Posted by
Linda Koep on Thu, Feb 16, 2012 @ 12:29 PM
Christina Carufel: I created these delicious Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free, Yeast-Free Almond Coconut Delights. They were really easy to make and a great treat to share!!~Christina
Coconut Almond Delights* (Almond butter sandwich cookies)
1&1/3 cup coconut oil liquid form or (1c coconut oil + 1/3c butter)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
1/3 cup crushed raw almonds
1& ½ cup Coconut Flour
½ cup rice flour or additional coconut flour
1T Agave Inulin/Stevia Mix *
1T Yacon syrup *
1T alcohol free Vanilla Liquid Stevia *
*All products carried by WholeApproach.com
Preheat oven to 350. Blend Oil, extracts, Yacon* syrup, and Liquid Vanilla Stevia*. Add flour and Agave Inulin*/Stevia* mix until well blended. Stir in the coconut and almonds. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 6-12min until light brown on top. Take out of oven and let cool. They will be very crumbly so be careful when transferring balls to a cooling tray or plate.
Can be stored in fridge up to 1 week. Freeze additional delights and enjoy.
Makes about 48 cookies approx. 80cal per delight.
Almond Butter Coconut Almond cookie sandwiches
Dough balls can be flattened and baked. When cooked and cooled set aside.
Put a dollop of Linda’s All Purpose Cinnamon Almond Butter Spread between 2 cookies. Refrigerate until firm then enjoy. Left over delights can be frozen and enjoyed at room temperature or refrigerated.
Lindas All Purpose Cinnimon Almond Butter Spread*
Candida Symptoms:
Candidiasis or Candida Related Complex can present a wide variety of symptoms, the exact combination and severity of which are unique to each individual case. Because candidiasis can manifest itself through many seemingly unrelated symptoms, the diagnosis is very often missed. Please see our self-administered Symptom Assessment Questionnaire on our Candida Diet page. Candida symptoms are usually chronic and include but are not limited to the following:
- Allergies: to foods and/or airborne chemicals; particularly adult-onset allergies. The number of offending substances can keep increasing until an individual becomes so sensitive to the everyday environment that they must live in isolation.
- Fatique: continual, but often more noticeable after eating.
- Gastrointestinal: poor digestion (constipation or diarrhea, gas, bloating, cramps, heartburn, nausea, gastritis, colitis, etc.)
- Neurological: carbohydrate cravings, irritability, mood swings, headaches, migraines, "fogged-in" feeling, inability to concentrate/mind "wanders off", poor memory, confusion, dizziness, M.S.-like symptoms (slurred speech, loss of muscle co-ordination, vision affected), depression and/or anxiety without apparent cause (often worse after eating), paranoia without apparent cause, not in total control of one' actions (know right thing to do but unable to execute), mental incompetence (sometimes leading to institutionalization), a variety of other behavioral disturbances.
- Genito-urinary: vaginal infections, menstrual difficulties, impotence, infertility, prostatitis, rectal itch, urinary tract infection/inflammation (urgency, burning).
- Respiratory: compromised immune system (frequent colds, flus), hay fever, mucous congestion, postnasal drip, asthma, bronchitis, chest pain, frequent clearing of throat, habitual coughing (usually non-productive).
- Skin: athlete's foot, jock itch, skin rash, hives, dry brownish patches, psoriasis, ringworm, rough skin on sides of arms which gets worse at certain times of the month or under increased stress.
- Symptoms resistant to all modes of therapy. The physician may conclude that patient is a hypochondriac and/or neurotic and may suggest tranquilizers, anti-depressants and/or psychiatric help.
- Clinical history (early childhood): ADD, ADHD, hyperactivity, aggressiveness, SKIN problems (cradle cap, diaper rash, thrush), RESPERATORY problems (chronic ear infection, tonsillitis) or GI problems (colic).
- Miscellaneous: cold extremities, arthritis-like symptoms, etc.
If you have some combination of these symptoms, you may have candidiasis. A thorough intestinal clean-up as that afforded by the Caproyl antifungal, Psyllium cleanser and Bentonite detoxificant, will improve your overall condition, regardless of what you are suffering from. By treating Candida, you will make your body that much stronger to deal with any other conditions.
Take the Candida Symptom Assessment Questionnaire to assist you in determining your level of imbalance.
Below is a sample health journal to track candida symptoms (available in our online store.
Tarilee's Top Ten Grain-Free Breakfast Recommendations for Candida Diet
by Tarilee Cornish, Certified Nutritional Consultant
This is a list of a few of my favorite grain-free candida breakfast foods. We often hear from our clients that they need help redesigning their approach to the first meal of the day so that they can incorporate the healing candida food recommendations outlined in thet Whole Approach Diet pages. There are many more amazing recipes in the Breakfast Foods Recipe Section of the Whole Approach forum. including some 'meatier' choices.
