Need Help With Candida

[Julie]

I've been battling candida for about 7 years now. I've tried a number of different supplements and protocols. I have had a hard time sticking with the diet completely. The longest I've been really strict on it is for about 6 weeks. I have a number of immune system issues, one of which is autoimmune pancreatitis. I know if I could get this yeast under control, it would help my overall health immensely.

There are so many different opinions on the candida diet and different protocols or supplements to use. I'd like to get some advice or opinions from any of you on what to eat or not eat on the candida diet and what supplements or herbs, or protocols are really helpful.

I'm using water and milk kefir right now and am not sure if I should be or not. Some candida diets say no fermented things and I also eat fermented veggies, mostly cabbage.
I eat meat, organic beef and chicken, salmon. I do eat cheese, not sure if I should be or not. I eat Granny Smith apples and some berries, lots of raw and cooked veggies, and sometimes a red baked potato if I start to feel weak.

Any advice would be helpful. I also got my amalgam fillings out in Feb. of this year and am still doing some detox for that.



Favorite Posts:

 

14 Steps For Healthy Guts

Beet Test (stomach acid?)

Candida 101

 

Green Breakfast Challenge

Healthy Poop 101
Master Tonic 101

 

Nettle Leaf herbal infusions 101.
Overwhelmed? Where to Start?!
Probiotic Selection

 

[Pat Robinson]

Basically, candida exists to protect us from mercury toxin overload (among other reasons-antibiotic damage to microbials, etc.). As you can improve your detox pathways and escort mercury out with chelating, the candida is expected to become "obsolete". It is present because it is serving the purpose to keep you from heavy metal toxicity, per my understanding. I'm no expert on chelating, I believe Tanya posted with more information previously. http://heal-thyself.ning.com/forum/topics/need-some-advice-on-detox?page=1&commentId=2814160%3AComment%3A2411&x=1#2814160Comment2411

The EASIEST most nutrient dense food to ADD for gut healing is homemade fresh green juice/smoothies a couple of times a day. This site, "Got Greens?" has easy recipes. http://gotgreensrevolution.com/ Basically, you add any fruit and a handful of fresh greens to the blender and some water. Drink up. Do this daily and in two weeks, you'll feel amazing!!

I understand the concern about sugars in fruits, but I believe in ADDing nutrients to support the body, rather than elimination diets, in general. The nutrients are necessary for many cellular, neurophysiological, digestion, absorption, detox benefits, in addition to keeping us from a sense of deprivation and "cheating" with nutrient-empty sugars. However, I believe that pasteurized dairy is not meant for human consumption, in any form.

Another quick and nutrient dense food is raw nuts and seeds, and dried berries.

The most important nuts are TWO Brazil nuts a day (for Selenium-critical for many chemical reactions in the body), Pumpkin seeds, Walnuts, Almonds, Pecans, Sunflower seeds (in that order of importance, essentially). I purchase them at Costco (or Earth Fare, Home Economist) and mix up about 10 pounds and put it big ziplock bags (lasts for a month or two). Then I just take them along when we leave the house. I never have to eat out suddenly when I'm hungry; and the essential fatty acids, and microminerals and nutrients are very important to replenishing your cellular and neurochemical functions. I buy dried goji berries, mulberries, gooseberries (at Home Economist) and dried blueberries for their significant vit C and antioxidant benefits. (They are very high in nutrient density.) Also, cranberries (Costco), coconut flakes (EF), and Giradelli 60% chocolate chips (Harris Teeter) for the mix too. The chocolate is probably my only daily indulgence. :-)

Another addition is squeeze some fresh lemon juice in your water all day long, or whenever you think about it. The short version is, this helps correct acid-base balance of the body.

And consume either Beets, Broccoli, Brown Rice, Carrots, Eggs, Garlic, Spinach, Tomatoes, Wheatgerm, Melons, Peppers, Cabbage, Onions, Papaya, Avocado, Mushrooms, Asparagus every day for the liver detox benefits. An alternative to include is Milk Thistle 'tea' infusions- made from whole leaves/roots.

Foods to improve dopamine/serotonin/mood: chicken, turkey, fish, peanuts, almonds, avocados, bananas, yogurt, lima beans, pumpkin seeds, shellfish, eggs, chocolate, wheat germ, nutritional yeast, cabbage, cauliflower, beans, lentils, dates, papaya, strawberries, cherries, hemp seed. Include as possible.

