Has anybody ever heard of Sjogrens or other autoimmune disorders being caused by an overgrowth of yeast? I have had problems with yeast since I was very young, and to tell you the truth, I am getting tired of it! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/yawn.gif


I have recently been diagnosed with Sjogrens, and one of my doctors has suggested to me that an autoimmune disorder such as sjogrens can be triggered by an overgrowth of yeast in the body. He did Candida blood tests, but they did not show anything significant. Also, my sjogrens blood test was borderline, but based on a physical exam by a rheumy, plus the borderline positive results, and my symptoms, I was diagnosed with it. However, even though my Candida blood test results were not really anything to write home about, he has still got me using a pretty significant dose of an anti-fungal medication called Nystatin (it's harmless, as long as it is 100% pure, with no side effects that I know of). It can't hurt. I am using it every which way possible. Orally, nasally, and a few other ways which I don't care to mention. Use your imagination.

What I want to know is, has anybody ever heard of yeast/candida triggering an autoimmune disease, and could this be my problem, even though my blood tests were not positive for yeast/candida? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I am presently self-treating an autoimmune condition. Yeast overgrowth, along with several other factors can lead to autoimmune. I found an amazing book called "The Detox Solution" that has educated me on all the causes of autoimmune and how to cure it. Your chances of recovery are far greater if you apply all of the treatments rather than addressing only the yeast overgrowth.

Thanks, I will have to look into getting that book. There is also another wonderful book, in case you are interested, called The Yeast Connection. It talks about yeast and the connection it can have to all sorts of illnesses.

purple2067:

Did you know that a good digestive enzyme product taken on an empty stomach will help get rid of yeast.

JimmyRay

JimmyRay:

Like what? I take both Acidophillus and Culturelle daily, in the morning, usually before I eat. Is that what you mean by a digestive enzyme? I also take lactaid, which is also a digestive enzyme, but I don't think that is what you mean! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks,
Elyse

Elyse:

Lactaid is a digestive enzyme, but not the right one to help break down yeast. Probiotics can be helpful but not even close to digestive enzymes. The product I take which comes from a company called "The Health Nuts" looks like this:

75,000 HUT Protease Digests protein into amino acids
15,000 SKB Amylase Digests complex carbohydrates
5000 LU Lipase Digests fats and denatured fatty oils
200 CU Cellulase Digests fibers from soluble sources
100 SU Sucrase Digests complex sugars and starches
250 DP Maltase Digests disaccharides to monosaccharides
500 Lac U Lactase Digests lactose or dairy sugars
100 GDU Bromelain Digests protein
15 MG Ionic Minerals w/Alfalfa


When you take a good enzyme product like the one above on an empty stomach... you will help clean up the bloodstream... including yeast.

JimmyRay

You should check out the Body Ecology Diet (BED). IT's a book but it also has it's own website and message board. Basically though it focuses on just what you want to get rid of...yeast.

It tells you to utilize "cultured" foods, meaning yogurt, Kefir, and a variety of other foods produced from the friendly bacteria found in yogurt. Also Kefir is just like yogurt BUT only more nutritional and with a high CFU of probiotics.

Not all probiotics are effective. but thier job is to get rid of yeast infections, system yeast, creating B vitamins, increasing nutrient absorbtion, and pushing out the "evil" bacteria, among other things ;-) Like I had mentioned earlier, not all probiotics are effective so you need to know how to shop, here's some things that I think will help you (you should check out the acne board for more info/testimonies):

Natren is ONE of the leaders in this field and they are the ones that I take. Unfortunately different Companies and Doctors have different theories on product formulation & handling, hence the "effectiveness". There doesn't seem to be many books on the subject (at Barnes or Amazon), and of those that are, some are written by Natren's founder. However, some companies claim to be just as good or better than Natren. They don't offer superstrains and they don't always supply in the 10 of billions. From my research, I know these are the main things in question:

Delivery: Freeze dried powder/capsules, tablets, liquid, refrigerated, room temp, heat resistant, etc... (What is going to keep this product potent & stable?)

Potency: (utilizes an effective delivery system and should provide a guarantee of the # of CFUs) Which strains of bacteria are significant? I've found a dozen different strains (I know there are more) some companies combine a few while others sell only one specific strain. All have different descriptions/functions but some are touted to do the same things (be our miracle worker).

CFU: (represents the number of colonies) Is several Million enough, several billion, or more? Some feel that by adding more than neccessary you will push out the bad bacteria. Others feel that by providing an abundant amount of bacteria, hopefully some will survive to reach the colon. While others feel that too much of a foreign substance continuously will cause our bodies to attack it. Would human specific strains be considered foreign???

FOS: (some use this to enhance the growth of certian good bacteria colonies). This is one type of sugar substance (could this cause a yeast infection???) that is used alone as a Prebiotic to possibly enhance the good bacteria inside or as a combo to ensure that the good bacteria you are ingesting has the nutrients to survive. Some companies don't believe in it's use.

Patent: some companies feel that human specific strains are neccessary. Others have created super strains. Others have created heat resistant strains. Which is best?


All of the above can effect how the well probiotics work for you (or not work for u). Of course some of these companies wouldn't still exist IF their product didn't have some effectiveness. The prices vary on these products but some offer an enzyme or multivitamin combo which would eliminate our need for a seperate product. Also do a web search to see who sells these products for less (they are out there). So here's some other companies/products that claim they are also excellent:

Dr. Ohhira's Probiotic Formula--(patented heat resistance/growth process, multivitamin combo)

CFSN--CFS Nutrition (has FOS, refrigeration necc.)

Custom Probiotics--(sells superstrains in bulk)

Friends For Life (100 Billion CFUs)

Life Track-- by Conklin (4 Billion CFUs, FOS, Refrigerated, Combo)

Kyolic (stable at room temp, offers combos)

This is my summary of results from Friends for Life:
Cheapest per 100 Billion CFUs (desceanding order):

Friends For Life
PB8 Probiotics
Natural Factors

CFU Billions per capsule (at least 10 billion per capsule in declining order)

Friends for Life
Natren's Healthy Trinity
PB8 Probiotics

There's also Elixa and Primal Defense that offer SBO (soil bacteria organisms) but while animals can utilize them, I'm not sure if those are good for us (some definately aren't).



[This message has been edited by SweetJade1 (edited 08-16-2002).]