• Candida - Group of Toxic Yeast
• Causes of Candida
• Candida - A Blessing In Disguise
• Case Coordination and Alternative Therapies
• Enzymes
• Candida and Related Conditions
• Recommendations for a Comprehensive attack on Candida
• Candida Diet - 3 Levels

Candidiasis
When the natural flora in the intestinal/digestive tract fail to control the candida yeast population, "overgrowth" occurs.

Overgrowth is uncontrolled multiplication of yeast cells, resulting in various symptoms commonly termed Candidiasis or just Candida. Candidiasis affects a wide variety of organ systems.

Common examples of candida infection are vaginitis; vulvar rash; oral thrush; conjunctivitis; athlete's foot, ringworm, jock itch, diaper rash, muscle and joint pain, canker sores, sore throat, tingling sensations, kidney and bladder infections, infections of the nail, rectum, and other skin folds, effects in the gastrointestinal tract (constipation, diarrhea, colitis, abdominal pain, gas, distension, and heartburn), depression and even diabetes.

In immuno competent persons (those whose immune system is functioning normally), any warm, moist part of the body exposed to the environment is susceptible to infection.

This infection is mostly superficial, and proper treatment leads to full recovery. In immuno compromised persons (those whose immune system has been impaired by disease or treatment), more serious systemic illnesses may occur.

Poor diet, an out-of-balance intestinal bacterial environment, and weakened immunity can all give rise to candida. Overuse of antibiotics destroys the natural flora in the intestines that keep the candida cells in check. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, AIDS patients, infants, diabetics and others with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to an infection of candida (Candidiasis). Corticosteroids and oral contraceptives also upset the balance of intestinal flora. Yeast cells mutate, requiring ever higher dosages of Nystatin (the anti-fungal drug), so that the yeast is
Strengthened and the immune system further weakened.

Detox
The first aim of your Candida cleanse is to cleanse the system of the toxic byproducts of Candida. Fasting, colon cleansing, wheatgrass, fresh vegetable juices, plenty of water, detox herbs, exercise, and anything else that extracts toxins. Reduce the yeast population in your system

Candida treatment must bring yeast cells back into balance. Use anti-microbial herbs and phytochemicals in formulas from your natural or health food store that include a combination of these powerful herbs, 15 days on then 5 days off, repeating as long as needed. The 5 day break discourages mutating yeast from multiplying and developing immunity to the herbs.

Inoculate yourself with probiotic bacteria favorably alter the intestinal micro flora balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection. People with flourishing intestinal colonies of beneficial bacteria are better equipped to fight the growth of disease-causing bacteria. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, along with acidophilus (found in yogurt), maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora by producing organic compounds (lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid) that increase the acidity of the intestine and inhibit the reproduction of many harmful bacteria. Probiotic bacteria also produce substances called bacteriocins, which act as natural antibiotics to kill undesirable microorganisms.

Improve your diet.
A diet to eliminate Candida is a long-term lifestyle - and in fact diet is your best defence against candida. Yeast loves sugar and simple carbohydrates; if you keep feeding yeast cells they will multiply, and even the best anti-microbial herbs won't keep them in check. Eat a disciplined diet for at least 3 months, then When your symptoms disappear, you can expand your diet. But don't revert to old habits, or the candida symptoms will quickly return.( Keeping Candida in Check)

Foods suggested to Avoid
Aged cheeses, alcohol, chocolate, dried fruits, fresh fruits, glutenous foods (wheat, rye, oats, barley), all sugars, honeys and syrups (that includes any 'ose', like lactose, sucrose etc), and foods that contain yeast or mold (breads, muffins, cakes, baked goods, cheese, dried fruits, melons, peanuts - some fermented foods, mushrooms, vinegar, although nutritional and brewer's yeasts are not harmful, as they do not colonize in the intestines).Likewise RAW saltless sauerkraut and natural vinegars in small quantity can be of great benefit.

Foods to Eat
Vegetables (including plenty of raw and slightly steamed garlic), protein foods (beef, chicken, eggs, fish), live yogurt cultures (both dairy and non-dairy,) RAW saltless sauerkraut, FOS*, whey, acidophilus, green algae's (such as spirulina and chlorella), nuts, seeds and oils, and non-glutinous grains (like millet, rice, rice bran and oat bran).

* FOS, or Fructo-oligosaccharides, are nondigestible dietary fibers that help to keep the stomach and bowels healthy. FOS are considered a "probiotic" because they nourish the naturally present "friendly" bacteria (especially Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli) which help to ward off infection in the digestive system

Supplements:
Check out combination products containing these herbs and supplements for natural defense against candida overgrowth:Acidophilus, Arm mesia, Bentonite, Black walnut, Bifidobacterium, Caprylic acid, Cloves, Garlic, Goldenseal, Grapefruit seed extract, Oregano oil, Oregon grape , Pantethine, Pau d'Arco.

Foods for Candida Diet:
Below is a list of safe foods typically approved for occasional or regular consumption for patients with Candida. For personal health and food advice, consult your doctor. That said everyone is different, what works for some might not work as well for other.

Other Safe Foods for Candida:
These include: onions and garlic, fresh vegetables (e.g. cabbage, broccoli, turnips, brussel sprouts, kohlrabi), Ryvita (sesame/original), soy milks, butter, cottage cheese and yogurt, freshly cracked nuts, seeds, water, fruit and herb teas, cold pressed oils, brown rice and brown flours, oats (e.g. porridge), meats (chicken, lamb or veal), fresh fish (esp. oily fish), shellfish, eggs, lentils, peas and beans. Choose organic varieties where possible.

Safe Breads:
In addition, if you suffer from Candida, and absolutely can't resist, you may eat small amounts of homemade breads using wholegrain flour with baking powder/soda for leavening. Examples: muffins, biscuits, pancakes, chapatis, Irish soda bread.

There have been strides made in the understanding of immune system boosting As well as in the choices of anti-fungal meds available now that weren't in 1985

However, as Jann Weiss pointed out, we are here to share and take what we can use. We don't all have to agree. But I hope this helps those who are Struggling to understand and reminds those of us who have more experience With Candida. Discussion is welcomed. (Excerpted from "The Nutrition Detective" pp. 125-129)

Foods to Eat Occasionally : These include: fruits in small amounts, raw seeds, dry beans and legumes, millet, brown rice, buckwheat and yellow cornmeal and baked potatoes. Cheeses lower in lactose may be tolerated, such as Monterey Jack, Swiss, mozzarella, Colby and provolone. Organic yogurt made with live bacteria may be beneficial for some Candida patients due to its healthy bacteria.

