I've suffered from really bad acne over the past 2 years and read that it may be caused by candida. I did the spit test and found that the 'strings' appeared instantly so it looks like I have it quite bad. I am generally very healthy though... I haven't had so much a cold in years so I think my immune system is strong. The other candida symptoms I have are minor thrush (I think!), menstrual irregularities and mental (eg depression/agitation) but this could be because of a number of other reasons.

My problem is, I don't think I can do this candida diet. I'm also finding that all the advice on the net contradicts other advice so it's hard to know what is and what isn't ok. The only thing I know of that seems 100% ok is meat and low carb vegetables.

I'm already vegan and so giving up beans, nuts and wholegrains (I've been gluten free for a month so no wheat/oats/rye isn't a problem) as well as fruit will be very difficult. I have been eating a lot of fresh and dried fruit recently which may have made it worse. I've cut down dramatically and now only have a handful of berries in the morning with my buckwheat/amaranth/rice puffs and corn flakes (no added ingredients other than salt in the flakes). With this I have nuts and seeds and soymilk. Is this ok?

Basically, the candida diet just seems too limiting to me. I can do my best but I just can't live without nuts, beans and wholegrains as this would essentially mean I have to live off of plain vegetables with no potatoes. I have a fast metabolism as it is and I really think I would get ill if I went on a strict candida diet. On the other hand, from the test it appears I have a severe case of candida so can anyone tell me if there are any other options for me?

I've ordered Nature's Own Candi Complex which contains the following:

Oregano 4:1 extract (equivalent to 80mg of herb) - 20mg

Grapefruit Seed Extract - 20mg

Lactobacillus Acidophilus (provides 250 million live bacteria) - 10mg

Does anyone know if this would work? Should I take one or 2 of these tablets? Maybe start off taking one to start off with and then 2?

Will this pill allow me to not be so strict with the diet? I'm really hoping there will be something out there that will kill the yeast while still allowing me to eat normally, just reduce my sugar intake.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I know I could probably do the vegan raw food diet which is said to be excellent for candida but I cook for my whole family and can't limit their diet along with mine. Plus I work so I don't have too much time to make such a drastic change at the moment.

Sorry for rambling!

[This Message was Edited on 03/09/2009]

I ALSO SUFFER FROM CANDIDA. I HAVE FOUND A GREAT ANTIFUNGAL THAT HAS WORKED FOR ME. IT'S CALLED KOLOREX. YOU ONLY HAVE TO TAKE ONE PILL A DAY. I TAKE 2/DAY. I ALSO FOLLOW A VERY STRICT DIET. I AM NOT A VEGATARIAN, SO I EAT BASICALLY MEAT, VEGGIES, NUTS AND NUT BUTTERS-EXCEPT PEANUT. I ALSO EAT RICE AND QUINOA. I LIMIT MY FRUIT TO GREEN APPLES AND GRAPEFRUITS. I EAT COOKED BERRIES WHICH REDUCES THE SUGAR. I ALSO TAKE A VERY STRONG PROBIOTIC. I FOUND THAT CUTTING OUT ALL SUGARS AND LIMITING CARBS IS CRUCIAL TO GETTING CANDIDA UNDER CONTROL. IT'S HARD TO DO, BUT ONCE YOU GET OVER THE CRAVINGS, IT GETS EASIER. THE YEAST FEED ON SUGAR SO ANYTHING THAT BREAKS DOWN INTO SUGAR, IS A NO-NO. ALSO AVOID ANYTHING FERMENTED.RICE PROBABLY ISN'T A GREAT FOOD TO EAT, BUT I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF OPTIONS WITH ALL OF MY FOOD SENSITIVITIES.i ALSO CANNOT EAT GLUTEN. JUST REMEMBER, IT'S NOT A DIET THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO FOLLOW YOUR WHOLE LIFE, SO LOOK AT IT AS A TEMPORARY INCONVENIENCE. IT'S VERY HARD IN THE BEGINNING, BECAUSE YOU WILL GET HORRIBLE SUGAR AND CARB CRAVINGS WHEN THE YEAST IS DYING OFF. YOU HAVE TO STARVE THE YEAST WITH THE DIET AND KILL IT WITH ANTIFUNGALS. I HAD SUGAR WITHDRAWAL SO BAD IN THE BEGINNING, BUT IT GOT EASIER OVER TIME. YOU WILL WANT IT LESS AND LESS. ALSO, TRY TO FIND OUT WHY YOU GOT CANDIDA IN THE FIRST PLACE. i RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT I HAVE MERCURY AND LEAD TOXCICITY. I GOT MY AMALGAMS REMOVED AND AM TAKING OSR TO CHELATE THE MERCURY OUT OF MY BODY. YEAST OVERGROWTH CAN BE THE RESULT OF MERCURY TOXICITY. THERE ARE ALSO OTHER REASONS FOR GETTING YEAST OVERGROWTH. DOUG KAUFMAN WROTE A FEW BOOKS ON CANDIDA. i HAVE ONE OF HIS BOOKS CALLED THE FUNGUS LINK. I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF CONFLICTING OPINIONS ON THE ANTI-CANDIDA DIET. aLL YOU CAN DO IS EXPERIMENT AND SEE WHAT DIET SEEMS TO GIVE THE BEST RESULTS. ALSO, ROTATING YOUR ANTI-FUNGALS IS IMPORTANT. YEAST ADAPT OVER TIME TO ANTI-FUNGALS, SO YOU NEED TO HIT IT FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES. I ROTATE BETWEEN A COUPLE. i STILL LIKE KOLOREX THE BEST. I HOPE THIS ADVICE IS SOMEWHAT HELPFUL TO YOU. HANG IN THERE!!

