Other Factors

How accurate...

HollyHealthNut — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:05:53 GMT

...is the candida spit test? Do you know of any data actually collected on this test?

Candidiasis

HollyHealthNut — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:32:26 GMT

I'm copying & pasting this post from another thread. Not sure if the other is active. ???

Hi! I am new to the forum...though certainly not new to the world of nutrition. My question is about candidiasis. I believe I have yeast overgrowth in my gut & I believe it has gotten into my bloodstream and spread. I have NOT had any testing done, nor have I been diagnosed by a professional. This is a self-diagnosis based on many hours of research and reading. My most troubling symptoms are:

Acne, Pain/inflamation in my joints & muscles, Sinus pain/pressure, Bloating after every meal, Brain fog, Moodiness & mild depression, Low libido, and Food sensitivities. I used to have chronic problems with constipation. However, after doing a cleanse program and changing my diet, thankfully I don't struggle with that anymore. Occasionally I will get backed up, but more often than not I am regular.

I have recently started an anti-candida diet & supplement regimen adapted from Dr. Fred Pescatore's book "The Allergy & Asthma Cure." I cut way back on sugar intake...in general I try to abstain from sugar all together, but of course I slip up. I try hard to abstain from any simple carbs. I do not eat any foods containing yeast. I try hard to avoid any fermented foods. I abstain from alcohol. My regular supplement regimen consists of a raw, whole-food multivitamin, vitamin C, vitamin D, antioxidants, fish oil, and calcium. My anti-candida supplements are garlic, caprylic acid, grapefruit seed extract, Garden of Life's fungal defense (for 15 days, after which I will supplement probiotics).

I have seen a mild improvement in all of my symptoms over the past month. However, I still experience all of them to some degree. The worst is the joint pain & inflamation. I feel like an old person all the time. My legs are achy a lot of the time. My knees pop all the time. My joints feel heavy and inflexible. After only a few hours on my feet my legs and feet ache.

I just want to know if there is any other advice I should be following to get rid of this candidiasis. Do you suspect my self-diagnosis might be wrong? If it is candidiasis, what would your top recommendations be? I sometimes feel like this will never end and I will never be able to feel like I used to feel. I would really appreciate any help, advice, suggestions, etc. you could give me.

Thanks in advance for your time!

Holly

Krill oil for inflammatory bowel disease

darkangel — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:02:18 GMT

I recently switched from fish oil to Mercola's krill oil as a source of omega3s to reduce bowel inflammation and help me stay in remission. I'm wondering if anyone knows what dosage Dr. Mercola suggests for people with IBD over "normal" folks?

Thanks!

Good Reverse Osmosis System?

MarthaB — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:12:45 GMT

We'd like to buy a good reverse osmosis system for our drinking water. Any recommendations?

Thank you!

Crohns & Protein Types

sharnakate — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:14:47 GMT

I posted something on the 29th of july and haven't got a response from a mercola health care professional??

Crohns & Protein Types

sharnakate — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:33:43 GMT

I have quite a few health issues, I think that it all stems from having Crohn's disease.

I've recently started on the Protein Type diet. I'm finding the higher then usual fat content a bit difficult. I take digestive enzymes, is there anything you could recommend to help my digestion? The last 8 months my stomach problems have increased. I get cramps after most meals.

I'm finding it hard to try and stick to just having (3) meals a day. Previously I've just grazed all day or I'll have 5 meals. If I don't eat every 2, maximum 3 hours I get a wave of sickness/weakness come over me and have to find the closest and easiest thing I can eat. It has only been a few days on the protein type diet, hoepfully my body will adjust with time

Thanks for your advice

Sharna

Barrett's Esophagus

pygmalion — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:44:58 GMT

I was diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus in April, 2008. It appears that this precancerous condition is a lot more common then one would think. It can progress to cancer of the esophagus in a small percentage of cases but cancer of the esophagus is the fastest growing form of cancer in the Western World at the present time. The trouble is that most doctors, other than gastroenterologists, probably have not even heard of it.