INTRODUCTION:
To reverse candida takes time.
When a loaf of bread develops a mold, we 'throw it out'.
When the body develops a mold such as candida, we have to make heroic efforts to create an internal environment in which the candida can live is balance with the other flora - the original design. Some people probably feel like 'throwing themselves out' when they get candida especially with mental and emotional side-effects like depression, insomnia, exhaustion, brain fog, memory loss, irritability, whining, anger, anxiety and mood swings that physical toxins create.
And how about the itching that some people experience! One school of thought feels that the mental and emotional toxins create a toxic physical environment. That insight opens another approach to healing the candida. Candida lives naturally inside our intestines in balance with beneficial bacteria.

Twenty-six strains are known and one company in Japan, Rikken, sells them to the public. Candida produces 79 toxins according to Vitamin Research Products Inc journal (3/99Vol.13#3). Growing out of balance and healthy relationship to other microorganisms, the yeast/fungi create toxic metabolites that begin to degrade the intestinal walls leading to 'leaky gut' and inflammation. This deterioration of the intestinal walls allows the yeast by-products and other inappropriate food molecules to enter the blood stream. Once in the bloodstream, candida, it's by-products and other substances have access to the whole body.

People may have symptoms that appear totally unrelated to the candida such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, vaginal yeast infections, headaches with sinus involvement, histamine allergic reactions and thrush white tongue, to name a few. Remember, the mouth is the beginning of the GI tract and culinary sugars begin their work immediately on the teeth, gums and tissues through interaction with fungi. Sugar activates candida metabolism and some of its by-products are neurotoxins such as formaldehyde, alcohol and acetlyaldehyde. One's nervous system can become deranged during candida due to specific neurotoxins. Autism is one example of this. Does Candida eat intestinal tissue? Gottschall says specific bacteria and fungi migrate from the large to small intestines to break down undigested complex carbohydrates.

The by-products of the pathogens - the acids, gases and enzymes - will irritate the mucosa and lead to permeability and inflammation. That can eat tissue. Candida can also change forms and metamorphose from a benign, round yeast form into a filamentous fungal form. The candida grows hyphae or long root-like filaments that extend and penetrate into cell tissue of the intestinal mucosa. That directly 'eats' into the intestinal wall. Candida is known 'to impair immune functioning by directly and negatively impacting the helper-suppresser ratio of T lymphocytes' according to Charles R. Caulfield in his article "Natural Therapies For Candidiasis Infections" that appeared in the San Francisco Sentinel, August 27, 1992. He places emphasis on the immune system. I feel that a weakened immune system may cause the candida or candida may cause the weakening of the immune system. It can work both ways.

Remember that half or more of intestinal tissue is immune tissue and what you do to the walls of your intestines you are doing directly to your 'immune' system. Also, the immune system might respond to candida by-products and food molecules in the bloodstream by secreting histamines with the classic symptoms of allergies and intolerances. Candida is resistant to antibiotics and lives in relationship to the intestinal environment. When the environment in the intestines changes in ways that do not promote the candida life and reproductive cycle, they will not continue to live in the same numbers.

Candida therapy starts with eliminating their energy foods from the diet, killing the fungus with various remedies, cleaning the intestinal walls, rebuilding the intestinal walls and rebalancing intestinal flora. As with any disease, candida healing also begins with an honest examination of one's emotional, mental and spiritual health.

SYMPTOMS:
Classic symptoms can hit suddenly or sneak up on one. Gastrointestinal: indigestion, gas, bloating, inflammation, pain, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, bad breath, dry mouth, coating on tongue, thrush. Somatic and Allergic: numbness, burning or tingling; painful, swollen, stiff joints; muscle aches and tension, nasal congestion, head tension, headaches, blurred vision, tinnitis, shortness of breath, chest pains, weight loss dizziness, sinusitis, chemical sensitivity. Mental/Emotional: depression, mental confusion, insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, disorientation, impaired decision making, low energy, hyperactivity, agitation.
Skin: white fungal skin patches like dandruff, acne, athlete's foot, anal itch, diaper rash, psoriasis, dermatitis, impetigo, finger and toenail inflammation.
Sexual: vaginitis, discharge, itch, bladder infection, menstrual irregularities, pain, cramps, lowered libido, infertility, impotency, prostate problems.
Urinary: Frequent urination, burning and desire to urinate, fluid retention, edema.

PROTOCOL FOR CANDIDA STRATEGIES FOR BALANCING INTESTINAL BACTERIA AND FUNGI:
1. Suppress or kill the yeast with anti-fungal.
2. Deprive or starve the yeast by diet modification.
3. Cleanse the walls of the GI tract.
4. Rebuild the walls of the GI tract.
5. Rebalance bacteria/fungi in GI tract.
6. Identify and avoid drugs, chemicals, foods and other allergens such as car fumes, pollutants, insecticides, preservatives, emulsifiers and food allergens that you know trigger your candida and its symptoms. Also, avoid yeast spores released into the air by mold in areas such as bathroom, kitchen and around leaking pipes in walls. Remove the mold or move out to a dry sunny spot.
7. Build your body, immune, emotional, mental and spiritual health via a strong program of supplements including electrolyte and pH balancing, fluids, exercise, therapy and meditation

CASE COORDINATION AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES:
It is beneficial for many to have a Naturopath ND, Chiropractor DC, Osteopath DO, Doctor of Oriental Medicine DOM or Medical Doctor MD coordinates your candida healing program. Many individuals present with candida symptoms and complications from candida and can use the help of a practitioner to coordinate a healing approach. The healing will come from a variety of techniques and practices not just 'one thing' and the protocol might change over time. Be prepared and the healing takes time!

