Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I've currently been on a paleo diet for a straight 38 days (all through august), and this month I am following a strict whole30 diet (this is day 7). While on the paleo diet, I was still eating fruit and paleo-fied baked goods, lot's of meat and eggs, and plenty of veggies. I was constipated. 7 days ago I started taking a probiotic (ultimate flora critical colon) and now I have vaginal irritation, and it feels like I have a yeast infection coming. The probiotic solved my constipation though.

Before the paleo diet, I suffered from chronic yeast infections and basically candida overgrowth. I didn't have any problems during my 30 days of paleo...but now that I cut out all forms of sugar (including fruit), all nuts and seeds...and started taking a probiotic...I get a yeast infection?

Could this be die-off symptoms? I'm seriously at my wits end with this. Any insight would be helpful!

flag	asked Sep 7 2011 at 13:08 Mandie 41●1●2

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I always hear lots about potential die-off with probiotic treatment. problem is, how to tell whether it's the throes of die-off or yeastacular victory? – Rockgrrl Sep 7 2011 at 17:14

White Dolemite · Answer 1 · 2011-09-07 13:58:28Z UTC

My candida problem didn't start reversing (no matter what I did or took) until I STARTED EATING A LITTLE STARCH AGAIN. I currently get about 20% of my calories from roots and tubers (mainly skinless white potatoes). Why? Well, some speculation on my part to follow, but this post over on the Perfect Health Diet blog talks about how zero carb diets can induce mucus deficiency:

http://perfecthealthdiet.com/?p=1077

And my guess is that gastrointestinal mucus plays a role in proper immune functioning, and with mucus deficiency, our bodies may not be able to fight off the candida as well. (The article does talk about how mucus deficiency can cause constipation.) VLC diets can also raise cortisol (at least in some folks). High cortisol can kill off friendly bacteria and contribute to candida overgrowth. What I can tell you from my own personal experience is that I never felt more miserable in my life than when I spent months 100% Paleo compliant, and the addition of a modest amount of starch saw my constipation disappear, my body begin to fight off the candida on its own, and I started sleeping much better at night (along with increased energy, concentration, memory, etc.).

Jules K · Answer 2 · 2011-09-07 13:28:00Z UTC

Sorry to hear that, that really sucks :( How long have you been sugar free? It could take some time for things to clear up. I was having some persistent lady-issues last year and I think this probiotic helped- http://www.jarrow.com/product.php?prodid=391

BaconHealsChic · Answer 3 · 2011-09-07 15:46:03Z UTC

Hi Mandie...

It could be die-off but I don't really know. Just wanted to say I know from personal experience that the PEARL YB in the pink box works really well for both constipation and yeast/bv. You might wait a few days and see if yours does the trick.

primalpat · Answer 4 · 2012-11-18 00:11:15Z UTC

Forget "paleo-fied" baked goods. Pretend they don't exist. Eat real, nourishing food. Eat liver at least once a week and plenty of animal fat.

I agree with eating a little starch for the same reasons that White Dolemite suggested. Candida can feed on ketones as well as sugar!

Find A.D.P. by Biotics Research. It's an emulsified slow release oil of oregano tablet. I take two with meals, 3x a day. Within a few weeks, the white film on my tongue was gone and itchiness down south vanished. Then start on a good probiotic.

And look after your adrenals! If they're exhausted, it's a very good reason why you may have candida.

adrenalfatigue.org

OOOOOOOOOOH I AM SO LAME. This is an old post.

I'm going out now.

Amanda · Answer 5 · 2011-09-07 13:32:21Z UTC

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Stick with it.. the lack of starches and sugars will give the bacteria nothing to feed on. And I have been told plain yogurt on the irritation will help but I have never tried it myself!

answered Sep 7 2011 at 13:32

Amanda
9●1

plain yogurt indeed works wonders for your vag yeast infection (though not curing the underlying systemic issue of course). soak a tampon/menstrual sponge in it and leave in overnight, for as many nights as you need. (one or two was always enough for me.) you can use a pad during the night as well to soak up the yogurty leakage. – Rockgrrl Sep 7 2011 at 17:12

Probiotics and Yeast Infections

5 Answers