Homearrow Blogsarrow Arabinose on the Organic Acids Test (OAT): A Marker of Invasive Yeast Overgrowth
June 03, 2025

Arabinose on the Organic Acids Test (OAT): A Marker of Invasive Yeast Overgrowth

Discover what elevated arabinose on the Organic Acids Test means. Learn how this yeast-derived compound points to Candida overgrowth and how to address it naturally.

Arabinose on the Organic Acids Test (OAT): A Marker of Invasive Yeast Overgrowth

Arabinose on the Organic Acids Test: A Marker of Invasive Yeast Overgrowth

Introduction: What Is Arabinose?

Arabinose is a five-carbon sugar, a monosaccharide, found naturally in the hemicellulose portion of plant fibers. While it can come from dietary sources, elevated levels of arabinose detected on the Organic Acids Test (OAT) are not typically from food. Instead, they are a biomarker of microbial overgrowth—especially from yeast species such as Candida albicans.

In functional and integrative medicine, arabinose is one of the most telling yeast and fungal markers on the OAT. Elevated urinary arabinose often suggests invasive candidiasis or systemic yeast overgrowth that may be contributing to a wide range of chronic symptoms, from brain fog to bloating.

What Does the Organic Acids Test Measure?

The Organic Acids Test, offered by labs like Mosaic Diagnostics (formerly Great Plains), Genova Diagnostics, Vibrant Wellness, and others, is a comprehensive assessment of over 70 metabolic byproducts found in urine. These organic acids reflect activity in areas such as:

  • Yeast and fungal overgrowth

  • Clostridia and other bacterial imbalances

  • Neurotransmitter metabolism

  • Detoxification pathways

  • Mitochondrial function

  • Oxalate burden

  • Nutritional deficiencies

Among the markers for yeast overgrowth, arabinose is one of the most clinically significant.

How Arabinose Is Produced in the Body

Under normal conditions, the human body does not produce large quantities of arabinose. When present in elevated concentrations in urine, arabinose typically originates from:

  • Fungal metabolism – Specifically from yeast species like Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis.

  • Fermentation of dietary carbohydrates by yeast – Yeasts break down sugars anaerobically, producing metabolites like arabinose and others.

  • Systemic invasion of mucosal barriers – When Candida becomes invasive, it can permeate the gastrointestinal mucosa and release arabinose and other toxic metabolites directly into the bloodstream.

This overproduction of arabinose suggests yeast is thriving in an environment where the host's immune defenses or microbiome are unable to maintain control.

Arabinose and Invasive Candida: What's the Link?

1. Candida Overgrowth and Fermentation

Candida is a commensal organism, meaning it naturally lives in the human gut. Under healthy circumstances, it remains in balance with bacteria and the immune system. However, with antibiotic use, a high-sugar diet, immune suppression, or GI inflammation, Candida can shift from a harmless yeast form into its more aggressive hyphal (filamentous) form.

In this invasive state, Candida adheres to and penetrates the gut lining, fermenting carbohydrates and releasing toxic metabolites—including arabinose. This process is known as "fungal dysbiosis" or "invasive candidiasis".

2. The Role of Biofilms

Candida in its hyphal form often hides within biofilms—slimy, protective barriers that resist immune attack and antifungal treatments. Inside these biofilms, Candida metabolizes sugars and produces arabinose and other waste products like tartaric acid, citramalic acid, and oxalates.

Arabinose becomes a detectable byproduct when these fungal colonies become deeply embedded in mucosal tissue or systemic.

Symptoms of Elevated Arabinose (and Yeast Overgrowth)

High arabinose on the OAT often corresponds to a constellation of vague, chronic symptoms, including:

Gastrointestinal:

  • Bloating, gas, and burping

  • Recurrent yeast infections

  • IBS-like symptoms (diarrhea or constipation)

  • Cravings for sugar and carbs

  • GERD and esophagitis

Neurological:

  • Brain fog

  • Fatigue

  • Poor memory or concentration

  • Anxiety or depression

  • Hyperactivity in children (often mistaken for ADHD)

Systemic:

  • Skin issues (eczema, psoriasis, fungal rashes)

  • Oral thrush

  • Muscle aches or joint pain

  • Histamine intolerance or mast cell activation

  • Sinus congestion or post-nasal drip

Why Functional Medicine Tests for Arabinose

Elevated arabinose is a red flag in integrative medicine. It doesn’t just indicate fungal overgrowth in the gut—it points to:

  • Mucosal invasion by yeast

  • Biofilm activity

  • Systemic mycotoxin burden

  • Potential neurotransmitter disruption due to fungal metabolites

  • Need for antifungal or antimicrobial treatment

Because arabinose is excreted in urine, it provides a snapshot of how much fungal metabolic waste the body is trying to eliminate. The higher the level, the greater the likelihood of active yeast fermentation and systemic impact.