SUPPLEMENTATION (Antifungal)
Following is a list of various herbs and drugs which kill yeast/fungi.
Tea tree oil is an extract of a tree native to Australia. It is a remedy for many mucosal fungal infections. The oil is used internally for thrush and esophagus and externally for fungal skin and nail bed infections. Tea tree oil and Grapefruit seed extract may be used for the external treatment of candida-related skin conditions by putting 2-3 drops of each in a lotion or salve and spreading it over the affected area. Nature's Cleanse by Melaleuca Company (1.800.282.3000) is one source of Tea tree oil. Citricidal is an antifungal from Grapefruit seed extract in liquid form. NutriBiotic produces an organic form. .Candida Dysbiosis Information Foundation (CDIF) offers this insight on candida contamination:
". . . is it any wonder then that antifungal and probiotic therapy must continue for such a long period of time? Imagine a worst case scenario when the fungi have actually rooted into the person's intestinal walls, from which they continue to re-inoculate the fecal stream. It's not enough to reseed briefly or sparsely this 'continuous-flow culture' which is living and growing inside the gut lumen, but one must maintain and support the desired ecology sufficiently long enough for the intestinal epithelial cells to desquamate (shed, slough off, turn over) so that the fungi buried within them will be expelled. While this is going on, the contents of the fecal stream will continue to be reinfected in an on-going manner; thus, antifungal therapy must continue sufficiently long enough to guard against relapse, in order to allow the membranes of the GI tract to heal."
The program to overcome candida takes time and patience, a constant theme in the literature.

Anti-Parasite herbs
The most common candida scenario is to have it concurrent with other pathogenic bacteria and fungi such as Blastocystis Hominis, C. freundii and Claustridia. A complete candida protocol would call for parasites cleanse in order to be thorough and even a liver flush to open up the liver and gall bladder ducts. Opening them allows any parasites including candida to be eliminated more easily. The free flow of bile from the liver/gall bladder will also prevent new parasite infection. Hulda Clark and Hannah Kroeger are the premier people and products for parasite and liver cleansing. Parasite killing herbs also kill candida.

Black Walnut is used to rid the body of parasites such as tape worms and as an anti-fungal for candida yeast, ringworm, athlete's foot and thrush. CAUTION: Black walnut will stop lactation if nursing. Black walnut is only one of many parasite killing herbs. See Resources and Urls.

One woman used two weeks of the ParaGONE program from ReNew Life which can be purchased from the health food store or call 1-800-830-4778. It contains 16 cleansing compounds for clearing candida as well as parasites. ParaGONE is for cleansing parasites and ParaZYME is for rebuilding.

Essential and Short-Chain Fatty Acids
Gamma-Linoleic Acid (GLA) is an essential fatty acid (EFA) which is often extracted from evening primrose flowers. It is also found in cold-pressed oils such as olive, flax, sesame and borage seed oils. Increasing dietary GLA helps prevent candida from becoming systemically invasive. GLA is also known to have other beneficial effects on immune regulation. Other therapeutic EFA's are found in hemp, black current and billberry and in trace amounts in nuts and seeds, avocados and coconuts. One source says that olive oil keeps yeast from converting to a fungus.
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are essential for the integrity of the intestinal mucosa. Butter is known to be highest in the most essential of SCFA's, butyric acid. Udo Erasmus in Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill is the expert to read. Very often a person with candida will have to make friends with eating more 'healing' fats in their diet and restricting starches. Others might find their fat metabolism has been jeopardized and they can use supplemental fats and not so much dietary fat. Each case is unique.

Cleansing Agents: Psyllium seed husks powdered and bentonite clear waste from the GI tract. Daily Castor oil packs help break up waste in the intestines and liver. MSM is supposed to address parasites as well as candida. Yeast also lives IN mucus and MSM is a good mucus stripper.
Vitamins & Minerals: Biotin is a B vitamin which is essential for the metabolism of fats and proteins. It is believed to play some role in preventing candida from converting into its invasive form. Yamaguchi and colleagues have found that taking 300 mgs of Biotin three times daily and two teaspoons of green olive oil three times a day prevents the conversion of yeast to fungal form. At least six months are required to get a good result.

Balanced free-form amino acids: Antioxidants such as Vitamin E, A, balanced B, I-Lysine and Pantothenic acid. Vitamins A and C help with the infection resulting from fungal micropunctures made into the intestinal walls. Copper and zinc work together. Imbalanced copper levels directly tie to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and candida. Copper serves as a natural antifungal. People with candida, parasites or Epstein-Barr virus commonly have an excess of copper and mercury in their body. Japanese scientist, Asai, found that an intake of 100-300 mgs per day of germanium improved many illnesses including candida. Research shows organic germanium increases tissue oxygenation. One theory states that a deficiency of ionic calcium (and other alkalizing minerals) is at the root of candida and juvenile diabetes. Acidosis ensues and degenerative disease develops without these minerals. Years ago I read in NW Walker books that cooking calcium-containing foods renders the calcium 'inorganic' and this clogs up the organs, joints and tissues. He advocates foods high in organic sodium like celery and zucchini to help remove the pile-up of inorganic calcium. Rich Anderson of Arise & Shine company feels that organic goat whey is the best source of organic sodium.

Anti-inflammatories:
Although all the herbs here are not specific anti-inflammatories, they have a beneficial effect directly or indirectly on the candida. It becomes apparent in a candida healing program one needs to purify and strengthen the blood and liver and that skin and intestinal/liver conditions are related. The herbs can be taken orally, rectally, externally, alone or in combination. Consult an herbal for preparation, quantities and appropriate application. This is true of the herbs mentioned elsewhere in the paper. The section on Intestinal Health also has additional herbal information. Cayenne has a multitude of qualities which help relieve gas, stimulate and tonify the system, purify the blood, tonify tissue (astringent), relieve spasms and kill pathogens. John Christopher, master herbalist, says that cayenne rebuilds the tissue in the stomach and heals stomach and intestinal ulcers. Cayenne also stimulates the peristaltic motion of the intestines and aids in assimilation and elimination. Marshmallow root (althea officinalis) is demulcent, mucilage, nutritive, vulnerary and protective. According to Christopher, marshmallow is high is lime and calcium and the root is high is oxygen and pectin. It is soothing and healing to inflamed intestinal mucous membranes. It has tremendous power to arrest putrefactive or dying tissue. Slippery Elm bark (ulmus fulva) is demulcent, nutritive, slightly astringent and tonic. The slippery elm mucilage soothes, disperses inflammation, draw out impurities, heals rapidly and greatly strengthens according to Christopher. He goes on to say that it is efficient in absorbing noxious gases and neutralizing any acidity in the stomach. "It's action is so gentle that it can be retained by delicate stomachs when other substances will be rejected." Comfrey leaf and root (symphytum officinale) is demulcent, cell proliferant, astringent, nutritive, tonic, hemostatic, alterative, vulnerary and mucilage. The herbalist Dr Shook writes that comfrey grows new flesh, stops hemorrhage and heals inflamed tissues remarkably.

