Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)

[pele]

Liz --

I think you are doing those folks on that forum a world of good. For those who haven't read it, they have had a long and heated discussion about using the canned goods that Elaine endorsed and about using or not some canned goods that have come along since. And since Elaine is not here to approve new things, now what? And, Liz, you don't sound lazy at all. Cooking pumpkins and winter squash is a pain. I usually drop a couple of them on concrete to break them apart and bake the pieces. Still have a lot of scooping and scrapping involved.

Ali--

I am still no-carbing after dinner. I find this difficult since I crave carbs most of the time but especially in the evening. I find that I am not really hungry at all, I just want to eat sweet things. I have been sleeping better at least part of the time. The whole point of skipping carbs in the evening is to avoid waking up with low blood sugar at 3 am. So I eat some nuts or a hard-boiled egg before bed, but it's not the same as eating some SCD legal concoction of fruit or honey.

[AliB]

Personally I generally don't eat after dinner now and rarely even bother with any dessert or any kind. Now that I am getting more fats I don't seem to be so 'picky'. If I do have anything, I break a square or two of (SCD illegal!) very dark 80% or more choc into tiddly bits and have some spaced apart. Small amounts don't spike my blood sugar like large ones do.

I suppose if you did feel 'picky' in the evenings you could take a muffin or something and just have a half cut into little pieces and spread out their consumption. The trouble is that sweet thangs are so more-ish. I'm really better not having any at all.

I find sat in front of the TV the worst offender. If I am making something, using my hands or sitting in front of the PC I'm less likely to pick. But sat doing nothing is lethal. Like you say, it's not really hunger, just craving. Not the same.

I think sometimes the craving can be our bodies asking for something, but we're not giving it what it's asking for. We're giving it what we want, and that's not the same either.

It's a shame that we can't have a little screen attached that flashes up what we need!

[IChaseFrisbees]

Hi Jesse,

Just take it one step at a time. It seems daunting at first, but soon it becomes a habit and second nature just like brushing your teeth and contact lenses etc ...

I've done the SCD for 7.5 months now with very good results without the yogurt or any other fermented foods. Instead I take probiotics daily. Since I don't do well with the SCD baked stuff, nor anything cooked with many ingredients, and due to other intolerances, my diet is really basic: vegetables, non-sugary fruit, chicken, canned tuna and raw whole nuts. But in many ways it just makes the SCD easier to deal with, as it simplifies the cooking a lot. Most of the time I have sauteed vegetables or a salad, and add in either chicken or tuna. Such basic meals could be made on a 'camp-cooker' with a single electric burner in your room. And if you have no problems with meat/fish in general, this of course can be varied endlessly. If you stock up on nuts, you also have something to keep you full throughout the lectures.

We all go through a period of adjusting to the diet, also as to which foods agree with us or not. So don't worry if you make mistakes - just accept that there'll probably be a bit of trial and error for you in the beginning.

As to the soup, I've only ever made the chicken broth, for which I just buy the chicken whole and cut it up myself, or buy pre-cut pieces. As to other meats, I'm sure someone else here knows ...

Good luck!

Jan

Thanks for responding Jan! I just moved in to my apartment yesterday: Gas stove, full sized refrigerator, full sized kitchen. I think I'm in heaven after the nightmare of the dorms/dining hall last year. I've been cooking soup non-stop, this is the end of day two on the "introduction section" of the GAPS diet, I'm hoping to start feeling better soon.

I've also discovered the beauty of the crockpot. I put a whole chicken into it with water last night, and when I woke up I had broth and meat for the day. It's like magic, I feel like that's what's gonna make my life happen when school really picks up.

I have a question about fermented veggies (and yogurt/kefir I suppose; I'm not there yet) is there a limit to how much sourkrout or other fermented veggies you can eat in a day? I have BTVC, I've just finished reading the first 10 chapters and gotten to the recipe sections.

Thanks everybody, I'm sure I'll be back and I appreciate you all letting me tap into the wealth of knowledge you've accumulated here.

-Jesse

[IChaseFrisbees]

Hello my SCD comrades, in a short week or so it will be time for me to add yogurt. Anybody know of a particular brand/model of yogurt maker that's good for the SCD? Preferably a large one so I don't have to make more every day?

