Seth was diagnosed with leaky gut a few months ago. He has had a number of symptoms including constant intestinal and digestive problems, an inability to lose weight, inability to concentrate, etc. etc.
Leaky gut is a condition in which your digestive tract is damaged and weakened by a lack of good bacteria.
Good bacteria in the gut kill off toxins. When you don’t have enough, you get an overgrowth of yeast, also known as candida albicans.
I had this condition 15 years ago, when I was in my mind-twenties. I figured it out by putting all the pieces of the puzzle together — since doctors had no idea what was going on with me.
My symptoms were:
Arthritis in my knees, spreading to my hands and elbows
Bad respiratory allergies (constant sneezing, itching, runny nose, watery eyes)
Brain fog, dizziness
Constant fatigue
Thrush (a white coating on the tongue)
Bloating and slight weight gain
Constant cravings for refined carbs, sugar, and alcohol
Sores that would not heal — including open sores inside my nose
Continual sinus infections and other illnesses due to a weakened immune system
I believe what caused the yeast overgrowth was a combination of things:
Repeated rounds of broad-spectrum antibiotics as a child
Repeated rounds of broad-spectrum antibiotics as an adult for my constant sinus infections (caused by the candida!)
Vaccines (I had a recent round when I went back to college)
Eating dead foods lacking in probiotics and enzymes (pasteurized milk and dairy products, no lacto-fermented foods, a lack of raw fruits and vegetables)
Eating meats and dairy full of antibiotics
The birth control pill (I was only on it for a short time in my early 20s but I think it added to the mix)
It took me a while and a lot of research to figure out that it was the candida causing all my symptoms. Western doctors advised me to take pain medication for my arthritis and allergy medication for my sinus problems. They were only interested in treating my symptoms.
I ended up going on a wheat-free sugar-free diet. I was taking anti-fungals like garlic supplements and I was taking high doses of pharmaceutical grade probiotics (prescribed by my chiropractor-nutritionist), as well as a variety of nutritional supplements like bovine adrenal gland and thymus gland to strengthen my immune system.
Within a matter of a few months, I was 90% better and symptom-free. I stayed on the diet and the supplements for a few years until I was completely better — and could eat whatever I wanted with no symptoms. Cake, candy, bread, ice cream — no problem.
It wasn’t until I got on the birth control pill again this summer (prescribed by my doctor after the baby was born) that I started experiencing symptoms again. The biggest clue were the open sores on the inside of my nose. One day I read that the birth control pill contributes to candida — I stopped taking it immediately. I guess I was on it for a few months. Weeks after I stopped taking it, I still had the sores. And my allergies were back!
I tried taking some probiotics I got at the health food store. I’ve also been drinking tons of raw milk and eating lots of lacto-fermented foods. But nothing was helping. Months went by and I still had the sores.
Three days ago I started taking ThreeLac, which I ordered on the internet. I had read about it in Jenny McCarthy’s book, Louder Than Words. It’s what she used to help reverse her son’s autism.
Three days and guess what? Allergies and sores — GONE.
Unbelievable, eh?
Meanwhile, Seth is going through a massive detox. For the past three days since we started the ThreeLac, he is suffering from major yeast die-off. Flu-like symptoms: sneezing, achey muscles, severe fatigue, chills, vomiting.
This happened to me the first time I got over candida — it lasted a couple of weeks.
We reduced his dosage — from 1 packet daily to 1/4 packet. Hopefully it will be a little easier for him.
I’ll keep you posted on our progress.
Disclosure: cmp.ly/4 and cmp.ly/5
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3 Days! That’s pretty amazing! I didn’t realize Seth was sick because of the detox–I just thought he caught something. That’s great that he’s detoxing!
Where did you buy the ThreeLac. I noticed different versions online and want to make sure I’m looking at the genuine stuff.
Yeah, the sores in my nose did not clear up this fast the first time. It took a couple of weeks. But I don’t have it as bad this time since I was only on the birth control pill for a few months (never again!).
Here’s where I got it:
http://www.rainbowminerals.net/home.htm
I’ve also heard very good things about Bio-Kult and Primal Defense.
http://www.bio-kult.com/
http://www.primaldefense.net/
Yeah I thought Seth was sick at first too but then we realized what was happening.
hrmpf…this blog doesn’t email me when you’ve responded. Is there a way to change that?
Yes, Bio-Kult is great and Primal Defense is made by Garden of Life–I’m a big fan of theirs. They make those fiber formulas I recommended to you for your niece. Actually that primal defense site you linked to is that of a nutritionist whose cleansing cookbook I’ve purchased. She’s a big proponent of the long cleanse I’ve done but it’s no longer on her site because the company stopped selling it through vendors other than themselves.
Anyway, thanks for the info!
I think the only way I can do it is to set up a Feedburner notification. I will do that.
They also have fivelac. Why didn’t you get that one?
All my digestive issues started after I got a cold/flu in Jan-Feb 2006 and went on antibiotics. And as you will remember it was an emotionally difficult period too. I went on 1.5 rounds then and then another round after I got strep throat from that coworker of yours. So anyhoo…I’ve taken some good probiotics too, but I’ve been very inconsistent about taking them and they may also not be as powerful as these. I may check it out. Thanks for the tip!
Interesting.
Yes, I don’t think most probiotics do very much. I thought they did — we bought some in September when I stopped taking the birth control pill. We took them for about a month. But I didn’t see any change in my symptoms.
