A Beast in the Yeast (kicking Candida) pt. 1

The body is a temple and, from my experience, there is definitely a physiological link from the body to the mind and vice versa.  My first introduction came when I discovered a book called the Body Ecology diet by Donna Gates.  I had been suffering from a few nagging, but persistent health problems for years.  Acid Reflux, the beginnings of IBS symptoms, 'brain fog" and lack of clarity and sinus and allergy issues.  I didn't think that that all of these issues were possibly connected, and yet that's exactly what I now feel is the case.  

Candida is a pathogenic yeast that can live in our gut, but it can also pass through our intestines and travel to other areas of the body.  It can be responsible for a wide variety digestive issues, yeast infections, urinary tract infections, athletes foot, chronic sinus infections, mental issues and much more.  Not only that, but I personally feel that it can also have a profound impact on our moods, mental clarity and consciousness.

How do we get Candida? Candida is normally present in our gut in small amounts.  In fact our digestive system contains literally billions of  bacteria.  It's important that this ecosystem stay in balance as it affects our overall health.  Candida yeast can grow out of balance when we take antibiotics (this kills the good bacteria too, leaving a weakness) or we eat too many sugary and yeasty foods, which weaken the immune system and feed bad bacteria.  

There are now many scientists and doctors who see the gut as another brain. The health and balance of our digestive ecosystem can have profound affects on mental states.  Some brain chemicals, such as serotonin are manufactured in the gut.  Here's an article about it:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=gut-second-brain

I personally feel it is very important to keep our gut flora in balance as this can affect our moods and overall consciousness. By consciousness, I mean states of perception, psychology and our connection to Spirit.  I have noticed that I not only have more joy and happiness since following this diet, but I have also experienced many health improvements including better digestion and less allergies.  I used to have bad seasonal allergies with pollen and was allergic to cats.  I had no pollen issues this year and I don't seem to be nearly as sensitive to cat allergies.  Most I'm not allergic to at all..

Here's an article from webMD about Candida:

There are two books I'd recommend to learn more about it.

Body Ecology Diet (Book):  


The essential gist of the book is four things:


Cut out sugars --sugars feed candida
Kill the Candida with things like Coconut Oil, Oregano Oil, Candex, Caprylic Acid and more..
Combine foods properly, so they digest well
Take probiotics, to reestablish digestive health

I have heard that this is a good book too (from an MD's perspective)

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Some of the supplements I use to kill the Candida and the replenish the probiotics are:  (Most are available at Whole Foods or Vitamin Shoppe.)


Candex (helps balance yeast, I have found helps to open the pills and drink it with water.

Theralac Probiotic:
This probiotic is one of the best I have tried.  it is very powerful too!!  I took it for two weeks straight and then went to alternating days.  



This is another great probiotic I like:

Renew Life, probiotic--
http://www.amazon.com/Renew-Life-Ultimate-Critical-Billion/dp/B000CMKC5Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1368209493&sr=8-2&keywords=ultimate+flora+critical+care

Yeast Cleanse is also a good supplement  I get from Amazon.  This stuff in nuclear though!! very powerful, you might want to work into it.  

Neem is a great systemic purifier and Candidacide:
Extra virgin Coconut oil (be sure to get "unrefined").  I try to eat at least 3 teaspoons a day (in food, usually hot cereal or alone) .. you can also stir it into tea or coffee..




Plain Coconut Yogurt is good too.

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Clearing out Candida is something that has to occur in phases.  When the yeast "dies off", it can create something called the herxheimer reaction, which is a temporary worsening of symptoms due to the toxins that are released by the dying organisms.  I have been through this several times, but each time I feel so much better afterward. If the symptoms you have get temporarily worse, you'll know you are on the right track.  Digesively, this can also result in the runs (or constipation) in the short term.  You may also experience worsening of sore joints or skin rashes.  Basically, wherever candida is manifest on your system the symptoms will become temporarily worse.  Candida primarily lives in the intestines, but it also migrates out to other areas of the body and causes symptoms like jock itch, athletes foot, yeast infections, urinary infections, skin problems (eczema) chronic sinus problems and can also contribute to autoimmune diseases.


A lot of our brain chemicals are also produced in the gut, and so I have noticed that in "die off" phases I have experienced depression, anxiety etc. and have wondered if this was also related to the candida.  I am pretty sure it is, so it's important to be aware of.

Here are some interesting links to check out:







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OK, so you're not ready to give up sweets completely?!  Well, have no fear.  There are many no sugar alternatives that are just as good, if not better tasting and they're good for you!!

I also use KAL Brand stevia.  It is the sweetest Stevia I have tasted.  Be careful to use just a little though as it's very concentrated.  Using too much can become bitter tasting.

Here's a recipe for COCONUT COOKIES:

I made this up, so I pretty much eyeball the amounts.

Ingredients:

Coconut Oil
Coconut Manna (aka. Coconut Butter)
English Toffee flavored liquid Stevia
Almond Extract
Vegetable Glycerin (the usually sell this in the cosmetic section at Whole Foods.)
Coconut Flakes (I like the big ones)
--
optional - add Sunflower Seeds
                 &  Sunflower Butter

Use a medium size mixing bowl and add about 5 tablespoons of coconut oil.  Do about two table spoons of coconut manna and heat it till it's really soft of liquidy, and add in about 5 or 6 droppers of the flavored stevia, a cap of almond extract.  Then I mix that up and add it to the coconut oil. Then I throw in half a cup of vegetable glycerin and add the coconut flakes.  It usually takes about a pack and a half of coconut flakes. (you can always add more)  Then mix it all up.  The consistency should be less gooey than you might think, so keep adding flakes until they just barely hold together.  Too much goo will make the cookies harder.  FInally, plop them on a cookie sheet in any shape you like and put them in the freezer for 20min. Enjoy!!
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Here's a good probiotic juice that I like to make:
buy some carrot juice or juice yourself (about a half gallon)
add two therelac caps OR two Renew Life probiotics (the probiotic supplement listed above.
Leave out for about a week at room temp.
This will make a tart and tangy veggie juice with a bit of zing.  This will also be very good for adding more probiotics to your diet.
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KEFIR:
Kefir is a wonderful probiotic milk (or coconut) drink. It is a combination of probiotics and healthy yeasts that combat the negative flora.  You will need to obtain a kefir culture first.  these aren't available in stores, but there is probably someone near you that will be glad to share some culture with you.  If you want to start making your own Kefir, you find cultures in your area via this worldwide database.  

Just a personal note: There is nothing new under the sun. I am just attempting to present info. here that has helped me. I hope to present it in a clear way based on my experience with anxiety which was a spiritual, psychological and emotional awakening for me. In retrospect of this experience I have been reading as much as I could to come to a deeper and more grounded understanding of this seemingly mystical thing that happened to me (so that I could share it with you).  I'm not a doctor or a scientist.  Please know this is only my experience.  Yours will obviously be different, but since my experience was so similar to others I've talked to, I am hoping this may be helpful or useful to you in some way. It's also a way that I hope to share my love with you. That is my purpose here.


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