Thanks,

-Jesse

[AliB]

Hi all. The thread has gone very quiet - is anybody there??

Jesse, I didn't answer your question because I am in the UK and don't know what is available in the States. I use the Total brand Greek yogurt here, but not sure if you can get that.

On the subject of yogurt, some may have noticed my thread on SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) in this section - something which does seem to be an issue for those with Celiac and other 'auto-immune' diseases.

I have to admit that taking the yogurt and probiotics was not that high in my agenda and I never really got into taking them regularly, but I have changed my mind. I am now convinced that SIBO is, and has been an issue for me for many years - since long before the gluten intolerance or the diabetes, yet I am convinced that somehow it is is at the root of them.

It's a chicken and egg thing - which comes first, the Celiac or the SIBO? I really believe that the gluten intolerance is yet another symptom of this invasion of an area where they are not supposed to be. Gluten intolerance, fructose and other malabsorption issues, carbohydrate indigestion, halitosis, pancreatic insufficiency, thyroid issues, you name any one of hundreds of different symptoms (probably even my persistent hair loss!) - all these things are dependent on where in the gut they are, and what damage they are doing (see the linked article on the SIBO thread - well worth the read, and keeping for reference).

Two nights ago I took some probiotic capsules just before bed. I hadn't taken any for some time - well not with any regularity. Although they were gluten-free, within two hours I had typical gluten-type reactions going on - pounding racing heart, acute restless legs, burning feet, bad gas and bloating, the lot.

I have been attacking the beasts with the coconut oil, etc., but I believe the probiotics caused some die-off and I now suspect that any reaction that people get when they have the yogurt is actually a good one.

Now, two days later the probiotics are not reacting the same way. I think it is a matter of sticking with it and getting past the initial reactions. Is the gas and bloating a good reaction or a bad one? I feel that if it is a transient symptom then it is good, if, like the reaction from gluten it is an ongoing one, it is not. If it stirs the beasties up without killing or eliminating them, then it is not good.

Two days later the background 'thumping' that I get is a lot better too which suggests that the yogurt and probiotics are doing their job. I just need to do this every day - after all, those brought up on fermented foods have them every day.

[pele]

Hi Ali

Nope, haven't been here in days! Too much else going on.

I am still making fermented cabbage juice 2-3 times a week. I have had lots of homegrown cabbage so I've been making it for months. I have a friend who loves it and gets most of it. I can only handle a few swallows a day--maybe 1/2 cup. She guzzles the rest and says her BMs are the best they have ever been. It is loaded with acidopholus (sp?). And it is much easier than yogurt, and no dairy, yay.

Jesse--

As far as yogurt makers, many folks don't use one at all. You can put your milk/starter in glass jars and partially submerge them in warm water, keeping the water warm with the pilot light in the oven or on a safe heating pad.

Just harvested the season's first winter squash. I plan to make custard with it, yum.

I finally got some L-glutamine and started using it. What, exactly, am I supposed to notice???

[IChaseFrisbees]

Thank for the tip, I'm looking for any excuse to use the gas stove in my apartment (we have electric at home and it's crappy.)

On another note, I'll just say the following may be too much information just to warn you in advance.

I'm on the introduction to the GAPS diet, which involves eating soup for most of my meals and drinking 2-3 cups of broth at a minimum every day, broth with all the fat and nutrients. I've been getting worse and worse digestive symptoms since I started last Monday, always unformed and soft, greasy and floaty. It's clear that I'm not handling all the fats well, what should I do? I've started taking the layer of fat that solidifies when you refrigerate the broth off, but I'm still suffering just from the broth itself. I'm worse than before on this diet, has anyone else had trouble handling fats? According to the docs and the books I'm supposed to handle fats and proteins well and carbs poorly. Well, the carbs part is right.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated, and also if any of you are familiar with the intro diet I'm in the third stage, introducing scrambled eggs. Thank you!

-Jesse

[AliB]

Hi Jesse - it may just be a case of hanging in there. Many of us have experienced all sorts of weird stuff at the start. I know my stools went through the whole gamut and back again over a period of three or four weeks. I mean, this is really a pretty radical change to your diet so it is not too surprising in a way.