10. Carrot, Lemon, Ginger, Avocado Smoothie and for your mid morning snack on this day: Quick Stovetop Turkey Stir-fry
9. Almond Flour Waffles
8. Sweet Root Vegetable Medley
7. Cheese' Recipe for spreads and dips
6. Sautéed Lentils and Bean Sprouts
5. Butternut Squash with Lemon, Almonds and Parsley
4. No Bake Protein Bars
3. Macadamia Nut Coconut Pudding
2. Cauliflower Pancakes
1. Spaghetti Squash ‘Porridge'
Tarilee Cornish is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner with a special interest in immune and digestive recovery including general detoxification and recovery from food allergies and candida overgrowth. She is especially passionate about pure healing food choices that have a democratic, ecological and compassionate production and distribution chain. Tarilee is a moderator on the WholeApproach Support Forum.
Resolving Candida Related Complex - The Whole Approach
by Tarilee Cornish, Certified Nutritional Practitioner
The integrity and ecology of our intestines dictate our level of immune, digestive and mental/emotional health. Modern lifestyles can upset the optimum balance of the sensitive intestinal ecosystem made up of thousands of types of microorganisms. Imbalance causes a cascade of biochemical impacts that can affect all body systems. When intestinal health is disrupted, pathogenic (harmful) microorganisms are no longer successfully kept in check by our beneficial microorganisms and they proliferate, at great expense to their host, (the patient).
Natural systems take time to recover and require an understanding and honoring of life processes along with careful observation. Successful recovery from CRC (Candida Related Complex) requires a comprehensive yet gentle approach that simultaneously strengthens the body terrain while lessening candida populations. As you've likely read about on the Whole Approach instructional pages, the approach we recommend is comprehensive and holistic and includes:
-
Nourishment and replenishment, (nutritional, emotional and immune supports)
-
Yeast reduction candida cleanse, removal (anti-fungals, colon cleansing and a careful food therapy program.)
-
Purification (detoxification and lifestyle improvements)
This whole body approach/whole lifestyle program is supported by the products and services provided by Whole Approach.com. It has proven successful even in cases where multiple 'quick fix' or other less complete protocols have been tried in the past. To begin, reduction of yeast populations is first addressed through a candida cleanse. Three products are combined to form a colon scrubbing, toxin absorbing anti-fungal drink. This is used for at least three months along with quality probiotic (acidophilus and bifidus) supplementation. Severe or long-standing conditions may require an ongoing program that includes products to address systemic fungus (beyond the intestinal tract.) For those who may need it, a total of five different protocol phases have been designed for use in concert with a holistic food and lifestyle therapy program.
Diet recommendations transition from a more restricted to less restricted diet when symptoms improve (as determined by a weekly symptom questionnaire). The above program has been proven to outperform antifungal drug therapy. In a clinical comparison conducted by a registered nurse and acupuncturist, Colet Lahoz, RNC, the results of those using the candida cleanse surpassed those on the drug therapy on several measures. The report on this clinical comparison is listed on the Whole Approach website.
Registered members of Whole Approach forum can also participate in the mutually supportive online healing community while benefiting from the twice weekly guidance of a nutritionist.
Detoxification through a candida cleanse can be challenging. As toxins are dislodged, symptoms may increase temporarily. However as we begin to vitalize our body terrain, we can enjoy many benefits. Our immune resilience grows and our physical, mental and emotional health improves. Candida cleansing and detoxification at least once a year for one to three months can go a long way towards preserving long-term health. What better way to start out your new year on a healthy path!!!
Real Food for a Change* - Tarilee's Top Ten Steps to Healthier Eating for Detoxification and Cleansing
by Tarilee Cornish, Certified Nutritional Practitioner
Recovery from almost any kind of health imbalance can be enhanced by a candida cleansing detoxification program. Though the colon cleansing, detoxification and immune supporting products sold by Whole Approach are important components of a wellness program, in most cases, dietary transformation will also be at the core of a successful and lasting recovery. The transition from an average diet to an optimum diet for healing and health maintenance is a journey of patience, self-observation and self-knowledge. If your health condition is demanding change, now is the time to begin.
Begin your healthy transition with consideration for your natural affinity for new habits. Do you like to change overnight or one small step at a time? Somewhere in between is likely best for most. In general, changes made mindfully and gradually will have lasting results. This Top Ten list will help you transition gradually to a diet that is optimal for you.
Remember to tune into the WholeApproach Support Forum for information, recipes and support. And if, at any point in your transitions, you need reassurance, you can reach for inspiration by reading the success stories of those who came before you in their own quest for a healthier relationship to food.
1-Plan to succeed
Taking the time to think through and prepare for your upcoming changes will go a long way towards successful, lasting diet improvements. You'll need a special food calendar that you can keep in the kitchen. This way you can record your goals and successes (I like to circle all the days I’ve completed my goals for the day).
Consider the following steps to decide if the order fits for you and personalize in a way that makes sense for you. Consider their health impact, practicality and difficulty as well as whether you want to approach the steps one at a time or set a scheduled in advance. Do you want to take ten days to accomplish all the changes or ten months?
