tackling this candida!

My candida problems started when I went on a special diet because of my first baby's sensitivities but I didn't find out about it until the next baby and she had thrush from the beginning and we couldn't get rid of it. Then I went to a nutritionist who helped me a lot tackle the systemic yeast but like you I think it will be an ongoing battle. This woman does not believe in strict diets etc. to beat yeast though because there is too much room for failure that way. She believes in healing your body so that your immune system can beat the yeast itself. Big things she had me on were probiotics (the highest ones out there), digestive enzymes, along with other supplements to boost immunity. Another big one is Ascorbate powder which is huge amounts of vitamin C and for me that made a huge difference. I am also taking garlic cloves cut up and swallowed like pills. It can't be the odourless garlic because it doesn't act like a broad spectrum antibiotic etc. when it is in that form plus the raw garlic is okay for nursing. Grapefruit seed extract is okay but you have to make sure to take big amounts of probiotics not near it because it also kills good bacteria. Another good thing to help is fish oils and flaxseed oil 1tbsp a day. I would never take antibiotics again instead turn to homeopathy. I feel the same as you though that I will always be prone to this so will have to watch my diet but the way that she wants me to eat is good for prolapse too. Cutting out dairy and wheat is another thing she said. Lots of vegetables and she said 1-2 fruits a day - again because she doesn't believe people will be successful if it is too strict. Healing your body takes time. Also something she wanted me to take is black walnut but it isn't great during nursing because it can lower milk supply so when I am done nursing I will be doing that. She didn't have me restrict any vegetables. Hope that helps.

Hi Kiki

It sounds like you have a lot of bases covered and I think this is the way to go. My previous suggestions on the very restrictive diet are only for a short period, cos it's just not sustainable otherwise. Too boring, and too limiting nutrientwise.

Just remember to be particular about your laundry hygiene. Clean towels and washers every day, PJ's or knickers at night (change daily) to keep the bugs off the sheets. Dry washing in the sun if possible, and add a bit of vinegar to the last rinse to keep the pH of your clothes and baby's clothes slightly acidic. Wash hands thoroughly after handling dirty linen and particularly after toilet, changing baby and before eating.

I don't think it will be a lifelong problem, though it may go for some time, maybe a few years. As your kids grow up and your life stages change I think the immune system changes too. I have been through patches when I have had thrush on and off for a couple of years, then it goes away altogether, maybe reappearing a few years later for a year or so. Thrush for me occurred at times when I have had recurrent UTI's in the same period. Again, it is probably immune system having a hard time. I have only had one batch in the four years of doing Wholewoman techniques. Two lots of the same topical anti-fungal cream didn't work, so I hit it with a different anti-fungal, and vaginal probiotic pessaries, and oral probiotics for a month, and a week of a very limited diet. Gone.

I think Wholewoman techniques just keep the inside of the vulva covered up and inside you, and away from the irritation, chafing and cross-contamination from knickers.

Best of luck. I know you will win eventually. You must be going spare. It is just so irritating, mentally and physically.

Louise

a little GSE in a spray bottle with distilled water - spritz frequently - and it will be gone fast.
since you are nursing get a little probiotic and spread it on your nipples each time before nursing- it will get into your baby well that way.

I think the life cycle of yeast is pretty limited- like 10-14 days- not sure exactly- but I imagine that if you go NO SUGAR for a few weeks you can add back some high C fruits first and see how it goes.
Sugar hides in everything- Pasta sauce, ketchup, any bar- even the "healthy" ones- then you will see it as brown rice syrup etc... basically you only eat whole foods. Beans etc. look at millet and flax for grains- as well as quinoa.

as far as the for life thing goes- well I would avoid antibiotics. You can fight a bacterial infection without them and they really do mess with you. I would also live a low sugar life. It is funny. Sugar is a big addiction and as soon as I saw it for what it was I was able to break the cycle. Sure it is strange sometimes to not eat cake at a birthday party-(social situations- hey sorta like drinking or smoking) so I go ahead and partake- but as much as I can in my home and out to dinner I just stay away from it. It isn't so bad and I sure feel better for it- have more energy- a stronger immune system- etc.

