Candida is making my life miserable

[mycatislove]

I've done the oregano thing, just be aware it will kill the good and bad guys in the gut... it is powerful! If your candida isn't getting under control, especially since you have tried all kinds of things, it may be time for a heavy metals test...if you have toxicity, that will prevent even the hardcore prescription meds like diflucan from killing the overgrowth of candida. What sort of anti yeast diet are you on? any type of restrictive diet if you have a chronic systemic issue, will only work as long as you are on the diet, most of which are just not realistic/sustainable for long periods of time. Like if you are eating low fruit, etc, and go back to that, the candida overgrowth will come back eventually, so you have to try to get to the root of what is causing it in the first place

You know I have heard that about the heavy metals.

One thing first though, my symptoms are actually getting better, but I realize that's not a measurement of how well I really am ...

I'm on just your basic candida diet (but to be up front and honest, I cheat weekly in regards to sweets and grains..raw sweets and sprouted grains [I'm working toward getting more raw]). I am not %100 raw. I know that the critters will just keep coming back if others factors are present, like heavy metals (well I have heard this, makes sense though) and parasites (which I do have above the norm). Like you say, the root is the only way to go..and I can't imagine being on any candida diet for a long period of time. I cuoldn't agree more. I did have a blood test done and I saw heavy metals in my system. I am not sure if they're from the mercury fillings or just life in general.

I don't do prescription meds but I am on herbal antifungals, do take probiotics and supplements.

But something tells me I need to endure several detoxes that are yet to come and that I will be challenged by having to find out the root cause(s).

The other thing is that I have an apt to have 2 of the 4 mercury fillings removed. I don't know if this is really necessary. I'm still really going back and forth on it. And dentists do have varying opinions on it of course, which doesn't help us. Maybe it just comes down to a case by case for each different person and their needs.

Thanks for your reply

[fastfreedom]

I want to mention again that I aint no doctor, nor a practitioner. I just like to study.

Lately I've been reading about MMS and Jim Humble. I learned about this a couple years ago, but I never really read much into it. I was sort of afraid/against learning about it because it wasn't a plant. But I keep reading lots of testimonies on it. And I'll bet if you search for mms + candida that you'll find testimonies.

Actually I know you'll find testimonies of people using mms to get rid of candida.

Anyhow I recalled this thread and I wanted to mention the mms. I'm gonna order me some after reading everything I've read about it.

[Lesla]

I'm a newbie here, and have been spending some time reading as many threads as I can. I'm almost a week raw, with the exception of a little balsamic vinegar. Twice this week I've taken a 3 hour nap. I am not a napper, so I can only attibute this to my body detoxing.

I have taken the MMS. It wasn't easy, but I did it for a couple of weeks, and it will detox you. These naps I'm taking remind me of when I did it. If you do it, ease into it per the directions. Don't get ahead of yourself. The dosage increases as you go. I do believe it can cure a multitude of ailments and disease. Powerful stuff.

[jazzygirl]

I feel your pain. Google is a wealth of information.

For starters, have warm lemon water in the morning... it may sound weird but I went from my morning coffee to two cups of lemon water instead. It's very alkalizing and lemon water helps your body eliminate toxins

There are also many food that fight candida, here is a link for you http://www.livestrong.com/article/11...-kill-candida/

I am going to buy some organic coconut oil today. I hear that is helpful as well. Also, take probiotics daily.

My physician put me on Nystatin for a month as well, not sure if it helped but I am going to do the spit test tomorrow morning.

Good luck to you

[Arky]

...If your candida isn't getting under control, especially since you have tried all kinds of things, it may be time for a heavy metals test...if you have toxicity, that will prevent even the hardcore prescription meds like diflucan from killing the overgrowth of candida.

...you have to try to get to the root of what is causing it in the first place

You know I have heard that about the heavy metals.

One thing first though, my symptoms are actually getting better, but I realize that's not a measurement of how well I really am ...

I know that the critters will just keep coming back if others factors are present, like heavy metals (well I have heard this, makes sense though) and parasites (which I do have above the norm). Like you say, the root is the only way to go..and I can't imagine being on any candida diet for a long period of time. I cuoldn't agree more. I did have a blood test done and I saw heavy metals in my system. I am not sure if they're from the mercury fillings or just life in general.

I don't do prescription meds but I am on herbal antifungals, do take probiotics and supplements.

The other thing is that I have an apt to have 2 of the 4 mercury fillings removed. I don't know if this is really necessary. I'm still really going back and forth on it. And dentists do have varying opinions on it of course, which doesn't help us. Maybe it just comes down to a case by case for each different person and their needs.