You may wish to explore ways that your family or housemates may be willing to support you. It is certainly easier to embrace the renunciation of sugar and dairy if you don't have vanilla ice cream calling at you every time you open the freezer. Those of you who live with others who don't embrace the changes need to have greater fortitude.
One important consideration throughout your transition is the integration of variety to your food choices to prevent over exposure to any particular foods. With the candida-induced stress to the intestinal lining, food allergies/intolerances are more common and, during the elimination of candida, can increase temporarily. Too much of any food (especially grain starches and proteins like eggs, nuts and seeds) during intestinal recovery will increase chances of an intolerance forming. The Food Allergies and Candida article explains this.
Variety within your meal also builds in well-rounded nutritional intake. Aim for five colors on your plate when possible for the best balance of vitamins and minerals.
2-Remove Refined Sugars and Additives and Yeasts
In the case of candidiasis, elimination of processed sugars can create significant improvement. Eliminating additives, preservatives and artificial sweeteners at the same time is logical since you'll be easing off many processed foods as you read labels. Removing sugar and the toxic burden of additives kick starts healing. Natural yeast products may be something you can reintroduce once you've recovered, but for optimal healing conditions, it's best to steer away from both nutritional and bakers yeast.
The most common refined sugars include sucrose, glucose, dextrose, evaporated cane juice, maltodextrin, galactose, dextrin, beet sugar, raw sugar, fructose, brown sugar, white sugar, sorghum, honey, maple syrup, rapadura and high fructose corn syrup or corn syrup. Artificial or chemically synthesized sweeteners include acesulfame potassium sweetener, saccharine and aspartame (Sugar Twin etc), Splenda, sorbitol, xylitol etc. You can search most of these on the WholeApproach Support forum or on the web to learn more about the risks in using them.
For help with the myriad of additives you'll encounter, I recommend that you purchase Ruth Winter's Dictionary of Food Additives to help you learn about additives:
To replace the sweets you will ideally use stevia, yacon syrup, and organic inulin powder (in small amounts until your digestion gets used to it.) For a gradual elimination of natural sweets you can temporarily use coconut sugar, dried fruit, fruit sweetened jam, or just fruit or fruit concentrate*. * Organic if possible and don't stock up - you'll be letting these go.
This is a good time to start the candida cleanse including psyllium (use husk and seed blend) and bentonite drink in the Whole Approach product protocol and add probiotics. Hold off on the Caproyl anti-fungal till you're confidently through Step two of this list.
3-Gluten
It's also time to explore all the amazing foods that you'll learn about as you let go of the sticky glutenous grains. Be sure to check out our Recipe Book and our Food Lists for inspiration and guidance regarding the many tasty, healthy alternatives to eating wheat and other gluten-containing grains.
4-Carbohydrate and Alcohol Reduction
It's time to adapt to lower reliance on starchy carbohydrates while reducing alcohol intake to herbal tinctures only. Both starches and alcohols turn quickly to sugar in our body and thus provide a food source for yeast, fungus, bacteria and cancer cells. The Whole Approach Candida Diet food lists and instructions will provide guidance with an emphasis on low glycemic carbohydrate choices.
Note: If you are breastfeeding, pregnant, athletic or have an unusually fast metabolism, you may need to increase the number of servings offered in the general Whole Approach candida diet guidelines.
5-Eliminate remaining sweets and starches
The next step is to let go of the other sweets. The lower the sugar intake, the faster the fungus and yeast starve. Yacon syrup, stevia and inulin can stay. But dry fruit, fruit, molasses, rice syrup and other natural sweeteners are put on hold until your health improves. Remember the stages of the WholeApproach Diet go according to your improvements on the weekly candida symptom questionnaire and are independent of the phases of the product protocol.
6-Hold the dairy - and the bad fats
The quality of the fats and oils that we eat dictate the quality of our cell membranes, which in turn form our tissues and organs and transport all electrical signals, nutrients and wastes within our body. Conditions such as candidiasis or chemicals in our diet and environment cause oxidation and contribute to the toxic load on the body. This can suppress membrane function. Exposure to electromagnetic pollution (electrosmog) can also cause significant oxidative stress. Exposed to enough stress, the cell membrane will harden, which compromises thousands of biological functions. Improving the quality of our fats; decreasing chemical and electrosmog exposures; and facilitating whole body cleansing provides synergistic support to increase the resiliency of our cell membranes. This helps to optimize functions within our whole body.
Dairy products can challenge your recovery program and moderation or avoidance is strongly advised. You can read more about dairy on our website.
7-Happy, healthy meat
When you buy meat, it's important to consider how the animal was fed, treated, transported to slaughter and slaughtered. Check out the Top Ten Questions to Ask about your Food. Knowing these points about the wellness of your food can tell you how healthy it will be for you nutritionally, and emotionally to eat. Quantum physics is really the only science I know of that is starting to illustrate the energetic imprints that emanate from every living thing according to it's life (and death) experience and state of vitality.
