New To Candida
Well, in my opinion I'm pretty certain I have candida. I display all the candida symptoms. Additionally I fail the spit test horribly. Been to the doctor numerous times and they've ran many different blood tests including a thyroid function test. They tell me that I'm "normal", yet I know I'm not normal! I've decided to radically alter my diet and am now consuming only beef (grilled hamburger with no bun or condiments or steak) and vegetables. I'm also currently taking a colon cleanser, chlorella, and a coconut oil pill. I've been noticing very significant hair loss and I've heard that cholorella helps with that, but so far I haven't noticed any results. I mentioned the possibility of candida to my doctor and she pretty much laughed at me. Should I go to another doctor or just try and fix it myself? I've heard that you can't really diagnose candida as there really isn't a test for it. Thanks in advance.
Like you, I basically diagnosed myself, since doctors on the whole don't recognise or understand candida. The first thing to do is to either buy, or borrow from your library, a good candida book. The best books (I especially liked the one on 'Candida' by Luc de Schepper)have a questionnaire which you answer that helps identify how many of the symptoms of candida overgrowth you have, which helps reassure you that you are on the right lines. It will then detail the diet you need to follow and which foods must be eliminated. Once on the diet for a month or so, you then start to introduce supplements like pau d'arco tea and capryllic acid (from coconut oil). Be prepared for the fact that if you do have candidia overgrowth, and you follow the diet protocol properly, you will start to have 'die-off' symptoms. These can range from headaches and tiredness to spots and aching joints, the severity of which depend on the person and how badly they had the overgrowth to start with, but this is a clear sign that the candida yeasts are dying and should be seen as a positive sign. These die-off signs might make you wonder whether it's worth continuing, since you may feel worse than ever, but do persevere.
Although a lot of foods are not allowed, lots are allowed and you should certainly include a wider variety than just beef and vegetables. Chicken, lamb, fish, wholegrain rice, quinoa, millet, oats, beans, organic free range eggs, tahini, etc. are all allowed and will give you plenty of variety and ensure you get a wide range of nutrients.
I also took the plunge and had a series of colonic sessions with a trained therapist. After two weeks on the diet, she observed masses of candida yeast being eliminated, which not only reassured me once more that I was doing the right thing, but encouraged me since I knew they were leaving my body. Colonics might seem offputting, but they are done very discreetly and I have found them fantastic in improving bowel health and elimination. Bowel health is so important when on the candida diet because you need to get this out of your system efficiently and as quickly as possible. And, don't forget to scan the internet for useful candida sites and information.
I am still observing die-off symptoms after six weeks on the diet, but I feel great. It is also agreed among most candida experts that the anti-candida diet is so beneficial to health, and harmless even if you don't have candida overgrowth, that it is worth doing it anyway. If you do have it, candida is a persistent little bugger but you CAN beat it, which is a very uplifting experience!
Good luck.
