Major Breakthrough with Change in Protocol

I have had yeast infection of the gut for years and years now. I had no idea how hard it would be to treat. Mild forms of infection can be totally asymptomatic so you have no idea it is a problem. When you do get symptoms it means that the yeast has overwhelmed the immune system and disrupted the natural balance of gut flora to favor itself. If this problem was something I could see with my eyes I would have a better handle on what exacerbates it and what is effective in fighting it. The real problem with yeast infection of the gut is not the free floating yeast cells in the gut; it is the mass of yeast cells that forms a mat of spider web like fibers that clings to and penetrates the intestinal lining of the gut. Complicating matters is that the yeast lives inside of a matrix called biofilm made from leaf-like material cellulose, connected by minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron. This biofilm cannot be digested by normal digestive juices. It is a hiding place for the yeast. Antifungals and immune cells can’t get to the yeast to kill it. Some yeast is exposed and will be killed but the majority lies protected inside the biofilm. Think of yeast like you would a hermit crab. It has a protective shell it can hide in. For years I took all types of antifungals in high doses several times a day and I could not knock out this yeast infection. It has only been in the last 2 years I have come to learn about biofilms. Biofilms is also the reason why Lyme disease is hard to treat.

My first exposure on how to deal with biofilms was finding Dr. Ettinger’s biofilm protocol. Here is the information on one page:

http://www.advancedhealing.com/dr-ettingers-biofilm-protocol-for-lyme-and-gut...

Lots of good information listed there. The important thing to know is that it requires enzymes not found in the body or food to break down the biofilm. The enzymes punch holes and strip the outer layer of biofilm off so as to reveal and open to attack the embedded yeast. And don’t think that one, two or even dozens of treatments with enzymes will rid your body of all the biofilm. The adult lower GI tract has a surface area equivalent to the size of a regulation sized tennis court. And the longer you’ve had yeast infection, the thicker the buildup of biofilm has accumulated. The enzymes listed include Interfase Plus which is similar to other, easier to find enzyme products like Candex, YST Management, Candidase, and Candizyme but also has EDTA. Here is another web page that discusses enzymes and biofilm in more detail:

http://naturalcandidacleansing.com/enzymesforcandidayeast.html

The first time I took the enzymes it was right at bedtime. I didn’t feel any pain but I could tell there was a war going on in my gut. This did not feel like die-off exactly but a general vague uncomfortable feeling was going on inside. My sleep that night was so poor I knew that I was getting zero REM sleep. So thereafter I got my enzymes and other biofilm busters together and placed them on my nightstand with water so that I could take them first thing in the morning. I don’t awaken wide-eyed and full awake at 6:00 a.m. but I usually open my eyes and glance at the clock about then. This is when I take my biofilm nuke cocktail and fall back to sleep. Then, when I arise at 800 a.m. I take my antifungals. My favorite AFs are oregano oil, oil leaf extract, grapefruit seed extract, garlic supplements and Pau D’arco. I found peppermint oil is probably the most potent AF I’ve found. I experience some die-off and eat a light breakfast around 9:30. I was making what I thought was good progress but as time went on, it seemed to plateau. Then I found more information on biofilms by Dr. Anju Usman. Her protocol is similar to mine but she adds a third step: CLEAN UP. She says this is a crucial step that must be done. This involves taking products that will scour, bind and/or carry away the products of die-off and biofilm wreckage. Read her protocol on this page starting with the heading, True Health Gut Biofilm Protocol(tm) about 2/3 down the page:

http://www.autismpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Protocols/Usman

The cleanup factors include things like psyllium husk soluble fiber. Don’t take Citrucel or the OTC brands found in drug stores. They contain sugar. Take one that has zero Sugar (1 Tbsp in 8 oz. water)

http://www.amazon.com/Source-Naturals-Psyllium-Powder-Ounce/dp/B001G7R734

Activated Charcoal. Very cheap if bought in powder form. Only buy food grade. Can be sprinkled in with psyllium fiber. Use ½ to 1 tsp.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026XWKKM

Chlorella (broken cell) blue green algae. This stuff is fantastic! Not only is it a great general purpose detox, flush cleanse agent. It stimulates the immune system to produce macrophages which attack yeast. I am going to make a separate post about Chlorella later because I think it is so good. This is also much, much, much cheaper if you buy bulk powder. Take one rounded (between heaping and level) teaspoon twice a day on an empty stomach or in this case right before my light breakfast.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EPNGR8C

Pectin. This is a favorite of Dr. Usman. Don’t buy pectin from the grocery store. It contains sugar. Buy only Sugar free pectin. Take one rounded teaspoon for cleanup.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GFPCP2

I wanted to add that in step one of Dr. Usman’s protocol she talks about taking a chelator in addition to the enzymes. The chelator she is referring to is EDTA. It will carry away the mineral ions which can be considered the load-bearing support columns of the biofilm. EDTA is controversial. If you take it frequently, especially with meals you could become mineral deficient. If you take one capsule on an empty stomach far away from your next meal you should have no troubles. I don’t have a direct link for EDTA. Just go to:

http://www.wonderlabs.com/
and type EDTA in the search box.

I added the cleanup step to my protocol for only the last week and I feel amazing. Much improvement. I am not about to try adding Sugar or bread to my diet. I’ve worked too long and hard to be that foolish. I am actually at the point where I don’t miss sugar or breads. After reading the book Grain Brain I won’t be going back to eating that way again. I have the 4th of July off so my intent and motivation was to sincerely help anyone and everyone who has gone through the misery and hell I’ve been through dealing with yeast problems. All of the products and supplements I’ve mentioned I know have helped me. I am not saying that you HAVE TO use any or all of them. I refuse to get into arguments on that level. I just know they worked and helped me.