If you have not been used to eating much fat then it is possible that you need to start lower fat and gradually build it up over the coming weeks.

I think though that most would agree that this is pretty normal.

The diet can trigger die-off of Candida and other unwanted beasties and that can upset the apple cart too and make you feel a bit rough, as well as disturb your digestion.

Some do find that their digestion is that bad (like mine was) that even some 'legal' foods cause problems - I think it was about 6 weeks before I could tolerate eggs. Meat came a bit later - have to say that introducing the coconut oil a good year later made a lot of difference, especially in the protein-digesting area, for me.

I really was very limited to start with, basically just fish and a few veggies, but now I can eat most legal things ok. I still keep pretty well to the diet and low in the carb area because I still have issues with those, and it helps keep my blood sugar much more stable.

[IChaseFrisbees]

Hi there, I had been on a candida diet for about 6 weeks prior to starting this new plan, so I' had already experienced some die-off. It really seems like the fat is killing me...I think you're right about starting out low, I just need to talk to the doc before I make any changes. But this is relatively common then?

[jerseyangel]

Hi SCD'ers

I came across a recipe I'm going to try and thought it might be something that would interest you. I don't keep up with every post here, so forgive me if you've already seen it.

Open Original Shared Link

[AliB]

Thanks Patti.

There is a similar one on the SCD recipe thread in the recipe section but that is egg-free and uses a little parmesan and olive oil to bind the mixture together. This one looks pretty easy though for those who can eat eggs.

Jesse.

I think that if fats have been problematic for you then you certainly need to start low - but bear in mind that the fats too could be generating die-off. That is where coconut oil comes into its own. As it doesn't need much if anything int he way of bile for digestion it is easier for some to digest. Not only that but it is a powerful anti- bacterial, fungal and viral.

Certainly that had more benefit to my digestion than anything. I was, and have been able to digest much better since I started the coconut.

When you say it is killing you, what are your symptoms?

[IChaseFrisbees]

AliB,

The fat goes through me pretty much undigested. I get D that's pure grease, and any stools I have are unformed, break apart instantly and float near the top of the water. I talked to my doctor today and he basically put me on the later stages of the GAPS/SC diet, skipping the broth stages and moving on to meats, eggs, veggies, nuts and small amounts of fruit (which I'm to introduce in like a week.) I'm also supposed to stay away from Ghee for the time being because of the fat.

I ate salmon last night and ate eggs this morning and thus far I feel like I did before the broth diet commencement. So I'm back at square one, which is surprisingly encouraging considering my last week

[IChaseFrisbees]

Ugh, so after some rotten experiences peanut butter is out, as are eggs and almond flour based baked goods. Can I get by with just meat, veggies, nuts and (eventually) fruit? I'll be eating fermented veggies as well.

I just don't really get it, all I have is dysbiosis and minor candida, all the docs say this diet should do wonders for me but now on my third time eating like this I feel just as bad as always. Could food allergies be setting me back?

[pele]

Jesse

Have you considered that you may have pancreatic insufficiency? This is very common in celiacs. Once the small intestine is damaged by gluten, the feedback loop between the small intestine and the enzyme-producing part of the pancreas is disrupted. Without proper digestive enzymes, food is not digested properly. And if the gut walls are damaged, they take time to heal and while they are healing, food is malabsorbed. So give it time, and consider taking plant-based digestive enzymes for a while. Fermented veggies sound like a good idea, too.

[pele]

I made great SCD legal pickles!!!

Actually I made them on 9/12 but just opened them and tried them.

We were making a batch of mixed veggie pickles for my husband with sugar and I decided I wanted some, too. I didn't write anything down, but here's what I did:

pack a pint jar with cup up (1 inch minus) cucumbers, onions, peppers, celery, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, zucchini

In a sauce pan, combine about 1/4 cup honey, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, a teaspoon of salt, and pickling spices to taste. I used turmeric, mustard powder, celery seed a bay leaf and maybe some coriander. I added a little water until the amount looked right (very scientific) brought it to a boil and poured it over the veggies in the jar. Somehow the amount came out just right, but it hadn't been enough, I would have topped it off with hot water. I sealed the jar and stuck it in the fridge for two weeks. All done. Wish I'd thrown in a jalapeno. Oh, well, I could make another jar. Hmmm.

