Candida Help

[annavon]

I am trying to kill off an overgrowth of candida and I am struggling with what to eat. I got a book on candida, but it is not raw friendly. Alfafa spouts and mung bean sprouts are allowed as long as they are cooked:eek:. I am currently doing a juice fast, but I don't know what I can eat when I can start eating.

Help!

[4forme]

This is not necassarily raw friendly per se, but I wanted to share my experience anyway in hopes that it may help you. I have struggled with systemic candida for too many yrs to remember and nothing cured me of it excpet a non raw completely no sugar or grains type diet, much the one in The Yeast Connection (found this before i found raw). It worked wonderfully as long as I stayed on it, however I fell into deep Adrenal Insufficiency and PPD and Hypthyroid after the birth of my 4th child. Dr told me to be eating much more than I was, and being so sick and sad I listened (BIG MISTAKE!!!)
That started my fight with Candida all over again. Been fighting for 2 1/2 yrs again. My Dr I saw in SIngapore (his practice is in Integrated Medicine) had put me on a supplement with Chromium and other things. That neer really helped. However, I just found a supplement recomended by the same Dr and it is AMAZING!!!!!
It's called Kolorex, and I can get more info from the bottle if you want. It's a natural supplement, and has completely cured me of all food cravings, craving driven food habbits and overeating! I feel so free it's wonderful! I might be detoxing it a little still as my body is a bit achey, but it's only been 2 weeks taking it. I take it along with Chromium to help better utilize the sugar in the blood.
I am sorry you are struggling with this, it's not a fun thing to deal with!
Blessings to you and I hope you find an end to this soon!

[katchmoleen]

I haven't been specifically trying to combat candida, though I know it is a problem for me. However, a few weeks ago I started adding a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil to my smoothies, and holy smokes, it really kicked up the detox. I know it was because it was killing candida like crazy. I do try a lower glycemic load diet overall and don't eat much fruit so that probably helps.

[iluvmangos]

I have problems with candida, too. I recently read that marine phytoplankton is supposed to be good for candida so I ordered some. There's some really expensive marine phytoplankton at rawfoodworld.com for $60.00/oz. plus s&h. There's some not so expensive marine phytoplankton at iherb.com for $30.00 for 2 oz. plus s&h, but they're out right now unless you want it in capsule form. I found some of the same stuff that iherb sells on ebay for $23.00 for 2 oz and free shipping. Check ebay and see what kind of deal you can get.

In the meantime, I haven't been eating any sweet fruits and have been taking a product called Candida Clear by NOW Foods until I ran out (only had about a week's worth left), pau d'arco capsules, and a couple tablespoons of coconut oil daily. I can tell the candida is dying as my foot isn't itchy anymore and I'm not having those itchy female issues. I really hate not eating the sweet fruits, though. I miss 'em so much!

I've also read that fat could actually be the culprit and not sugar as far as candida overgrowth because fat makes sugar stay in the blood stream too long and feeds the candida. I'm thinking about trying low-fat raw vegan and eating sweet fruits again, but I'm just so afraid that maybe that theory is incorrect and I'll be all itchy again. I really don't feel like I need or want so much fat anymore anyway, but I'm afraid to start eating sweet fruits and don't know what the heck I'll eat. Ugh!

[iluvmangos]

Well, I've decided to take the plunge and see if low-fat raw vegan will help. I was reading on another forum that someone cured their candida by eating nothing but bananas for 10 days. Other people said that's not really necessary and you can eat any fruits and greens you want, but should stay away from the fats for awhile. So, that's what I'm doing right now.

I just couldn't stand trying to subsist on vegetables, avocados, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and non-sweet fruits like cucumbers and tomatoes. I had so little energy it was pathetic and I felt horrible. I did that for 5 days. Not an experience I want to repeat.

So, today I started out with a green smoothie of bananas, green leaf lettuce, and spinach. Later I had some banana/cherry ice cream (bananas and cherries mixed up in food processor), and an orange. I'm gettin' hungry again so I'm gonna go get an apple. I don't have much for food for me in the house right now besides frozen fruits and a few apples, so I gotta get to the store when my husband gets home cuz I want more fresh fruit.

So far, so good. No candida flare-ups yet.

By the way, I'm not saying that everyone must eat low-fat. Just saying what I'm doing to try to cure my candida overgrowth.

[marisaps3]

iluvmangos - are you still on the low fat raw diet? I also am trying to get rid of candida and I saw the forum with the 10 days of bananas too. I'm not doing that either, but I have been eating low fat raw for the past two days and feel pretty good. I'm thinking about getting Dr. Grahams book 80-10-10 to read more about it. I was eating raw for about 3 and 1/2 months but my symptoms got worse (I think because of too much fat) Like you I also tried the raw diet without fruit and grains and it was just awful! Anyway, I hope that you are doing well! :)

Marisa

[iluvmangos]

iluvmangos - are you still on the low fat raw diet? I also am trying to get rid of candida and I saw the forum with the 10 days of bananas too. I'm not doing that either, but I have been eating low fat raw for the past two days and feel pretty good. I'm thinking about getting Dr. Grahams book 80-10-10 to read more about it. I was eating raw for about 3 and 1/2 months but my symptoms got worse (I think because of too much fat) Like you I also tried the raw diet without fruit and grains and it was just awful! Anyway, I hope that you are doing well! :)

Marisa

Yep, I'm still doing low-fat and it's still working. No more candida flare-ups. I'm sticking with it. I'm getting Graham's book, too. It's on the way.