Additional Yeast Markers on the OAT

While arabinose is a primary marker, clinicians often evaluate it alongside other yeast and fungal metabolites for a comprehensive picture:

Marker Associated Organism Interpretation
Tartaric Acid Candida, Aspergillus Indicates toxic fungal metabolite; may impact mitochondria
Citramalic Acid Candida Associated with impaired fatty acid metabolism
Carboxycitric Acid Aspergillus Suggests mold exposure or fungal metabolism
5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furoic Acid (HMF) Sugar fermentation Elevated in high-sugar diets with yeast overgrowth

What Causes Elevated Arabinose?

Several lifestyle and clinical factors can contribute to yeast overgrowth and high arabinose levels:

1. Antibiotic Use

Broad-spectrum antibiotics kill off beneficial bacteria, allowing yeast like Candida to flourish unchecked.

2. High-Sugar or Refined Carb Diet

Candida thrives on glucose and simple sugars. A Western diet feeds yeast overgrowth.

3. Corticosteroids or Immunosuppression

Medications like prednisone or chronic stress can suppress immunity and create a favorable environment for yeast.

4. Low Stomach Acid

Hypochlorhydria reduces the body's defense against ingested pathogens, including fungal spores.

5. Chronic GI Inflammation

Conditions like leaky gut, inflammatory bowel disease, or SIBO can destabilize the microbiome and encourage fungal overgrowth.

How to Lower Arabinose Levels Naturally

The key to lowering arabinose lies in a multi-pronged strategy targeting yeast, restoring gut health, and rebalancing immunity.

1. Antifungal Agents

  • Botanical Antifungals:

    • Caprylic acid

    • Oregano oil

    • Berberine

    • Pau d’Arco

    • Grapefruit seed extract

  • Prescription Antifungals:

    • Nystatin (non-absorbed)

    • Fluconazole or itraconazole (systemic)

2. Biofilm Disruptors

To improve antifungal efficacy, consider agents that break down biofilms:

  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

  • EDTA

  • Serrapeptase

  • Interfase Plus

3. Probiotics

  • Saccharomyces boulardii – A beneficial yeast that displaces Candida

  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus and L. plantarum – Gut-restoring strains

Consider high-potency options like MegaSporebiotic or ProbioHealth 350.

4. Gut-Healing Supplements

  • Immunoglobulin G (IgG) – Like Immuno-30, binds toxins and supports mucosal healing

  • L-glutamine – Repairs intestinal lining

  • Zinc carnosine – Heals epithelial tissue

  • Curcumin Complex – Reduces inflammation

5. Dietary Adjustments

  • Eliminate sugar, refined carbs, and alcohol

  • Focus on non-starchy vegetables, proteins, and healthy fats

  • Follow a low-FODMAP or anti-candida diet short term

  • Reintroduce fermented foods cautiously

6. Support Liver and Detox Pathways

  • Milk thistle

  • Sulforaphane (from broccoli sprouts)

  • Methylated B vitamins (like B Complex)

  • Activated charcoal or bentonite clay (for temporary binding)

When to Retest Arabinose

Functional providers typically recommend repeating the Organic Acids Test:

  • After 8–12 weeks of treatment, especially if symptoms improve or plateau

  • To confirm eradication of yeast overgrowth

  • To guide long-term prevention and microbiome restoration

Arabinose and Children with Autism or ADHD

Research and clinical observations suggest a link between elevated arabinose and behavioral symptoms in children with:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

  • ADHD or sensory processing disorders

  • Speech or developmental delays

Fungal metabolites like arabinose may act as neurotoxins, impairing neurotransmitter pathways or contributing to inflammation in the gut-brain axis. Addressing Candida in these cases has shown meaningful behavioral improvements in many children.

Summary: Why Arabinose Matters

Arabinose on the Organic Acids Test is more than a random sugar—it’s a metabolic fingerprint of yeast overgrowth, and in some cases, systemic fungal invasion. Elevated levels can contribute to:

  • GI dysbiosis

  • Immune dysfunction

  • Neurotransmitter imbalance

  • Chronic inflammation and fatigue

By identifying and correcting elevated arabinose levels through antifungal therapy, dietary changes, probiotics, and gut-healing strategies, patients often experience significant symptom relief and improved overall health.

Final Thoughts: Test, Don’t Guess

If you're experiencing symptoms of brain fog, fatigue, bloating, or recurrent yeast infections—and especially if you've used antibiotics or steroids in the past—it may be time to evaluate your arabinose levels with an Organic Acids Test.

At Revolution Health & Wellness, we use comprehensive functional testing, including the Organic Acids Test, to uncover the root causes of chronic symptoms and help you restore gut, immune, and brain health.

Scientific References

  1. Shaw W. Increased urinary arabinose indicates fungal overgrowth and may be related to neurological symptoms. Townsend Letter. 2006.

  2. Rizzo A, et al. Candida albicans and its metabolic by-products impair human mucosal immunity. Pathogens. 2020.

  3. Ouwehand AC, et al. Probiotic and other functional microbes: From markets to mechanisms. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2002.

  4. Ohtani K, et al. Biofilm-associated Candida infections and antifungal resistance. Pathogens. 2020.

  5. Great Plains Laboratory. Organic Acids Test Interpretation Guide. Accessed 2024.