Aloe vera will help heal intestinal tissue damage:
Chaparral (larrea tridentata) is listed by Christopher at alterative, tonic and astringent. It is a potent healer to the lymph, cleanses the lower bowel and tones peristalsis in slow muscles. Michael Moore, in Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West, says it "slows down the rate of bacterial growth and kills them with its antimicrobial activity." Oregon Grape (berberis aquifolium) is alterative, tonic, hepatic, tonic and laxative. Christopher calls it one of the best blood purifiers and liver stimulants. It promotes digestion, improves absorption, increases one's vitality and strengthens the lymph and skin tissues. Thyme (thymus vulgaris) is tonic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, nervine, vulnerary and vermicide. It is beneficial for bowel problems and has a soothing sedative action on the nerves. It is non-toxic like oregano and is used to eliminate all infection, to destroy worms and remove foul odors. Ginger (zingiber offcinalis Roscoe) is excellent for painful digestion, gas buildup, nausea and intestinal spasms. Ginger is contra-indicated for those who are already hot-natured because of its warming qualities. Morinda or Tahitian Noni. Oxygen Therapies: H2O2 or Hydrogen Peroxide, Ozone, Oxygen A number of people report good results using a variation of oxygen therapies for extinguishing candida. A number of products are on the market which contains oxygen or H2O2. Some use drops of food grade hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (3%) in a full glass of water. H2O2 is also taken in by injection or IV. One woman reported it worked very well until she ate complex carbohydrates again! OXY-PLUS product is food grade hydrogen peroxide and aloe vera. It helps relieve oral thrush. Some use H2O2 in their bath for candida skin disinfection. Oxygen and ozone may be rectally infused for candida. Optimum natural sources of oxygen are deep breathing and focus on breath and consistent exercise. Breathing and exercise deeply oxygenate the tissues. Germanium and uncooked foods add oxygen to the body.

Electromedicine
Hulda Clark's design, the SyncroZap or Zapper.
Dr. Becks Silver Pulser
www.mind.net/aware/parasite.htm
Don Kraft's $49 version of the zapper.

Dr. Loomis says cellulose enzyme dissolved in water handles candida in the mouth. It is used successfully on thrush, as a douche for vaginal infections and to dissolve candida in the digestive track.

"Finding your unique diet is a creative act and it changes as it goes along!

Current debate #2 Simple sugars or no simple sugars.
Some people do okay with fruits, others do not. Lemons and their fresh juice are the exception. They disinfect the GI tract, dissolve old protein and purify the blood. Simple sugars to avoid are bottled, canned and fresh fruit juice; dried, stewed and fresh fruits; and honey. Stevia is not allowed on the SCD however some do well with it. One person said butternut squash was too much sugar for them while practicing the SCD diet. On SCD and Candida from Breaking the Vicious Cycle: "When it is suspected that yeast invasion is widespread (the oral infection, thrush, would be an indicator) it is wise to cut back on honey ingestion at the beginning of the dietary regimen. The amount of honey in recipes should be decreased by at least 75% and may be increased as the condition improves." page 27

Case history
"Simple sugars like fruit and honey seemed to be absorbed into my system rapidly giving me needed energy, with no symptoms whatsoever. Prior to SCD, the complex carbohydrate's allowed on the candida diet caused me immense problems with alternating diarrhea and constipation, bloating and gas. When I was on the candida diet, I did not associate these symptoms with complex carbs but rather I blamed the candida. I always keep a journal of symptoms and what I eat when I am sick. Now I can look back in it and the incidence of major GI symptoms are linked to the complex carbo
hydrates. It pains me I did not see it then."
Case history
"I have taken the honey out of my diet and am being rewarded for that. Fruit does not appear to bother me. I have taken out dairy, including yogurt, and now my bloating has cleared up.
I am trying to incorporate more bitter things in my diet and it seems to raise my energy level and do me good all round. For instance, I eat lettuce that is naturally bitter and I drink bitter dandelion tea from the health food store."
Current debate #3 Diary including Eggs, Cheese and Milk or no Dairy.
Current debate #4 Yeast and fermented foods or no yeast and fermented foods.

One premise says that eating yeast foods tires out the immune system since they mimic the candida. According to Earl Mindell in his Vitamin Bible, the first step in treating candida albicans is to deprive the body of all yeast-containing foods. For example: cheese, leavened breads, sour cream, buttermilk, beer, wine, cider, mushrooms, soy sauce, tofu, vinegar, dried fruits, melons and frozen or canned juices. Homemade ferments from cabbage, nuts, seeds and homemade yogurts are simple recipes to restore floral and fungal balance. These are the ferment exceptions. Some people are dairy or yogurt sensitive and will find it better to make other ferments or use high quality positive bacteria daily. Many thrive on the home-made yogurt. For those interested in pursuing home-made ferments, I have found the following books. Handbook Of Indigenous Fermented Food by Keith Steinkraus, Publisher Marcel Dekker The Perm culture Book Of Ferments Of Human Nutrition by Bill Mollison People have had positive effects on candida with various diets. A few examples make the point. Each morning on an empty stomach a friend squeezes the juice of one lemon and drinks it down and follows it with one tablespoon of minced garlic in olive oil. According to a chiropractor friend with candida, one of her biggest manifestations was dry skin. She found lemon juice a great antidote to the candida. She makes salad dressing with lemon juice, garlic and olive/flax oil and uses it with plenty of green leaves!

'Eating pumpkin seeds and/or sunflower seeds first thing in the morning is great!
I snacked on raw carrots, pumpkin and sunflower seeds all day long. Raw is best!
Use cayenne pepper on everything.
Pomegranates are also very anti-parasitic in property.
Eating as much garlic and onion as possible is good, too.'