nietzche:

Recommend combining nutrition and energy medicine to beat Candida (recover your immune system):

Use Three-Lac, Digestinal, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Primal Defense, and the Harmonic Quad 5 with Antenna. Because the candida diet can accelerate the recovery process, stay on it for the first 3 to 6 months. After 6 months add the Harmonic Quad with Antenna and gradually experiment with adding different foods to your diet, continue to avoid refined sugar for at least 2 years or longer.

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http://www.candidasupport.org/about_story.htm l

"Not only have our Candida problems been eliminated, but we now eat fruit, pasta, cereal, bread, cheese or can have a glass of wine with dinner. No food is taboo anymore (although we still don't go crazy with sugar). But what a joy it was to return to that kind of freedom in eating. Our sleep is deeper, our thinking clearer and we have more energy and get so much more done."

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http://www.candida-albicans-cure.com/coconut- oil.html

"In addition to Virgin Coconut Oil, if you suspect that you have a candida yeast overgrowth, supplement your diet with strong probiotics to balance the flora in your intestinal tract and rebuild your immune system. Traditional fermented foods are one of the best additions you can make to your diet, while eliminating refined sugars and simple carbohydrates that the yeasts feed upon."

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http://www.digestinal.com/

"Digestinal to restore proper immune system function."

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http://webdeb.com/zapper/testimonial.htm


Harmonic Quad 5 with Antenna, - start using it 10 minutes/day and monitor die-off reaction then gradually increase to overnight. More you use it the more you will interrupt the candida reproductive life cycle which progresses from spore to mycelial form very rapidly. When you contact deb ask about anti candida products as well.

Good Luck!

"The Yeast Syndrome" and "The Yeast Connection" and a companion cook book.

My doc, Dr. Terry Chappel, Bluffton OH, 419-358-4627 has treated me for years. Many times I just tried many other things but the only thing that worked was the mevy diet. Meat, eggs, vegetables, and yogurt (plain with vanilla). You are right, it makes me mad, it is a horrible diet to get use to. But, recently I had taken a round of antibiotics and woke up with pain all over. Terrible pain. I could not believe it was this Candida. I went to a rheumatologist who doesn't believe in the yeast free diet. Now after drugs and misery I am 4 weeks into the strict diet and feeling much better. Doctor says it may take 3 months or more since I was so severe and it has been 25 years since I really stayed on the diet. I had eaten and drank anything I wanted and also smoked.
I am staying on it as long as I can. Not even trying phase two or three, because it was so painful I had to quit playing my guitar, gardening and basically everthing hurt. I am still amazed that it could cause so much heartache and pain. That is the biggest problem I think, if it gets too severe it can be diagnosed as many different things by doctors, many are unaware and unbelieving of Candida problems. My rheumatologist says I have RA. I think in a couple of months, I will not have these symptoms. I will post again, especially if it works, as it already is helping and I have dropped the plaquenil meds. Good luck and remember, feeling good trumps food everytime! pj