Following a Candida Diet for General Healing

[clutterbug]

I don't know if I have candida. Sometimes I think so, and sometimes I don't. But I wonder if it wouldn't just be good to do a candida diet like Bee's just for general healing. Would it be beneficial? Is there any point? Or should I not go to all that trouble?

Some of the symptoms I'm dealing with are low energy, fatigue, and brain fog. How long would it take for me to know if following a candida diet would be helpful? What kind of trial period should I shoot for?

Or is there something else altogether I could try?

Anyone?

[bhappy]

Originally Posted by clutterbug

I don't know if I have candida. Sometimes I think so, and sometimes I don't. But I wonder if it wouldn't just be good to do a candida diet like Bee's just for general healing. Would it be beneficial? Is there any point? Or should I not go to all that trouble?

Some of the symptoms I'm dealing with are low energy, fatigue, and brain fog. How long would it take for me to know if following a candida diet would be helpful? What kind of trial period should I shoot for?

Or is there something else altogether I could try?

Anyone?

Hey clutterbug,
Welcome! This site has great info. You too are probably busy with kids, etc but it is worth the read. In the beginning of the thread somewhere it has an awesome list of symptoms (all of yours are on it). They estimate that 80% of our population is afflicted by yeast related ailments so chances are you have it to some degree. There is no question you would feel better eating a candida diet. I would recommend eating that way for a good month and doing some of the basic natural antifungals like coconut oil and garlic so you can starve the yeast while killing off some of it too. You'll get kill off symptoms that might make you think you are getting sick but hang in there. The kill off symptoms do subside. You will be amazed at how your energy level comes back, you're more alert and that brain fog will get better. The fatigue and brain fog get bad for me if I cheat and I was amazed how much I got better. I literally used to feel like someone had drugged me and I could fall asleep anytime, any place and often fell asleep before putting my little ones to bed. There are so many people affected by this and this site has changed my life and if you read the thread and start to follow things listed, you will be so much healthier for it. Do this stuff for at least a month before you decide anything, but chances are you'll know sooner than that! And then you can add in more of the supplements you will need

[clutterbug]

Thank you, bhappy. I know you're right.

When you say

this site has changed my life and if you read the thread and start to follow things listed, you will be so much healthier for it

are you talking about LCF and the Let's Talk Yeast/Candida thread? I actually started a candida diet a little less than 2 years ago and it broke a stall for me and I felt better but found out I was pregnant less than 3 weeks into it and stopped the candida diet. I think part of me is afraid of trying again because I don't want to get preggers! My "candida diet baby" is now 9 months old.

I'm sure I would have a die-off reaction and then feel great. Sigh. I dread giving up dairy. I'm going to keep contemplating and re-read that gigantic thread.

Thanks so much for your input!

[bhappy]

Originally Posted by clutterbug

Thank you, bhappy. I know you're right.

When you say are you talking about LCF and the Let's Talk Yeast/Candida thread? I actually started a candida diet a little less than 2 years ago and it broke a stall for me and I felt better but found out I was pregnant less than 3 weeks into it and stopped the candida diet. I think part of me is afraid of trying again because I don't want to get preggers! My "candida diet baby" is now 9 months old.

I'm sure I would have a die-off reaction and then feel great. Sigh. I dread giving up dairy. I'm going to keep contemplating and re-read that gigantic thread.

Thanks so much for your input!

Yes, the Let's Talk Yeast/Candida thread. When I read it, I would copy the really informative parts into another blank document and then I would just refer to the new document ( just a little tip that helped me) I'm just getting back from a week at Disney World with the kids which caused me to cheat and now I'm trying to wean off of sugar. It's so hard once you get a taste of it again....but I will be disciplined again because I feel so much better. You should try it again so you can be the healthiest mom you can be for that baby!! I have so much more energy for my kids now, they tell me they're happy I'm not so sick anymore. You can do it

[Jennilyn76]

bhappy, how long did it take for your die-off to...umm...die off? LOL Reading that thread, it seems that a few had it for a long time. I'm only on page 27, but as of that page, they (like Tooter and Margo_65) are still feeling icky.

I joined Weight Watchers with my mother on Tuesday because I wanted to try out just eating better first to see how I feel, then possibly do the Candida diet after that. I have drastically cut my carbs since then (used to eat about 90% carbs, 10% other stuff) and now I'm feeling sick a lot of the time. Could that possibly be some die-off? I'm taking L-tyrosine (amino acid) to possibly get me more alert, Vitamin C, a B-complex vitamin and a multi-vitamin for women.

