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Candida Campaign: The Answer to my Ammonia Quest?

I’d hoped this post would be both concise enough and comprehensive enough to save you some research hours. I’m not sure it meets those goals… but I’m happy to share my conclusions and plan.

I’ve been experiencing uncomfortable levels of ammonia or peroxynitrite over the past 2 months. I’ve not been able to distinguish between these forms, nor to stop it. I get a feeling as if my body's closing down, a not-quite-headache sensation, restlessness, squinty eyes, a specific unpleasant taste in my mouth. I don't get any smell of ammonia . But the symptoms are reduced by using ammonia-reducing supplements. I’ve eaten low sulfur/thiol for 3 years on GAPS diet. I’ve implemented many of Martin Pall’s suggestions for mopping up peroxynitrite from oxidative stress, which has helped relieve symptoms, but not stopped the problem.

There have been some identifiable precursors to high ammonia/peroxynitrite:

  1. in-the-world activities leading to oxidative stress
  2. a specific response after trialling high dose B2 (100mg 1-2 days, 50mg 1-2 days)
  3. I trialled 1-2 days taking oregano + tea tree oils by capsule. Either this caused die-off straight away, or in some other way pushed a peroxy/ammonia response
  4. After at least 1.5 years of taking 33mg P5P, my body suddenly wanted none a few days ago, for several days. I’ve resumed it now at 1/2 dosage. Has this been another provocation?
ADDED: It's now about 4-5 days since I halved P5P dosage. I feel better today than I have in weeks, have needed fewer supps for the past 2 days. So maybe this has been a real contributor to my problem......

I learned, especially from posts by @gestalt that one source of ammonia production is Candida. My life-long Buddha belly became flat during the first months on GAPS. But bloating has been present again for a long time, I can’t say how long. During the past year I’ve been using strategies aimed at moving both toxic metals and bacteria, as they’re symbiotic. The metals appear to have been eliminated, with significant shifts or elimination of symptoms during the process.


Listening to numerous presentations over the last few months from the Anxiety Summit, the Autoimmune Summit, the Digestion Sessions…the emphasis on Candida has made me reevaluate my situation. I have no overt Candida symptoms. I’ve used the spit test, which some say is a good indicator, others say is useless. And I’ve gotten both + and - results with spit.


When I first tuned in to the possibility of Candida in 2 months ago, while listening to those many presentations, I had a patch of ‘eczema’ on my face that didn’t go away, just flared or was less inflamed. When I read a comment on lowhistaminechef’s mast cell blog linking Candida and eczema , I immediately stopped the honey I’d allowed in my diet, and stopped cooking the carrot pulp I’d been eating with my broth. “Starve the Beasties” says Mikell Parsons, who I heard in the context of Anxiety Summit. And immediately I had detox reactions, had to resume more frequent coffee enemas, which were again more gassy. This lasted weeks. And the patch of eczema disappeared, never to return.


I’ve now upped the ante. My body is so much stronger, my supps are so much more effective dealing with the byproducts of detox, the link to ammonia strong, the results of a complex questionnaire analysis pointed to a fungus problem… that now I’ve engaged on a full on protocol. After listening to the presentations, and following a link from @gestalt I’ve decided on an approach that seems to combine all the elements. Parasite cleanse, enzymes to break up biofilm and cleanse organs, several substances to target fungus directly, and taking orally the anti-microbials that until now I’ve generally used only in enemas or footbaths: oregano oil, grapefruit seed oil, tea tree oil…
I don’t have overt signs of parasites, but I share life with a cat, and my detox response during this first week suggests something’s being released.


I’m not adding in common ingredients, including garlic, turmeric, coconut oil because I still have issues with sulfur. Candidalibrary.org lists carrots as toxic to fungus, and I’m eating lot’s of carrots, my body requesting them as anti-oxidants. I’ve stopped the probiotics for now, as they can worsen things with SIBO, which might still be a factor, though I’ve been treating for it for some time. 1 speaker says they’re good to use w/ leaky gut, Candida, to help the immune response. Another says to add them in after the Candida’s been killed off. And S.Boulardii will seek and kill Candida. As I’m doing other things to support my immune response, I’ve decided to wait. (Saving a few dollars is not a bad thing!) Numerous people have specific probiotic recommendations. Up until now I’ve been using those in line with lowhistaminechef’s recommendations for low-hist, anti-inflammatory properties. There are also abundant Candida posts throughout phoenixrising.