If you are bothered with gastric reflux (heartburn), don't take it lightly. Don't just continue to take tums, baking soda, or some of the other things available for heartburn. You should go to a gastroenterologist and have an upper endoscopy to make sure you do not have Barrett's Esophagus. Cancer of the esophagus is deadly and can spread rapidly. Many people have Barrett's Esophagus but don't know it. It can be present for ten or fifteen years before it is diagnosed. If it is diagnosed too late, your life may be in grave danger. Most of the time there are no symptoms and, if it appears, your heartburn may seem to get better since the tissue changes taking place in your lower esophagus form tissue like the tissue in your stomach and can stand reflux acid much better.

Go to the following link and see an overview of this disease.

http://www.barrettsadvice.com

Healing Celiac Disease

Jesse E — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 22:01:40 GMT

I'm starting to suspect that I have celiac disease. I recently decided to cut out all gluten from my diet and my digestion problems have improved drastically.

However, I'm definitely not back to my old self yet. I can only eat small amounts of food at a time and foods like raw vegetables and dairy are impossible for me to digest at this point.

Occasionally I have mild pains around my abdomen. I assume this is from damage that gluten caused to my intestines. When I was eating lots of gluten I had almost constant pain in my abdomen, so this is definitely improving over time. My bowel movements aren't "normal" yet, but they are improving. They are becoming more and more solid each time. My energy is also pretty low.

In a blood test I took a couple years ago, I received this result:

Gliadin Ab, SIgA - 6 U/ml

Which I believe indicated a subclinical gluten intolerance. Interestingly at this time I did not have severe digestion difficulties. However, on the same test I also had:

Total Salivary SIgA - 0 mg/dl

I believe this indicated that I had a depressed immune system. I would also get colds and flus very frequently around this time, at least once a month.

However, now in present day after improving my diet drastically through metabolic typing, I no longer get colds and flus nearly as often (I've had one in the past year). My hypothesis is that I improved my immune system and actually improved my body's ability to attack the gluten in my diet which caused an increase in digestion difficulties when eating gluten.

Anyway, I hope this gives you some background info on what I think is going on. I would love to hear your professional opinion on any of my observations. And specifically my questions are: What can I do to speed up the healing process? Do you have any tips on someone healing their intestines from celiac disease?

Thanks for your help,

Jesse

new and confused where do I begin?

lbeldock — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:13:12 GMT

I just took the test and found out that I am a mixed type. I have been having lots of digestive problems gas, bloating, intestinal cramps and intense diarrhea for a while. I am also very moody and have low energy. (hormonal imbalance?) I am not on any medications. My doctor has just done a complete set of lab tests and the results are not back yet. She thinks it could be celiac disease. A year ago she said I had low seratonin levels and IBS and chronic fatigue so I tried an antidepressant. I had to go off all medications when the doctor did an ultasound of my gallbladder and found out I had two large hemangiomas onmy liver. I had one hemangioma (4lbs) removed with my gall bladder a year ago. Should I start with a total cleanse or a probiotic or chlorella or gluten free diet? I just don't know what to try first or all at once? Thank you, Lisa

Yeast infection

Kevin S — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 12:28:48 GMT

Hi, If someone has severe yest infection which diet and supplements/herbs cant rectify... would mercola use prescription then? Also it is commonly advised that people with yeast overgrowth should not eat fermented foods like saurkraut and soya sauce... does that apply for protein type candida sufferers?

Getting rid of yeast infection

queen_deb_2004 — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:13:07 GMT

I have been reading Dr Mercola's Nutritional plan and was wondering if it is sufficient to eliminate yeast in the gut or are there products that can be used to help eliminate it. I have been taking probiotics for months but don't think it has done anything in getting rid of it. Haven't had much luck with anti candida diets either.

some general questions

varya — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:09:23 GMT

Does India Organic psyllium have gluten in it?

What do you think of red yeast rice for lowering cholesterol, and which type would you reccommend?

I have an article by Dr. Mercola which reccommends not eating dairy or cheese. Could this have been an early article, and has he changed his mind about this?

Thanks for your help. I'm doing so well on my mixed type diet.

How Probiotics May Stop Stomach Pains, Alleviate Esophagus Problems & Control Stomach Acid

mrburke — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:01:24 GMT

Louis Pasteur was the Mick Jaeger of nineteenth century science. And, rightly so.

But, rock star that he was, he made the words "bacteria" and "bacterial" synonymous with disease. This misconception is still with us today. The truth is that some bacteria can actually help you alleviate esophagus related problems, stop stomach pains and control stomach acid.

