Anyone else dealing with Candida overgrowth?

[VeganGypsie]

I have been thinking about going raw for a while, and it will probably be a while still until I take the plunge, though my raw intake is increasing. I am already back on the vegan wagon, and dealing with a Candida overgrowth. This came mostly from non-vegan donuts and pastries and some soda:eek: So i have been vegan and no sugar or processed flours for 2 weeks. The typical Candida diet also eliminates fruit, and while i have been cutting down, a no fruit diet is not sustainable for me. I am getting some relief with my current plan, but I read about an idea from a raw foodist that it is fat intake rather than fruit sugar intake that Candida sufferers should actually limit. That actually seems harder to me, because how could I ever get enough calories without nuts and avos? Are any raw people here dealing with Candida? Any thoughts on what works and what doesn't? For example, I know the master cleanse is supposed to clean out the colon, but it is also pretty sugary (not to mention difficult). Any thoughts are appreciated.

[Betsy]

Belive me, you're not alone. Alissa talks about her personal struggles with Candida in her book. You should really get it if you don't already have it.

I have been battling with candida, too. Totally off all sugars, these last few weeks have been very healing for me as I see the symptoms dissappear before my eyes. Not to mention the weight loss. Eating only nuts, seeds, raw EV oils (hemp, olive, coconut, sesame) and veggies has been a real challenge because I am craving sugars from the fruits (not me, but the Yeast Beast). Eating a low sugar diet will starve off the yeast. Some do say to stay away from fats, but our bodies need fats, and fats actually stimulate the metabolism becasue the body knows it wont run low on fat, so it starts to burn it off. And quickly, I might add. So, there is an advantage here starving off the candida by not eating fruit/sugars. The only problem is I'm craving them!! I miss my watermelon and banannas, ect. But, I feel better. SO much better since eating this way.

Hope you can figure it all out, its really pretty simple. Starve the yeast and they die. (If you don't starve yourself first, LOL!:D )

[agumble]

I had candida for about a year and finally got rid of it by just going raw with no restrictions on fat or sugar. It's great being able to eat fruit since before raw, I was on a no-sugar diet. My advice is to give it the 30-day trial and see if it helps. Good luck!

[Cabosun]

Systemic candida was one of my battles before going raw as well. Now my morning spit test indicates that it is gone, as are all of the symptoms I was experiencing as well. I did not give up my fruit, just used moderation. A natural source of caprylic acid, which is one of the best weapons against candidia is raw virgin coconut oil. Also, grapefuit is a very powerful weapon against candida. Hope this helps! Lynn

[blix]

I use oregano oil for candida. I works beautifully. When your tongue turns pink again your on your way.:)

[VeganGypsie]

So did anyone have to do a master cleanse or other colon cleanse to get it to go away? One that I see on Candida sites sounds really disgusting and unnatural to me, but many people swear by it. you make a shake of some seed husks (psylium) and clay (bentonite) and add some caprylic acid and drink that for like 30 days or something. Drinking some cayanne lemonade and herbal tea sounds better to me, though I guess the advantage of the other is you get to keep eating food (though try to keep it clean and healthy food). people don't naturally eat large amounts of clay, and it seems like what's natural is probably better, yes?

[blix]

look up oregano oil here. www.candidablog.com/articles.php It really does work. I've never had to have a colon cleanse.:)

[theresaann]

detox detox detox....no other way to go.

Lots of green juices-no fruit added will alkalinize the body and help it rebalance, also eating probiotics to get the healthy flora in the digestive tract is REALLY important. The best one I've found is called "5 lac" and is available in some health food stores or over internet. This stuff totally knocks out candida.

It's inspiring to hear people get over this just on raw.

[River Mom]

Systemic candida was one of my battles before going raw as well. Now my morning spit test indicates that it is gone, as are all of the symptoms I was experiencing as well. I did not give up my fruit, just used moderation. A natural source of caprylic acid, which is one of the best weapons against candidia is raw virgin coconut oil. Also, grapefuit is a very powerful weapon against candida. Hope this helps! Lynn

What is a morning spit tests?
River Mom

[VeganGypsie]

What is a morning spit tests?
River Mom
you spit in a glass of water (in the morning before you've eaten), and if it is still floating in an hour, you're cool. If it has sunk to the bottom, or gotten tentacles like a jellyfish, you've got Candida.

[Betsy]

There are other forms of yeast overgrowth that a spit test will not reveal. It's not accurate.

[linlee123]

I am also dealing with candida. I have been for many years. For the past five years I have been on an anti-candida diet. I was pretty much able to keep it under control (not get rid of it) by a very strict diet, limiting my fruit intake to a couple pieces of fruit a week -- mostly granny smith apples.

I started the 30 day challenge 15 days ago. I'm doing it (at least for now) with no fruits. I am already seeing some positive changes -- sleeping better, a little more energy in the day, skin is looking better, muscle tension releasing some, thought process a little clearer.

VeganGypsie -- I had forgotten all about the spit test. Thanks for reminding me. I'll have to try it tomorrow.

Betsy -- Just curious, what other forms of yeast overgrowth won't the spit test reveal?

blix -- I've often thought about the oil of oregano. I'll have to keep that in mind.

Cabosun -- How do you incorporate the cocount oil into your foods?

To those of you who have successfully dealt with the candida beast -- how long did it take?

I'm soooo looking forward to eating some fruit with no restrictions. I haven't had any fruit since Feb 10th, and I went 100% raw on Feb 24th.

[belleadonna]

They say that caprylic acid is great for candida too. They get caprylic acid from coconuts.

[VeganGypsie]

Linlee123 - your post is rather discouraging to me, I hope I don't have to be on this diet for 5 years, though I do want to permanently keep processed sugars and flours out of my diet I want to eat lots of fruit and natural sugars soon! I was getting much better, but now (just before my period) feeling worse again, but not nearly as bad as last month, I am sure it is mostly due to the hormones and pH that comes with this time of the month. I have been eating more and more raw all the time, if you are vegan and no sugar, raw forums are the only place to look for recipes. Social eating is the big problem, and where I am have slipped up some recently.

So, during those 5 years, were you a meater or a veggie? Most of the fruit I eat is grapefruit. One good thing about being off sugar - grapefruit tastes much sweeter than it used to.

[Dimond]

I had it for years & got rid of it by just eating raw with no restrictions. Didn't take long. Eating less high sugar fruit & dried fruit will help speed up the process, but you shouldn't have to eliminate it altogether. Also taking a good quality probiotic helps.

Sometimes just the anti-candida diet alone won't work.