'Sauerkraut is a very healthy food for several reasons. Cabbage is very high in calcium and boron which acts synergistically with calcium. So it's very assimilable. It also has lactobacillus bifidus and acidophilus which help to replenish the friendly flora in the intestines. Overall, it's excellent for the digestive system and helpful for candida, too.' Some clients have candida and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) so bad all they could eat was water and ground meat. Others advance successfully to meat and vegetables.

The Blood Type Diet by Dr Peter D'Adamo is outlined is his book Eat Right For Your Type. I feel it can be of supreme guidance in selecting foods that harmonize with you and avoiding foods that potentially have a deleterious effect on your blood and hence, immune system. The book also tuned me into to more of what my natural tendencies are and the personalities of the various blood types. Dealing with candida requires every trick in the book and I find rotating through the highly beneficial foods keeps my mind on 'positive focus'. Because I am grain sensitive, I restrict the allowed grains for my type and do them rarely. Each person can temper the diet to their particular condition and sensitivity. The author says that due to our unique nature and backgrounds, exceptions exist and sometimes abound! At www.dadamo.com you can purchase a cheap family blood tester for $10.

Fluids
First things first. Are you hydrated or dehydrated? Are you drinking sufficient fluid every day to keep your self afloat and your immune system mobile? Does lack of hydration cause waste, by-products and parasites to stagnate and form a breeding ground for further inoculation, infestation and infection? I now thrive on a gallon plus of fluid daily mainly water, herb teas and raw juices after many years of dehydration.
"Making hydration a priority takes me away from my inappropriate focus on candida-unfriendly foods and habits and can reduce my appetite."

Juices
Bitters are best! Astringents are next!
Try fresh lemons squeezed in hot/cold water or tea. Try juicing green drinks like wheat grass, dandelion, escarole, endive, parsley, kale and chard. One friend suggested 2 quarts of carrot juice or carrot mixed with vegetables such as beet and celery daily for a week or two to see if there is a difference. However, some individuals do not tolerate carrot and beet due to high sugar content (high on the glycemic index) and/or pigment. In addition to the juices mentioned, Calbom and Keane add spinach, turnip and turnip greens, radish, parsley, beet greens, broccoli and ginger root. See their book for the combinations. The best juices for the candida people will be the greens, medicinal and aromatic herbs, lemons and limes.
Juices help us balance our 'electrolytes' because they are high in mineral and trace elements. The right juices are a fast track way to nourish ourselves quickly with live food and to strengthen our immune system.

Teas
I have gotten into herbs teas in the last few years whether I use tea bags, bulk herbs or wild-crafted herbs. Sometimes I brew only one herb like Neem (Ayurvedic bitter and anti-fungal) which I use for an enema additive or peppermint which I drink for flavor and tonification of digestive system. Most often I have 2-4 herbs mixed at once. I keep a 2 1/2 quart pot going most of the time. See the list of herbs under Supplements and choose one or more with a specific purpose in mind for your candida. Some are very bitter like golden seal and you might prefer it in capsule. Chaparral is a local plant and has quite a pungent flavor however I craved it when I had a bad infection. I like the flavor. Pau d'Arco tastes great almost like root beer. Echinacea is also tasty. Cloves, a strong anti-fungal, can be added to any tea for candida and flavor. Give some a try. Use some fresh mint or other herbs from your garden or start an herb garden.

Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Raw Foods
Is your diet at least 50% raw fruits and vegetables on any given day?
Is your diet at least 50% raw foods on any given day?

The raw foods help the elimination, make a better formed stool and increase energy for many people. Others are so sensitive or raw that beginning with steamed or cooked food is easiest on the system.
Diet clean-up takes time and may last six months to a year or longer. If you are struggling with eating disorders namely bingeing and overeating it means you don't have control over foods that cause your candida. It's important to get therapy and use behavior modification to overcome this. This process may take much longer than a year.

INTESTINAL HYDROTHERAPIES: Cleansing, Rebuilding and Rebalancing, Enemas, Colemas, Colonics "A sign that you are feeding candida more than yourself is excessive gas." What effect do the colonics/colemas/enemas have on candida?
"As for candida, I discovered I had a serious infestation after recently undergoing my first professional colonics. The black water and black fecal debris coming out of me with its distinctive moldy fetid odor (like the polluted, long-neglected bird bath) really convinced me."
"The colon cleansing has helped the most in getting rid of the yeast problem."
"I get relief when I get a colonic and eat raw organic fresh vegetables. Mostly the green things."
"I worked on an autistic 6-7 year old child with serious candida a few years ago. The parents used nystatin among other things and we did the colonics to help with die-off and re-initiate peristalsis (muscle motion of the intestines)."
"I get great results with candida when I use colonics in conjunction with anti-fungals, a candida deprivation diet, an intestinal cleansing program and flora rebalancing. The colonic rinses out the die-off and toxic metabolites the fungi secrete and it can relieve some of the hairy symptoms quickly mainly gas and bloat and pain."

"With the candida program I need to keep things moving to get rid of the die-off. Laxatives, enemas, colonics, colemas help keep the flow going. It is most desirable to flush out the dead and dying parasites and candida. Not only can they (and frequently do) cause obstructions, but much of the wastes will be digested and absorbed into the body."
"I have a pretty severe case of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and candida.

I am working with a nutritionist who strongly suggested I take colonics as part of my program. I was the woman complaining of weak arms a few months ago. After I started the colonics my lymphatic system drained for four days straight. I was so tight lymphatically in the belly, my massage therapist couldn't massage my belly. Things are much softer since I have had the colonics. I was reading The Colon Health Handbook by Robert Gray and he says that if the intestines are clogged, the lymphatic cannot drain waste material properly into them. I have lost a lot of fluid that was trapped and now with the candida die off, I am getting more overall die-off feeling in the whole body rather than in my weak arms. So things seem to be working better."

"I am doing a heavy duty candida program and metal detoxification program that require weekly colonics. I am trying to decide if a colema board would be effective enough that I wouldn't need to do colonics weekly. I read about a unit called The Ultimate Cleansing Unit by Ultimate Trends. Their website is www.fcinet.com/ultimatetrends. It sounds like a superior unit. Dr. Ann Wigmore and Dr. Bernard Jensen recommend it. Does anyone have any thoughts on colema boards? Have you found them very effective, and if so are there any other brands you would recommend?"
The answer is yes, colemas are very effective. Some people prefer them over enemas and colonics and say they get the best cleansing from the colemas. My article on Intestinal Hydrotherapies on my website has the names of many colema manufacturers.

