CANDIDA - THE MUSICAL!!! Pt. II, The Problem(s)(es)

So a Candida diagnosis - whether self imposed or from a health praticioner - gets a bad rap for about 4 reasons.

1.) It's the cause of so many symptoms, small and large - it just seems like a catchall explanation for so many things, how can that be right?

2.) The Candida sites on this here interweb are mostly run by crazies who want you to BE AFRAID! BE CAREFUL! BE WORRIED! and never, ever think you will be able to eat normal things again (and then they usually post a recipe for a "treat" like garbanzo bean breakfast cereal and you Want. To. Die.)

3.) The fact that allopathic medicine can't seem to wrap their head around systemic Candida as an actual syndrome - even when someone presents with endless vaginal yeast infections and ringworm. They don't have a test that they like - except when it's bloodborne, which only happens usually with people who are profoundly immuno-compromised (think AIDS or chemotherapy).

4.) Everyone loves bagels. EVERYONE. And if you have Candida, you REALLY love them. So the idea of giving up bread, sweets, all that stuff that makes life worth living seems beyond impossible.

My feeling is that you generally know if this is your problem. Sometimes you know it's your problem just out of the level of resistance you have to actually dealing with it. But if that isn't enough for you, here are some anti-fungals you can try. If it helps you to know for sure, then take these and if you have the suggested reaction, chances are right that yeast is your issue.

-Take 3 cayenne pills following a meal. If you have diarrhea, a sudden allergy attack about an hour after taking them, or a severe case of lethargy that almost feels flu-like, then it is likely that yeast is your problem. Heartburn does not count.

-Take one tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach. Again, if you experience diarrhea or flu like symptoms, then most likely, yeast is your deal.

-If you try a high quality pro-biotic and that seems to improve your, ahem, situation, then it is likely that your gut flora is imbalanced, which means, yup, too much yeast.

-The famous saliva test, outlined here is a great tool for self diagnosis. All it takes is some spit and an hour of your time.