My Candida Cleanse Diary

[SkinnySoon]

I just started doing my Candida cleanse this morning. I'm actually looking forward to the 3-days of headaches that I always get within minutes of taking my OoO for the first couple days.

With all the people currently following a Candida cleansing diet, I thought I'd keep a diary here to keep track of my progress and help those who are "thinking about it" understand what it might be like for them to go through it.

Feel free to comment or add suggestions as I continue on. I'll keep this post active minimally for the next 45 days.

Without realizing it, I regained 7 pounds over the last 3 weeks with all my recent cheating (yo-yo eating...strict one day, junk the next). I've been really bad lately because I knew that once my BF left, I could be very strict again.... so I kinda "let myself" slack off for a while.

I've been feeling very bloated lately... and having alot of gastro-intestional problems. (self-inflicted with my recent cheating).

Now that my BF is out of the country for the next 45 days (flew to India to visit family), I won't have to go to parties any longer then my appetite can hold up.... nor will I have to eat out several times a week.... or hostess our weekly parties at his place. I have no excuse not to be super-strict.

I'm on a mission to drop atleast 10 pounds over the next 6 weeks, although I'm shooting for 17. I don't think that 17 pounds is realistic.... but with a Candida cleanse, anything is possible. I think Candida has been holding me back from losing at a reasonable pace for a very long time, so I'm crossing my fingers.

I've prepared myself as best as I can....

The fridge is empty of all yeast/mold foods other then salad dressings which I moved to the bottom shelf of the door to keep out of sight.

I've got....
Oil of Oregano
Pro-Biotic
DeTox Tea
Colon Clez
Lime Juice
Lemon Juice
Liquid Stevia
Cold Milled Flax Seeds
Powdered Stevia
Braggs Liquid Aminos
Braggs Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
(These two make life easier to have for salad dressings and marinades)

Last night, I took the Colon Clenz. I woke up this morning....weighed and measured, then I took my Pro-Biotic. I ate breakfast, then took my OoO and EFA's.

I'm on OWL. For breakfast, I had a smoothie made with organic yogurt, almond butter, whey protein, stevia powder and water. I didn't think it was enough food to take my multi-vitamin/mineral, so I'll take it with my lunch. I wasn't very hungry... and my multi gets me ill if I don't eat a sturdy enough meal.

It's been about 15 minutes since I've taken the OoO and I'm already starting to get a headache in the front of my head. I know it's working already.

I'll update more later.

[SkinnySoon]

It's only been about an hour.... and my tummy is cramping badly. I've already "went" this morning... but I had to go again.... and I know more is coming. My headache is not as bad as I expected... but it's definately there.

[SkinnySoon]

Mild/moderate symptoms. Headache..... tummy burning sensation.... slightly nauseated.... eyes strained from reading this board.

I think I'll wait to get past the first few days before I try working out.

I'm going to find something to eat... then lay down and watch some TV and maybe take a nap for a while. I'm feeling pretty crappy.

[SkinnySoon]

TRANSFERRING DIARY INFO FROM TEMPORARY BOARD TO THIS BOARD.... (I didn't know how to carry the whole post over, so I only carried my posts here to use in my candida cleansing diary.... hence the reason I started the diary)

I just had to do a little bragging, because I'm normally the kind of person who loses a couple pounds during Induction.... then does nothing but yo-yo 2-3 pounds over and over again for months at a time. I don't report many losses because they rarely stick.

Well..... as some of you already know, I started a Atkins friendly Candida diet on Saturday November 27th. I'm just beginning my 5th day and I'm already down 4.5 POUNDS !!!. I'm currently in OWL, so I'm following the Candida diet using higher carbs and it's still working great. I was afraid I'd have to re-induct too.... but it's much easier not to need to.

Nov 27: 157
Nov 28: 154.5
Nov 29: 154
Nov 30: 153.5
Dec 1: 153

I started a diary on the main board.... but I haven't been able to keep it up to date because of the crash. I thought I'd share my news here, temporarily.


**edited because I messed up on my Nov 30th weight**

**edited AGAIN because I double checked my bodyfat report printout and foudn out that I gained more muscle then I thought.**

Oh.... I almost forgot... a little more bragging. I just had my bodyfat re-tested hydrostatically yesterday (the only trusted accurate way), and I learned that I've gained 4 pounds of muscle over the last year with a current lean mass of 112 pounds. I'm so happy. Where's the happy dance icon???

I'm not thrilled with my bodyfat level at 27%.... but at the rate I'm losing, I think I'll be reaching my goal within a reasonable timeframe.

Gaining muscle is not an easy task when you've been working out most of your life.

I'm glad to see it's working so well for so many people.