Choose mineral water, green tea, and yogurt with "Live Active Cultures" when you can. Flax seed and kelp are other things we could add too. I've been reading a lot about kelp/iodine as an essential nutrient to actively include in our diets, especially those of us with detox issues.

Are you making homemade chicken broth and simmering for 48+ hours? Broth has tons of nutrients, minerals, vitamins, amino acids for gut healing. Drink 1 cup every day, more if you can!

*I* suggest including raw, local honey, 1 Tablespoon a day for the benefit of increasing bifidum bacteria growth in the large intestine, which helps to rebalance the gut microbials. I know about "excess sugar feeding candida". My understanding is that honey is different. I'll try to find the research to link it.

Eggs- especially yolks, sea salt, coconut oil (1 tablespoon raw, virgin), liver (1 ounce, grass-fed), Cod liver oil (1/4 teaspoon fermented), salmon (3 ounces wild Alaskan-Costco) are other things to include frequently (daily!). These are critical for gut healing, but I wouldn't advise using coconut oil more than 1/4 cup a day-max., as it kills candida and thus releases bound mercury into blood circulation to redeposit into our other organs. Same with kombucha. I drink a couple of ounces maybe each week, just for the detox benefits. But, no more than that.

*****Also, Epsom salt baths are the most healing thing you could do, if you do NOTHING else. An Epsom salt bath daily would be the number one thing to consider. The Magnesium Sulfate helps digestion, absorption, detox pathways, neurotransmitters, sleep, immune system, all through skin absorption!! *****

The other nutrients to evaluate are B12 and zinc, they are essential for stomach acid, thus nutrient absorption.

Are you eating any wheat or other grains? I wouldn't recommend them, unless they are fermented overnight/soaked in an acid medium. I can post more info if you'd like.




If you want the LONGER version...

Start here about detox pathways: http://heal-thyself.ning.com/forum/topics/detox-obstacle-course

And here are a few informal videos about detox pathways: http://heal-thyself.ning.com/video/video

and here about evaluating digestion and stomach acid (beet "pink pee" test"): http://heal-thyself.ning.com/forum/topics/the-beet-test

This thread about Healing the Gut with Food: http://heal-thyself.ning.com/forum/topics/healing-leaky-gut-with-food

Nutrient Dense Foods: http://heal-thyself.ning.com/forum/topics/nutrient-dense-foods

Foods to Help Phase I and Phase II Detoxification:
http://heal-thyself.ning.com/forum/topics/nutrient-dense-foods?page=2&commentId=2814160%3AComment%3A655&x=1#2814160Comment655

check out www.eatingcultures.com to try and guess on some of your detox pathways, and figure out which nutrients will be important for you all. And www.detoxpuzzle.com to identify some of your detox pathways, nutrient deficiencies/needs.



Pat

[Julie]

Pat,

You have such a wealth of information! I really appreciate you!

After reading a lot of this info, I do think I have a problem with my liver detoxing. I've had mono 3 times and I think it has really affected my liver. I take Milk Thistle, but I think I will try the tea.

So do you think I just need to give my body all these healthy foods and not worry about taking any supplement to get the candida under control? When I was tested a few years back, the Doctor said to me with some surprise and shock, that I had 3 colonies of yeast overgrowth. I do love Giradelli chocolate! Do you think I could have that or should refrain from any real sugars?I did the beet test and my urine was not pink at all! Much to my surprise, but I did eat fermented beets. Could that effect the test? I also take enzymes with every meal and wonder if that could effect it.

I also have been making the kefir water and drinking it every day. I just wasn't sure if I should stick to milk kefir because of the sugar in the water kefir.

I have been making bone broth, but haven't simmered it for 48 hrs yet. I find it hard to leave the stove on all night. How do you keep all the water from simmering away?

