Question:I have two inquiries. First, based on your extensive experience, is there a link between chronic candida overgrowth and PTSD, and if so, what solutions do you recommend? Second, what’s your stance on using molasses during a candida diet recovery, especially given its magnesium content? I’d appreciate insights on both topics.

Certain factors like chronic stress affect the gut-brain axis, which influences immune function. Dysregulation of the nervous system causes dysbiosis of our body’s microorganisms and play a big part in our overall health. We are just recently understanding the impact of trauma and stress on health. Living with PTSD can disrupt the normal balance of good bacteria and fungi including an increase in candida because the microbes respond to the host’s nervous system. Candida, sugar addiction, leaky gut and other symptoms might be linked to trauma. Studies have shown Candida, a pathogenic opportunistic yeast can wreak havoc in the gut via inflammatory toxins which then becomes systemic by crossing the intestinal barrier due to leaky gut and eventually can reach the delicate blood-brain barrier creating brain inflammation, and thus deeply affecting our nervous system. Stress already causes inflammation which can become chronic in cases of trauma or PTSD. It is essential in this case to address the nervous system to heal past trauma and balance the gut microbiota for good with behavior and thought process modification.

One of the most effective methods is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) which is a type of cognitive therapy that teaches how to live in the moment and develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate emotions, and improve relationships. A prescription of low dose naltrexone can also help to bring inflammatory markers down while increasing serotonin levels. A high quality Omega-3 like CanXida’s Omega 3 Plus can help decrease brain and systemic inflammation by restoring proper fatty acid balance. Other useful ways to calm the nervous sytem include meditating daily and doing a cleanse to address parasites, candida, and bacteria that create dysbiosis. Repopulate with probiotics to bring back balance. CanXida Remove and Restore are an effective treatment for this.

Question: I am Day 29 of a Carnivore diet and it’s helping with my Candida issues, however I can’t tolerate Canxida Cleanse, I’ve tried to start taking it 5 times during the last month and each time it causes me to flare badly. I’m not sure which ingredient it is. I’m also taking Nystatin (Day 5) and Oregano Oil, which all seem to help.

When large numbers of yeast like Candida are rapidly killed, a die-off (Herxheimer reaction) occurs and metabolic by-products are released into the body. This often occurs when introducing antifungal or probiotic supplements into your regimen. When these cells die, they release many toxic compounds like ethanol, uric acid and acetaldehyde. Your endocrine, immune, and nervous system can all be affected and it can also cause severe allergic reactions and inflammation. This happens because our detoxification system (liver, kidney, bowels, lymph) is overloaded and can’t clear them fast enough. In this case it is important to slow down your treatment and reduce your dosage of probiotics and antifungals. You can start dosing with half a tablet of CanXida Remove every other day and wait at least two weeks to increase the dose and/or introduce probiotics. Second you can help by adding a liver-supportive supplement like milk thistle, turmeric or dandelion. I recommend taking breaks between introducing any new dietary changes, probiotics, or antifungals. This is the safest, easiest method to beat your Candida.

Allowing enough time between each phase of the plan allows your liver to adjust and prevents too many Candida toxins from being released at the same time. When following a Candida protocol is also essential to keep hydrated to help kidneys clear out toxins. Because the carnivore diet has no fiber, your bowels will have a hard time getting rid of excess Candida toxins so I recommed including a fiber supplement like psyllium 10g/d for 4 weeks. It help heal leaky gut and also binds to toxins in the intestines to clear them out. Make sure to get adequate rest and sleep since this can impact your immune system and take a vitamin C supplement to support adrenal gland function and immuninity on the carnivore diet.

Question: Any other recommendations for treating a non-verbal, autistic boy with yeast issues since birth, other than the Remove and Restore products?

The best way to control the amount of yeast in the GI tract is through diet. This is because candida feeds on sugar and simple carbohydrates. An anti-candida diet involves reducing or avoiding added sugars, highly-refined carbohydrates (especially any products made with flour), red and cured meats, and dairy products. These diets have suggested beneficial effect in ASD children and there is more evidence of their effect on Candida growth and gut health. Candida overgrowth has been linked with GI problems and affects ASD behavioral symptoms. Treatments that include changing the microbial composition in the gut may decrease Candida overgrowth, and help reduce GI problems and autism symptoms.

There is evidence suggesting beneficial effects of a sugar-free diet, probiotic supplementation, and antifungal therapy in children with ASD (PMID: 35054136). Certain herbs like caprylic acid grapefruit seed extract, oil of oregano and Pau D’Arco found in Remove work effectively to kill yeast cells. Enzymes and probiotics can also break biofilms around the yeast, making it easier to target and kill which can be found in CanXida Restore. It is important to support the immune system with vitamins and minerals which will help the body fight yeast. These include selenium, zinc, vitamin D and B vitamins. Finally it important to adress intestinal permeabilty. Treatment options include sticking to a strict gluten-free casein-free diet, since there is evidence they can cause intestinal permeability. Supplements that help repair damage from leaky gut, include glutamin acid, slippery elm and golden sea root. CanXida Rebuild is formulated to help with intestinal barrier repair and support gut immunity. Other factors that contribute to gut dysbiosis besides diet include antibiotic use, elevated oxalates and metal toxicity so wroking on minimizing these will also prove useful.

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