"Yes, it is well known to kick up a current Candida infection, although there is no indication that it can "cause" yeast. Like others, we recommend Lufenuron ~~ cheap, easy, super safe and available. Vaughn was the original source and where I got mine originally, but it is cheaper and probably faster at shop4lufe.com . Changing the diet to cut out excess sugar works when Candida is simply an overgrowth in the gut, which does not affect the LDN, really. But once the Candida escapes the digestive system, like with leaky gut, it becomes Systemic Candida, and no diet change is going to help that. Only Lufenuron, or a prescription of Diflucan can help. Francie"
I had a huge problem with yeast after starting LDN. I hadn't found this group until after I started LDN. I didn't know to take care of yeast problem before going on LDN. I didn't know to start or continue yeast protocol when starting LDN. I have 4 doctors who are now prescribing LDN, they didn't know about LDN and yeast until I educated them only because of what I learned from this group.
I also have a big problem with heavy metals and mercury because I have MTHFR mutations and can't detox the mercury with normal methylation process. Yeast apparently uses mercury to help bind to the walls of the intestine. When I started killing the yeast, the dead yeast cells released mercury. Then I had a huge problem with mercury badly affecting my brain. Mercury removal needs to be approached very carefully depending on the amount of mercury in the body and possibility of common gene mutations that stop normal detoxification. After consulting with an environmental medicine doctor, I took Nystatin alternating with oral Amphotericin (compounded)to start killing yeast. I did not want to start with Lufenuron because it releases over time, there is no way to slow down the kill off once Lufenuron is in your body, I needed to start slowly to control the Herxheimer reaction (see below) as I am Very Allergic to yeast. I am glad I started slowly as I didn't know about mercury being released as well. I used Chlorella to tie up the mercury that was being released. I added Interfase plus to help with the biofilm
https://www.protherainc.com/prod/pr...rotherainc.com/prod/proddetail.asp?id=K-INTP> . I also took probiotics at least two hours away from the yeast drugs. It took me a while to figure out the timing of all these to minimize mercury brain symptoms. I am still on yeast killing protocol, I take Chlorella and Interfase Plus together then follow with nystatin or oral amphotericin or caprillic acid etc. (every few weeks I alternate these as yeast can become resistant). When I no longer get a reaction to these as evidenced by die off symptoms, I will try Lufenuron. It affects chitin in the cell walls of the yeast. Interfase and Interfase plus contain a chitin digesting enzyme.
Note, I am not telling people on here to just take Lufenuron as others have done. Any yeast killing protocol has the potential to make some individuals VERY VERY Sick.. I am offering my story to illustrate some of the things to be concerned about when approaching killing yeast especially without guidance of a knowledgeable health practioner. I have no relationship to any of the above mentioned products.
"When yeast cells are rapidly killed, a die-off (or Herxheimer reaction) occurs and metabolic by-products are released into the body. The Candida yeast cells actually release 79 different toxins when they die, including ethanol and acetaldehyde"
Please be very careful about prescribed anti-fungals. The two that are typically prescribed are Nystatin and Diflucan. Nystatin works mostly in the digestive tract, and is poorly absorbed systemically, so it does nothing for Systemic Candida. Nystatin is often prescribed for more than 30 days, giving the digestive yeast time to develop resistance. Diflucan is rarely prescribed for that long because it is simply too toxic, and may cause liver and kidney damage. Diflucan is absorbed systemically, and is not limited to the intestinal tract, however, and Systemic Candida is almost always the issue, not digestive Candida yeast.
The Lufenuron is not a pesticide. There is a form of it where it is mixed 5% with insecticides to spray on fields to stop mold and fungus on plants. Of course, this is not the form that is sold for Candida. The form for Candida is pure Lufenuron. It is so safe that there has never been an LD50 established for it. (LD50 is the level at which 50% of the test animals are harmed by the substance). There is an LD50 for table salt, for instance. An animal literally cannot eat enough Lufenuron to do any damage, other than to choke from the powder in the mouth.
The Lufenuron simply stops the formation of chitin (pronounced KY-tin), which is what forms the outer walls of the fungus. Without that hard shell, our own immune systems can break them down, and dispose of the overgrowth. Nothing above the level of shrimp or lobster uses chitin. It forms the outer shell of lower forms of life, including insects, so has been given to literally millions, upon millions, of dogs and cats, to break the flea life cycle.