As of this morning, I'm down another 1/2 pound for a total loss of 4.5 pounds in 6 days so far. (Started Nov. 27th)


dieselbud... I have not done another spit test since starting, but I'll try one tomorrow.

It's actually very normal to lose inches (especially around your tummy), while doing a candida cleanse because the yeast is in your digestive track... so when it clears up, your tummy shrinks. Congrats on fitting into those pants!!

This is what I'm doing....

Each website seems to list different foods for allowed/not allowed on a candida cleansing diet. I have taken several lists and melded them together to form my food list. I do allow very limited low-lactose cheeses, and I also allow myself some grains. Beyond the Candida Cleansing food limitations, I also cross referenced the food list with the "Eat Right for your Type" book based upon blood type. I limit or eliminate any and all foods that are not good for my blood type..... but I am NOT following the ERFYT diet.

I'm taking a Pro-Biotic 2x/day... 1st thing in the AM before I eat... and last thing I the PM before I go to bed. Both times, on an empty, or almost empty stomach.

I also take Oil of Oregano 2x/day. I take the 150mg pills... 2 pills after breakfast.... 2 pills after my early evening meal. The first 3 days, I only took 1 pill 2x/day because the die-off symptoms were really tough on me, physically and emotionally.

I have Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar that I have used to make a salad dressing for use with my veggies as well as a marinade for my chicken breasts. I mix it with Walnut Oil or Olive Oil, Braggs Liquid Amino Acids (which is a natural alternative to soy sauce), and some herbs and it makes a yummy candida-free dressing.

I'm following a higher carb OWL version (about 40-80 net), so I do eat a few grains to make sure I eat enough fiber and enough carbs. My grain sources are organic steel cut oats, spelt bread (made only with unprocessed spelt, filtered water and sea salt), and quinoa (which I haven't made yet.. but I've got a box).

I'm eating around 1600-1800 calories a day of mainly chicken or fish... with lots of veggies... and 1-2 servings of grains/day...and I've been eating alot of almonds and freshly ground almond butter.

I am not eating any artificial sweetners other than Stevia.

I'm drinking between 75-150 oz water per day.... as well as DeTox Tea.

I'm also taking 4 tbls flaxmeal every day as well as 1 ColonClenz pill every night before bed.

I use 3 droppers full of Olive Leaf Extract in my water bottle every day... and have been doing this for the past year, except for a couple days off once in a while. I believe that this is the reason why I haven't been sick in years other then occasional allergies. (no cold/flu)

Other then that, I take my normal supplements which include a High Potency Multi-Vitamin/Mineral supplement, EFA's, L-Glutamine, Calcium/Magnesium/Potassium supplement, and L-Tyrosine.

I just started getting back to the gym yesterday (after hurting my back 3 weeks ago).... but I limit myself to only 3 days a week, to make sure I have enough recovery time between workouts. I used to workout 5 days a week.... and might return to that regimine one day, but seem to be getting better results out of my current 3/day workouts.


cleo.... You've definately got a great sense of humor. Reading your post gives me a giggle. I knowa guy who talks alot like you.... too bad you dont' live in southern CA. (if you were even single)

It sounds like the yeasties were beating you up for a while.

It's funny that you mention "spearding the word" about Candida. I'm driving people mad because I can't help but talk about it to everyone that shows any symptoms that could be related to candida. I'm telling the world.

I'm not sure what the potency of your OoO is... but unless you're still gettig die-off, I'm very suprised that you are even able to get the flu while taking it. I prefer the pills because I don't have to deal with the taste... nor the smell it emits... nor the oregano burps.



missy.... Was that 10 pounds all over the last few weeks??? I hope I have the same kind of results. I'm trying really hard to drop 10 pounds before my BF gets back from his trip to India early/mid-Jan. I'm already down 4.5 pounds in less than a week, but I assume that the weight loss will slow down soon. I can't imagine losing at this rate for very long. I'm trying to reach 147 by 1/11/05.... but if I actually reach that goal, I'll be aiming for 144 (just 3 extra pounds), which will put me at a healthy weight/bodyfat. My ultimate goal is still much lower... but if I could reach 144/22% by the time he returns, I'll be exstatic!! (sp)


Pammie.... Did you do a spit-test to determine if you had an over growth? What supplements are you taking?? Sometimes diet alone is not good enough to really kill of the yeast. Also... have you measured? It's typical to lose inches before you lose weight when following a cleanse. (especially around your waist)

BeckySue... I'm eating lots of veggies, but also 1-2 servings of grains/day. It's still working well for me, but I have a pretty high carb range in OWL.


**Note to self..... before the 4th, I must remember to coy this thread because there's alot of good info here that I don't want to have to retype**

missy... WOW!!! 10 pounds in 3 weeks?!?!? That's amazing. I believe you were following Atkins up till you started too, so it' not like you were just starting fresh on dieting either. That's incredible.