[Ms Jan]

Ugh, so after some rotten experiences peanut butter is out, as are eggs and almond flour based baked goods. Can I get by with just meat, veggies, nuts and (eventually) fruit? I'll be eating fermented veggies as well.

I just don't really get it, all I have is dysbiosis and minor candida, all the docs say this diet should do wonders for me but now on my third time eating like this I feel just as bad as always. Could food allergies be setting me back?

Not wanting to second guess your doctors, but it just might be more complex than what the diagnosis make it sound like. So keep it up for a couple of months at least, and then see. My own experience was that when after 5 years of debilitating symptoms I was finally diagnosed celiac - based on symptoms and medical history - I ought have recovered on a gluten free diet, but didn't. And it took months on the SCD before I started regaining a bit of strength. Only now, 8 months into the diet, do I really feel well for long stretches at a time. It still takes very little to push my health off track: any trace amount of additives, sugar or even corn starch or anything else SCD illegal (and lots of legals too) and I am back in bed. But all in all, I am so much better than what I've been for the last 6 years that there's no doubt I'm on the right track. And I've been living on as basic a diet as it sounds you may have to: vegetables, non-sweet fruits, chicken, canned tuna and nuts. More recently, I have been able to add in a little meat, many more fruits, and once in a while an egg. But that's it. No honey, nor peanut butter, no dairy, no legumes, no nutflour foods, and in general nothing complicated - I cook most foods separately as it seems my body handles the digestion better that way. Recently I was tested for vitamin/mineral deficiencies to be sure I wasn't lacking in anything on this spare diet, but all results came out fine, except a bit low in iron. So it's possible .... and to me it's been the only way to an improved health.

Keep getting checked for deficiencies, but really unless you have other lingering medical problems, the diet you're on sounds as healthy as can be. So it's just a question of getting used to it.

Good luck!

[IChaseFrisbees]

I just don't know...I don't fit the Celiac description really; after 7-8 months gluten free I spent a month eating everything on my (former) doctors advice; pizzas, burgers, cakes etc., and I felt better for that month than I feel now. I've never had mal absorption or any deficiencies, I don't lose much weight...I mean, anything is possible, but based on my symptoms and all my tests I'm fairly certain my IgA was high because of leaky gut rather than Celiac.

I won't rule it out and I'm certainly not adding wheat back in at the moment, but I've not felt as seriously sick as I read people describe on here. Just bad digestive stuff.

Thanks for the encouragement though, right now all I'm eating is meat, veggies and cooked apples. Even almonds seem to make me worse! Today I feel like I might be improving back to the normal state of crappy I was in before my huge setback 2 weeks ago, so once I'm back to square one hopefully actual improvements will be next. Sticking to the diet isn't hard at all as long as I start feeling better, you know? Without improvement it feels sort of hopeless.

Thanks a lot,

-Jesse

[AliB]

Hi Jesse. What are/were your symptoms?

[IChaseFrisbees]

Gas, bloating, loose stools of all colors (usually pale), usually thin and ribbon-like, going 3-7 times a day, incomplete evacuation every time, minor cramping.

[AliB]

Well, mine were similar and I have to say that dumping gluten and dairy put paid to the awful stomach pain and raging diarrhea, but didn't address the underlying food intolerances and poor digestion.

It has taken 18 months to rebuild my digestion from that point. There have been a few up and downs on the way, and it is still a work in progress, but I am a lot better than I was back then.

There aren't always any quick remedies unfortunately. Often the issues that have caused these problems have been brewing under the surface for some time and the symptoms are the end manifestation of those problems. Sometimes we get niggly little things going on but tend to ignore them or assume they are 'normal' - like the gas and bloating.

Gas and bloating is never normal, but it is indicative of an imbalance in our gut flora. If it were balanced, we would get little or no gas. Whilst you feel that you have no malabsorption issues at present, that would undoubtedly follow later if you don't deal with it now.

The fact that your stools are pale and ribbon-like could indicate issues with the liver and/or gall-bladder. I had IBS-D for about 15 years and mine were often like that, but with persistence and a really good clean diet, probiotics and good fats it has gradually sorted itself out and is fine now. I did go from D to getting C for a while but now I am taking the coconut oil, and especially since I have started taking the oregano oil it is much better.