Why All Bacteria are NOT Bad Bacteria

Make no mistake, there definitely are bad bacteria. But in a healthy body, there are also trillions of good bacteria that provide many of the critical elements to good health and vitality. These microscopic mighty microbes are called probiotics (for life). Without these good bacteria or without enough of them, the bad guys take over in a bacterial war. If you let this happen life will get downright miserable for your stomach, esophagus and general health.

While Pasteur's discovery of the germ theory of disease received great notoriety and acclaim quite fast, the discovery of bacteria's healthy side has taken a lot longer to permeate the public consciousness.

The results?

Years of needless stomach pains, esophagus problems, heartburn, acid stomach and dyspepsia.

Maybe it was because the discoverer of the life enhancing benefits of probiotics, a microbiologist and 1908 Nobel Prize Winner named Ellie Metchnikoff, was a Russian. They were not PR poster boys.

But, whatever the reason, Metchnikoff, curious as to what made some people live longer than others, studied the astonishing number of individuals in Bulgaria that were living to be over 100 years old. He traced the secret of their longevity to probiotics - the beneficial microorganisms that were contained in the fermented yogurt they ate.

Ellie, we love you, Man.

12 Ways Probiotics Help You Live a Longer, Healthier Life?

1. Probiotics break food down into its most basic elements allowing nutrients to absorb through the digestive system

2. They strengthen the immune system, which enables the body to better fight disease

3. They help relieve constipation

4. They reduce the chance of infection from common pathogens (harmful microorganisms or bacteria)

5. They help the nutrients get into the cells with greater ease where they generate the physical energy of life.

6. They promote recovery from diarrhea

7. They clean the intestines

8. They can help prevent viruses and parasites

9. They help prevent yeast and fungal infections

10. They improve the digestion of vitamins

11. They inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms or bacteria

12. They help make certain B vitamins

All of which translates into a healthy stomach, colon and esophagus.

Not bad for a bunch of microroganisms the size of a micron. There are one million microns in a meter – or, side by side, about 25,000 bacteria in an inch. So we're talking very, very, small.

How Much Good Bacteria Should Your Body Have?

Your intestines should have about 85% good bacteria and 15% bad. But the chlorinated water we drink, the presence of antibiotics in the food we eat, the medical treatments we take, the environmental chemicals and toxins we are exposed to and a multitude of other factors can wreck havoc in the gastrointestinal tract. This throws our digestive systems completely out of balance causing stomach pains, heartburn and esophagus related problems. On days like that you'd rather be burned at the stake.

What's the Mightiest of All Beneficial Microorganisms?

Some years ago a revolutionary discovery was made using a unique combination of probiotics – a team of beneficial microorganisms so coordinated, so in harmony, so dedicated to enhancing life that Vince Lombardi would have kissed their feet (if they'd had any.)

Pasteur, who discovered the effects of bad bacteria, was French. Metchnikoff, who discovered the benefits of good bacteria, was Russian. But it fell to a little known Japanese scientist named Teruo Higa to discover this combination of beneficial microorganisms that operate in a revolutionary relationship with each other and in so doing make human bodies hum like Lance Armstrong on the Tour De France.

What does this mean for you?

Stay with me here because this gets good.

The most extraordinary microorganisms in this serendipitous gathering of bacteria from the Far Side are the phototropic microbes. These fascinating micro-organism creatures have been here since before there was oxygen on the planet. In fact, they are anaerobic (hate oxygen).

How, you might wonder, does a living organism survive without oxygen?

In a simple act of adaptive Darwinian brilliance, it consumed what was in the environment: epicurean delights like carbon dioxide, ammonia, methane and hydrogen sulfide. And still does.

And in case the light-bulb didn't go on as you read that, take note that these are all modern-day toxins. In other words, we have here a microorganism that thrives on poisons and pollutants.

But that's only half the story: in a performance that confirms Mother Nature as the planet's true environmental Magic Maker, these microbes excrete oxygen, amino acids, antioxidants and other substances that enhance life.

Now watch this…

The other members of the group are aerobic (oxygen loving) bacteria. Check out this teamwork. The aerobic bacteria consume the oxygen generated by the phototropic bacteria. They in turn give off carbon dioxide. This is food for the phototropic bacteria - which they readily consume.