I love my OLE in my water bottle. I add a little stevia to it and it tastes like Iced Tea. (BTW.. my water bottle is 2.2 liters. I drink 1-2 of them a day.)

I'm definately NOT a vegan. I love meat.. and would love to have a wider variety of choices, but while I'm trying to pay attention to the "Eat Right For Your Type" foods, I'm limited to fish and poultry. Actually, the book says that I should become a vegetarian, but I love my meat too much. I'll add other meats in again later.

I'll definately look up that website. I love reading about health and nutrition.... as well as teaching people what I've learned. That's why I enjoy message board as much as I do. I get to learn and teach. Too bad we can't get paid for it too. It's too much fun. I'm opening up a business within the next few months were I'll be able to help more people... and get paid for it. (hydrostatic bodyfat testing & metabolic testing clinic... so I'll offer free advice along with my consultations)


pammie.... It sounds like it's working for you too. The stricter you follow it, the better it will work. It's important that if you take the supplements you stick to the diet... or you could create a chance for the yeast to develop an immunity to the yeast killer you're using.

I had to wait until after my BF left the country because he always want to eat out...(he doesn't cook, and doesn't eat anything I cook either... only junk food.. but he's skinny, so he will never change). I wanted to start the day after T-day... but I had to drive him to the airport and run around with him all day long beforehand. This is not the kind of diet you can easily follow if you eat out frequently. It would be very tough.

I also have organic yogurt..(not soy though). Next time, I'll see if I can find some. I hear that soy is supposed to be "healing" for my blood type.

You better get your passport ready, because I'm sure you'll get past that 194 quickly on the CAD Atkins diet.

[2big4mysize]

I have a question I was reading up on OoO (Oil of Oregano) and it is antibacterial too, so aren't you killing off your probiotics when you are taking them at the same time during your yeast cleansing? wouldn't it be better to knock out the yeasts with the antifungals during the early days and then taper of OoO and add the probiotics back?

[SkinnySoon]

I've read in several places that OoO does not kill off the good bacteria... only the bad stuff.

How factual that statement is, I'm not sure.... but I know I've read it on several websites before.

[2big4mysize]

that is interesting because when we take antibiotics like streptomycin, penicillin and vancomycin we are told to watch out for potential follow up yeast infections because they kill off the friendly stuff too and OoO has been tested out as having comparable killing proberties to them.

[SkinnySoon]

Here's one I just found...

7 Should I take probiotics, or friendly bacteria, with Oreganol P73 and Oregacyn P73 in the same manner as I take them with antibiotics?
No. Antibiotics are capable of wiping out and destroying all of the good bacteria in your colon in as little as one cycle of treatment. Oreganol P73 and Oregacyn P73 used as recommended will not disrupt the balance of friendly bacteria. A study conducted by Laura L. Zaika and John C. Kissinger entitled “Inhibitory and Stimulatory Effects of Oregano on Lactobacillus Plantarum and Pediococcus Cerevisiae” and printed in volume 46 of the Journal of Food Science stated “that although oregano can be bactericidal toward lactic acid bacteria, these organisms (friendly bacteria) can become resistant towards the effect of oregano.” Dr. Cass Ingram suggests that friendly bacteria may be inhibited by oregano added to foods. However, friendly bacteria will also develop resistance to the inhibitory effect of the spice. Furthermore, Dr. Ingram proposes that because of oregano’s place in traditional herbal medicine, most of our ancestors have consumed oregano in one form or another for thousands of years. In fact, the Tractatus de Herbis, written in the early fourteenth century in southern Italy, was compiled as a medical handbook for a doctor of medieval Europe and contained direct evidence of the medicinal properties of oregano in an illustrated format. Moreover, after centuries of apparently hopeless scientific and theological disputes, botanical and folklore research of the preceding decades leaves no doubt that oregano is actually the hyssop of the Bible. The Biblical hyssop originally known to the ancient Hebrews is first mentioned in Exodus 12:22, and descriptions of its use in the purification rights are given by Moses when expounding to the people the law received by him on Mount Sinai (Leviticus 14:6). We may assume that oregano was growing on the spot, and Moses could show it to the people. The fact that oregano has been used for so many years and is recognized by the body as a food stands as proof that unlike synthetic antibiotics, which are foreign to the body, oregano has become an integral part of our collective cellular genetic makeup. It appears that although certain herbal remedies with powerful pharmacological properties have been used in a regional manner, oregano is a food and is not intolerable for long periods of time like goldenseal, echinacea and many other Far Eastern formulas. This begs the question: If a food source can strengthen and heal without causing microbial resistance (as is the case with antibiotics), shouldn’t you be taking it?
Dr. Ingram does point out that for people who are taking large doses of oregano for chronic conditions it will prove very beneficial to supplement with friendly bacteria. Dr. Ingram recommends taking your friendly bacteria at night before you go to bed and taking Oreganol P73 and Oregacyn P73 with breakfast, lunch and dinner. He also points out that oregano will help eliminate so much of the bad bacteria that it creates even more fertile ground for your friendly bacteria.

