Wow, I'm impressed with the email she sent me. What do you think? I know it's all a crapshoot anyway; seems like many or most pwc's don't benefit much from candida treatments? But maybe that + Equilibrant will work, who knows. Judy:
Actually we use a blood test which is specific to candida and can include a dietary panel of foods to avoid (especially important for those with Leaky Gut issues). This test is available through Alletess and measures IgG, IgA & IgM levels within the body. We have found this to be an exceptionally effective way to determine the presence of systemic candida and to what degree. It's on the pricey side and often not covered by insurance ($150-300 depending upon your lab & physician). Great Planes also offers this test and describes it as follows:
http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/food_allergy_igg.asp
"IgG (immunoglobulin G) testing is a useful guide for structuring elimination diets in many chronic conditions. Individuals with neurological, gastrointestinal, and movement disorders often suffer from IgG food allergies. These people may continue to eat offending foods unaware of their potential effects. IgG antibodies provide long term resistance to infections and have a much longer half life than the traditional IgE allergy. Symptoms may occur hours or days after the offending food has been eaten. The 93 foods tested in the IgG Food Allergy Test w/
Candida can identify problem food so it can be eliminated from the patient’s diet. This elimination of IgG positive foods can improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, autism, AD(H)D, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and epilepsy according to numerous clinical studies (see references below).
The Great Plains Laboratory, Inc. recently added
Candida to our IgG Food Allergy Test.
Candida problems are caused when the benign yeast form of
Candida albicans mutates to its fungal form.
Candida can take over sections of the intestinal wall causing numerous symptoms. As it grows out of balance it produces toxins that create holes in the intestinal lining, leading to leaky gut syndrome. After entering the blood,
Candida albicans causes an inflammatory immune system response. A wide range of disorders have been linked to
Candida including autism, multiple sclerosis, depression, and chronic fatigue. Use of antibiotics, oral contraceptives, chemotherapy, and anti-inflammatory steroids greatly increase susceptibility to
Candida."
The difference between this and the test you refer to below should be discussed with your local health care provider(s) to evaluate which would be the best option for you to pursue if necessary. Great Planes has information on the arabinose yeast metabolite on their website here: http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/candida.asp