8- Veggies, go organic
Ideally, fifty percent of your plate will be filled with fresh, organic veggies, both raw and cooked. The fresher they are and the more naturally they are grown, the more healing, energizing power they contain. Top Ten Questions to ask about your Food. Freeing your body from pesticides and herbicides allows your liver, lymph and spleen to work on vitalizing your health by cleaning up other wastes like those produced by candida yeast or by the biological reactions due to emotional and environmental stress. You'll also be protected from some of the most dangerous agri-chemicals. Some pesticides, such as those used on potato's, have even been shown to cause permanent damage to the immune system. For some general information about the dangers of pesticides see this link: http://eap.mcgill.ca/MagRack/JPR/JPR_03.htm
9-Non irradiated, organic, caffeine free beverages, spices, seasoning
If you have not already done so, it is time to remove coffee and black tea while upgrading up your spice and seasonings cupboard (those that weren't eliminated in the additive elimination phase.) If you need to wean off caffeine, try non roasted yerba mate or green tea, (matcha is the most nutritious.) Coffee and tea are dehydrating which results in compromised lymph flow, blood flow and electrical messaging within the body. They are also both stressful for the kidneys which help to balance all fluids in the body while also cleansing wastes. Instead, you can drink herbal teas which ideally are not diuretic.
Virtually 100% of non-organic spices coming into North America are irradiated prior to sale. Among other impacts, this leaves a carcinogenic residue on the herb. You can gradually change over your spices to organic, (almost always non-irradiated) versions and then they will have the full medicinal power and culinary flavor that they are meant to have.
10-GMO's
GMO's are genetically modified organisms. They are destructive to the planet and to our bodies. When you have time please have a look at the Whole Approach GMO-free support page. This step may actually be one of the hardest steps in your path to a pure, vitalizing, detoxifying, candida reducing diet. Here is list of the foods that are most likely to contain GMO foods and the hidden ingredients that are extracted from GMO foods: corn, soy, and canola. Even organic versions of the above are usually contaminated with wind pollinating/polluting GMO genes from neighboring crops.
by Tarilee Cornish, Certified Nutritional Consultant
Tarilee's Top 10 Vegetarian Food Recommendations for Breakfast
We often hear from our clients that they need help redesigning their approach to the first meal of the day so that they can incorporate the healing food recommendations outlined in the Whole Approach Candida Diet pages. I've put together a list of favorite candida foods for breakfast or anytime to inspire and encourage you! There are many more amazing candida cleanse recipes in the Breakfast Foods Recipe Section of the Whole Approach forum. including some 'meatier' choices. Once you’ve explored this list, be sure to check out all the rest! We'll post some grain-free breakfast ideas soon! (All suggestions below use foods from the WholeApproach Candida Diet Food List.)
10. RAW-Grated root veggies with lemon juice and sesame oil with your favorite dressing. Unsweetened cranberries add a nice twist too! And nuts & seeds are optional as well. Add a Raw Veggie Smoothie (Number 1 below) and yum!!!
9. Cooked sweet potato or squash mash with cinnamon and stevia & sea salt. Chopped nuts and seeds can be added to this also or dried/seasoned seeds can be sprinkled on top for crunch!
8. Rhubarb Rice muffins
7. Peanut Butter or Almond Butter Breakfast Cookies
6. Chickpea Breakfast Ginger Snaps
5. Pizza Flavored Panbread
4. Stewed Rice “Pudding”
3. Curried Lentils & Onions with Cranberries
2. Stewed Rhubarb on Rice
1. Raw Veggie Smoothie
Tarilee Cornish is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner with a special interest in immune and digestive recovery including general detoxification and recovery from food allergies and candida overgrowth. She is especially passionate about pure healing food choices that have a democratic, ecological and compassionate production and distribution chain. Tarilee is a moderator on the WholeApproach Support Forum.
by Tarilee Cornish, CNP
In the 20 years that WholeApproach has been representing the Attogram products, a significant percentage of our customers has innocently asked the question; Is it important to watch my diet while I am treating Candida? The answer to that question is: YES! We realize that there are products on the market that promise a candida cure without having to change a thing; not all that different from the diet pills that promise weight loss without changing eating and exercise habits. Without making the necessary dietary changes, success, if any, is limited and short-lived. Feeding the yeast over-growth as you are trying to reduce the population will keep you from reaching your treatment goals and may assist the yeast organisms in developing resistance to treatment.
In order to provide some assistance and guidance in this area, we have developed the WholeApproach Candida Diet. Tarilee Cornish, Certified Nutritional Consultant (with nearly 20 years experience in the CRC field) together with WholeApproach, lovingly prepared the WholeApproach Candida Diet pages on our web site with the knowledge that our customers have individual dietary needs. Our Diet plan was intended to give you the tools to tailor your healthy eating plan to your unique needs. The following is a brief introduction to our diet philosophy and the topics below are more fully described on our web site.