8 Are there any concerns about taking oregano and prescription medications at the same time?
If you are taking a blood thinner such as Cumadinâ„¢, it is recommended that you exercise caution, simply because oregano has a naturally occurring blood-thinning property which could be substituted for the traditional recommendation of an aspirin a day.
According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, compiled by the editors of Pharmacist’s Letter and Prescriber’s Letter and available online at www.naturaldatabase.com, oregano is “likely safe” and has “Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US.”

Possible Interactions with Drugs: The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states that “no interactions are known to occur, and there is no known reason to expect a clinically significant interaction with oregano.”

Possible Interactions with Lab Tests: The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states that “no interactions are known to occur, and there is no known reason to expect a clinically significant interaction with oregano.”

According to Dr. Ingram, the only known side effect of oregano is that it will make you feel better!

[sadie147]

Have a quick questin for you SkinnySoon...I will start the CAD diet shortly i'm hoping (my MIL has her xmas dinner this weekend since they go away..so not going to start till monday, fighting the carb temptations will be hard enough!). I know you need to cut out dairy/cheese, is that for the lactose? I do have lactose free swiss and sour cream usually (i'm a bit lactose intolerant, carb count is the same/less) should i try it? thought i'd see what you think (i'd love to be able to have swiss cheese!)

[lasst10]

Please forgive my ignorance on this subject, but why are you following the CAD diet? What is it for and when do you know you need to follow it?

Thanks!
Lynn

[2big4mysize]

they prefer it to Atkins.

Dr. Ingram recommends taking your friendly bacteria at night before you go to bed and taking Oreganol P73 and Oregacyn P73 with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

So even they don't recommend taking it at exactly the same time. If friendly can get resistant why can't the unfriendlies? Got to check that out.

[SkinnySoon]

You've got a good point. I guess I should do some more research. I wish I had the time to get into it now... but I've really got to focus on business and errands today. I'll try looking later tonight.

In the meantime, I'll avoid taking my AM Pro-Biotics, and stick to taking them 1x/day just before bed... so it's several hours away from my OoO dose.

[2big4mysize]

I've been looking but I can't access the med database with the OoO study. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr doesn't seem to rank very high on any research lists. Sorry.

[SkinnySoon]

No worries.... I appreciate the effert you have put in to help all of us.



A note on my progress.....

I'm holding at a 4 pounds loss since last Saturday. (only 1 week)

Today was the first day that I actually gained back 1/2 pound. I'm back up to 153.... but it could be for a bunch of reasons, so I'm not going to concern myself too much yet. I assume that the rapid loss won't continue everyday, or for very long, but I was kinda hoping it wouldn't go backwards. 1/2 pound could be anything from #2 that hasn't made it's way out yet... to water retention from my sodium intake... or even stress. I won't be concerned unless I stay here for a while, or gain more.

I did another spit test this morning, and I still have tons of icky legs... so I know I've got a long battle to get rid of the yeasties.

I thought I would be feeling more energetic by now.... but I'm still feeling tired throughout the day. It could be all the stress I'm under, but I'm usually full of energy... just lazy. Now I've got no energy, and I'm even lazier.

I could just be going through a little depression... but it's not very common for me. I'm going through some scary stuff right now, and I've got to keep fear from getting the better of me. I know I can succeed.

I've been spending too much time on personal stuff online. I need to spend 1-2 days away from all message boards (I'm a member of 3). I will check in, but I will not spend the whole day checking and rechecking-in, because I need to catch up on alot of important things that are getting pushed aside. One I accomplish a few of them, I'll feel much better.

Oh well.... atleast I just lost 4 pounds, and found out that I gained 4.5 pounds of lean body mass over the last 18 months of training/dieting. That alone should keep me in good spirits and keep me motivated!

[SkinnySoon]

Journal entry.... Spoke to soon!!

152 this morning. Down 5 pounds since last Saturday morning following this candida cleanse with high OWL level carbs.

I think I'll feel better after a good workout. I'm heading to the gym right now... eve though my orthopedic just told me not to work out too (just like my physical therapist). I cannot miss the gym for too long without gettign depressed, and I think that's what'sbeen bugging me the most lately. Life stress doesn't hit me like this... but missing my endorphins and adrenaline and feeling like I'm doing something to get in shape does.

See you later. I won't be on much today, but I'll be all over the place online this evening.