[DebB]

My husband just started Dr. Whiting's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN-STK2XvgM) program today. He thought about it for about a year (!) before ordering it. He was able to speak with Dr. Whiting personally and he answered all his questions. Dr. Whiting isn't an MD, he's a PhD.

I don't know anything about him, but wanted to toss it in. Ofcourse my husband has high hopes. *Ü*

[marisaps3]

Yep, I'm still doing low-fat and it's still working. No more candida flare-ups. I'm sticking with it. I'm getting Graham's book, too. It's on the way.

That's awesome! So glad to hear. It will help me with sticking with the low fat raw too! I do like not having to spend hours in the kitchen making raw food dishes. And I LOVE banana ice cream. I think I could just eat that all day. :) I'll have to try adding mango.

I wanted to ask you, did you cut out all the fat for awhile first? And what is an example of how much fat you have in a day? I had two Tbs. of almond butter on the second and third day but not sure if that is still too much. I do feel much better but still a tiny bit foggy. I'm going to try and not have any fat today and see what happens. My 80-10-10 book is on the way too. :)

Thanks for your help!
Marisa

[iluvmangos]

I wanted to ask you, did you cut out all the fat for awhile first?


Yes, I decided to cut out all the fat for the first 2 weeks just to make sure the candida is good and under control. I'll be adding some fats back in on the 20th.

If you decide to do that, make sure you have plenty of food on hand for when you get hungry or you may be tempted to gorge on fat.

[marisaps3]

Yes, I decided to cut out all the fat for the first 2 weeks just to make sure the candida is good and under control.

Thanks for your suggestions! I'm going to try cutting out the fat for a couple of weeks as well and see how that works. I just went out and bought some more fruit because I agree with you... last night I didn't really have anything to eat and that's when I heard the almond butter calling my name. :eek:

[SweetTangerine]

I think I am going to try this no fat idea. I have been suffering from candida overgrowth for years and it has been miserable. Eating hurts, I'm more often than not bloated, I have horrible PMS and usually for a few weeks out of the month I am in too much pain to have sex :( Those are only the most severe issues, I have many of the others to varying degrees (except skin problems, for some reason that is not affected). I have tried nearly everything... except cutting out fat for a few weeks. It makes total sense from everything I have read. I have been raw for nearly a month this time around I have hardly lost any weight. The only thing I notice is I am not bloated all of the time, just some of the time.

My bf and I are going on a motorcycle trip on the 23rd of August for five days so I'm going to go full swing as soon as we get back. I am going to experiment with green smoothies before I leave... who knows, maybe I will do a few days to test it out. I want to visit a few raw restaurants on the trip so I don't want to limit too much and this is my first raw road trip which is a challenge in itself. When I get back, my diet will consist of green smoothies and soft fruit. I am choosing things that don't require much chewing in an attempt to give my digestive tract a break so no salads or hard fruits like apples. To compliment this I will also take grapefruit seed extract, oregano oil, maybe some pau d'arco tea and of course tons of good old water.

I am posting all of this so I will actually commit to doing this. If I just tell myself, then I usually won't stick to it. If I tell others, then I fell almost obligated :).

Iluvmangos... after the 20th please post and tell us about how the two fat-free weeks went for you.

[Soose]

I've posted on another candida string about a homeopathic remedy for candida. Totally solved my systemic candida nightmare. Inexpensive and easy to try.

[iluvmangos]

I've posted on another candida string about a homeopathic remedy for candida. Totally solved my systemic candida nightmare. Inexpensive and easy to try.

I can't find that thread. What did you take?

[rawrawks]

I am going to go look in my homeopathy book but if you can post what rem it was??? It seems I am currently detoxxing old candida right now...nooo fun.

[marisaps3]

I am posting all of this so I will actually commit to doing this. If I just tell myself, then I usually won't stick to it. If I tell others, then I fell almost obligated :).

I totally agree with you. Let's all encourage each other! So far I'm loving low fat raw vegan. It's super easy and I feel a lot better. :) I had a hard time giving up my two tbs of almond butter so that's what I'm going to commit to doing for the next two weeks. To just eat fruits and veggies!

[SweetTangerine]

Marisaps3: It is hard to give up that little bit of fat. I find I do fine until dinner time, that is when the cravings really kick in. But it's not like you will never get to eat that almond butter again. Look at it as taking a break for a while. That is how I am going to set my mind. I am only giving up fats until I am able to enjoy them without suffering and feeding the candida. After the candida is gone I'm sure it will be a lot easier to eat it moderately. I'm really looking forward to my vacation so I can have five days of fun and then so long candida.