Embarking on the learning adventure of a new healthy diet is the important first step towards understanding your body's health and nutritional requirements. The Whole Approach.com website is designed to support and inspire you on your journey toward the diet and lifestyle strategy that suits your individual needs. Just as each of us has a unique personality, health history, health challenges, and biochemical make up, we also have unique dietary needs. The information found on these diet pages will be invaluable to you both as a starting point as well as an ongoing reference.
The primary goal of an effective candida diet is to support healing and detoxification through a nutritionally-balanced diet that is low in carbohydrates. The ideal diet for CRC recovery reduces or eliminates hard-to-digest foods that stress the digestive system as well as allergens and toxins that suppress the immune and nervous systems.
In the Diet section of this website, WholeApproach will address some of the more significant diet theories and considerations in order to help you put together a plan that fits your immediate needs while providing the tools to help you tailor your nutrition plan as you recover.
Lifestyle considerations that will enhance your treatment program:
- Take control of your diet by preparing most of your food yourself.
- Eat nutrient-rich, organic, minimally-processed whole foods.
- Optimize your intake of essential-fatty-acid rich food sources through the use of healing fats and oils.
- Eat a wide variety of foods, preferably by following the four-day rotation diet.
- Drink plenty of purified water. Drink half your body weight in ounces (for example if you weigh 140 lbs, you should drink at least 70 ounces of water). Whether you have city water or well water, consider investing in a water purification system (i.e. reverse osmosis) or buy high quality purified water that is stored in non-porous plastic or glass.
- Drug use, alcohol consumption and smoking lower your immunity - so avoid them.
- Exercise regularly, allow adequate time for sleep. Develop effective stress management and relaxation skills to help combat both physical and emotional stress.
- Avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics, steroid drugs and birth control pills when possible since they promote the overgrowth of candida.
The WholeApproach Candida Diet provides nutritional support to increase the effectiveness of the WholeApproach Program of natural anti-fungal products. Please visit the WholeApproach Diet section of our web site for more information and make sure you download the FREE color-coded Candida Diet Food Lists.
By this point, a few of you may be scratching your heads and feeling a bit overwhelmed. Don't be discouraged or intimidated! It's more important to start with the intention of developing your own set of healthy eating guidelines. Start small! Meal by meal, day by day, over time healthy eating will become part of your lifestyle. As you begin to feel better, your food choices will become easier.
The WholeApproach Candida Diet and the WholeApproach Forum are two of the most comprehensive candida support resources on the web. They were developed specifically to help all candida sufferers on their journey to recovery. Happy Reading!
Please Note: All Candida diet questions can be directed to Tarilee Cornish, Certified Nutritional Consultant, on the WholeApproach Support Forums. Tarilee answers diet/program/product related questions in the mornings, Monday and Thursday. The WholeApproach Candida Support Forums contain nearly 14 years of Q & A, searchable by keyword or phrase, and is hosted by experienced and knowledgeable moderators.
What is Candida?©
by Andrew Gutauskas
Overview
It has been nearly three decades since C. Orian Truss, MD, an allergist in Birmingham, Alabama, presented to a medical forum his observation that depressed patients are affected by a yeast organism called Candida albicans. This yeast was not a new or unique discovery as it had been treated by gynecologists and pediatricians for years in the form of vaginitis in women and thrush in infants. What was remarkable about Truss's report was drawing the relationship between clinical depression, a "mental" disorder and yeast, an infective organism usually associated only with superficial human infections. Truss presented a series of papers on the injury the yeast organism Candida subjects the human body to in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. By the early 1980's, other physicians interested in chronic illness and allergy began to explore yeast's relationship in causing numerous unexplained illnesses. By the late 1980's, the medical community became divided into two camps: those who "believed" in the condition known as systemic candidiasis or CRC (Canadida Related Complex) and those who did not believe in it. The believers largely consisted of alternative medical practitioners who already subscribed to many theories lying outside the medical mainstream; the nonbelievers began to publish editorials in the orthodox medical journals claiming that the yeast syndrome was a fad and did not have any legitimacy in medical diagnosis or treatment.
Detecting Candidiasis
While this disconcerting set of events has made candidiasis (also referred to as Candida Related Complex or CRC) a difficult condition to work with as a patient or as a physician, there have been many rewards for both in pursuing understanding of the yeast syndrome. Chronic illness frequently is diagnosed in very black and white terms such as arthritis, asthma, ulcer and psoriasis. However, many chronic conditions are not as easily diagnosed and present incredible frustration for both doctor and patient. For example many patients have, at a relatively young age 30-40, difficulties with remembering and calculating simple sales register receipts. Obviously it is very unlikely that these individuals have major brain disorders such as Alzheimer's. But what can explain these lessened abilities to think in apparently normal persons? Others continue to experience recurrent upper respiratory infections, sinusitis, sore throats, ear infections and colds with no apparent cause. Despite numerous rounds of antibiotics, even throat or ear surgery, they continue to have infection after infection. Other patients have terrible digestive tract disorders with continuous gas, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or heartburn, trying all sorts of medications and diets with little relief of their symptoms. What could be the cause of these symptoms? As unbelievable as it may be to many patients and doctors, this often ignored yeast, Candida albicans, can frequently be the culprit. Yet Candida is not easily "eliminated." We all look for the simple pill to cure all our problems; Candida is just not responsive to the magic bullet.
