Question: I was just diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency and will have to take low-dose replacement steroids for the rest of my life. What does this mean in terms of treating Candida? I had ordered CanXida Remove and Restore but hadn’t started taking them yet. Is it safe to take these products along with the steroids I’m on? I obviously can’t stop taking the steroids, as you suggest. Any advice?

In adrenal insufficiency, your adrenals produce too little cortisol and aldosternoe. These hormones are essential for metabolism, energy, and regulating blood pressure and electrolytes. You will need to take corticosteroids to replace those that the adrenal glands are not making. Corticosteroids are a family of compounds that include the adrenal steroid hormone cortisol (hydrocortisone) and related synthetic drugs, such as prednisone. Corticosteroids increase the body’s loss of magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B6 and may need to supplement.

Corticosteroids retain more sodium and lower potassium levels so focus on eating more fruits and vegetables and limiting the intake of sodium. Licorice extract can increase prednisone-related side effects so avoid taking it. Some other herbs that should be avoided with this medication include alder, buckthron, diuretic herbs, and laxative herbs. CanXida Remove contains garlic, caprylic acid, black walnut, bereberine, oregano, undecylenic acid, grape fruit seed extract, Pau’D’Arco, neem, betaine, biotin and clove.

There were no well-known drug interactions with these herbs and corticosteroids. The interactions described here may not apply to all possible interactions so talk to your doctor or pharmacist for complete information about medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications and supplements.

Question: How do I know if Candida is affecting my ears and eyes? How can I get a doctor to test for yeast in my eyes and ears? I’ve asked several times and they said either they would know by my other blood tests if I did or they don’t have tests like that.

A fungal infection in the ear can cause inflammation, dryness and discharge in the ear canal. Infections are commonly caused by Aspergillus and Candida. Common reasons to get fungal infection in the ears include trauma to the ear and being frequently in the water. A doctor may prescribe eardrops that contain an antifungal agent. Treatment for fungal eye infection includes antifungal eye drops, antifungals injected into the eye and oral antifungals like Fluconazole.

Natamycin is an eye drop antifungal medication that works well for fungal infections involving the outer layer of the eye, particularly those caused by fungi. It is important to talk with a healthcare professional about your treatment options. If standard antifungal treatment is not proving effective using natural antimicrobial therapy can help restore gut balance from a potential gut yeast overgrowth but is is not guaranteed to treat localized infections like ocular or ear fungal infections. Nonetheless it is a great protocol to restore gut health if you present symptoms of gut dysbiosis.

Taking CanXida Remove and CanXida Restore together will help restore the integrity of the gut and help prevent future infections. When the immune system responds to a Candida infection it starts producing elevated antibody levels which can be measured with a blood test. A Candida antibody panel checks for three different types of antibodies to Candida albicans, Candida IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies.

A stool test will measure if there is Candida overgrowth in the gut and an organic acid test mesures presence of Candida though a urine sample. Healthcare providers can also take a swab of the infected area (eyes, ears) and do a microscopy test to identify the pathogen. You can order some of these test yourself if your doctor is not collaborating or work with another health care professional.

Question: How can I tell the difference between ‘die off’ symptoms because a treatment is working and symptoms because a treatment isn’t working?

Once a candida infection (candidiasis) has been diagnosed and accurately treated with antifungal medications, large amounts of fungal and yeast cells are killed off rapidly and candida die-off may occur. This is referred to as the Herxheimer reaction. Candida die-off is more often than not a sign of successful treatment of candidiasis, but most people aren’t aware of this fact. This often leads to confusion and anxiety as people expect symptom improvement and to feel better during treatment but instead they end up feeling worse, which may result in abandoning treatment prematurely.

The sudden development or worsening of symptoms can be alarming, but the reaction is temporary and harmless and will usually run its course and resolve without causing further complications. However if a candida infection has not been adequately treated, worsening symptoms may be a sign of infection progression. This is why working with a medical doctor to treat candida is advised.When candida yeast cells die, they release around 79 harmful toxins including acetaldehyde, ethanol and uric acid. This flood of endotoxins causes the kidneys and liver to work overtime to try and remove them, and intensifies the symptoms experienced by the sufferer.

The symptoms of Herxing are often compared with the symptoms of seasonal allergies or the common cold, like headaches, brain fog, nausea and fatigue. To prevent the Herxheimer reaction, a doctor may suggest starting on a low dose of antifungal medications and probiotics and then slowly increasing it over time. The following remedies may also be considered when managing symptoms such s drinking enough water to flush out the toxins, eat enoughh fiber to keep the bowels moving, decrease stress levels, and take liver supporting supplements like milk thistle, molybdenum and glutathione.

Disclaimer: It’s crucial to consult with your healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen or when experiencing symptoms.