CANDIDA: Calling all experts!

[BawdyWench]

So maybe I have a problem with Candida (yeast overgrowth in the gut). I have a bunch of symptoms, and I did the spit test in the glass of water the other morning, and I definitely have "legs."

On a tip, I re-read about the "leaky gut" in Protein Power Lifeplan (my very dog-earred copy of the book!) and I'm following their regimen for regaining "gut health."

Each day for three days (today was Day 2), I drink a total of 4 protein shake made up of whey protein (34 grams protein each) supplemented with 10 grams glutamine each. I'm also taking a super mega vitamin, magnesium, potassium, and Atkins Essential Oils capsules.

By the end of Day 1, I actually thought I felt a bit better, and I think I slept better last night. Today (Day 2) I'm still feeling better -- not groggy like I have been.

The shakes add up to only 720 calories per day, but with 136 grams of pure, easily digestible protein.

So, I plan to do it for one more day. I'm really not hungry, strangely enough.

Now for my question.

How do I come out of this regimen?

I know I need to avoid all grains, all fermented condiments like sour cream and vinegar, nuts, cheese (except mozarrella and cream cheese), mushrooms (hate these anyway, so not a great loss!), etc. In essence, I need to stay away from fermentation, yeast, and mold.

So, do I start eating solid food right away?

Maybe have solid food for one meal and the shakes for two meals for a day or two, and then build toward all solid food again over the course of a couple days?

How should I add in veggies? A salad at one meal? And by "salad" should it be just romaine or another type of lettuce, or that PLUS raw veggies like cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, tomatoes?

In Lifeplan, the Eades simply say that after the three days to go directly to the Purist plan, at least at first. Fine, but still, solid food throughout the day even at first?

Sorry for being so long-winded. Obviously this little experiment has given me a bit more energy to write!

[zorra_1]

Bawdy,

I've been looking into Candida as well and have ordered a few books (have yet to receive them). I'm no expert and can't vouch for the validity of the list, but I thought I would pass along a site that I found to be helpful. (It was not originally from this site, but I couldn't remember the origin).

http://www.joyfullivingservices.com/candidadiet.html

[BawdyWench]

Thanks for the link, Zorra. I'll delve into it tonight.

As an update to what I wrote last night, day by day I'm feeling better and better. I think it's the glutamine! I've done some research on it over the past couple days, and the stuff is like gold. Evidently, your body needs it for so many things from keeping the intestinal tract functioning smoothly to doing wonders for the immune system, PLUS studies have shown it to help dramatically with surgical recovery, liver disease, addictions (including alcohol and sugar), obesity, mental instability, auto-immune diseases, and exercise recovery.

I'm preparing a post on it to see what others think about it (I'll put it in the Supplements forum later today). I've never had such dramatic results from a supplement before. Heck, even when I started the LC lifestyle I didn't get the energy rush and clearness of mind that so many people report.

But this glutamine stuff . . . I'm buying stock in it! :lol:

[BawdyWench]

Me again. I just took a peek at that link. Valuable information, I'm sure, but was this put out by the "Nature's Sunshine" people? Check out their list for approved beverages:

BEVERAGES
Nature's Sunshine Vita-Lemon
Nature's Sunshine Herbal Beverage
Nature's Sunshine GlanDiet Shake
Water

Hmmmm.

I have, however, printed the recommendations and will keep them in mind. Thanks again for posting!!!

[zorra_1]

I like this one better (still very similar), but with no propaganda :lol: !!

http://www.yeastconnection.com/pdf/GroceryList.pdf#search='Edible%20Fungi%3A%20All%20types%20of%20mushrooms%2C%20morels%2C%20and%20truffles%20'

[zorra_1]

I just looked over the new list and it mentioned something about the first 3 weeks... I wonder if they have a plan for getting rid of yeast...off to check that out.

Will report back if I find anything of value!! :lol:

[zorra_1]

Mission complete!

http://www.yeastconnection.com/fighting_diet.html

Gives more direction on the stages...elimination and how to reintroduce foods.

[BawdyWench]

Perfect! I'll check it out tonight. Thanks for your help in this. I think I have a mild case, so I already know I won't be following these food lists to a "T." I will, however, start very slowly and introduce only one "cautious" food at a time to see how I react to it.

[BawdyWench]

Here's a link to a post I just put out there on my experience with glutamine: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?p=5792000#post5792000
I'm hooked.

I have a good friend with a terrible case of IBS. I keep telling her about glutamine, but she's the kind who will only do something if her doctor tells her to. Besides, she "just can't live without bread." She's been on steroids most of the past several years, and is bloated terribly. I can't imagine what it's doing to her system. And yet, she won't give up bread.

It's sad.

[m1whowaits]

A good probiotic will help restore the proper balance. I had the beginnings of a UTI. I drown myself in cranberry juice and probiotics for 2 days at it was gone.

[BawdyWench]

Just wanted to report back in that after my "die off" on Wednesday, it got progressively worse. Thursday I felt lousy all day, and the Friday I woke up with the mother of all migraines, except it wasn't a migraine (anyone who has migraines can tell the difference).

It literally POUNDED and felt like my head was going to explode every time I moved my head, got up, or sat down, or changed positions at all. Still, I went to work (in a horrible snowstorm -- took almost twice as long to get to work). I had taken Advil before going to bed because I had a bit of a headache already, and then in the morning took two more. Then, mid-morning I couldn't stand it anymore and took 2 more. It abated, but didn't leave.

Halfway through the afternoon I took 2 more. Finally, it went away. I did start again on solid food on Thursday. I had one small meal on Thursday, and 2 small meals on Friday. I think I'll stick with 2 small meals and one shake (with 20 to 30 grams of glutamine mixed in) for quite a while.

[faith91]

I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth, since I have battled candida on and off for 12 years.My downfall is ALWAYS when I get back on sugary things. SO I have decided that it is not worth it to indulge. I now eat vegetables, meats, and nuts and grains. No pop, chocolate, sugar, etc. I can get my sweets by eating oranges or apples.

One really good meal is to chop up cauliflower and some onions, add water to cover and cook them until soft. Then puree in a blender and make a soup. You can also add carrots or broccoli. This is a great anti-candida meal.

For salads, head lettuce is the hardest to digest. Boston lettuce is a good substitute. Or other leaf lettuce. But my nutritionist said that head lettuce is a no-no.

A good inbetween meal snack: sesame tahini on organic wild rice cakes. Good protein source.

I think that Three Lac is beneficial for ridding candida and maintaining health. Talk to mark at candidafree.net. He has quite a testimony and helps people get free and stay free.

[Nancy LC]

I've been looking for Leucine for me and Mom after reading that study in the Research area. Mom's lost so much muscle mass she has a hard time walking or even standing steadily. It looks like there's a Amino acid forumla at iherb.com that has both glutamine and leucine. So I think I'll get this for myself too! One does start losing lots of muscle as one ages and well... I seem to be aging a bit every year!