Anyway, do some research on Nystatin and Diflucan before the doctor prescribes one or the other. If taken along with Lufenuron, you can easily shorten the time that you need to take the more toxic drugs, assuming that you decide to take them at all.
Several comments to give folks more to ponder about candida:
My environmental medicine MD doctor is an expert in candida. He uses a variety of drugs and supplements to treat for Candida tailoring treatment to each patient since he is dealing with very sick and often very chemically sensitive patients. When he uses diflucan for systemic infections (outside the digestive system) he prescribes it for 30 days or more, much longer then two treatments. Two treatments are usually used for vaginal infections, much easier to treat then systemic infections. He had a concern with me about using the luferuron to start with and causing too much die off reaction since once it's in the body you can't just stop the drug's action by stop taking the drug, as it is apparently released over days. He wanted to kill off the yeast in the gut first slowly to control the toxic die off symptoms before moving on to a more systemic kill off with luferuron etc but not diflucan in my case. He also uses a biofilm removing supplement (Interfase plus I my case but there are others) to make the drugs or supplements more effective at removing the candida.
This doctor also indicates it is very important to take high quality probiotics as part of treating yeast infections. In addition to probiotics, I take kefir and lactofermented vegetables, I have learned to make my own pickled veggies, it's easy.
According to this doctor, diflucan can be toxic to some people as it can be very hard on the liver. I experienced horrible referred liver pain the last time I tried it, similar to gall bladder pain, just as bad but the pain was referred into a different area in my body. I had to stop taking diflucan.
I have heard that while oregano oil kills candida, it can also kill the friendly organisms that help keep yeast in balance.
Note, I am not stating that oregano does this, just that I have heard it does.
We have to be careful when making blanket statements about what works and what doesn't, everyone is different. All drugs can have side effects. There are a lot of opinions but lets state them as opinions not statement of facts. Please use I statements ( I have heard or I have experienced this) or cite references to incourage others to do their own research in their search for health.
You make very good points. I am considering buying Interfase to take til I see my dr for Lufenuron. Who puts it out and where can I get it? I have been on a yeast free diet, super probiotic, and Nystatin for 2.5 years with several courses of Diflucan. I have eliminated much yeast but can still tell I have overgrowth.
Cyn
He had a concern with me about using the luferuron to start with and causing too much die off reaction since once it's in the body you can't just stop the drug's action by stop taking the drug, as it is apparently released over days. He wanted to kill off the yeast in the gut first slowly to control the toxic die off symptoms before moving on to a more systemic kill off with luferuron etc but not diflucan in my case. He also uses a biofilm removing supplement (Interfase plus I my case but there are others) to make the drugs or supplements more effective at removing the candida.
http://www.townsendletter.com/June2012/candida0612.html
I wholeheartedly agree with Cyn's environmental doctor's treatment of
systemic candida and wanted to add some details since I have also
recommended this protocol in my acupuncture practice. I also highly
recommend the article that Garth linked in his response, which I have again
provided above. It's long but thoroughly details the author's rationale for
the supplements he has formulated to treat candida. It is by Stephen
Olmstead, the chief science officer for Prothera/Klaire Labs. The
supplements that he recommends are Undecylex (as an antimicrobial),
Interfase (to break down the biofilm of the candida), Interfase Plus
(Interfase plus the addition of EDTA to chelate out the magnesium, calcium,
and iron that the biofilm needs), Ther-Biotic Complete (excellent
probiotic), and BiotaGen (prebiotic combination). These are to be taken for
about 3 months. You can learn more about these supplements at their
website,
www.protherainc.com. Diflucan by prescription, is also recommended
for one month at 100 mg/day. And of course, an anti-candida diet is
critical. This is a hardcore treatment and should only be undertaken under
the guidance of a healthcare professional. As others have mentioned,
Diflucan can be very hard on the liver. Alcohol must be absolutely avoided
during treatment and it is probably prudent to get liver function testing
beforehand. The Interfase Plus chelates minerals so it's important to be
taking a good quality mineral supplement concurrently. He does mention
chitin, which is what the Lufenuron acts on, but it doesn't seem to be in
his formulas so I imagine it would be a good addition to cover all the
bases. I just started a patient on this protocol and after a week she had
a severe die-off reaction with extreme dizziness. It was suggested to her
by a pharmacy employee to add 3/250 mcg of molybdenum/day and low and behold
the dizziness was completely relieved! I love that we can all learn from
each other and appreciate this forum so much.