Thanks for your reply

Tenuviel's reply is excellent - really hit the nail on the head. Unless you get to the root cause, you'll be chasing your own tail for decades, simply struggling to suppress symptoms of the larger root problem.

Heavy metals are very probably your root cause. Why?

1) Because candida and parasites can both be reflective of suppressed immune function, and heavy metal toxicity (particularly mercury) is devastatingly potent at suppressing immune function.

2) reduced bile flow is also an issue, since bile is one of the digestive systems first lines of defence in dealing with parasites etc. Barefoot Herbalist discusses this - e.g. http://oneradionetwork.com/health-ch...he-body-works/). Heavy metal toxicity can deplete bile production in the liver/biliary system.

3) You mentioned 'early menopause'. Are you aware that mercury is a capable endocrine disruptor? I discussed some of this in another post, recently (link below)

4) You said you had a blood test which revealed heavy metals - this is a HIGHLY significant finding, for more than one reason:

a) Obviously, it does, of course, add weight to our suspicion of heavy metal toxicity

b) Heavy metals such as mercury do NOT tend to stay in the bloodstream for any more than a couple of months - what this means is that if it was found in your bloodstream, then this is highly suggestive that you were recently exposed to heavy metals - OR it may mean that you perhaps have an ongoing source of exposure, as might be the case if you have mercury amalgam dental fillings. Although it is not necessarily common for significant quantities of mercury to leak from fillings, it evidently does occur in a significant number of people, and since your presence on this forum indicates that you enjoy raw foods, it is probable that you eat more green vegetables than the average person. Whilst green vegetables are, of course, very healthy foods, there is a caveat: For people with heavy metal toxicity issues, green foods (and certain others) should be eaten only in moderation, because, for example, the brassica family are high in sulphur and sulphur can (crudely-speaking) 'free-up' mercury that is already in the body, thus allowing it to redistribute and do more cellular damage.

If you value your neurological health, then, as someone who has dental amalgams, you owe it to yourself to absolutely COMPLETELY avoid consuming coriander/cilantro as this is able, through an as-yet-not-understood mechanism, to allow the passage of mercury back and forth across the blood-brain barrier. The same goes for the widely-available supplement Alpha-Lipoic Acid - avoid this totally until you have removed all traces of amalgam from your teeth, and until you have subsequently significantly reduced your non-brain heavy metal body burden. This suggestion to avoid these substances is not my 'opinion'; it's simply based upon having learned why and how they can potentially represent a risk to heavy-metal-toxic individuals.


Rather than completely repeat what I typed elsewhere on the forum, may I suggest you read the following thread: http://rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.ph...106#post661106


Lastly, if you go ahead and get your amalgams removed, please ensure you have it done by a dentist that understands how to do this safely, using a dental dam, separate oxygen supply etc, so you don't end up breathing mercury vapour from the procedure and/or ingesting mercury particles. Please bear in mind that the vast majority of mainstream dentists are unintentionally ignorant of the toxicological effects of dental amalgams, OR willfully in denial about it, OR would like to be conscientious but are fearful of being struck off by the ADA, BDA etc. for going against their self-serving rhetoric (if the ADA or BDA actually conceded that amalgams have been poisoning people for decades, they KNOW they'd be sued right left and center, so pursuing a policy of 'plausible deniability' would appear, outwardly, to be the name of their game).


You may find the following videos interesting (thanks to Aine for the links):

tinyurl.com/6jgfrh2

tinyurl.com/dhu3fu

Also, you might find Aine's personal story of direct interest (she's just released a book on her own experience of mercury poisoning from dental amalgams):

tinyurl.com/659muo6


and KD Ironside's story is similar, albeit not necessarily due to dental amalgams:

tinyurl.com/6bnu4tv



As far as educational/technical books go, look into authors such as Andrew Hall Cutler and Hal Huggins. You can also find a number of free podcast interviews with these authors if you search the internet. OneRadioNetwork would be a good place to start your search.


Eating a high percentage of raw foods in your diet is a great way to support your health, but, as has been mentioned, unless you strive to conclusively identify the underlying, root, cause of your symptoms, no amount of nutrition, of any sort, is going to bring you to vibrant health. The post I linked to, earlier, will provide you with sufficient information to avail yourself of appropriate (and very economical) testing.

I wish you well.

[mycatislove]

Tenuviel's reply is excellent - really hit the nail on the head. Unless you get to the root cause, you'll be chasing your own tail for decades, simply struggling to suppress symptoms of the larger root problem.

