Probiotics, AND...Re: I think this is die-off, but not sure- also question about ordering, thx:)

Yes, indeedy, restoring and recolonizing healthy microbiota/probiotics is extremely beneficial in eradicating an overgrowth of candida.  This has been explained to Teresa previously.  And I definitely concur with what you explained:  >>> No matter how much echinacea, antifungal herbs, etc you take you will never be able to eleminate the yeast and digestive problems <<<

However (as we can clearly see from the thousands of failures posted on CZ & the internet), addressing the issue with only probiotics (be they encapsulted --least likely to help--, or via natural sources --most likely to help--), candida issues are a bit more complex.  While throwing the balance of gut-flora into a tailspin (typically by ingesting pharmaceutical antibiotics), is many times the cause for an initial imbalance, there's many people that take antibiotics (and constantly ingest probiotic destroying tap-water and other processed foods with chemicals)...that recover from the temporarily imbalance/symptoms quite rapidly (even without taking additional probiotics).  So there's definitely more to this issue.

As I believe & understand, there are two other primary issues (as well as other 'less primary' ones): 1) strengthening the immune system (particularly modulating or increasing t-lymphocytes and other white blood cells to eliminate leukopenia - and echinacea has been proven many times to do this- general Google search: http://tinyurl.com/28msgqx ).  And 2) ensuring the terrain of the intestinal tract is conducive to recolonization of beneficial microbiota, while eliminating the condition of the terrain that encourages (ensures?) the overgrowth.  

Quickly (because this has been explained previously) - Candida are saprophytes (saprobes), which means they derive their nourishment from decaying organic matter (something that is prevalent in the intestinal tract of most people).  There is tons of supportive evidence to be found, but this lil' blurb sums it up fairly completely (but leaves out the all-important aspect of lack & imbalance of beneficial intestinal microbiota).

'Causes' and Predisposing Factors

‘It is a saprophyte of the human and animal digestive tract, which may under some conditions (antibiotherapy, diabetes) prolifer and provoke some pathological manifestations of the skin, of mucouses and of visceras.’ (Julian)
‘A yeast, Candida albicans, is the commonest fungus of medical importance. It is ubiquitous in the environment but it may also be transmitted between people directly. Candidosis is usually a superficial infection of skin, nails or mucous membrane with the yeast form of the fungus, causing mild inflammation. However, these tissues are rarely affected if they are entirely healthy. Factors that predispose to candidosis are:

• Loss of integrity of skin and mucosæ

  • Maceration of skin due to climate or obesity
  • Eczema
  • Dentures

• Encouragement of local multiplication of Candida

  • Alteration of mucosal flora: antibiotic treatment
  • Hormonal: diabetes, pregnancy

• Suppression of inflammatory and immune responses

  • Specific congenital T lymphocyte deficiency
  • Leucopænia of any cause
  • Immunosuppressive drugs, including topical corticosteriods
  • Malignancy
  • Human immunodeficiency virus syndrome

A congenital immune deficiency of T lymphocytes predisposes to the syndrome of chronic mucocutaneous candidosis, while more severe, often iatrogenic, forms of immune suppression may permit systemic infection in which mycelia, as well as yeasts, invade tissue and form micro-abscesses.’ (Edwards et al, 1995. p144)

‘Candidiasis results from infection by Candida albicans, a budding yeast-like organism that can infect the skin and the mucosa of the mouth, intestine and genital tract. Young infants, pregnant women, diabetics, people with prosthetic heart valves, patients on broad-spectrum antibiotics and people immunocompromised by drugs or disease are especially susceptible to Candida infections … Oral or genital candidiasis is often the first opportunistic infection to appear in HIV infection; if mucocutaneous candidiasis occurs in an adult patient who is neither diabetic nor taking an oral contraceptive preparation HIV infection is a likely underlying cause.’ (Forbes & Jackson, 1997. pp61-62, 98. Emphasis added)

Gascoigne (1995) points out that its appearance is associated with pregnancy, sugar intake, tight clothes, synthetic material, allergic reactions, prescribed drugs (corticosteroids, female sex hormones, immunosuppressant drugs), diabetes mellitus, AIDS and herpes simplex.

Teresa has been given a list of prebiotic foods & fibers (high in inulin) that are beneficial in helping to recolonize and rebalance gut flora (and as I mentioned, also told to ingest plenty of healthy probiotics in the form of kefirs, kombucha and fermented foods), along with utilizing garlic (also a prebiotic!) and apple cider vinegar (antifungal AND helps to ensure stomach acidity).   But frustratingly for many on CZ (and Teresa may be the "poster child" for this), her financial and living situation (and physical/mental compromises) make it extremely difficult for her to do the things she needs to do to heal herself. 

Hence, assumptions like this (from one of your previous posts on another forum): >>> However, there is a forum on curezone that seems to religiously follow Schulz and Christopher "teachings" yet it seems like no one really gets better. <<< are just that - assumptions (like all assumptions - typically based on a lack of information, or a predisposition for seeking/seeing only the negative.  Frustratingly, it's those who can't or won't apply their knowledge that post the most and the loudest).  If you'd like more positive information on how the Schulze/Christopher/Gerson protocols work when they're actually utilized properly, you'll find this thread http://curezone.com/forums/am.asp?i=1529654&s=1#i1 (that contains the following post and many other testimonies) The First 30 Days on Incurables Protocol Report   BSA by Miss Helfinger  to be very informative (and likely enlightening), as are many of Miss H's posts throughout the forum after her 2nd and 3rd round of the IP.  She's dealt with life long adrenal compromise, asthma, allergies, anxiety, depression, weak immunity, etc.  Also, if you do a search on User ID: healinginHiswings, you'll see a woman that (again) had MANY life-issues that prevented her from doing a full protocol, but still managed to stop the progression of Muscular Dystrophy AND reverse damage already sustained, in less than a few months.  But of course, the hundreds of other positive progressions & healing testimonies found on this lil' forum (after only a bit more than year), don't make a dent in the 'major thousands' of  major & minor healings obtained from those following the Gerson/Sculze/Christopher protocols since the 1940's.

Thanks for the "probiotic reminder"...it's one aspect of healing that can't be said enough!

Healthiest of blessings,

Unyquity