On November 2nd, I will undergo a full hysterectomy to resolve issues related to endometriosis, cysts, and uterine cancer. The fact remains, however, that there is no guarantee that the surgery will keep me from forming future adhesions.
I have been doing research, however, and have discovered that the candida diet has been used by many women with good results both in terms of lack of future adhesions and improvement in overall health. This is a huge lifestyle change requiring no refined sugars, flours, wheat (inflammatory), no fruit juices besides fresh squeezed, no chocolate, no dairy (inflammatory), no soy (contains estrogen which plays into the formation of adhesions), no red meat, decaf only coffee and tea and many other modifications. I will struggle and make changes slowly, eliminating one food item at a time.
For more information about the candida diet, go here: http://www.naturallythriving.c
om/basics/cfd.php
Symptoms and Diseases Caused by Candida
Numerous symptoms and diseases are caused by Candida ranging from allergies to autoimmune diseases to cancer. Here is a partial list of issues:
| Acne Allergies Anxiety Attacks Appetite Loss Arthritis Asthma Athlete's Foot Bloating Body Odor Brain Fog Canker Sores Colic Constipation Cough Cysts Depression Diabetes Diaper Rash Diarrhea Difficulty Urinating Digestive Problems Dizziness Ear Infections Eczema Endometriosis Epstein Barr | Eye Floaters Fatigue Feeling Spaced Out Flu-Like Symptoms Food Cravings Gas Glands Swollen/Blocked Hair Loss Hashimoto's Disease Headaches/Migraines Heart Palpitations Heartburn Hemorrhoids Hiatal Hernia Hives Hypoglycemia Hypothyroidism Impotence Inability To Concentrate Indigestion Infections (Various) Infertility Insomnia Irritability Itching Skin Jock Itch | Laryngitis Low Sex Drive Low Temperature Memory Loss Menstruation Problems Mood Swings Muscle Problems Nail/Skin Fungus Nasal Congestion Nightmares Numbness Painful Intercourse Panic Attacks PMS Prostitis Psoriasis Rashes Rectal Itching Ringworm Sore Throat Thrush Ulcers Urinary Issues Vaginal Itching/Burning Vaginitis Vomiting |
Do I Have Candida?
There aren't any lab tests that can diagnose Candida overgrowth, and many doctors are unsupportive or uninformed about this condition. The diet recommended here will dramatically improve your health as you strengthen your immune system, regardless of whether your issue is Candida or not.
Candida Control Program
It is recommended that you gradually wean onto the MOVES diet (Meat, Oil, Veggies, Eggs and Special Foods) by removing one thing from your diet at a time at a pace that is comfortable to you both emotionally and physically. Noone can tell you how fast or how slow is best to go for you, but a guideline might be to remove a new food each week until you get onto the core MOVES diet.
Be aware that as you remove the foods that feed Candida and other bacteria, it is common to experience cravings and die-off reactions, as the bacteria and fungi die. Die-off reactions can include digestive troubles, stomach pains, headaches, skin issues, fatigue and flu-like symptoms.
Do not be discouraged. it is necessary to go through these symptoms to get better and to get the toxins out of the system. If die-off symptoms become too uncomfortable, take a step back on the diet (add in smaller amount of something you already cut out) or try some detox techniques.
Some ideas for alleviating detox symptoms are soaking in a bath with epsom salts, increasing water intake, vitamin C supplements, taking flushing niacin, and saunas.
Transitioning to the Core MOVES Diet
If you are not currently eating a low carb diet such as Atkins or Protein Power, we recommend you gradually transition to the MOVES core diet. We recommend you remove foods roughly in the following order:
- Sodas, juices and any other beverages besides black coffee, herbal tea or water
- Any foods with trans-fat (the word hydrogenated on the ingredients list)
- Desserts or high sugar foods
- Grains of any kind such as rice, wheat, etc.