Treating Candidiasis
We know that there is often a relationship between Candida and these treatment resistant chronic illnesses because when we attack the yeast and have the patient follow programs designed to control it, the patient responds remarkably. Even the patient who previously failed with a "quick" candida treatment will respond if a program is designed with an appropriate candida diet, long-term use of anti-Candida therapy and complementary nutritional supplementation. In addition, other modalities such as acupuncture and naturopathy can play an important role in supporting the restoration of the Candida patient to their normal condition.
It has been quite difficult to develop research studies on treating patients having chronic illness labeled candidiasis or CRC when Candida is not easily diagnosed by a standard test. Further, even when the patient and physician are open to treating Candida, the usual quick one or two course treatments of Nystatin, Nizoral or Diflucan are usually insufficient to eradicate the more chronic cases. S. Colet Lahoz, RN, a nurse and acupuncturist in Minnesota, decided to undertake a research study of diagnosing and treating candida related complex employing a well-scheduled program of diet, anti-Candida fungicide, nutritional supportive supplements, as well as acupuncture. The study followed patients who scored high on questionnaires designed by Crook and Trowbridge to screen for candidiasis. Patients were asked to compare their symptom responses following essentially no anti-candida program, a drug regimen or the program designed by Lahoz involving diet, a four-part anti-Candida colon-cleansing component, as well as nutritional supplementation.
The results of the study demonstrated Candida symptoms could be better controlled by patients who followed the Lahoz protocol than patients who followed diet and anti-fungal drugs. More remarkable was the constancy of symptom response for those who completed the bowel-cleansing program. The study strongly suggests that the yeast syndrome is not only tied into many chronic illnesses but that the gastro-intestinal tract is the primary site where yeast settles. It argues again for the theory the hygienists championed a century earlier - that an unhealthy lower bowel is the breeding ground for infection and inflammation which can cause illness throughout the body; that cleaning out the lower bowel will only improve an individual's health; that ignoring the bowel's hygiene will lead to more generalized chronic illness.
Conquering Yeast Infections: the Non-Drug Solution for Men and Women by S. Colet Lahoz, RN, MS, Lac, is a book for believers in the yeast syndrome as well as for patients and physicians who have been frustrated by difficulties in managing candidiasis. It describes in a very readable format the basis for Candida as cause of chronic illness. Lahoz reviews the difficulty in diagnosing Candida by conventional laboratory testing and examines the tools most practitioners use in evaluating new and long-standing patients. She presents the data Dr's. Truss, Crook, Trowbridge and Walker and others have published on diagnosing and treating CRC.
Lahoz presents the components of her four-part colon cleansing program comprised of Attogram Corp's anti-Candida oil Caproyl, our liquid clay cleanser Bentonite, Psyllium powder, and probiotics. Lahoz uses the colon-cleansing program twice daily with the anti-Candida diet for a minimum of three months to effectively clean the colon of yeast overgrowth and toxins.
Posted by
Linda Koep on Wed, Jan 11, 2012 @ 11:01 AM
Candida Symptoms
Candida Related Complex or Candidiasis can present a wide variety of symptoms, the exact combination and severity of which are unique to each individual case. Because candidiasis can manifest itself through many seemingly unrelated symptoms, the diagnosis is very often missed. Please see our self-administered Candida Symptom Assessment Questionnaire. Candida symptoms are usually chronic and include but are not limited to the following:
- Allergies: to foods and/or airborne chemicals; particularly adult-onset allergies. The number of offending substances can keep increasing until an individual becomes so sensitive to the everyday environment that they must live in isolation.
- Fatique: continual, but often more noticeable after eating.
- Gastrointestinal: poor digestion (constipation or diarrhea, gas, bloating, cramps, heartburn, nausea, gastritis, colitis, etc.)
- Neurological: carbohydrate cravings, irritability, mood swings, headaches, migraines, "fogged-in" feeling, inability to concentrate/mind "wanders off", poor memory, confusion, dizziness, M.S.-like symptoms (slurred speech, loss of muscle co-ordination, vision affected), depression and/or anxiety without apparent cause (often worse after eating), paranoia without apparent cause, not in total control of one' actions (know right thing to do but unable to execute), mental incompetence (sometimes leading to institutionalization), a variety of other behavioral disturbances.
- Genito-urinary: vaginal infections, menstrual difficulties, impotence, infertility, prostatitis, rectal itch, urinary tract infection/inflammation (urgency, burning).
- Respiratory: compromised immune system (frequent colds, flus), hay fever, mucous congestion, postnasal drip, asthma, bronchitis, chest pain, frequent clearing of throat, habitual coughing (usually non-productive).
- Skin: athlete's foot, jock itch, skin rash, hives, dry brownish patches, psoriasis, ringworm, rough skin on sides of arms which gets worse at certain times of the month or under increased stress.