My plan includes elements of both systemic and intestinal infection as outlined at yeastinfectionadvisor. There are comprehensive outlines with dosage charts there. The quotes are from that site.


When this is over, 30-60 days from now, if I don’t achieve the results I want, I’ll follow the advice of @Critterina and go on a 3 day water fast, which has allowed her to resume eating histamine foods. Amazing findings in the article re resetting immune system, stem cells…..


The starting place is a Candida diet. I’m on a very minimalist diet of bone broth, fat, small amounts of meat, carrots; carrot juice with ginger. My brief affair with watermelon for it’s peroxynitrite scavenging properties has ended, too much sugar. Also ongoing use of chlorella, clay and diatomaceous earth orally, clay and glycine (detoxifier) in footbaths. Most of the products I’m using are from iherb.


Week 1) Parasite cleanse: Nature's Answer, Black Walnut Wormwood, Alcohol-Free, 1 fl oz (30 ml) includes clove 1-2 weeks., 2-3x/day

Recommendations are to include some sort of bowel cleanser with this. As I’ve been doing Coffee Enemas (CE) pretty constantly for the past year, I’ll continue that, without adding any additional bowel cleanse products. Both the McCombs and yeastinfectionadvisor sites suggest products, which include psyllium, alfalfa, fennel, passiflora, fibres…)


Week 2 ) Add Enzymes:
It seems the magic ingredient to include is Serrapeptase, which specifically helps break down the biofilms which make conquering Candida and bacteria so difficult. I’m using Doctor's Best, Best Proteolytic Enzymes.

yeastinfectionadvisor suggests 2/day, one hour before you take the parasite capsules, in the morning if at all possible. If this is not possible, then in between breakfast and lunch will do. The second dose should be taken at bedtime.

This is the time he suggests a Candida-fighting probiotic he developed (ProFase) (BioFase is his enzyme product) I'm using alternatives that I've found on iherb primarily because no one can beat the low shipping costs and quick delivery of iherb. (sorry yeastadvisor...) (http://www.yeastinfectionadvisor.com/profase.html)

EDITED TO ADD: I believe here's where I've made my first error. Week 2, Day 1 for Digestives:
I've just spent an hour reviewing enzyme contents. Again. My Dr.s Best does not contain cellulase.

Dan, yeastinfectionadvisor, says, comparing his product to other popular choices, BioFase enzymes for yeast is very similar to all the above four enzyme formulas. It contains cellulase and hemicellase to eat the plant component in the biofilm and yeast cell http://www.yeastinfectionadvisor.com/enzymesforyeast.html

Have I already limited my chances of success??? I will now be ordering and then adding another combo that contains the missing ingredients, Dr's Best, Best Digestive Enzymes, all veg.

I found that I could have ordered the less expensive Doctor's Best Best Serrapeptase instead of their Proteolytic formula, combined with the Best Digestive Enzymes. These 2, which have all the preferred ingredients, works out to $1.30/day.



Week 3) Add two of the herbal anti-fungals from the... list... You could take one of the liquids [drops] with the [enzyme and probiotic] in between breakfast and lunch. Either one of the capsule forms should be taken in between lunch and dinner. Do not take the capsule forms with [enzyme].

My research led me to choose 10-Undecenoic Acid acid rather than caprylic acid as more effective and less toxic.

Thorne Research, Formula SF722, 250 Gelcaps : 10-Undecenoic Acid


I’ll be rotating every 4 days: Formula SF722, GSE (grapefruit seed ext), Uva Ursi, Oregano Oil, Berberine (Oregon grape root)

Grapefruit seed extract and Oregano Oil are both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial

There are references to toxicity of berberine. Of course, it's toxic to the critters. But can also overload liver. My plan: short term use + coffee enemas.


The Bacterial Component:

I would then start with the berberine and take it for four days and stop. For the next four days I would take the oregano oil then stop. The next four days take the uva ursi then stop and start over with the berberine. What you’re doing is taking these in a rotation of four days on, four days off so the bacteria does not have the time to build a resistance to that particular herb.
I would only do this for two rotations then take a break from the Uva Ursi, Berberine, and Oregano oil for two weeks, then if needed do it again.