A friend told me something interesting- not sure if I can get it right but it did cause me to think a little. Researchers have found that some cancers crave sugar for growth. With out it they starve. The people with the cancer felt very strong cravings for sugar-
now I always thought that my body had an amazing wisdom and when I craved foods I should go ahead and eat them. Now I am wondering. Maybe sometimes my body craves foods for the wrong reasons- and I need to stay mindful of eating the best possible nutrient rich foods instead of listening to silly cravings.

Different body's have different tolerances for poisons- what may not bother me might make you very sick. Sugar is one of those things. Some people can enjoy sugar for the sweet taste it is while others are made physically sick by it.

Hi Kiki

My theory on juices is that it is better for your body to eat the whole fruit or vegetable instead of just the juice. The fibre you throw away is really good for you. If you only have say, the juice of the carrot, it is very digestible and concentrated, and the sugar in it will be used by your body straight quickly, and straightaway. Why not just munch away on the carrot, slow down the sugar supply and give your guts a bit of a workout on the fibre too?

cheers

Louise

The body needs what is inside all of the fruit. So i would rather eat the fruit than drink its ''fruit-water''

I am not saying fruit juice is a no no ever. But - Since arriving here on WW (About 4 years ago now I think) I have changed from drinking utter rubbish (coke) To drinking water. The odd cup of tea (Which I now try to avoid even tho I love it as I have noticed the weird need-to-pee but dont feeling is from tea) I eat unprocessed things as much as I can and drink - the clear stuff (water) lol

And I feel better for it... My mind is so much more level (Not all the time lolol) I feel clearer in the head, and body...

I have been so busy, been to car shows, hugemungous picnics, and theonly problem was daring to drink tea before going one day and Ihad the weird feeling. To be honest - My Grade3 arrived last Nov - And I have had MORE of a life since I got it than I did before. On looking back - I thought my life was over, and - Really all I needed to do was adjust. STOP lifting stupidly heavy things cos the men of the house were out, and aquire a modicum of forethought on stuff like lifting heavy things...

But - Fruit and veg are so very good for you - To throw away part of it's core, and t's important bit... Is not the best, but - If youwant a drink once in a while of it - Have it... Life is not about having nothing of any fun - Iti aboutliving well :-)

OK I went off on a tangent as usual. lol

So busy at the moment - And I revel in it :-)

Oh - I find that certain juices do upset my body though (orange juice) But that might be just me...

Sometimes youre holding someone else's heart in your hands. You can drop that heart & bruise it. You can squash that heart & hurt it. Or you can stomp on it & totally annihalate it. You stomp on that heart or bruise it. It can forever be changed ♥

are full of fiber-

Fermented foods are full of living good things that keep yeast in order, amazingly moreso than yogurt or the probiotics pills.

I had a daughter with a yeast infection (poor thing had to have her diaper backwards and no access or she would rip herself up) for over a year (the docs made it worse--believe me I tried that route) and finally it was kicked in 3 days with Kefir on her tush and front. Kefir is a lacto-fermented milk product. I learned to make it at home and it was just amazing. I was so joyful at her recovery I cried!
If you buy something like bubba's pickles or Kombuca, just make sure it is not pasteurized. Heating kills the living yeast balancers. Kim chi is great too, and easy to make at home.

Lacto-fermentation is not rotten food, it is a natural food preservation method.

Hi

for vaginal candida, a herbalist told me to try dipping your finger in a bottle of very good quality st. john's worth oil, and put your finger in your vagina. I rarely have this these days, but last time I did I tried this and it works overnight. Cheap simple and very powerful stuff.

By the way years and years ago, (as i posted a long time ago), i had repeat infections. And it was down to an allergy to my contraceptive pill. Perhaps that's a factor for you. they cleared in two weeks when i came off the pill.

xx
Anne