So you have this symbiotic union of beneficial bacteria that's like an organic PacMan. It goes charging through the environment devouring toxins and pollutants and giving off amino acids, vitamins, trace minerals, enzymes and antioxidants.

Think about a team of microorganisms that are:

1) Thriving on toxins and polluting elements in your digestive track
2) Generating antioxidants and other healthy by-products
3) Overcoming pathogenic (harmful microbes)

And, they're doing it all at the same time.

Who would have thought that ancient, toxin-eating microorganisms and their organic by-products could bring life-enhancing benefits to people in the 21st century? Don't you think it's time that you get more probiotics into your life?

Health advocate Michael Richard Burke, M.A., is a lifetime credentialed educator and author that devours misconceptions that will affect your overall health. Now, he invites you to get more information on the revolutionary phototropic microbes that will help you end stomach pains and avoid the risk factors of esophagus related problems now. Go to http://www.mightymicrobes.com/probiotic-supplements.html and learn how you can live a longer, healthier life today.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Diverticulosis

Jesse E — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 11:40:30 GMT

It's possible that I have developed Diverticulosis. Do you have any recommendations on a plan to heal Diverticulosis?

Thanks,

Jesse

Probiotics

Nice Nice — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:03:03 GMT

Glen,

I realized that I was taking the Mercola brand probiotics after my meal rather than before. Did I gain any benefit from doing this? I just started taking them the right way after two months. How long do I need to take a probiotic?

Thanks

Shelley

detox

Cathie Hamer — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 20:31:03 GMT

Hi there. Will be begining first day of Gluton free tomorrow. Could you point me in the direction of detoxification from artifical sweeteners. Also, I have been told that bulk fiber is good to remove toxins. What type in your opinion is best? I see my Metamucil contains aspartame / Phenylalanine. Thank you

Gall Bladder and Protein Type

number986 — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:32:41 GMT

I just did the nutritional typing test online and found that I am a Protein type. That didn't really surprise me because since I cut out grains almost entirely from my diet last August and started a good probiotic (for the past two plus years) my tendency to yeast infection and loose stools went away. I had gone over fairly heavily vegetarian with small amounts of meat, usually the lean white stuff like chicken ***. I hadn't avoided fats entirely (love cheese) and make my own yogurt sweetened only with stevia and a little organic raw honey for flavor (no, not raw milk, still working on that). I had lost about 37 pounds with no food cravings (thank you EFT too!) but plateaued out at 199 and couldn't budge from there. So, I figured the time was right to tweak the diet more exactly, hence the Nutritional Typing Test. But I am concerned that the additional fatty meats are causing me to have gall bladder flare ups. I found out several years ago that I had stones after a CT scan after a car accident, but have only had a couple of real attacks with it, always following a meal heavy in fats of the worst, most processed variety. Now, though, I'm getting little upper right quadrant twinges and a bitter taste in my mouth at times that I read on the site is a sign of gall bladder issue. As far as I can tell, the cleanse for the gall bladder is exactly opposite of a protein type diet. I've been keeping the diary pages and so far, I'm feeling pretty darned good with the additional protein--except for the gall bladder twinges. What should I do?

Helicobacter Pylori

Jesse E — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 21:45:57 GMT

I was wondering what your recommended treatment for Helicobacter Pylori is. I'm not sure that it's what I have, but I have a lot of the symptoms and I was considering going in for a test, but if I do have it, I'd like to be sure I get the best treatment possible. Thanks.

Digestion and Circadian Rhythms

Jesse E — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 19:45:14 GMT

Hey Glen, I'm hoping you might be able to provide some insight into this interesting problem I have.

I've still been having some digestion issues so I've been doing a lot of experiments to figure out what was going on.

After lots of experimentation, I found that if I eat food after 2 PM, I digest it fine, but if I eat it anytime before that, I don't.

I feel this may have something to do with the fact that for many years my regular schedule was to wake up around 2 PM everyday. Perhaps my circadian digestion rhythm is still set at this time?

When I eat food before 2 PM, I get bloated easily, can't eat very much at each meal and it is evident in my stools that my food is not being broken down because it looks similar going out as it did going in. This all seems to indicate low hydrochloric acid.

I have tried supplementing with hydrochloric acid, but it doesn't seem to help much.