[marisaps3]

SweetTangerine:
After dinner time is my weakness too! I like how you put that "it's just taking a break from almond butter" so that's how I am going to look at it. :D

I do love Alissa's way of teaching about raw foods because I don't like to deprive myself, but I know that she also says you'll know when your body will be ready to move into lighter raw food meals and I definitely feel that now. I don't have any more candida symptoms after cutting out the fat, so after a few weeks of no fats I plan to transition into a much lower fat diet than what I was previously doing.

Thanks for the support... and have a great time on your trip!

[Soose]

I am going to go look in my homeopathy book but if you can post what rem it was??? It seems I am currently detoxxing old candida right now...nooo fun.


I can't find that thread. What did you take?


At the beginning, I took a combination remedy called Candida Plus -- it had several diff strains of candida in it, not just candida albicans. This was just what the practitioner had to give me. I'm sorry I don't know the brand of the remedy. I had immediate healing results. (Amazing to me, the first homeopathic remedy I took. I had exhausted other methods first without healing.) Every time the symptoms would return, I would take another dose, and over time, the doses were further and further apart. Unlike the other methods, the remedy continued to work. (My body did not develop a tolerance for it.) My immune system also improved over time.

At some point, I switched from the combination remedy to just taking a single remedy made from candida albicans and it worked as well; I would just take whichever I had on hand.

[rawrawks]

Ok.....hmmmm still dont know the name of the remedy.

I use homeopathy and it is phenomenol. I will research to see what rem can be used.

[Soose]

Ok.....hmmmm still dont know the name of the remedy.

I use homeopathy and it is phenomenol. I will research to see what rem can be used.


Rawrawks, the remedy was a nosode prepared from candida albicans (and other candida varieties). So you should be able to find it under that name. Very common around here.



[I should add that I know this is not classical homeopathy. I do have a constitutional remedy; and I don't normally use combination remedies. But my experience with candida was that I used the candida remedies.]

[daniel]

How can I tell if I got intestine candida? Is there a medical test for it?
How much coconut oil do you take daily?
Has anybody tried zappers to eliminate candida?

[annavon]

How can I tell if I got intestine candida? Is there a medical test for it?
How much coconut oil do you take daily?
Has anybody tried zappers to eliminate candida?

Yes, there is a medical test for candida. My naturopath had me take a stool sample. I don't think that regular doctors test for it. (they deny that it is a problem:rolleyes:).

Don't know the answer to the other two questions, but I am interested in finding out.

[SweetTangerine]

I just wanted to post and update. I have been doing a no overt fat raw diet for nearly two weeks (with one day of some overts, but not very much). My candida problems are nearly gone, and I have finally started losing weight again. If you read my post earlier you can see I was suffering from quite a few symptoms. I really feel for me eating tons of juicy sweet fruit with some greens has really given my body the ability to sort through this candida mess. If you are like me and have tried just about everything else, give fruits a chance. You may find it is the one thing that will actually work for you. Just be sure you eat plenty of fruit, that way you won't deal with too many cravings. Yesterday I ate two galia melons, ten nectarines, a couple pints of golden raspberries and a few bananas (and that was a lighter day for me.) Some days I will include green smoothies, but only when I crave greens. I have tons of energy to exercise eating this way too which is a wonderful bonus.

[annavon]

Thanks for the update. I am having some improvement too. I am still eating fruit as well.

[daniel]

Do you take any special medicine or food or you just cut fat out of your diet? So does it mean that coconut oil will not help and it's better to be avoided?

[marisaps3]

Hi SweetTangerine!

Just wondering if you are still doing low fat raw vegan and how you are feeling. I had been eating that way for 4 months and felt unbelievable!! Lost weight, candida was gone, and started exercising. Then don't ask me why, but I started to worry about eating too much sugar... (probably because I read an article or something!) and for the last two weeks tried to cut down on fruit and then the bingeing started!! Anyway, I really want to fast tomorrow and then go back to eating more fruit. I thought about you and wanted to see how you were doing. :)...hopefully really well!!

Marisa

[annavon]

Thank you for checking on me. Probably the push I need. I think my candida is pretty well under control. I am not having the symptoms I was. Unfortunately, I have not been eating raw for several months now and I have gained a lot of weight as a result. I keep trying to go back to it. I buy the veggies and then the rot in the fridge. My compost pile is doing really well! The colder months are hard for me to do raw (ha, ha, ha, I live in Arizona, I shouldn't be complaing about cold;)). I decided that Lent is coming and in the tradition I follow, we abstain from all animal products and generally try to eat sparingly, so I think it is a good time to start again. I find it easier if I connect the raw diet with my spiritual life. (of course health and looking better is a motivation too).

[brenda hulett]

Yes, you sound just like me. Never heard of cutting out the fats, thought it would be the fruit & raw desserts. Way to go ~ good luck ~ I'm going to join you, have nothing to lose but my candida!