fungus

Wow. That's one I hadn't heard....what does an anti-fungal diet consist of?

Where did you hear of the fungus theory? I don't have Crohn's, but had UC symptoms for 8 years. Was an antifungal diet that healed me and sustains me now. I am not wholly antifungal right now, but take various supplements that build my immunity, restore bowel flora and fight inflammation. From time to time I'll go back on the phase one diet and take a course of natural antifungals (olive leaf extract or caqprylic acid) for maintenance. There are articles written on fungus and causes of diseases such as Crohn's/UC, among others like diabetes, cancer......

I'm wondering if you are referring of the same diet I followed. It is not that hard once you get past the first few days. Expect to feel worse before feeling better once you start. Your toenail fungus is a telling sign you probably have fungus issues inside your body. It is ubiquitous....everywhere! Had you ever been on antibiotics before you got sick?- even as a small child?

Common foods like grains, including corn, and peanuts are commonly contaminated with mycotoxins. Alcohol and antibiotics are mycotoxins. Sugar and starchy carbohydrates feed fungus. These foods need to be avoided if you suspect fungus to be a cause of your symptoms.

Maybe they did say something about toadstools when they scoped me, Sniper. That versed was great. Ok, maybe it was just bad stools.

Kim, I originally was told about it from a friend several years ago, but just saw a program on tv while channel surfing and it reminded me. It was Doug Kaufman and I think the book was called The Fungus Cure (?) I have had antibiotics several times in my life. And it seems I eat all the foods that fungi love. Is this the diet you did? I saw some other websites about it today, so it appears there are others that believe this theory. I just haven't heard of it applied to IBD but you are giving me hope. I would love to know what you did. I was wondering if I made the transistion slowly if I could reduce that 'get worse before you get better' part.

Yeast is in the Fungi kingdom (yes, Sniper. You are a fun guy! ). Alternative docs have known for decades that people with IBD have a yeast overgrowth problem (candida albicans). Most allopathic docs have come to the same conclusion, too. This might explain why many people who try one of the several anti-yeast, anti-fungal diets (SCD is one) experience an improvement in symptoms. Problem is, there is a die-off period of time which can last from weeks to months. Some people feel they are getting worse during this time because they FEEL worse (extreme lethargy, more gas, bloating). This is a symptom of the dying off of the bad yeast/fungus. If they can hold on through that die-off period, often times they are rewarded in the end. During this time, replacing the bad beasties with the good beasties (probiotics) is crucial....and should continue for the rest of one's life. This is where fermented foods come in!

Sniper said...
EMom,,,rewarded in the end ??? My end could use a reward . I told my wife my end was defunct ,but she says ," Ohhhhh no its not, its still very funky ..

hahahahahahahahaha! Darn! I thought I'd beaten you to the punch! I should know not to try to outsmart you, Sniper!

Yup, it's Doug Kaufmann. His research saved my life. Since then I am a FUPO head...fungus until proven otherwise. I also just happened upon him while channel surfing some 9 years ago. I went radical with the antifungals (took 6/day) because I wanted the little buggers out of me, so I experienced quite a die-off. I almost went to the emergency room, seriously. I think it helps if you take psyllium to help bind the toxins and carry them out of your body. And, taking smaller amounts of antifungals may help, but would it take longer?...dunno.

The diet is not a diet, or magic bullet...it is a lifestyle change. I no longer hog out on bread, potatoes, pasta, processed foods because I know it will bother me, especially yeast or variations of yeast, and fungi need those foods to survive. Of course, I still treat myself, but I never want to go back to the way I was. For me, it is worth eating more real, whole foods, and staying away form the other. I feel so much better when I do, so I don't even miss all the other crap I used to eat anymore.

BTW, Doug has an online show tonight (and Tuesdays)from his website at 8 ET. I watch him when I can. It is a call-in show of people asking him questions. His diet is also posted free on his website, along with other info on fungus.

kim123 said...
Since then I am a FUPO head...fungus until proven otherwise.

Sniper??? Surely you're not gonna let that one go without a comment....?


Kim123, in all seriousness, WOW! You nearly went to the ER with die-off issues? whoa... I'm glad it gave you results in the end, though! (ooops...I said it again...) And I agree that it's not a diet, but rather a lifestyle change.

I get Doug Kaufman's newsletter, but have not seen his show. I will check it out sometime (can't tonight). Thanks for the tip!

hldwodrgs, you sure had a severe case of candida! And you are right about its peskiness... I've read it's VERY difficult to rid yourself of it.

EMom, I thought I best leave that one alone as I can come up with lots of other words that fit FUPO but I could be sent to the dungeon for most of them.

I ordered the cookbook with the diet in it. I think I'm going to ease into it. I need to kick my coffee habit, then my sugar habit, then I'll tackle those grains. I'm a wimp, but I am hoping that die-off reaction might be less if I go slower. I'll let you know how it goes. I figure I've got nothing to lose except the money for the book and the effort I put into it.