Heavy metals are very probably your root cause. Why?

1) Because candida and parasites are both reflective of suppressed immune function, and heavy metal toxicity (particularly mercury) is devastatingly potent at suppressing immune function.

2) reduced bile flow is also an issue, since bile is one of the digestive systems first lines of defence in dealing with parasites etc. Barefoot Herbalist discusses this - e.g. http://oneradionetwork.com/health-ch...he-body-works/). Heavy metal toxicity can deplete bile production in the liver/biliary system.

3) You mentioned 'early menopause'. Are you aware that mercury is a capable endocrine disruptor? I discussed some of this in another post, recently (link below)

4) You said you had a blood test which revealed heavy metals - this is a HIGHLY significant finding, for more than one reason:

a) Obviously, it does, of course, add weight to our suspicion of heavy metal toxicity

b) Heavy metals do NOT tend to stay in the bloodstream for any more than a couple of months - what this means is that if it was found in your bloodstream, then this is highly suggestive that you were recently exposed to heavy metals - OR it may mean that you perhaps have an ongoing source of exposure, as might be the case if you have mercury amalgam dental fillings. Although it is not necessarily common for significant quantities of mercury to leak from fillings, it evidently does occur in a significant number of people, and since your presence on this forum indicates that you enjoy raw foods, it is probable that you eat more green vegetables than the average person. Whilst green vegetables are, of course, very healthy foods, there is a caveat: For people with heavy metal toxicity issues, green foods (and certain others) should be eaten only in moderation, because, for example, the brassica family are high in sulphur and sulphur can (crudely-speaking) 'free-up' mercury that is already in the body, thus allowing it to redistribute and do more cellular damage.

If you value your neurological health, then, as someone who has dental amalgams, you owe it to yourself to absolutely COMPLETELY avoid consuming coriander/cilantro as this is able, through an as-yet-not-understood mechanism, to allow the passage of mercury back and forth across the blood-brain barrier. The same goes for the widely-available supplement Alpha-Lipoic Acid - avoid this totally until you have removed all traces of amalgam from your teeth, and until you have subsequently significantly reduced your non-brain heavy metal body burden.


Rather than completely repeat what I typed elsewhere on the forum, may I suggest you read the following thread: http://rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.ph...106#post661106


Lastly, if you go ahead and get your amalgams removed, please ensure you have it done by a dentist that understands how to do this safely, using a dental dam, separate oxygen supply etc, so you don't end up breathing mercury vapour from the procedure and/or ingesting mercury particles. Please bear in mind that the vast majority of mainstream dentists are unintentionally ignorant of the toxicological effects of dental amalgams, OR willfully in denial about it, OR would like to be conscientious but are fearful of being struck off by the ADA, BDA etc. for going against their self-serving rhetoric (if the ADA or BDA actually conceded that amalgams have been poisoning people for decades, they KNOW they'd be sued right left and center, so pursuing a policy of 'plausible deniability' would appear, outwardly, to be the name of their game).


You may find the following videos interesting (thanks to Aine for the links):

http://tinyurl.com/6jgfrh2

http://tinyurl.com/dhu3fu

Also, you might find Aine's personal story of direct interest (she's just released a book on her own experience of mercury poisoning from dental amalgams):

http://tinyurl.com/659muo6


and KD Ironside's story is similar:

http://tinyurl.com/6bnu4tv



As far as educational/technical books go, look into authors such as Andrew Hall Cutler and Hal Huggins. You can also find a number of free podcast interviews with these authors if you search the internet. OneRadioNetwork would be a good place to start your search.


Eating a high percentage of raw foods in your diet is a great way to support your health, but, as has been mentioned, unless you strive to conclusively identify the underlying, root, cause of your symptoms, no amount of nutrition, of any sort, is going to bring you to vibrant health. The post I linked to, earlier, will provide you with sufficient information to avail yourself of appropriate (and very economical) testing.

I wish you well.

Hi Arky, thank you for the great reply. I believe, now, that the heavy metal issue is the root cause, along with a few other dental issues (cavities) and along with my diet. I agree totally that unless the root cause is healed that it's going to be a lifetime of fultilty. I can't live that way. I do have a dentist who specialized in removing mercury fillings using correct protocol. I guess I have been avoiding it. I do have the money to do this, get them removed. I have 5 of them. Like you pointed out, the heavy metals must be constantly being fed into my system (some way). The fillings are the most logical source. I've finally come to the enough is enough place. Dental health is crucial to our health. I'll read all the links you posted and reply at a later time. Tomorrow I'm going to make an appt to get the first filling removed.