Thanks,

Julie :)

[Pat Robinson]

I'm just not a supplements gal. I understand that many folks believe they need the "extra" boost to replenish their deficit reserves. I guess it is like anything, we all have our own perspectives on what we need to become healthy. I've just seen that there is *more* to nutrition than isolated science's perspective about nutrients. I trust our body to become nourished and thrive with organic, whole foods. So, I'm not sure the Giradelli qualifies, lol. But, you might consider raw cacao. ;-)

I understand there are specific reasons for different enzymes. I'm not familiar with all the discrete types. However, I do trust that fermented and cultured raw foods- fresh from the garden vegetables and raw milk has enzymes which we have consumed historically. I wonder if we have a Weston Price Foundation chapter around here. There is so much information on their site about the benefits of whole, natural foods. http://www.westonaprice.org/

I believe that enzymes probably are not harmful, may be helpful, probably unnecessary for someone who chooses local, organic, whole foods and enjoys them consistently raw. It is just a choice. Generally, it is easier to make small changes and keep improving the nutrition over time. So, 'pick your battles'. If you can get local and organic whole foods, I'd focus on that and perhaps wean off the enzymes and supplements. If you won't/can'/t/don't juice and make green smoothies DAILY, your health probably won't be optimal from many aspects. But, juicing alone, isn't a panacea. Eating processed grains, antibiotic meats, empty starches all create nutritional deficits, over time. Little steps. Integrate a new idea into your lifestyle and get comfortable with it. Read about "new" (ie, traditional) foods and processing and give that a go. It sounds like you are doing a lot already with kefir and bone broths. I'd consider skipping the milk kefir, just because it is one more thing to keep up with, unless you use it in baking. The water kefir will provide similar benefits. Or skip the water kefir and just do the milk kefir, whichever you prefer. Simplify. Then add another "new" nutritional practice.

Milk thistle may be an ideal one to start with! It is more effective, from my understanding to use the plant parts and reconstitute it as an infusion, rather than through capsule form. I've seen milk thistle recommended specifically for pancreatitis. I just believe in whole foods, rather than distilled "parts" of food as nutrition. I believe we loose some of the "whole" when we isolate what we think is the "useful" part.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2603/is_0005/ai_2603000525/
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/tea_bev/tea_bev.php
http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=e0498803-7f62-...

Additionally, I'd strongly consider including Black seed nigella sativa for the holistic benefits. I found it when researching about pancreatic cancer. It is believed beneficial for chronic pancreatitis also. http://www.healthymuslim.com/articles/ohsik-study-finds-nigella-sat...

I'm no expert on herbal remedies. You may want to consult Marston St. John, our acupuncturist locally. But, also, consider seeing Naomi Zeskind, the homeopathist. Both could help to strengthen your health through energy medicine. More than just "testing" and offering "supplements". Homeopathy heals. And the acupuncture clears blocked energy, from my (limited!) understanding.

I definitely am of the belief that the candida will become obsolete as we provide a balance to the nutrients and microbials in the gut. It all starts with digestion, it seems. And STOMACH acid is the key, from my understanding. Yes, if you eat fermented beets, your pee wouldn't be pink. But, that is great! All of the fermented and cultured foods help with rebalancing the gut ph. They are considered acid forming; however, they help to recolonize the gut with alkaline forming bacteria. Do you know about alkaline and acid forming foods? http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?p=12677273&... Gosh, that is a whole 'nuther amazing theory of knowledge that I've been introduced to this year.

And Ayurveda medicine focuses on warming/cooling mucus/drying foods. http://library.thinkquest.org/24206/ayurveda-medicine.html I believe there is someone locally who practices Ayurveda medicine, which is an another alternative avenue to explore. Find what speaks to you, either scientifically or spiritually. Also, there is The Hallelujah Diet, which is Biblically based http://www.hacres.com/diet/explained.asp

I have an electric stove, so I leave the pot simmering for days and nights, even when we leave the house. Others choose to use a crock pot for long simmering. Or you could turn it off and stick in the refrigerator and reheat in the morning. But, my refrigerator isn't big enough for all my cultures, and infusions and broth and juice, etc.

I just believe in the traditional practices of food nutrition which have been around for 2000, 3000, 4000+ years, more than the "scientific" solution which is being marketed this past 20-50 years.

HTH, Pat

[Julie]

Yes, it all helps!

I wish I didn't have to take the enzymes, but if I don't I get a lot of pain and discomfort, even from green juice from the juicer. I need them right now. I do understand though about supplements and how whole foods have all the micro nutrients that supplements don't. We've been so conditioned to just take a pill to fix something and then eat whatever we want.

I will try the bone broths by putting it in the fridge overnight and then restarting the next day. I do buy organic beef and wild caught fish. I don't always get organic chicken, sometimes it's the natural chicken.

