Last Updated on November 27, 2023 by Cathy
Having multiple sclerosis (MS) means you have a leaky gut and possibly Candida. A leaky gut is when your gut lining is damaged and creates openings. This allows undigested food particles and bacteria to pass into your bloodstream.
Over time this creates chronic inflammation throughout your entire body. You may notice it as another health problem. Such as constipation, depression, nail fungus, skin issues, and some cancers. Conventional doctors don’t see leaky gut as a problem.
I once asked my family doctor about having a leaky gut and she brushed me off as if it wasn’t real. A leaky gut is real. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, said thousands of years ago…
“All disease begins in the gut.”
There are many things you can do right now to heal your leaky gut, such as:
- Eat a nutrient-dense diet with LOTS of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices
- Digestive enzymes
- Good quality sleep
- L-Glutamine
- Light exercise
- Probiotics
- Remove stress
You may also like to read Tips to Heal Your Leaky Gut
However, if you have yeast overgrowth (Candida) you need to deal with it first. Everyone has a little bit of yeast in their gut but it’s when it grows out of control that it becomes a problem.
Candida also contributes to having a leaky gut. Candida is an aggressive pathogen that takes over when it finds an opportunity. People with MS or people with poor gut health are good targets. Candida also produces toxic byproducts (mycotoxins) which further weaken your immune system.
Byproducts of candida:
- Acetaldehyde
- Ammonia
- Utica Acid
Acetaldehyde
Acetaldehyde is a known neurotoxin and possibly a carcinogen (the formation of cancer). Higher levels of can leave you with feelings of intoxication. Such as fatigue, headaches, nausea, unbalanced, and vertigo.
When the liver becomes overwhelmed by toxins, it releases them back into the bloodstream. Acetaldehyde also creates a vitamin B1 and B3 deficiency. Vitamin B1 is important for brain and nerve function. Vitamin B3 produces serotonin which affects your mood and sleep.
High levels of acetaldehyde symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Brain fog
- Decreased sex drive
- Depression
- Feeling sluggish
- Moodiness
- PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
Chronic Candida
As Candida grows it punches its way through the gut lining. This creates a leaky gut wreaking havoc throughout the body. Our detoxing organs such as the liver can’t work properly and Candida begins to attack our tissues. Including joints, muscles, nerves, skin, etc.
“It is clear that dysbiosis of the fungal mycobiome can cause as much havoc in our body as dysbiosis of the bacteria microbiome.”
– PubMed
As you can see, as long as you have chronic Candida there is no way your gut will be able to heal. The first step to healing your leaking gut is to remove the underlying cause. Whether it’s your diet, chronic stress, or candida.
Symptoms of Candida:
- Athletes foot
- Autoimmune diseases (MS, Lupus, Type 1 Diabetes, etc.)
- Digestive issues (bloating, constipation, diarrhea, etc.)
- Fatigue
- Nail fungus
- Oral thrush
- Seasonal allergies
- Skin issues (acne, eczema, hives, psoriasis, rashes, etc.)
- Sugar cravings
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Candida Overgrowth
Image by Tomasz Proszek from Pixabay
You don’t want to remove all of the yeast but you do need to get it back to normal levels. The first step to treating candida overgrowth is to starve it. Candida feeds on sugar, all kinds of sugar. It doesn’t matter if it’s from food, drinks, or from higher levels of blood sugar.
If you are always stressed your blood sugar will always be higher feeding Candida. Learn some techniques to help manage your stress. Such as reading, walking, listening to music, yoga, or meditation.
If you’re a diabetic and have very high levels of blood sugar you need to work on keeping your A1C level lower. I’m not a diabetic so I personally don’t know the struggle. But, my son is a type 1 diabetic and I’ve seen the struggles he has gone through.
A1C is a test that measures your blood sugar levels from the previous three months.
I was curious about what my A1C was so I went and got a blood test to find out. Instead of going through my doctor, I used an online lab which was very easy to use. I used Health Testing Centers, there’s also Walk-In Lab. My test results came back showing 5.3. My functional medicine doctor said that was a good level. Dr. Terry Wahls, author of The Wahls Protocol, recommends 5.2 or lower.