[Aine Ni Cheallaigh]

Yes, as Arky mentioned, I just wrote a book about my mercury/candida experience, and having lived through the whole mercury detox journey, I can say categorically that heavy metals were the root cause of all my candida symptoms. I know for a fact that this was so in my case. And that makes me very curious about how many other people with chronic candida are in the same boat and don't realize it.

My systemic candida symptoms (vaginal, skin, digestive, emotional) grew in intensity as my blood levels of mercury rose and peaked, and then they subsided as my successful heavy metal detox cleared the mercury. When things were bad, no amount of dietary adjustments/cleanses/fasts were able to curb the symptoms. It was quite scary. It really showed me how powerfully mercury can impact the immune system. The only way out of the nightmare for me was a very safe and gentle heavy metal chelation program (described in the book Amalgam Illness by Andrew Hall Cutler). Luckily, at this point, my amalgam fillings had already been removed by a holistic dentist who used safety precautions to prevent further exposure to mercury.

At times, I've deeply resented the fact that I'm one of the unlucky minority whose immune system reacts so profoundly to mercury and other heavy metals. I've wondered why can't I be like the people I see around me who have dozens of fillings, who eat sugar every minute of the day with no ill effect.

But having found the root cause of my immune system suppression and dealt with it, I can now live a normal, healthy life. All I have to do is make sure I keep detoxing the heavy metals from my system (this is a very very long process if you want to do it safely and correctly) and make sure I do what's necessary to help out my immune system at the times that it's most challenged by the movement of heavy metals.

Like I said, the journey is long (as is this post!). My journey has been made especially long by the presence of the heavy metal lead, which takes a lot longer than mercury to clear the system completely. But at this point, I'm so much better than I was, I can hardly complain. Like I said, once the residual heavy metals are gone, I know the final lingering candida symptoms will clear up. It's just a matter of being patient and letting the chelation process do its thing.

--Aine

[Smileen]

you really should find a naturopathic doctor or at least chiropractor to work with.

[mcster]

I think I just killed my 30-year-old candida problem in 3 days flat!

I've had some systemic issues that haven't gone away with a very clean raw diet. So, I did lots research and concluded that I have systemic candida overgrowth and that I've had it for the past 30 years. Then I did research on how to eliminate it and found most cleanses take months and are ineffective. Then I found the answer in Coconut Oil Detox.

I've done cleanses before up to 30 days and yes, this is by far the most intense detox I've ever experienced. I also believe I may have killed my 30-year old problem in 3 days flat. You actually see the dead candida coming out of your body via your vowel movements. It's only been three days since I completed the cleanse but my symptoms are quickly subsiding.

Anyone who does this should be mindful to take probiotics at the end for a few weeks to prevent overgrowth from developing. Another interesting takeaway is that candida doesn't feed on fruit but it does feed on fermented fruit. How does food ferment? By eating both fruit and fat. So, I've also eliminated fats from my diet until I feel convinced that my candida balance is restored.

Best of luck!

[Arky]

I think I just killed my 30-year-old candida problem in 3 days flat!

...I did lots research and concluded that I have systemic candida overgrowth and that I've had it for the past 30 years.

It's only been three days since I completed the cleanse but my symptoms are quickly subsiding.

Interesting story, mcster. I'm genuinely curious about your experience and it raises a few questions in my mind:

Assuming you actually have had candida for 30 years, then might it be pertinent to question why your immune system was unable to fight it off for 3 decades? Personally, if I was in your situation, I'd be investigating whether my immune system is flawed in some way or if something has been suppressing it.

Additionally, if, after 30 years, you have finally overcome candida with a 3 day coconut cleanse, then what do you anticipate happening from hereon in, if nothing has been done to improve your immune function? Isn't it early days to be concluding that a 30 year problem has been permanently overcome in 3 days? Candida is present in the guts of many healthy people - if it overwhelmed your immune system 30 years ago, and your immune system was unable to regain the upper hand, then what is to stop candida doing so again? Do you intend to consume coconut oil every day for the rest of your life?

All the best.

[mcster]

Assuming you actually have had candida for 30 years, then might it be pertinent to question why your immune system was unable to fight it off for 3 decades? Personally, if I was in your situation, I'd be investigating whether my immune system is flawed in some way or if something has been suppressing it.

