Yet Another Candida Question

[Analisa]

Hi everyone,

Ok so I'm pretty sure I have an intestinal yeast infection. I have not had a doctor diagnose me with this or anything else (not even gluten intolerance/celiac). I think I have it 'cause my symptoms fit with the classic list of symptoms. I also took several online quizzes and they all indicated that I have candida. My question is about treatment. While, I certainly would feel better if I had a doctor helping me- when i talked to my doc about candida she said she didn't believe it exists- i feel like i need to treat this and if it's on my own then it's on my own. I wanted to know for those of you have experienced candida what you thought of this and what treatment you would recommend. Also, how long should I be on the candida diet?

Thanks. Any input would be appreciated.

Analisa

P.S. I know a popular believe is that Candida is a result of an untreated problem and that Candida will not go away until that problem is treated. I'm relatively sure that underlined issue is leaky gut, which I don't think will be fully treated until I get ride of the Candida. Anyways, what do you all think?

[AliB]

I have had Candida problems for years but latterly it has been worse since I became diabetic 11 years ago. Sugar metabolism is obviously a problem for diabetics and the bacteria loves sugar.

When my digestion finally collapsed in January and the docs could find nothing wrong I took matters into my own hands and dropped gluten, dairy, most carbs and sugar. I have always had a problem with carbs anyway as i used to get a lot of hypos and then since becoming diabetic carbs are still a problem.

Doing that has certainly helped a lot, but about 3 weeks ago I discovered the Metabolic Typing Diet and finally realised that my need for protein and lack of ability to process carbs is due to being an extreme fast oxidiser. I adjusted my diet according to the plan to include more protein and even less carbs and sugar and I am really seeing the difference now. My gut is healing well and I can now cope with foods that I couldn't back then. My hair is less greasy and I can now go several days without having to wash it (for years I HAD to wash it every other day) and my scalp is not nearly so itchy (a sure sign of bacterial infestation).

The athlete's foot is all but gone, the external infestations that are common to most diabetics in the warm sweaty areas (armpits, under the boobs, groin, etc.) have pretty much gone, my belly-button is no longer sore (and smelly) - need I go on???

To my mind, the fact that the external symptoms are disappearing are a sure sign that it is on its way out internally too.

Eating the right foods for our metabolic type helps the body get back into balance. We can sit either at the two extremes, either protein or carbohydrate or at any point in between. The important thing is to figure out where we are on the scale and what is the optimum diet for our type.

So many go gluten-free hoping that will solve all their problems and then can't figure out why they are still sick. For many it is not just gluten that is the problem - for them it is actually carbs in general that their bodies can't cope with.

I noticed you asked how long you need to be on the Candida diet. It is not a matter of just doing it a few weeks then going right back to the way we were eating before. Eventually it will all come back again. If we are eating foods, and for a lot that means too much in the way of carbs and sugar, it will all come back. Get the diet right for your body on a permanent basis and even with an occasional 'treat' it will stay firmly under control.

[tom]

I was dismayed to find that MDs don't generally believe in intestinal candida. Because of this, Naturopaths and even some chiropractors treat candida patients.

It takes a two-pronged approach. Starve the beasties w/ the diet & kill 'em w/ a number of things like caprylic acid, pau d'arco, etc. I've probably heard of a dozen candida killers at least.

Oh, and probiotics to replenish the good bacteria.

I'd find an ND (Naturopath) w/ candida experience if I were you.

[RiceGuy]

What I did was to eliminate all sugars, yeasts, vinegars, and fruits. I also started taking caprylic acid capsules. I felt amazing in a matter of weeks, and the only thing I have added back in since then is fruits. Though many suggest avoiding carbs, I didn't do that, and in fact have always enjoyed large amounts of carbs. Since carbs are more complex than sugars, the yeasties can't feed off them like they do sugars. From what I understand, they feed off the simpler molecules once the digestive system breaks down the more complex stuff into simple sugars, and before the body has a chance to absorb them. Given the fact that Celiac sufferers have a crippled digestive system, candida issues would seem a lot more likely because of the inability to get nutrients (including sugars) into the bloodstream. So that would mean more sugars remain in the intestines, thus become food for something other than our bodies.