- Normal: below 5.7
- Pre-diabetes: 5.7 – 6.4
- Diabetes: above 6.4
Stop Feeding Candida
Photo by Christina Branco on Unsplash
As I mentioned earlier, sugar is what feeds candida. Obviously, you should stop eating sugary treats, soda, and fruit juices. It also means stop eating processed foods, they are full of hidden sugars.
You also need to cut out alcohol, condiments, mushrooms (they’re a fungus), and any foods with yeast. Also, limit starchy vegetables and fruit. Especially high-sugar fruits like bananas, cherries, and grapes. Berries are lower in sugar. Load up on vegetables to feed the good bacteria in your gut. This will give your gut a better chance of healing.
Kill the Candida Overgrowth
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
Now it’s time to start killing the Candida overgrowth and heal your leaky gut. There are prescription drugs but they are harder on your liver. Plus, doctors aren’t willing to prescribe these just because you asked. Herbal antifungals are the best route to take.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) –
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is acidic in nature, and when consumed, it can contribute to creating a slightly acidic environment in the gut. The main component of ACV is acetic acid, which gives it its sour taste. When acetic acid is ingested, it can lower the pH of the stomach, making it more acidic.
Ann Boroch, author of the book “Healing Multiple Sclerosis,” advises against the consumption of vinegar except ACV. She suggests that vinegar may have a detrimental effect on the body. The rationale behind this perspective often revolves around the acidity of vinegar and concerns that it could disrupt the body’s pH balance or exacerbate inflammation.
Coconut oil –
Coconut oil or caprylic acid. It has an antimicrobial property that breaks down the yeast cells causing them to die off. You can use coconut oil to cook with, with deodorant, toothpaste, soap, and for oil pulling.
Oil pulling is when you swish 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil in your mouth. Work up to 20 minutes each day to remove bacteria and Candida. – Don’t spit coconut oil down your sink because it will harden and clog your sink. Instead, spit it into your garbage.
Herbs –
Garlic, ginger, oregano leaf, and turmeric (curcumin) are excellent antifungals. You can use them as herbs or take them in supplement form.
Lemons – they are low in sugar. And they are antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal. They also have electrolytes which means they hydrate the body and regulate nerve and muscle function. Squeeze lemon on your food, use it as a salad dressing, and squeeze it into your drinks. I drink 16 ounces of lemon water first thing in the morning daily.
Pau d’arco –
Pau d’arco is an excellent antifungal. It’s made from the inner bark of a tropical tree. You can take it as a supplement, tea, tincture, or as a powder. Pau d’arco tea tastes bitter and it does take some getting used to but it’s worth it.
After I had a urine test to check for mycotoxins I discovered I had an extremely high level. I then went on a low mold diet cutting out foods that were higher in mycotoxins.
You may also like to read: Are Mycotoxins Holding You Back From Healing?
Unfortunately, tea bags are higher in mycotoxins. That’s when I decided to start buying pau d’arco powder instead of tea bags. I like to add 2 heaping tablespoons as I’m making my morning green smoothie. I can’t taste it at all – yay!
Supplements –
There are many supplements that help kill Candida overgrowth. Buy one from a reliable company and one without gluten, soy, GMOs, or other additives. Before I realized I was sensitive to coconut I often used Candida Cleanse. It includes caprylic acid, berberine, garlic, and oregano.
Quick Links To Information In This Post:
Anti-Inflammatory Diet For Beginners
Tips to Heal Your Leaky Gut
Beef Bone Broth
MS And Candida Overgrowth
Reinoculate Your Gut Bacteria
This is very important as you reduce candida and heal your leaky gut. If you skip this step without adding good bacteria to your gut all your hard work is for nothing. You need to get into the habit of eating fermented foods, and fiber-rich foods to feed the good bacteria. You should even consider taking a probiotic.
It’s best to start with, literally, small bites to get your body used to the probiotics then slowly increase the amount. Then incorporate it into your diet often. Before you know it’s something you’ll do without having to think about it.
In the End
It’s unclear if a leaky gut comes first or if candida does. But when candida begins to grow it overtakes the good bacteria in your gut. Eating a low carb diet and taking antifungals will starve out the yeast overgrowth and lead to better health.
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