I'm definitely going to look into the Black seed nigella stavia. It's even supposed to help with inflammation, and I need that.

I'm so used to people prescribing me something for the candida, or reading about the something I need to take, it's hard for me to realize that maybe I don't need to take anything and just use foods for healing. After all, none of the things I've taken so far have helped.

Does Naomi Zeskind have a web site I can look at? I may go see her.

Thanks Pat. :)

Julie

[Julie]

I also wanted to ask you about grains. I don't eat wheat or corn, but do you think I should be having any grains at all, and if so, what kind? Some people say buckwheat and quinoa, and red potatoes. I'm not sure. Some people say no starchy carbs at all. What about brown rice?

[Pat Robinson]

Naomi doesn't have a website.

Buckwheat, teff, amaranth, garbonzo, flax seed, tapioca, dal, lentils are all high protein grains/flour options. Gluten-free alternatives: http://www.csaceliacs.org/gluten_grains.php Although, we eat some, I don't believe we are meant to consume unfermented grains. They are much more easily digested once soaked overnight or fermented, due to the enzymes.

I'd choose lentils over any of the others. Lentils are high in folate and protein. But, teff is supposed to be quite nutrient dense and easily digestible also.



Pat

[Sarah Thompson]

Hi, I'm jumping in on this thread because I have some experiences and some questions as well.

I don't know that I have candida problems, but it is a guess given the brutality of my hypoglycemic symptoms with my pregnancy (constant, bitter hunger, sleeplessness). So, I have also been asking around and, as you say, getting mixed messages. The only supplements I take are Bcomplex with probiotics and sodium ascorbate, although I am having some recent success getting more meat into my diet so the B may be redundant soon. Certainly it doesn't feel like it is helping anymore.

I have tried to be very diligent about pursuing a diet that is unfavorable to candida. While it is not perfect, I have been drinking lots of greens for years, lots of fermented foods, almost no sugar, wheat but only in whole wheat, delayed fermented forms, etc. I only mention all of this to say that it has not worked. Who knows how much worse I would be without it, but my symptoms are still extremely severe. The current advice I have received is that I should alternate 10 days on/off with two cloves of raw garlic and grapefruit seed extract (which I have also taken daily for years).

While I really want to agree that it should be possible to just get to an optimal diet and get balanced, I am beginning to feel that there are times when a real cleanse might be necessary. I am still at a loss as to how to achieve this, however, without adding 10 extra hours to my day so that I can live in the kitchen even more, and finding a full-time nanny!

I second the use of the crockpot for long simmers.

I don't know if that's helpful at all - you have to find what works for you and I certainly haven't yet, but just improving what was already a very good diet has not been the answer for me.

[Pat Robinson]

Sarah, I'd look at heavy metal issues then.

This thread "Candida is a helper. It is keeping you healthy!" http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=952566&hi...

might help. Or this one: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=1134431&h...

Or this one: "Heavy duty dtoxes and cleanses while NOT pregnant or nursing?" http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=1134781&h...

This is a fascinating article about arsenic as an endocrine disruptor. http://www.dartmouth.edu/~toxmetal/research/projects/Arsenic.html And an interesting book, "A Small Dose of Arsenic". http://www.asmalldoseof.org/toxicology/arsenic.php Apparently, arsenic is in our ground water in many parts of the US. http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/trace/arsenic/



Pat

[Sarah Thompson]

I believe my well has tested negative for arsenic, so that's hopeful. Certainly I have mercury fillings and when I get really depleted I can taste the metal in my mouth. I have no idea how I would handle that given that I AM pregnant and nursing. I am starting to feel pretty depressed about all of this, actually. I have the best diet of almost anyone I know, and yet I feel like my nutrition is terrible!

[Sarah Thompson]

Hmm, the mothering thread is interesting. I am avoiding yeasty food but still eating fermented stuff. I feel totally overwhelmed by the conflicting information out there. All of the diet recommendations seem very logical, and all very contradictory.

[Pat Robinson]

Are you doing Epsom salt baths, lentils, liver? Milk thistle, selenium, magnesium, zinc? How much dairy and wheat?


Pat

[Pat Robinson]

We just had a discussion about this regarding ferments and candida: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?p=14395120&...


Pat