It takes time to reverse the damage - this has probably been quietly going on since you were a child and has only manifested as the damage has got to a point where your gut can't function properly.

Don't get despondent - it is way too early in the process. Although the SCD is very good as a healing diet, I do feel that some would be better following a more Candida Diet-based regime as their symptoms would suggest that fungal issues may be more likely (I actually believe that gut flora imbalance of some kind is true for most, if not all, but not all display obvious symptoms of it. It doesn't have to be Candida either, there are many other possible 'contenders').

The reason you may feel a bit better on the gluten foods ironically, is because they may actually be feeding the beasties and keeping them quiet!

I had issues with nuts initially - especially cooked so haven't had them until recently. Because I know that Candida is an issue for me I tend not to eat too much in the way of fruit - even cooked apple, apart from a few berries here and there.

The thing is that even though you may feel that your issues may not be gluten, or even that the diet may not help, because the damage can be so insidious you don't always realise what is going on in there. The point of this or the Candida diet is to remove the foods that are keeping the damage going, and the beasties fed, and ultimately get them under control. You need to bear in mind though that reverting to the 'Western' diet at a later stage in its entirety, could end up undoing all the healing and put you back where you started.

I know it is hard on you, and may well be for a while, but it is the only way to get the better of them and help your body heal. I have actually found that in doing this and following the healing regime, lots of other issues have gone away or improved a lot too, so that is how I know I am on the right track.

Bee Wilder has a lot of information on Candida on her site (Healing by Bee) and it is well worth a good trawl through.

Hippocrates said 'all disease begins in the gut' and he was a very wise man. Get the gut right, you get the body right. Get the body right and it can help you avoid disease. What we put in our mouth, whether food, drugs or drink is everything. Once it's gone down the 'trap' what is it doing to us? Eat clean food, you can have a clean body - eat junk..........

[YoloGx]

Hi there, I had been on a candida diet for about 6 weeks prior to starting this new plan, so I' had already experienced some die-off. It really seems like the fat is killing me...I think you're right about starting out low, I just need to talk to the doc before I make any changes. But this is relatively common then?

My house mate who also has severe celiac and is mainly on this diet also has real trouble with digesting fats--so you aren't alone. Something to do with sluggish bowels and not enough bile releasing from his liver etc. to get things going. Dadelion tea and other "bitters" can really help with this...

Currently I am having trouble with too much protein--my kidneys are acting up concurrent and after a spontaneous ear infection (from too much work and stress) and some horribly irritating antibiotics to my kidneys and intestines. Its a big reason I haven't been on the forum much lately--been too out of it plus also had a computer virus.

Taking olive leaf tea is helping with the ear infection and candida overgrowth big time but I have to take very small dose and then lots of water since the overload from dying candida etc. is just too much for my kidneys and intestines otherwise. Its worth it in the end since it really gets the unwanted fungi and bacterial microbes etc.... However I have to be careful. Had huge Herxheimer effect symptoms this weekend and today a little stress again in my kidneys after I upped the amount I took a little bit again. When the olive leaf's anti fungi effects are not irritating my kidneys however I notice its giving me extra energy--as it is claimed to do. So at most 1 tsp. a day chased by lots of water for me so far...a delicate balance.

Meanwhile I am having to use the very un-scd herb marshmallow root as well as other soothing and healing herbs for my kidneys... Dandelion root, licorice root, cleavers, uva ursi etc. Must go and get some corn silk too. Plus lower the amount of protein I am eating...esp. meat.

Thing is we are all different, plus our needs change at different times depending on stress, past injuries and difficulties etc. Thus the basic thing is to pay attention to what your body is saying it needs. You can gradually lead it where it wants to go, but go easy at it meanwhile.

Bea

[AliB]

I agree with Bea. You need to start slowly, but it is worth persisting. I had the typical floaty stools to start with but gradually it all sorted itself out and I can eat plenty of fats now without any problem - helps to keep everything 'well oiled' too!

Have you tried taking coconut oil? As it doesn't need bile for digestion it is a good way of getting fat if you have liver or gallbladder issues. It's good to keep trying with the butter and olive oil though as you do need to try to get the fat process working better if you can.