Some people think colon hydrotherapy will "cure" a condition that has taken time to gain a stronghold in their intestines. Candida, parasites, food poisoning and inflammation can cause damage to the intestinal lining. The walls take time to heal. These clients might feel better after the treatment then experience symptoms again. The cleansing/rebuilding/rebalancing program creates an environment in which the intestines can heal. It's a matter of changing the environment. Robert Gray says remove what the parasites live in and they have nothing to hang onto. Cleansing programs remove some of them and/or their habitats.

Intestinal and parasite cleansing together are more thorough in eliminating bugs in the lumen and bugs eating into and residing in the intestinal walls. Be patient.
For those who suffer from candida and constipation or slow transit, it is important to get the transit time down below 24 hours. I began psyllium and bentonite in December and continued for 8 weeks finishing with a 7 day fast. I took a 3 week break then another round of 6 weeks of psyllium and bentonite finishing with another 7 day fast. It has cleansed and created positive effects more rapidly that anything else I've done. My transit used to be 3-4 days and after the first 9 weeks I got the transit down to 2 days. After the second round of 7 weeks, the transit is sometimes close to 24 hours. That's fast feedback. I used 2-3 TBS of each daily and 3 TBS during the fasts. Do all you can to support your digestive system and get transit time down to 24 hours or less. Improving elimination helps get candida out of the bowel.

How does internal implanting of flora help if my symptoms are external on my skin?
Regular implants of acidophilus and bifidus can be taken after an enema/colema/colonic. The flora begins distributing internally from the intestines. It corrects 'dysbiosis', an imbalance of the living organisms that live in the GI tract. They also neutralize the deleterious by-products of candida and restore the health and integrity of the intestinal walls. Skin problems are a reflection of the state of the intestinal wall! As the walls heal, so the skin heals.
Candida, AIDS/HIV and the Intestinal Connection.

Herbal suggestions for additives and implants
Candida is an opportunistic infection and present in many cases of HIV/AIDS. Jose provides excellent information on substances he and cited authors suggest for adding to the enema or colonic water in an effort to heal the affected intestinal membranes and lymph. His suggestions for enemas and colonics and the substances for additive or implant are prolific and worthy of keying out and testing. An additive is a substance(s) added to the enema or colonic water and it will run in and out of the intestines with the inflows and outflows of water. An implant is a substance(s) that is retained in the rectum after an enema/colema/colonic. The medicine of India, Ayurveda, calls additives in enemas, 'medicated enemas'.
"Some 40 to 60% of all the immune cells in our body are in the gut. Dr Andrew Korotzer PhD in the article 'The Gut Reaction To HIV' cites scientific magazines which say that 14% of the HIV replication occurs in the blood while 86% occurs in the mucosal membranes of the intestine tract and in the lymph nodes. These findings have implications in designing future treatments for HIV by focusing anti-viral therapy in areas where the highest concentration of HIV is found, the intestinal tract and lymphatic system.
The magazine Perfect Health News (PHN) (# 18, Spring Issue 1999) in the article 'Other Infections of the Intestinal Tract' reports that the large intestines (colon) is a nest for the growth and replication of many pathogens that contribute to immune dysfunctions and other symptoms. Published scientific research demonstrates that the gut can be heavily infected with HIV, parasites, candida albicans, tuberculosis, hepatitis viruses, CytoMegaloVirus (CMV) and mycobacterium avium complex (MAC/MAI). In view of the above, what treatments would target infections in the mucous membranes of the colon?
Marc Correa and Stanley Rebultan have a book on bitter melon enemas. In their view, medicinal or medicated enemas and colonics are therapeutic and bring positive results. The authors perform enemas with regularity and now are healthy and their HIV undetectable. Mark Konlle mentions in PHN anti-viral enemas made with garlic and apple cider vinegar, lemon balm (for HIV and herpes), chlorophyll (extremely good for hepatitis ), charcoal , bitter melon (for HIV), urine retention enema, ozone rectal insufflation, oxygen enemas and simple water enemas. We have a whole new field of experimentation for what is effective against HIV. I also suggest the following : - phyllanthus enemas - hypericum enemas - lactoferrin enemas - olive leaf extract or infusion enemas - hydrogen peroxide (well diluted ) enemas."

http://www.execpc.com/~keephope/keephope.html
Information on Mark Konlle, an HIV community leader and writer, who runs Keep Hope Alive.
Perfect Health News (PHN) is a publication from Keep Hope Alive.

Contributed with permission by Jose Garcia, gingerjoe@cyberspace.com.br, March 27, 1999

Phyllanthus niruri (Quebra Pedra) is a rain forest botanical used to clear obstruction throughout the system by promoting the elimination of mucous. It strengthens and fortifies the liver and gall bladder function by stimulating the production of bile. (NHOHF)
Hypericum perforatum (St Johnswort) is a sedative and pain reducer useful for neuralgia, anxiety, depression, fibrositis, sciatica, rheumatic pain and irritability and tension due to menopausal changes. (NHOHF)
Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) is a nervine which eases digestive tract spasms and is useful in gaseous dyspepsia. It helps in tension, depression, migraine, anxiety-induced palpitations and insomnia. (NHOHF)

CANDIDA AND CHILDREN:
It is very tough on the family when a child succumbs to candida. Parents share that their children eventually adapt to the new protocol and diet however it takes some strategies to make it work. Some make separate food for their spouse and other children. Others keep offending foods in paper bags in the refrigerator and get a lock for an offending cupboard so the child can't get in. Each parent develops the necessary sensitivity to help the child and maintain a balanced family life at the same time.

Thrush is a common form of candida in children. One woman has a three-month old baby with thrush on the gums. The thrush looks like little white spots or cottage cheese. She uses four drops of tea tree oil diluted in one teaspoon of olive or vegetable oil and rubs it into the spots on the gums. It helps restore the infant's gums to balance. She also either sterilizes or tosses the nipples on the bottles her child has been using.