- Symptoms resistant to all modes of therapy. The physician may conclude that patient is a hypochondriac and/or neurotic and may suggest tranquilizers, anti-depressants and/or psychiatric help.
- Clinical history (early childhood): ADD, ADHD, hyperactivity, aggressiveness, SKIN problems (cradle cap, diaper rash, thrush), RESPERATORY problems (chronic ear infection, tonsillitis) or GI problems (colic).
- Miscellaneous: cold extremities, arthritis-like symptoms, etc.
If you have some combination of these symptoms, you may have candidiasis. A thorough intestinal clean-up as that afforded by the Caproyl antifungal, Psyllium cleanser and Bentonite detoxificant, will improve your overall condition, regardless of what you are suffering from. By treating Candida, you will make your body that much stronger to deal with any other conditions.
Take the WholeApproach Symptom Assessment Questionnaire
Tarilee Cornish CNP
The integrity and ecology of our intestines dictate our level of immune, digestive and mental/emotional health. Modern lifestyles can upset the optimum balance of the sensitive intestinal ecosystem made up of thousands of types of microorganisms. Imbalance causes a cascade of biochemical impacts that can affect all body systems. When intestinal health is disrupted, pathogenic (harmful) microorganisms are no longer successfully kept in check by our beneficial microorganisms and they proliferate, at great expense to their host, (the patient).
Hidden Cause of Illness
Yeast and fungus overgrowth have always been in our bodies but the conditions of our modern world are causing a steady rise in the numbers of people sickened by yeast overgrowth. Of particular concern is a yeast called Candida albicans. Candida levels can grow gradually over a number of years or quite suddenly in a few weeks depending on the number and severity of the health stressors the patient is exposed to. The longer the condition has existed, the more entrenched and mature the yeast/fungus forms become and the longer it takes to correct the illness.
Common presentations of a yeast or fungal condition include a seemingly unrelated myriad of physical, mental and emotional symptoms that can include: cognitive impairment, (i.e. decreased concentration and memory), depression, irritability, anxiety, chronic upper respiratory infections, sinusitis, sore throats, ear infections and lasting cold-like symptoms. Other manifestations can include puffy eyes, skin conditions, food and chemical sensitivities, bloating, flatulence, mouth infections, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation or heartburn. The illness can affect men, women and children and genital yeast may or may not be present.
Despite the well known clinical fact that terminal diseases such as Aids or cancer are often accompanied by severe systemic fungal growth, there is little medical acknowledgement of in otherwise weakened patients. There is a shortage of research studies relating to treatment of candida overgrowth and limited access to accurate laboratory tests. This sometimes controversial condition can be difficult to diagnose and since it requires comprehensive diet/lifestyle support to resolve, few doctors specialize in it. It is not uncommon for a yeast problem to remain undiagnosed for many years. (1) See article in reference number one as well as the link in the Diagnosis section below to see a full symptom questionnaire and discussion related to diagnosis.
The Perfect Storm
Modern lifestyles constantly expose us to substances and conditions that can weaken our body systems and boost fungal growth. Stress, pharmaceutical drugs, (both prescription and over the counter), food additives, genetically modified food, chronic low-level nutritional deficiencies, chlorinated water, coffee, toxic emissions from indoor and outdoor air pollution and constant exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) (2,3) deplete our bodies’ available energy, vitality and innate health defenses. For example, we have beneficial intestinal microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bifidus that are tasked with inhibiting their pathogenic 'neighbors' like yeast. Many of the above mentioned health stressors are directly antagonistic to these helper bacteria, leaving us with low to non-existent populations of and thus extra vulnerable to our guest pathogens.
We further advantage the yeast with consumption of food that directly feed them. Sugar, alcohol and starch provide perfect yeast food. In addition, our constant exposure to electromagnetic pollution, (from our electrical systems, wireless technology and fluorescent type lighting), encourage Candida albicans (3) to thrive inside our body. This situation disrupts our synergistic intestinal ecosystem that is required to nourish our entire body and mind.
Whole Body Health Stress
The overgrowth of yeast and fungi creates a complex and wide-reaching biochemical impact. We're going to look at three of the impacts of Candida albicans, which in its more advanced form, become an invasive fungus, and in serious cases, can spread to just about any part of the body. The condition of an overgrowth of candida has come to be known as Candida Related Complex,(CRC.)
CRC increases a toxic candida byproduct called acetaldehyde. CRC can also reduce levels of the essential neurotransmitter, serotonin. And it can result in damage to the intestinal lining, which leads to immune stress.