Bea, I wonder if you might find that taking more fats, and especially coconut, might help your myelin sheath issues? That seems to be linked to a deficiency in certain fatty acids, so might be a help.

Like you, I have been struggling for ages with what I believe to be die-off toxins. By the end of the day after taking the coconut oil and now the oregano oil, the lymph glands under my left armpit seem enlarged. They have usually gone down again by the morning. On an interesting note though, the annoying 'thumping' heartbeat and slightly 'stressy' feeling in that area that I usually go to bed with seems much better so I am monitoring that with interest. That is one thing I shan't be sorry to see the back of. When it has been really bad it keeps me awake. But not now.

I wonder if I need to drink more. I have never been very good at that. I often drink water when I am sat at the computer in the evenings, but don't tend to drink that much during the day apart from a couple of hot drinks. Of course, drinking in the evenings means that I usually have to get up at some point during the night so it is a bit daft that I do that.

I thought about the olive leaf, but don't want to either confuse my body too much or overwhelm it, so I will stick with the oregano oil at the moment and see how it goes. It might be an idea to change in a few weeks so the beggars don't get too used to it!

Judging by this never-ending stream of toxins, I must have been absolutely stuffed with the beggars. 18 months and I am still plugging away. I know that Bee Wilder reckoned it took her two and a half years to finally rid herself of it all. Sigh. Only another year to go!

Mind you, I am sure I read somewhere that Elaine reckoned it took 4 years before they could say that Judy was really well again. Still, having been dragging myself around for the last 37 years, what's two and a half - or even four, for that matter!

Funny how sensitive I have become now to what my body is doing - or asking for. I feel every twinge in my liver and my gut and have a much better idea of what is going on down there! I recognise now that upper backache is to do with my liver and lower backache is to do with my colon. I quite like the feeling of stuff moving in my intestines - that might sound weird, but at least it is moving!

Ah well, it's well after midnight here and I am going to try and get an earl(ier) night (well, compared to usually, anyway!). Night night.

[YoloGx]

Have you tried taking coconut oil? As it doesn't need bile for digestion it is a good way of getting fat if you have liver or gallbladder issues. It's good to keep trying with the butter and olive oil though as you do need to try to get the fat process working better if you can.

Bea, I wonder if you might find that taking more fats, and especially coconut, might help your myelin sheath issues? That seems to be linked to a deficiency in certain fatty acids, so might be a help.

Like you, I have been struggling for ages with what I believe to be die-off toxins. By the end of the day after taking the coconut oil and now the oregano oil, the lymph glands under my left armpit seem enlarged. They have usually gone down again by the morning. On an interesting note though, the annoying 'thumping' heartbeat and slightly 'stressy' feeling in that area that I usually go to bed with seems much better so I am monitoring that with interest. That is one thing I shan't be sorry to see the back of. When it has been really bad it keeps me awake. But not now.

I wonder if I need to drink more. I have never been very good at that. I often drink water when I am sat at the computer in the evenings, but don't tend to drink that much during the day apart from a couple of hot drinks. Of course, drinking in the evenings means that I usually have to get up at some point during the night so it is a bit daft that I do that.

Its nice to "talk" with you Ali. You always have interesting comments. The thing about the coconut oil could really help Graeme. I'll mention it. Could for me too as you say for my nerves. And maybe not stress out my kidneys too??

Yes--I have had this dysbiosis for as long as I can remember. As a small child I used to always wake with a "frog" in my throat--i.e., catarhh no doubt caused by candida overgrowth etc. I had antibiotics after all for pneumonia when I was 4 months old plus was diagnosed as having celiac sprue after I was put in isolation at the hospital! I was much better til they put me back onto gluten when I was 4 years old...Just wish they'd told me later about the gluten instead of my family making me feel like I was a hypochondriac when I first discovered I had so many food allergies around ages 25 through 30--after having almost died of kidney disease at age 24--brought on I thought just by food allergies but now know it was also celiac causing the inflammation.

So yes I do have issues. I work on them occasionally. Am thinking of doing Co-counseling again... since its been a while since I did that last. Truth be told taking care of myself through diet and herbs etc. makes me feel like I am engaging a victorious battle against the "enemies of darkness". How's that for a bit of drama, eh?

