Went to the store to pick up psyllium powder to start a cleanse,try to move some of the waste out ....I initially grabbed one jug, and then looked and saw it had 4 grams sugar per serving...so I put it back , and grabbed a sugar free version..
Got home, mixed up a drink , then looked down at the ingredients and saw it contains citric acid (thats what I get for being in a rush, I figured since it was sugar free it would be better....Didnt notice it was orange flavored LOL)
Is the citric acid going to exacerbate the candida situation much? (I'm only using going to be using 1 tbsp 2xday)..
Citric acid helps to fight Candida by maintaining an acid environment that Candida does not like. Candida thrives in an alkaline environment, which turns on the Candida growth gene and converts the Candida in to its aggressive fungal form. Acids on the other hand turn off the Candida growth gene and keep the Candida in its more benign yeast form. A couple of related posts:
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1452732#i
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1452739#i
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1452747#i
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1451150#i
Do you think that candida can feed on psyllium since it is a grain/carbohydrate or is it only fermented by good bacteria?
Fibers like psyllium are long chain sugar molecules. Candida cannot feed on fibers. It feeds on simpler sugars.
Also, does psyllium remove good bacteria from the gut by scraping the intestinal wall?
You are going to lose bacteria regardless. Flora is always being secreted in the feces. But they also multiply restoring the levels.
What is your overall view of psyllium as a supplement for a candida sufferer on a low carb & sugar diet?
Psyllium does have drawbacks including the tendency to cause bloating in people and it is sharp and believed to damage the intestinal wall. I prefer rice bran and oat bran, which are soft fibers and also provide a lot of B vitamins and other beneficial compounds.
Thank you for the insight on acids helping fight the yeast..
Do you then recommend people regularly use apple cider vinegar, say 2-3 tbsp per day?...Also , low stomach acid contributes to candida overgrowth , correct?
I had previously been taking antacids (pepcid, zantac) just about everyday for the past 2 yrs.
Correct, low stomach acid does contribute to more Candida growth, also allergies, infections and nutritional deficiencies.
Apple cider vinegar is good, but I don't like substituting for the body's production of things long term. It is better to support the body's production of its own stomach acid in the long run. Here are a few old posts on the subject:
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1604366#i
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1471203
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1582781#i
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1527892#i
And the importance of maintaining stomach acid:
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1581539#i
Now I see how foolish I was in taking antacids,...Currently I am taking a bromelain supp with each meal,and 1 tbsp of ACV on each of my 2 daily salads... but after reading the links you provided, it looks like I will be off to the health food store to purchase some bitters...Sounds like they are more beneficial.
They definitely are. Just remember that you only need to taste them to work, so ignore the recommended dosage on the bottle. A half a dropper full is plenty with meals. Just squirt them on the tongue and swallow. And drink plenty of water throughout the day to reduce detox symptoms.