B. McRae

Swimmer -- Sorry you're having yeast problems. We have a long line of yeast problems in this family! I, like Copper, have heard that the vinegar makes it worse, but have not experienced that myself -- or maybe did not make a correct connection. Maybe it's because you aren't using honey with it. (See later in this letter.)

It sounds like this is occuring frequently... let's go somewhere besides blaming the vinegar (tho you don't want to eliminate that clue). Try, how much refined sugar do you ingest -- how much yeast bread - beer -- antibiotics - (i.e., things w/ yeast in them, or things that promote yeast) I am a "health nut" investigative reporter who has studied nutrition and the dietary and pharmeceutical causes of many maladies for 28 years. I've learned to (and you're on the right track) play detective, and snoop until my body agrees and says "That's it!"

It will help if you keep a journal. (That's how I beat approaching blindness and degenerative arthritis AND candida.) By the way, a nutrition M.D. in Fredricksburg, Texas recommends 1 teaspoon Cream of Tarter (from health food store) mixed into a glass of water, morning and nite for 2 weeks, to "get" the candida." (That beats EXPENSIVE Nystatin, and 6 weeks to quell!) Of course, if we continue to feed the yeast, it will keep coming back.

Yeast is so easy to feed! I like fresh goat milk, (I have goats) but borrowed some from a friend to make my great goat's milk ice cream (avoiding the chemicals and harmones in commercial stuff)and came up with horrific yeast infection. Reviewing all I had ingested -- finally called him -- yep! He routinely gives his nannies antibiotic when they kid. I was suffering from candida through the antibiotic in the goat milk!

You may want to consider the antibiotics ranchers routinely give their beef.

I'm learning to eat mostly foods that God made, and man hasn't adulterated! I've discovered that "Organic" is less expensive when you absolutely stay well (which I have for some 10 years, now.)

You mentioned "apple cider vinegar," but didn't say anything about "with honey," which the Vermont Folk Remedy book recommends. I've discovered that raw honey, straight from the hive is less apt to contribute to problems than the commercial brands off the grocery shelf, which seem to be 'extended' with refined sugars.

One warning to atheletes. A high school chum of mine was a handsome hunk, went on to become a dentist, kept in shape by golfing, running, etc. Very consciencous about his health, he hung out at health food stores AND listened to the latest from "conventional medicine." SO, he avoided salt, and virtually all fats for example. On his routine run before work one morning, he fell, unconscious into his mother's house which was on his route. He was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with "salt deprivation." He lived out his days in a semi-vegetative state, with brain damage from shortage of salt. His reaction resembled a stroke.

Keep swimming (another of my early youth loves) I'm rootin' for ya'!

I wish you well!

b