My Anti-bacterial choices, in addition to the anti-fungal + bacterial GSE and oregano.

These were the cheapest forms I found at iherb, only $9 for uva ursi and $5 for Oregon grape root (berberine)

Nature's Way, Uva Ursi, Standardized, 60 Capsules
Nature's Way, Oregon Grape Root, 500 mg, 90 Capsules (Berberine)

Nutribiotic GSE (grapefruitseed extract)
NOW Oregano oil, (also Lemongrass oil, Clove oil which I've been using topically for biofilm busting

Myrrh is another anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, can be applied in a carrier oil or swished in water solution in gums

Olive Leaf is anti-viral, bacterial, fungal, as well as antioxidant. I have some OL capsules on hand, and also use loose leaf with dried organ to make tea which I have used in enemas and foot baths.
http://www.about-olive-leaf-extract.com/index.html



Week 4, 5) Double doses of herbal anti-fungals; Increase enzymes to 3/2x/day


To Clarify the Above Charts: You take each thing for 4 days at the dose suggested, except for [Enzyme] the probiotic of your choice, and coconut oil which you take everyday. Then stop and take the next and so on. Once you get to the last anti-fungal herb and take it for 4 days you start over and do it again. When you’ve gone through it once that’s 1 rotation, a second time through is 2 rotations, a third time through is the 3rd rotation, a fourth time through is the 4th rotation.

Pick One Capsule Form:

Cinnamon Extract
Grapefruit Seed Extract

Pick One Liquid Form:

Oregano Oil
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Candidate [Pau d’arco, Marigold, and Lemon grass; help maintain healthy pH levels in the body to avoid the overgrowth of Candida]

Make sure the two products you pick from the above anti-fungal list are different.


References, more information:


Martin Pall: No/ONOO- Could the Nitric acid/Peroxynitrite cycle underlie many of our illnesses? www.thetenthparadigm.org/therapy.htm

http://forums.phoenixrising.me/index.php?threads/candida-biofilms-theory-protocol.25472/
http://www.gestaltreality.com/2013/09/16/how-to-eliminate-candida-biofilms/

A very long thread with Candida talk at least in this section.
http://forums.phoenixrising.me/inde...e-been-looking-for.26976/page-110#post-546387

http://forums.phoenixrising.me/index.php?threads/rethinking-probiotics.24643/page-3#post-533524

Fasting for immune reset:
http://forums.phoenixrising.me/index.php?threads/critterinas-histamine-intolerance-journal.34685/ http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140605141507.htm

Dr. Jillian Teta http://fixyourdigestion.com/

Dr. Mikell Parsons http://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/conquering-yeastie-beasties-candida/

Dr. McCombs Candida plan; emphasises that 10-undecenoic acid (derived from castor bean oil) is a better choice than caprylic acid. www.candidaplan.com/index.php

Protyolytic Enzymes:
http://www.life-enthusiast.com/enzyme/serrapeptase.pdf
http://doctormurray.com/healing-power-of-proteolytic-enzymes/
http://doctormurray.com/healing-power-of-proteolytic-enzymes/

Reduce Inflammation Naturally with Nature’s Pac Man
http://suzycohen.com/articles/reducepain/

http://jonbarron.org/article/proteolytic-enzyme-formula#.VI3MKnswCi0

http://www.yeastinfectionadvisor.com/biofase.html


Thanks to gestalt for this wonderful resource. full of heaps of information and evaluation of different products:

www.yeastinfectionadvisor.com/yeastinfectioncure.html
the yeast infection cure protocol for chronic and systemic yeast. It will work for everyone and correct toxic overload, restore intestinal ph, remove mercury and other metals, and restore intestinal immune function to normal. It may also balance out of control hormone levels because you remove the mercury, which disrupts hormone function


www.yeastinfectionadvisor.com/candidayeasttreatment.html
I developed this candida yeast treatment system for intestinal yeast for people that felt they did not need to do the systemic yeast protocol. The cost is much lower and the products are still the best of the best for killing yeast and candida based on real medical studies.

Comments

Lots of good info, ahmo, you should make it into a PDF guide.

The 3 day fast you mentioned--there's a recent study done showing that a 3 day fast will rebuild your entire immune system.