Another possibility is to use four drops of clove oil in four ounces of water however the child may not like the taste of it. Lemon juice is also good as an antiseptic but babies are not overly fond of lemonade. A weak tea of the oregano leaf or clove bud may be put in a bottle so that each time the baby drinks it coats her mouth. The water needs to be sterilized until the thrush disappears.

Another excellent formula for thrush of the mouth is Propolis with Herbs by Twin Labs. It is a glycerine tincture containing golden seal, marshmallow, licorice, echinacea, myrrh, black walnut leaves, garlic and capsicum plus the propolis. It too can be diluted in bottle water.

One mother uses lavender, tea tree and clove oil in a diffuser to reduce bacteria and mold in the air. She also burns a myrrh and lavender combination incense when her children have viral infections (one part granulated myrrh and one part lavender).

Thrush is not the only manifestation of candida in children. Antibiotics and vaccines can set up an environment for other forms of infant candida and an expectant mother can pass it on to her baby. "When Barry's mother gave birth to him, she had a Candida infection. This meant Barry was born with an internal fungal infection. When he drank his mother's breast milk, the candidiasis became seated in his intestines and blood."

CANDIDA AND RELATED CONDITIONS:
Candida Parasite Connection
"For almost two and a half years I was very ill. My immunity was lowered and I was plagued with every infection that was going around and had a difficult time recovering. I had constant bladder infections, nose and throat infections, chronic fatigue, constant constipation, bloating, weight gain, depression, hormonal problems, loss of hair pigmentation, dry skin, and allergies. After months of my research, I discovered Candida. I treated myself successfully and felt great! No sugar, low carbs and antifungal herbal supplements. I decided to eliminate sugar and get off of the herbs. Immediately my symptoms returned. I discovered that many with re-occurring candida have an internal parasite problem. I went to the local health food store and purchased the parasite herbs to cleanse myself. It's five months later and I have not been sick again. I am exercising, feel younger than I have in years and am free from all symptoms. I have given up sugar entirely.

See Supplement section for additional information.
Here are some links for parasite killing herbal remedies:

http://www.herbal-alternatives.com/bwxp.htm
Black Walnut/Wormwood Plus at Herbal Alternatives website

http://www.vitaminusa.com/pharmacy/giproblems.html
Paragone and Parazyme available plus others.

http://www.patlee.com/parasite/parasite.htm
Pat Lee offers Clark's books and formulas.

Candida and Dental Mercury Connection

Candida converts the element mercury to methyl mercury which is 100 times more toxic. Mercury chelation might deliver more mercury to the system temporarily allowing the candida-methyl mercury conversion. Bacteria should die in the face of mercury but instead converts it for its own survival. For more details on dental mercury read Dr Huggins book It's all in your Head.

Candida and Autism.

Metabolites of candida and claustridia are found in urine samples of children with autism at Dr. Shaw's Great Plains Laboratory. I worked with a six to seven year old child, neurologically delayed and originally diagnosed with autism. She tested high for candida and clostridia in her GI tract. Her parents used colon hydrotherapy, And nystatin worked with Shaw and were aware of the SCD diet. Candida and Toxic Metal Poisoning
Metals are also tied in with candida. Hair analysis is one method of discovering them. Candida and AIDS/HIV See paragraphs in Intestinal Hydrotherapies section.

HERXHEIMER'S RESPONSE, CLEANSING REACTIONS and DIE-OFF

Herxheimer's response is a reaction to yeast die-off. Another name is the "healing crisis". Over 300 symptoms are related to candida. Symptoms may be aggravated when yeast is being destroyed through the use of Aqua flora and/or any anti-fungal remedies. Yeast wants to survive and will fight to live. When you win the battle, the crisis is over and you feel better. One client reported that she had a mild headache for several days and then suddenly felt much better.

"Many individuals who have a heavy parasite infection have a tremendous die off reaction. I believe my initial elimination diet and candida supplements helped ward off a serious die-off reaction during my parasite cleanse. I felt tired, sleepy, had minor skin eruptions, felt queasy at times and noticed cramping. These are good signs that my body is killing and ridding itself of parasites. Enemas relieve the die-off symptoms by washing out the dying parasites, candida and their toxins. However, if your die-off reaction becomes intense it is best to start slowly and eliminate some of the herbs from your diet for a while."

Sickness and cleansing can be taxing on all the organs and our systems slow down. Clearing toxic chemicals, accumulated intestinal wastes, parasites, candida, pathogenic bacteria or viruses is likely to produce slowed bowel transit time until we achieve some of our cleansing goals. During this time, it's important to lighten the burden on our bodies by eating lighter meals, avoiding foods we have trouble with, drinking more fluid and cultivating patience. The Herxheimer reaction is a severe response to cleansing whatever way it is accomplished. Die-off reactions can be uncomfortable and the Herxheimer reaction can mean major discomfort.

What do you do if you have an aggravated die-off? You have a choice. You can one, temporarily discontinue taking the product(s) causing the die-off, or two, reduce the dosage of the product until the body can eliminate the toxic waste or three, stay on the daily dosage and roll with the discomfort. Specialists suggest taking aspirin, AlkaSeltzer Gold or baking soda to reduce the symptoms. Many individuals experience no such effect.

A nurse who was cleansing described her experience this way. "These physical complaints became familiar to me while killing parasites. Surely the response is common where many organisms are to be killed! After several days of excessively aggressive zapping, I once experienced heart irregularities, leg pains and severe die-off symptoms. Certainly, I needed to heed those symptoms. Temporarily cutting back or discontinuing treatments may seem the logical answer if my response is the result of zapping, taking herbs, hydrogen peroxide or antibiotics. Perhaps not always. Doing coffee enemas has also been my answer for attaining relief."

Tests for candida immune complexes and also intestinal permeability with anti-casein and anti-gliadin antibodies through AAL Reference Labs. Excellent information.
http://www.gsdl.com/services/candidaculture.html
Great Smokies Laboratory. Candida Antibody · Yeast Culture & Sensitivity · Anti-Candida Antibody tests. They also include all the natural products to balance your intestines.
Great Smokies analyze the microorganism balance in the intestines for the public. One fellow learned he had no Lactobacillus Acidophilus in his sample at all despite intense supplementation with probiotics. I have had clients whose tests come back from Great Smokies and they too have no Lactobacillus Acidophilus! This is not uncommon.
GS Lab test results can indicate digestive and absorptive intestinal capacity; stool pH; short-chain fatty acids; and presence, absence and volume of bacteria and yeast. A yeast amount of 4+ is substantially greater than normal.