Acetaldehyde Poisoning from Yeast Metabolism
Dr. Stephen Cooter, author of, "Beating Chronic Disease", explains that candida overgrowth causes the accumulation of toxic acetaldehyde, "Acetaldehyde is ordinarily tolerated in our bodies in very small amounts but in larger concentrations it's known to poison tissues - accumulating in the brain, spinal cord, joints, muscles and tissues."(4)
Dr Orion Truss C. Orian Truss, MD, an allergist in Alabama has been publishing reports about harm done by Candida since 1983 including a series of papers in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. He describes the impact of acetaldehyde on the metabolic, neurological, endocrine (hormonal) and immune systems as "wreaking havoc." He has also shown that acetaldehyde interferes with acetylcholine levels. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter crucial for the healthy function of the corpus callosum in our brain. The corpus callosum is responsible for motor, sensory, and cognitive transfer between the left and right brain hemispheres. It is the same toxin that accumulates in the brains and bodies of people with alcoholism.(5)
Serotonin Deficiency
The intestinal imbalance associated with candida overgrowth can create a reduction in serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that contributes to joy and relaxation while also regulating many biological functions. Most people think of serotonin as a brain chemical. In fact, about 90% of our total serotonin is, in a healthy person, produced and stored in cells lining the intestines!
Serotonin acts locally in the intestines to regulate intestinal movements but this storehouse of serotonin is also needed to sustain many nervous system functions. These include the regulation of mood, appetite, and sleep. It also modulates memory, learning, mood, perception, reward, anger, aggression, appetite, memory, sexuality, and attention.
The toxic impacts of yeast-released acetaldehyde combined with reduction in our serotonin levels can suppress our physical, emotional and mental health in an alarming number of ways. In addition, the candida fungus can impact the integrity of our intestines by penetrating the intestinal lining, causing it to leak its contents into the bloodstream. (6)
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leaky Gut Syndrome is a condition in which the intestinal lining is compromised from damage caused by intestinal pathogens like candida. Candida dendrites (or roots) burrow into the tender tissue of the digestive tract and create perforations that can allow food and microbiological waste to pass through to the bloodstream.
Our bloodstream is not intended to assimilate with this kind of waste so the immune system, liver and lymphatic drainage become strained with the work of defending the body against this unexpected debris. If it happens to pass from the intestinal lymph fluid to the heart it is then it also has to be filtered by our lungs and can lead to chronic respiratory conditions. A further possible consequence of this condition, due to the onslaught of internally leaked pollutants, is immune system hyper-vigilance. This increases allergic reactions and the risk of autoimmune conditions like arthritis as well as chronic inflammation, fatigue, and brain fog. (7)
As you can see, the combined impact of acetaldehyde poisoning, the reduced support of the essential neurotransmitter serotonin AND the damage to the intestinal system places significant strain on our health. It should be noted that there are many additional consequences of yeast overgrowth that we have not explored here.
Diagnosis
Since accurate diagnostics for CRC are hard to find, expensive and in some cases, limited in accuracy, practitioners will often diagnose yeast/fungi by observing the patient's response to an anti-fungal program, in other words, Diagnosis by Treatment. However there are some other helpful diagnostic options that can be useful to learn about. Check out this thread on the Whole Approach website about diagnosing candida.
Resolving CRC
Natural systems take time to recover and require an understanding and honoring of life processes along with careful observation. Successful recovery from CRC requires a comprehensive yet gentle approach that simultaneously strengthens the body terrain while lessening candida populations. As you've likely read about on the Whole Approach instructional pages, the approach we recommend is comprehensive and holistic and includes:
- Nourishment and replenishment, (nutritional, emotional and immune supports)
- Yeast reduction candida cleanse, removal (anti-fungals, colon cleansing and a careful food therapy program.)
- Purification (detoxification and lifestyle improvements)
This whole body approach/whole lifestyle program is supported by the products and services provided by Whole Approach.com. It has proven successful even in cases where multiple 'quick fix' or other less complete protocols have been tried in the past. To begin, reduction of yeast populations is first addressed through a candida cleanse. Three products are combined to form a colon scrubbing, toxin absorbing anti-fungal drink. This is used for at least three months along with quality probiotic (acidophilus and bifidus) supplementation. Severe or long-standing conditions may require an ongoing program that includes products to address systemic fungus (beyond the intestinal tract.) For those who may need it, a total of five different protocol phases have been designed for use in concert with a holistic food and lifestyle therapy program.
Diet recommendations transition from a more restricted to less restricted diet when symptoms improve (as determined by a weekly symptom questionnaire). The above program has been proven to outperform antifungal drug therapy. In a clinical comparison conducted by a registered nurse and acupuncturist, Colet Lahoz, RNC, the results of those using the candida cleanse surpassed those on the drug therapy on several measures. The report on this clinical comparison is listed on the Whole Approach website.
Registered members of Whole Approach forum can also participate in the mutually supportive online healing community while benefiting from the twice weekly guidance of a nutritionist:
Detoxification through a candida cleanse can be challenging. As toxins are dislodged, symptoms may increase temporarily. However as we begin to vitalize our body terrain, we can enjoy many benefits. Our immune resilience grows and our physical, mental and emotional health improves. Candida cleansing and detoxification at least once a year for one to three months can go a long way towards preserving long-term health. What better way to start out your new year on a healthy path!!!
Happy New Year!
Tarilee
*references available by request through contact page