We didn’t get FiveLac — I don’t know why. No reason.
So nice to hear your experience with candida, very similar to mine. Glad the Threelac has worked so quickly – well done you!!!! Sorry to hear of Seth’s detox flu, but that is a good sign. You probably get all the probiotics you need from yoghurt, raw milk and your beet kvass, do you think???
x x
Well I thought we were getting all the probiotics we needed but obviously not!
I read somewhere that you need an overwhelming amount of probiotics in order to create a “colonization”. Until the good guys colonize and take over, the bad guys are still in control.
I also read that you need prebiotics to feed the probiotics. And you have to starve out the yeast as you probably know.
I tried Udo’s Choice – they have great probiotics, also designed for your age – there is an infant’s blend too, I use it when the little ones are recovering from colds and tummy upsets! and because it is a sweet tasting powder it is so easy to add to milk without them knowing.
Leaky gut is due to the yeast becoming so overgrown that it actually forms roots through the intestinal wall, which then allows undigested foods to enter the blood stream. The good news is that this can be healed.
Yeast overgrowth is not widely recognized by medical doctors as a problem. Especially if don’t have the outward symptoms such as thrush, etc. The fact is yeast overgrowth can cause a whole host of problems. Getting your bacterial flora back in balance can help you overcome digestive, skin, fatigue and other problems.
I’m about to do a complete detox. I already noticed that things have been improving just by eating Fermented Veggies. I’m pretty happy about that. I was probably going to try Bio-Kult because of the GAPS diet creator.
your symptoms sound like me to a tee. Except i don’t get nose sores-mouth ulcers yes. i bought probiotics last night but perhaps ill invest in 3lac. thx for you blog. im sick of the five meds for allergies and the 2 for osteoarthritis (i’m 31) and the constant antidepressants the docs want to prescribe/ er keep prescribing.
beth’s last blog post..Seed Harvesting
Thank you for great post!
Hi everyone,
I have been ill most of my life with fungus internally. I swear I have almost died from this!
When I was 14 I was diagnosed by a chinese herbalist. He gave herbs to remove and kill the candida and also mercury. I loyally stayed on a raw diet (although I ate tons of fruit) And by the time I was 17 I was really well.
Since having stupid mercury fillings again aged 25 I slowly but surely became more ill with things…chicken pox/glandular fever/hives/alchoholism/drug abuse etc etc.
Five years ago aged 34 I fell ill for what I though was the final time. Over the years I have searched my inner guidance for clues of how to heal this crap again! I tried greens/raw/probiotics/fruit/juices/water fasts.
Here’s what changed. I got rid of BAD people/places and followed light, peace and love. I had reconnective distance healing (amongst other distance prayer). I played music that made me feel in touch with heaven (some people I realise aren’t that into music) It could be cooking for some! For me it was oddly Kenny G and John and Vangelis. I read alot of information about reasons for candida (anger is the real cause) Not just outside influences.
Copper/zinc balance is absolutely crucial for recovery. As is total (and I mean TOTAL) Self love at all costs. Once you start to change internally setting your own boundaries your gut wall heals naturally.
As for my diet …this is the best bit. I make chicken soup jewish style. Using organic leeks/carrots/celery/garlic/onions. The first soup I made I used an organic chicken stock cube. Now I use a crock pot and simmer the bones (for 24 hours) and use that stock to make my next batch of soup. I keep the fat in it and I add fat to everything. I butter bread to have with it occaisionally and I also have 2 eggs 2 yolk omega 3 egg omelettes for when I am starving (which this will make you). This soup will change your whole body and heal you. It will of course cause a die off but I promise you , you will never want another thing again for breakfast lunch and dinner. You can feel it healing you. After 4 days my split/red almost ringwormed tongue is completely clear now.
My email is emmathornnhilluk@hotmail.com if you ant to ask me anything
I went through major detox from coconut oil! I started the Eat Fat, Lose Fat diet and had what I thought was a bad case of the flu. Just like your husband I had a fever (103), horrible stomach cramps and bloating, nausea. I never threw up but wished I could have. I thought it was odd that no one else in my family got it. I started looking on the internet and found out that taking large amounts of coconut oil can cause detox. So if anyone wants to detox coconut oil might work for you.
I’m going to look up the probiotics you mentioned. I got really sick a few years ago and in the hospital they gave me broad spectrum antibiotics and since then I’ve had symptoms of leaky gut.
Hi there– thanks for sharing this.
I have a question for you– did you also give up all fruit and nuts to heal candida the first time? I am breastfeeding and on GAPS diet…and also plagued by candida (debilitating allergies). I don’t do any sugar except in fruit (and honey, but I can cut that out). What do you think was most essential to your healing of candida the first time?
Thanks for your help!
Can you help me find an old post you wrote about healing the adrenals OR give the simplified list of things you think helped you the most? Please?!?!?!
I realized my wellness after overcoming Candida.. Would you like to know what works the best? All of my food sensitivities subsided as well.. I am very grateful i learned how to realize my wellness so quickly…
Steve Beisheim
To heal the Adrenal glands do not eat anything after 6 pm…Find out your blood type as well and only eat the proteins recommended… You can do this…
It is amazing what a good probiotic does….
It is amazing how prevalent problems with candida are. I am also sad that hormonal birth control is so prevalent.
Wow, probiotics are amazing! Bio-Kult will do wonders
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