PEOPLE AND CENTERS

URLS
SCD Url and Listserv Info
SCD-request@Longisland.com subscribe
http://www.triplesoft.com/yogurt24/
http://www.inform.dk/djembe/scd/default.html
Details about how to order the book from the publisher are on this website:
http://www.fwi.com/cmg/
http://www.autism.com/shaw-yeast
William Shaw PhD, Great Plains Laboratory Director

http:// www.candidablog.com-
An information blog about candida cleansing, anti-fungals, and alternative medicine.

http://cassia.org/candida.htm
Dr. Crook's self-scoring candida symptoms test.
http://members.aol.com/docdarren/med/candida.html
An exceptional site regarding Candidiasis Syndrome.
Very comprehensive and includes relationship to allergies, psoriasis, CFS, diarrhea.
http://www.food-allergy.org/root3.html
excellent explanation of 'dysbiosis' or the imbalance of intestinal microorganisms.
http://www-sequence.stanford.edu/group/candida/
Stanford University's research projects on the subject.
http://www.gihealth.com
Educational site by an endoscopy medical practice which has some fantastic scope pictures from the esophagus on down through the gut. A visual education. I clicked on the picture of esophageal candida.
http://alces.med.umn.edu/Candida.html
A more technical look at candida and other pathogens.
http://www.isgnas.org/
More information on intestinal flora for those who like the scientific background.
http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~mwarhurst/oestrogenic.html
Introduction to hormone disrupting chemicals. Candida apparently thrives with hormonal fluctuations and excesses. Certain foods and toxins are said to cause an overabundance of estrogen in our bodies. Candida has been named as contributing to many female problems, such as endometriosis and other blood clots within the reproductive tract. It's possible the same factors that contribute to candidiasis, also contribute to gynecological diseases.
http://www.mall-net.com/mcs/afung.htm
Beating Candida, Curing Environmental Illness by E. Butler, Chapter 5, Antifungals
http://www.cris.com/~healthy/cfac/cancerbk.htm.

Cure For All Cancers
http://www.mall-net.com/arth/
Although it's called "The Arthritis Fund" it goes into detail on candida, causes, treatments and doctors who treat candida. It lists a four step protocol that must be adhered to in order to get well.
Also, there is an interesting article on Molybdenum which detoxes copper. Molybdenum helps eliminate dead yeast that is still in the system. The dead yeast can still cause toxic symptoms!
http://www.panix.com/~candida/
Tremendous candida resources by links.
http://www.panix.com/~candida/aldehyde.shtml
The Candida/Aldehyde detox pathway and the Molybdenum Connection. Plus info on intestinal related conditions, supplements such as molybdenum and pantethine and relationship to brain fog.
http://www.panix.com/~candida/weisscgd.shtml
Summary of books/diets by many authors including Ali, Gottschall, Sears, Gittleman plus. After reading, I purchased Dr Majid Ali's book, The Ghoraa and Limbic Exercises for insight into the emotional and energetic bodies.
http://www.beyondveg.com/
Avant-garde raw food site plus metaphysics and research on raw and other transcendent human diet info. The Paleo and Neanderthin diets are included in articles. Grain/dairy reduction diets.
http://www.wholeapproach.com
Contains information on candida treatment which calls for intestinal cleansing.
http://home.sol.no/~dusan/bowelcleanse.html
http://www.geocities.com/~dusan_s/
http://www.geocities.com/~mycleanse/
Dusan of Norway has a great site full of pertinent info on candida, cleansing, links and recipes.
http://www.mm.com/eastwest/bookcorn.html
Review of Lohoz's book, Conquering Yeast Infections, and an intestinal cleansing program as part of the candida protocol.
http://www.mwilliamson.com/yeast.htm
One person's story on the relationship between fibromyalgia/loss of hearing and yeast.
http://members.aol.com/ctfutures/CFS-secondchance-index.html
Carl Tuttle's site contains his story with candida and c. freundii plus.
http://www.popeshill.demon.co.uk/
Carol's Candida site in UK.
http://www.mall-net.com/cooter/moly.html
Cooter PhD writes an excellent article on the role of molybdenum in healing his own case of candida. Excellent information.
http://www.cfs-recovery.org/descript.htm
Relationship of Chronic Fatigue to candida plus allergies, thyroid.
http://www.teleport.com/~ctseng/cfs_pages/index2.html
The site is for CFS however it has 4 links to Candida info and sites
http://www.lymealliance.org/Medical/MedCategory7/Med4A/med4a.html
Interview on relationship between Lyme disease and candida with further candida details.
http://bcn.net/~stoll/wwwboard/wwwboard.html
Walt Stoll
http://www.healthyawareness.com/candida/
Rich resources on candida including a posting forum.
http://www.mdheal.org/parasites.htm
Long paper by Dr Leo Galland which includes candida.
http://205.180.229.2/clinic/dandc/candidia/index.html
Articles by health professionals including Jonathan Wright MD and naturopathic organization.
http://www.psoriasi.org/psoriasis/candida.htm
Outstanding Italian source on candida including Ayurvedic approach and extensive research sources.
http://www.herbaltraditions.com/
Bill Hopkins, Chinese herbalist from Novato CA, has herbs for candida.
http://www.health-truth.com/
The Biamonte Center for Clinical Nutrition
http://www.ioa.com/~dragonfly/candida.html
Candida Albicans Intestinal Yeast Infection, Treatment by Electro-Medicine.
http://www.1stherbshop.com/candida/
Homeopathics available for candida.
http://www.healthy.net/aquaflora/
Aquaflora is one of the key homeopathic flora formulas for candida.
http://www.flora-balance.com
Flora-Balance by International BioTech USA (800)736-1991.
http://www.modernherbalist.com/products/sf-722.html
Thorne product, SF-722, 10-undecenoic acid derived from castor bean oil is described. Candida Clearance Rotation Protocol. Good explanations.
Sheila Shea ©1999 All Rights Reserved