Good observations. Everything in context. We all have candida. Whether candida is kept in balance is another story. Once you have an outbreak (can be caused by SAD diet, antibiotics, toxic environment etc), candida is very difficult to bring back into balance no matter how healthy your immune system is. Most people, myself included, go through life with systemic health issues that are not diagnosed as candida because the overwhelming majority of the medical establishment doesn't recognize candida for what it is (they view it as an outcome of diseases like cancer and HIV rather than the cause of health disease and imbalance). That's why any one of the dozens of systemic health issues caused by candida are always treated as individual symptoms and not as candida. Alopathic medicine always treats the symptom, not the cause. I know I have a strong immune system because it's extremely effective at fending off disease whenever I'm exposed to it. So, no, my immune system is not the issue in my case.

Additionally, if, after 30 years, you have finally overcome candida with a 3 day coconut cleanse, then what do you anticipate happening from hereon in, if nothing has been done to improve your immune function? Isn't it early days to be concluding that a 30 year problem has been permanently overcome in 3 days? Candida is present in the guts of many healthy people - if it overwhelmed your immune system 30 years ago, and your immune system was unable to regain the upper hand, then what is to stop candida doing so again? Do you intend to consume coconut oil every day for the rest of your life?

Once you bring candida back in balance, provided that you don't continue to eat a highly acidic diet, take anitbiotics or expose yourself to highly toxic environments, there is nothing else to do. Yes, it's a bit early to conclude that my candida is completely eliminated but I saw what came out of me and my test so far came back negative for candida. If my symptoms don't clear up completely, I'll simply do the detox again until all my symptoms disappear.

The only thing I plan on doing differently now regarding diet is to ensure I don't eat fruit and fat together. Fat slows down the digestion of fruit, causing it to ferment and creating a thriving environment for candida. It may not cause candida overgrowth but, aside from the fact that I don't like the idea of doing something that will give me indigestion, I prefer to avoid creating an environment for candida to thrive.

[Mary Kay]

Mcster,

Just curious as to what you did exactly while doing your Coconut Oil Detox? Increase coconut oil until you were only doing coconut oil and water for three days?

Did you get headaches? Diarrhea? Lose any weight?

Is it okay to do any other coconut products during your three days, or only the oil?

Thanks,

Mary Kay

[Mary Kay]

Oops, I forgot to subscribe, so am going to subscribe to this thread now.

MK

[mcster]

Mary Kay,

No headaches but complete brain fog, lack of energy, achy body and pessimistic mood. Yes, you will be loose for the entire detox and will see the candida in your release even days after the detox is over. I lost 9lbs in three days. I have not put any of that weight back on yet (today is my fourth day after I finished). It all seemed to come from my abdomen.

here is an email that I wrote to a friend:

The cleanse is called the “Coconut Oil Detox”. You can google it and get more info. Here is my version of it:

Take 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil every two hours for no less than three consecutive days. I took it from 9am to 9pm.

In between coconut oil, drink the following two concoctions separately:

- two limes or lemons, ½ teaspoon of baking soda and 1/8 tablespoon of natural salt (Himalayan) and water to make 16oz

- 16oz of water with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar

In the morning before the first coconut oil serving, drink 2 tablespoons of Himalayan salt in one liter of water. This is the salt water flush used as an internal enema in the Master Cleanse. You will need to be around a toilet for about an hour after consuming it as it will trigger about three or four visits within that time span.

Post cleanse:
Take probiotics 3x/day; first thing in the morning, midday between meals and first thing before bed for at least one week. Refrain from fruit for 3-4 days. Continue to drink ACV drink 2-3x/day. Once you re-introduce fruit into your diet, isolate fruit consumption from fat consumption. Mixing them causes fruit digestion to slow and ferment, promoting candida growth.

Detox:
Symptoms, severity and length will depend on your level of toxicity. My experience was that detox started within 3hrs of starting the cleanse and it’s impairing. The worst detox I’ve experienced. After the cleanse I experienced relief for two days and then symptoms reappeared. Then I had another release and felt great thereafter. You will feel fantastic once you reintroduce fruit into your diet.

[green goddess]

mcster, this is very interesting! I imagine you had to rest at home during your candida detox - can't imagine trying to work or be in public at the same time!

This may be a little odd, or TMI, but I'm curious - what is it that you say was 'eliminated' out of you? I'm not completely familiar with candida, so I'm not sure what to picture (though this isn't exactly the most pleasant thing in the world to try and visualize!)

And if I may also ask, what were your candida symptoms?

You have some good information! Thanks for sharing your experience with us!