- Fruit
- Dairy
- Non-MOVES Condiments (like mayonnaise, mustard, and salad dressings)
- Nuts
The Core MOVES Diet
Foods allowed on the anti-Candida diet can be summed up with the acronym M.O.V.E.S.:
- Meats
Should be (preferably certified) organic, free-range, unprocessed, fresh, and as natural as possible. No sauces, breading or unknown seasoning.. use fresh herbs and sea salt and oils for seasoning. - Oils/Fats
Healthy oils only - including fats from animals (lard, tallow, etc.), coconut oil, olive oil, seed/nut oils, and butter. Oils should be "virgin" and unprocessed and not hydrogenated. - Veggies
Lowest Carbohydrates possible - no mushrooms, grains, seeds, nuts, legumes, corn, potatoes, carrots, or beets. Green veggies like broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, bok choy, etc. tend to have very low carbs and high nutritional value. Many herbs can be used for seasoning.. it's best to use fresh and not dried herbs, as many dried herbs contain molds or have been irradiated. - Eggs
Should be organic (preferably certified), free range when possible, and not vegetarian-fed. - Special Foods
Butter, Fresh-Squeezed Lemon or Lime Juice, Sea Salt, Black Pepper (preferably freshly cracked), Stevia, Black Coffee, Herbal Tea
MOVES Allowed Foods List
Meat (includes Fish)
Meat should be fresh and unprocessed
Fish should be from oceans or lakes
Canned fish should be in spring water/olive oil
- Anchovies
- Arctic Char
- Bacon
- Bear
- Beef
- Bison
- Chicken
- Clam
- Cod
- Cornish Hen
- Crab
- Duck
- Elk
- Fish eggs / roe
- Flounder
- Goose
- Haddock
- Ham
- Herring
- Lamb
- Lobster
- Mackerel
- Mussel
- Organ meats
- Ostrich
- Oyster
- Perch
- Pheasant
- Pork
- Pork Rind & Skin
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Salmon (wild)
- Sardine
- Scallops
- Shrimp
- Snapper
- Sole
- Squid
- Squirrel
- Tuna
- Turkey
- Veal
- Venison
Oils (and fats)
Oils should be cold pressed or expeller pressed, preferably organic, and not hydrogenated or processed, and should not be roasted or toasted
- Animal fats (all)
- Butter (organic/unsalted)
- Butter oil
- Coconut Oil
- Cod Liver Oil
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Fish Oil
- Ghee (clarified butter)
- Lard
- Macadamia Nut
- Nut Oils (no peanut/cashew)
- Palm Kernel Oil
- Seed Oils
- Sesame Seed Oil
Veggies/Herbs/Spices
Veggies and herbs should be fresh and organic where ever possible. Fresh herbs are preferable to dried herbs.
- Arugula
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Baby Greens Mix
- Basil
- Beet Greens
- Black Pepper
- Bok Choy
- Boston Lettuce
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Butter Lettuce
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Celery Root
- Chervil
- Chicory
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Collard Greens
- Cucumber
- Daikon
- Dandelion Greens
- Dill
- Eggplant
- Endive
- Escarole
- Fennel
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Green Beans
- Green Onions
- Hearts of Palm
- Horseradish
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Mache
- Nutmeg
- Okra
- Olives in salt brine
- Onion
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Peppers, All Kinds
- Radicchio
- Radishes
- Rhubarb
- Rosemary
- Scallions
- Sorrel
- String Beans
- Swiss Chard
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Tomato
- Turnip
- Wax Beans
- Zuchinni
Eggs
Raw gives you the best nutritional value(I can honestly say I will NOT eat raw eggs)
- Basted
- Deviled
- Fried
- Hard/Soft boiled
- Omelette
- Poached
- Raw
- Scrambled
Special Foods
These foods should be used in moderation
- Club Soda
- Coffee (decaf)
- Lemon (fresh only)
- Lime (fresh only)
- Pau D'Arco Tea
- Seltzer Water
- Stevia
- Tea (decaf)
- Sea Salt
Calories and Ratios
We recommend you eat approximately 10-12 times your body weight in calories. So if you weigh 200 pounds, your calories would be 2000-2400. Here are different calorie ranges for different body types:
- Underweight = More than 12 times your current body weight in calories
- Normal weight = Approximately 12 times your current body weight in calories
- Overweight = Approximately 10-12 times your current body weight in calories
Ratios should be close to the following:
- 65-75% daily calories from fat
- 15-25% daily calories from protein
- 5-10% daily calories from carbs
Basic Recommendations
The following are suggestions for a base on which to build your daily supplement regimen. As your health status changes, you may wish to re-evaluate and modify your routine, but we suggest a bare minimum regimen that supports you as you heal.
| Supplement | Daily Dosage | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | 20,000 IU in divided doses | Shark liver oil is a good natural Vitamin A source. |
| B Complex | 50 units 2x daily | Nutritional yeast or liver can also provide the necessary B vitamins. Extra niacin (NOT niacinimide) can be taken to help flush toxins. |
| Vitamin C | 4,000mg in divided doses | If ascorbic acid causes problems, try calcium ascorbate. Don't use calcium ascorbate for megadosing during times of illness however. |
| Vitamin D | 2,000 IU in divided doses | Make sure your supplement is an oil-based, natural D-3. |
| Vitamin E | 400 IU | Look for dry base, natural (d-) Vitamin E. |
| Calcium Citrate | 600mg in divided doses | |
| Magnesium Citrate | 600mg in divided doses | Large doses of magnesium citrate can have a laxative effect. |
| Omega-3 Fish Oil | 2,000 - 3,000mg in divided doses | |
| Chlorophyl | 2-3T or 2-3 capsules in divided doses |
This will be a longterm change for my health. I hope you'll join me in providing support.