Also, I tested positive for candida antibodies. My IgA was 21 (ref: 1-10). My IgG and IgE were normal.

I notice that sometimes in the morning I have brown spit, or white spit. I wonder if this is just blood or candida related. I did run a course of Diflucan, but I don't think it had an effect.
 
Thank you, Ahmo, for you detailed protocol. I assume, that treating candida is an important puzzle of CFS. Just women are often candida-infected because of hormonal turbulences. My daughter was born with candida, I assume, I also was born with candida, and my mum primarly eats sweets.
 
Folk, Candida is indeed a helpful part of our gut microbiota. One reason it proliferates is to bind toxins. Once gut flora becomes imbalanced, it has the chance to bloom in the harmful fungal form, and colonize.
 
@ahmo, have you seen this thread?: http://forums.phoenixrising.me/index.php?threads/oregano-oil-and-damage-to-the-intestinal-tract-help.34378/
 
Thanks Picante. I've been very cautious w/ oregano oil during the past year, just now stepping it up. Will follow this w/ intensive probiotic replacement.
 
Thanks for a great article. How are you feeling now? I am on a similar protocol to defeat parasite/candida. I hope your journey was successful
 
Thanks Changexpert. I've got about 2 weeks to go to complete 4 full rounds. I've truly felt like I'm on a treadmill, daily coffee enemas, lot's of discomfort. I hope this means it's been very effective. Re the ammonia quest, dropping the extra P5P stopped the overload. However this whole process has kept up the peroxynitrite and need for lot's of anti-oxidants. Hopefully, this, too, shall pass. :)
 
Great info. I am curious if you are still taking the Doctors "Best Digestive Enzymes"? My understanding for enzymes to be most effective biofilm disruption, they should be taken on empty stomach, instead of digesting food. This particular blend gave me bad cramps- only on empty stomach. Most likely the protease. However the Doctors Best Serrepeptase at high doses poses no problems. What are you taking for cellulase? I noticed you posted your protocol back in January, about the same time I started a similar protocol. Are you still getting great results?
 
3 weeks since I *completed* my purge. My body didn't want to go for the final, 4th round. It took nearly 2 weeks to regain some equilibrium. Needing less of several supplements now, body seems to be detoxxing more efficiently, so I've just had a week without coffee enemas, longest break in 18 months. Have also added a few foods. I believe the enzymes worked as predicted: cleaned out my organs. The Doctors "Best Digestive Enzymes" provided cellulase.
 
thanks for this great write up, Ahmo! The timing couldn't be better ... I'm trying to do a candida protocol w supplements that I already have... It's helpful to know the right order, so thanks for laying out the correct sequence... I'm parasite free, but I do think that I have to aggressively break down the biofilm... This is - I believe - where I've gone wrong in the past... what do you think of these digestive enzymes? My doc suggested them so I bought them last Fall, but I don't think they worked because I still had parasites at the time.. thx
https://www.transformationenzymes.com/assets/Digest_info.pdf
 
1 more question.. RE probiotics, is FOS okay in a candida protocol? I am trying to use what I already have on hand to do a candida cleanse, and my probiotics have FOS (fructooligosaccharides). thx!
 
Cool stuff. It´s time for me to get really serious with "candida" or whatever the hell is residing in my inflammed intestines so I can then benefit from "soothing" and "rebuilding" supplements. I too have face eczema that never really goes away. How often do you do coffee enemas? I did them two years ago and became addicted literally!
 
http://forums.phoenixrising.me/index.php?threads/poll-on-eczema-dermatitis-psoriasis-autoimmunity-inflammation-and-leaky-gut-links.26319/
 
"Re the ammonia quest"

Hi Ahmo, Hi Everybody,

I just read an article that I thought was very good, and which touches on glycine for ammonia, candida, and more. I discovered this website a few days ago, and like the way the author writes, and the information he shares. I think it fits in very well Ahmo with your Candida blog.

L-Glycine: The Brain, The Gut, The Tissues
By Michael McEvoy, FDN, CNC, CMTA - December 21, 2015

http://metabolichealing.com/l-glycine-brain-gut-tissues/
 
I have always been interested in your footbath approach, and noticed that you switched a few supps. in this article from footbath to oral. Can you elaborate your thoughts behind your decision? Thank you in advance.
 

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