Am actually thinking of starting a celiac/gluten intolerance group here in San Jose, CA. Rather than just being about the usual often sugary and starchy anti gluten food I'll expand it to include the paleo and scd as well as the judicious use of healing herbs etc. Will help spur me on to actually write that book...

Meanwhile my right kidney is finally starting to calm down after some more straight no sugar cranberry juice (not from concentrate), detox herbs and marshmallow root. Have taken it fairly easy today, just paid bills etc. and fixed someone's blind with Graeme's help.

Am baking some chicken and squash and will cook up some kale. Pure scd and paleo---does it matter what you call it? I mixed up another huge batch of yogurt. We go through it pretty fast since there's two of us on this diet and we can't eat nuts or fruit (except the lemons and cranberries) due to both of us having this candida overgrowth.

Graeme is by the way starting to feel a lot better with the olive leaf--after a little rocky start since he too had the Herxheimer effect (where symptoms gets worse at first rather than better). Seems to be helping him sleep better now--so take note of that Ali! His insomnia has been intractible for years (it seems its helping me that way too by the way)! The olive leaf plus a few detox and soothing herbs for his nervous system and stomach is also making his joints feel better. Olive leaf is supposed to be good for the muscles etc. as well as uplifting one's mood. Has tons of anti-oxidants.

Meanwhile I have used oregano oil for years. Its good stuff--but unfortunately doesn't clear things as much as I'd like. Graeme can't take it internally but can apply the oil to the lymphatic points. I think oregano oil is good for the arsenal against fungi etc. but it seems one needs heavier duty stuff like this olive leaf to really route it out if you have it bad as I do. Just wish my kidneys weren't so sensitive right now. I may have to go to 1/2 tsp. a day ...

Ali you might want to do what Graeme does--fill two largish water bottles with water and make sure you drink that throughout the day so you don't have to think about it. It just becomes a habit. If you want to clear yourself of toxins you need to drink a lot more than you are--and as you noted to sleep better its wise to do it earlier in the day. Without ingesting enough water it causes way too much hardship on your lymphatic system, liver and kidneys etc. otherwise. Oh, you know that, but at least here is a way to easily get over the hurdle!

Bea

[IChaseFrisbees]

I'm of the opinion that gluten is bad for everyone, so I'm not considering going back to it (maybe not ever) I just meant I don't have celiac- the blunting of the villi etc. Gluten was definitely an issue for me, just not so much an autoimmune one.

I've been feeling better yesterday and today, though I've been eating a lot of cooked apples. I hope I'm not just pacifying the candida for now...oh well, feeling better is a huge thing for me right now. I've also added ghee to my cooking with no ill effects to mention so that's good! Fat in small amounts isn't troublesome, it's just drinking all that broth, wayy too much I think.

And Ali, I was taking coconut oil when I was candida dieting, now I just use it for cooking. I think a big step for me is stress relief, I've been so wound up about everything and now about my stomach I'm just trying to take a step back.

[AliB]

Hi Jesse.

Yes, well my opinion is that the gluten-intolerance is only given a named diagnosis of Celiac when the gut damage has got to a point that it shows up in tests and biopsy - bit like the fact that they only pick up and name it Addisons Disease when the adrenals have become so exhausted they hardly work any more, or Diabetes when the body fails to respond to sugars enough to flag up on tests.

Meanwhile, people have been struggling with their health issues for years. These things are never picked up and dealt with when they are in their early stages and before a lot of the damage that could have been avoided has occurred. But that is the Medical Profession for you.

Stress does have a big impact, but hopefully, as you settle more into the diet and get used to it you will be able to relax more. Stress begets stress too. The more pain or discomfort you are in the more stressed you get and that triggers more pain and so it goes on. The diet does seem to work well for most people but it is not a quick fix. I think that most who have been following this diet for some time will look back and see how far they have come. I know that certainly is the case for me, but I would say that it probably took a good year before I could really see the benefits.

It probably depends on the amount of or where the damage is, too as to how slow or fast a response one gets.

~~~

Bea, can I ask what form you take the olive leaf in? Is it drops, or powdered extract or some other form?