Jennifer

[clutterbug]

Hi, Jennifer....I hope bhappy can answer your question about how long die off might last. You are probably feeling what is called Induction flu that happens when you cut your carbs dramatically. Some people think this is die off, and my guess is that is part of it, but part of it is your body reacting to switching fuels. It should only last a few days....say 2 to 3. How much fat are you eating? I know you're doing WW, but you need to make sure you're not eating really low fat and low carb at the same time. Your body needs a certain amount of quality fats to run at optimal levels.

Good luck....let us know if you start feeling better soon.

[Jennilyn76]

I'm not sure how much fat I'm eating...not eating anything that is really fatty since that's high in points. I'm not really low carb right now since I have no "good" groceries in the house and can't afford to get any until next week, but I have lowered my intake since before, all I was eating was junk most of the day, besides supper. Today for lunch I had a slice of toast with pb and a low fat granola bar. Not the best, I know, but I have no veggies in the house besides baby carrots and iceberg lettuce. My family is eating crappy so I hope with the change in me, my family will become healthier too since I'm the one that buys the food and makes the meals. LOL I quit drinking soda a few weeks ago and am loving the water! Such a big change from having 2-3 cans a day!

I'm wondering if I should go talk to a doctor about all of this before I start anything...I'm pretty sure my doctor wouldn't help, but there's a few holistic doctors in town that might.

[bhappy]

Hey Jennifer,
I agree with clutterbug about the fat intake. I did some strict dieting a long time ago and only ate 10% fat and I started getting very weak, dizzy, etc and I increased my fat a little and got much better. Now, having said that, I doubt that is the only issue. The die off can be quite significant and it lasts for a different amount of time in each individual. I think a week is a good average. However, that depends on how much antifungals you're doing. I made the mistake of taking too much coconut oil once and I was so out of it(dizzy, nauseous, weak, sleepy and some heart palpatations). So I cut back to an amount that didn't cause so many die off symptoms for me. Also, the epsom salt soaks help rid your body of the toxins. I've also heard that increasing your Vit C can help open your detox channels if they are clogged. Vit C is a great anti-inflammatory, it's water soluble so you urinate the excess; however, too much can cause diarrhea and screw up the balance of other levels of nutrients so find out how much you can tolerate. When my lungs get affected by the candida, I start taking 1,000mg every 2 hours until I feel better. Usually doesn't take long. It's great you're starting with WW and I'm sure you'll start feeling better soon. You'll want to start the coconut oil when you can, it's an incredible antifungal. Get the extra virgin organic off the netrition site, it's the best. It's hard to get your family on board but it can be done slowly. Mine is eating better and not as strict as me by any means, but we are all making healthier choices and better for it. Just a comment, I have been plaqued with UTI's since I was 5 with no answers of why. Sometimes I actually cultured a bacterial infection and many times it was negative but I had all the symptoms. Well, now 30 years later, I know it must have been yeast. Now, I no longer get any UTI's or symptoms unless I cheat and then I have the other yeast symptoms too. Wish doctors would have known about this way back then and saved me from more rounds of antibiotics than I can count. You might want to have an exam by a doctor to make sure nothing else is going on, but definitely get to a naturopath or DO so they might know about candida also.....most mainstream MD's do NOT think it is significant. Let us know how things are going.

[Jennilyn76]

I had a UTI once when I was a kid and then nothing until I got pregnant with my first daughter in 2001. Was pretty much fine after she was born with the occasional feelings of UTI but was negative. This past year I've been only getting UTI's after intercourse which is straining the marriage since I don't want to be on antibiotics so we only do it every 4 months or so. I hope that goes away! I'm sure my hubby does too LOL

I'm going to make a doctors app't next week and see what he says before I go and buy anything else. I just spent $54 last week buying the multivitamin, L-Tyrosine and Stevia. I will be wanting some CO though! I'm going to see if they have coconut milk at the grocery store and buy lots of veggies too.

[msyvonne]

Hello Orafreay girl.
I have been doing so much better. Thank you for your advice.

My question today is, what about rice vinegar? I know while attempting to control Candida one should not do vinegar. What about rice vinegar? Is it malted as well? What about the apple cider vinegar with mother in it? I will not use it at all if will help the candida grow.
I loved your statement a few weeks ago that the food that feeds the candia was poison to you. That is how I feel about sugar and dairy. As well as wheat products. I have other health issues. I am not sure if I stated it before my main goal for now is to go to an allegry appt at the end of the month and not need the meds. I am getting there. The itchy ears right now are annoying. When they get itchy like this if I keep sticking my finger in absentmindedly I get MRSA. It is one of the issues in my life.
I am challenged to find a naturopath in my area, even someone that is open minded.
Thanks again for your wisdom and your desire to share it.
Y