Ideally I would like to shift my circadian rhythm so that I can eat before 2 PM. I've been waking up very early for a few weeks, but it hasn't seemed to make a difference. It's as if my body doesn't get the clue that it should start digesting food at an earlier time.

Any ideas on how to solve this problem? My current idea is to go back to waking up around 2 PM everyday like I used to and then slowly shift my schedule back to a more normal one. Perhaps my body doesn't respond well to drastic shifts in sleep schedule, so I have to move it more gradually?

Your help and ideas on this strange problem are appreciated.

Thanks,
Jesse

When to Eat for Best Digestion

Jesse E — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 00:00:01 GMT

Hey Glen, I was wondering if you had any recommendations on what time of day to eat your meals in order to digest them best.

Do you think there are any problems with eating before sunrise? (for example at 5:30 AM)

How about eating after sunrise? (for example at 8 PM)

I've been reading some interesting studies about how shift workers have major digestion problems so I was wondering what your thoughts are on the relation between digestion and the sun's natural rhythms.

No Longer Allergic to Eggs!

Jesse E — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 17:40:16 GMT

After using probiotics and enzymes religiously for a couple weeks, I can now eat cooked eggs without any allergic reactions!

I used to get these red spots on my chest within 24 hours after eating cooked eggs, but now I get nothing.

Perhaps I improved my leaky gut? Or just improved the overall bacterial flora in my gut? Whatever it is, it's great to be able to eat eggs again, because they are great for my metabolic type (protein type).

I hope this will help others out there who are suffering with allergies. Allergies can be improved or even eliminated!

Fixed My Digestion - Finally!

Jesse E — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 17:33:50 GMT

Hey everyone, I thought I would make a post to tell you that I have finally fixed my digestion! I used to have frequent bloating, gas, pain in stomach and abdomen, constipation and/or diarrhea. Here's what I did to fix it:

1. I started taking the Probiotics Plus. I started out with 4 capsules a day and went up to 10 capsules a day for 3 or 4 days. I went through some major detoxing, with very frequent elimination and my stools came out in very interesting shapes with interesting white coloring (Candida?). After a week or so, I went down to 6 capsules a day and now my elimination has normalized. I always take the Probiotics Plus 15 minutes before my meals or inbetween meals.

2. I started taking 2 Enzigest enzyme capsules appropriate for my metabolic type with the first bite of every meal.

3. I started getting 1 hour of direct sunlight on my skin every day.

4. I now eat all of my foods raw except for my meat.

I'm not exactly sure which of these 4 steps really fixed my digestion, but I'm willing to bet that the Probiotics Plus did most of the work. Now I have zero bloating, very little gas, no constipation or diarrhea and no pain in my abdomen or stomach after eating.

I hope this helps others out there who are having digestion challenges.

I have a couple of questions for Glen though: Is it ok to continue taking 2 Probiotics Plus and 2 Enzigest with every meal? Are there any long-term side effects to either of these supplements?

Thanks,
Jesse

Oxidation

NaturalGirl — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 17:29:44 GMT

Hi Glen,

I have been listening to Dr. Mercola's Anti-Aging teleclinic. During the program, Dr. Rosedale talks about the negative effectics of glycation and oxidation. He says that a certain amount of oxidation is necessary but excessive oxidation is harmful. Have you listened to this program and do you know if this is the same oxidation that is referred to from a metabolic typing perspective?

Marcia

Testing for Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Jesse E — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 03:03:19 GMT

Hello,

I was wondering, what is the best way to test for food allergies and sensitivities? I know there are a lot of different tests out there, but I was wondering if you guys had any specific recommendations about what tests are most accurate and effective. I'd like to test for common foods like wheat (gluten), eggs, nuts and dairy.

Thanks,

Jesse

ight-time leg cramps

Nishta_DeLewis — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 15:52:17 GMT

Hi there,

Have been eating protein metabolic type foods one month coming in from mostly raw, vegetarian diet. My body likes the high protein, feels great, but experienced cramping in one of my legs during the night. I read on another posting it could be a calcium deficiency or electrolyte imbalance for other body pains, what about leg cramps? Have a lot of muscle soreness on back of thigh on awakening. Anyone else out there have this issue?

Am 18% sympathetic, 26% balanced, 54% parasympathic; 14% slow oxidation; 85% fast oxidation.

thanks for any comments, Nishta