meal to the man while monitoring his blood alcohol level.  The source of alcohol was discovered. Yeast overgrowth in the gut.

Physicians found an overgrowth of “brewer’s yeast”. Several yeasts were present in his gut: Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, S. Boulardii, Candida Albicans, and C, Parapisilosis.  He was treated with antifungal medications, probiotics, and a strict antifungal diet to starve the yeast.  He eventually got better and was able to introduce carbohydrates back into his diet.

While ABS is rare, Yeast (Candida) overgrowth is quite common with today’s diets. Diets consisting of processed foods, sugar, and simple carbohydrates like rice, potatoes, and breads (made with yeast).

Yeast (Candida) Overgrowth

Overuse of antibiotics can have the effect of killing the “good bacteria” in the gut, allowing the fungi component of the gut microbiome to overgrow.  Common physical symptoms of yeast overgrowth include vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush (whitening/yellowing of tongue), and toenail fungus.

The mental and cognitive symptoms result because there is a candida receptor in the brain. Depression, brain fog, and cognitive symptoms can lead toward psychiatric medicine and long trials of unsuccessful antidepressants before addressing the cause.

What to Do?

Addressing yeast overgrowth begins with noticing symptoms as they occur.  A white tongue, toenail fungus, and yeast infections are obvious signs.  A simple self-diagnosis can be made by simply altering the diet to stop consumption of sugar and other simple carbohydrates to see if symptoms go away.  You can also breath on a mold test plate from ImmunoLytics, or tap test your skin and/or clothes, and either send it in for testing or simply wait for the plate to incubate to see if you notice small white dots on the plate.

Since anti-fungal medications are utilized by physicians as a last resort due to potential toxicities, a diet change and the use of an anti-fungal supplement is usually the first treatment protocol.

Agrumax Dietary Supplement

For over 30 years, Agrumax has been an important utility tool for the body and home for its antibacterial and antifungal properties.  Agrumax is an all-natural product made from citrus seed extracts of grapefruit, lemon, lime, and tangerine, combined with vegetable glycerin for formulation.  It is a natural bacteriostatic and fungistatic (prevents growth) with antioxidant and free radical activity.  It is 100% water and alcohol soluble.

Agrumax’s Many Uses

Since Fungi is everywhere, Agrumax has amazing versatility because of its antifungal and antibacterial properties that can benefit your health and home.

Health:

For Yeast Overgrowth:  Take as directed using 5-20 drops of Agrumax in water 3 times a day, or by adding to a vegetable capsule and swallowing.  It has a bitter taste.

For Sore Throat: Use 2-3 drops in water to gargle with and spit out.

For Gingivitis: Use 2 drops on toothbrush before brushing.

For Athlete’s Foot: Mix 10 drops in 8 ounces of water in a spray bottle.  Apply to feet daily when resting.

For Sinusitis: Mix 1 drop per ounce in a nasal rinse system like Nasopure or Nielmed to rinse sinuses 2 times per day.

For General Health to Help Stave-off Colds and Viruses:  Use 20 drops per gallon of water and drink 8 ounces daily.

Home:

For Rinsing Produce: Use 7-8 drops per gallon of water to soak produce for 15 minutes.

For Rinsing Meat, Fish, and Poultry: Mix up to 8 drops in an 8-ounce spray bottle.  Spray meat.  Let it stand 15 minutes and rinse.

1. Malik, Fahad et. al. Case Report and Literature Review of Auto-Brewery Syndrome: Probably an Underdiagnosed Medical Condition.” BMJ Open Gastroenterology. July 2019.
2. Miller, Ryan. “Rare Medical condition Can Turn Bodies into Breweries. Here is How Auto-brewery Syndrome works.” USA Today.  October 25, 2019.