Coming Back to Christ - for Depression, Anxiety, Chronic Pain & Insomnia

Depression, Anxiety & Insomnia

A Mindful Perspective or Coming Back to Christ

A new form of treatment for depression, anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain is growing in support and validity in the scientific community. What is being called Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy or MBCT after only 8 weeks is showing significant improvement in these conditions and reducing the risk of relapse - and it is all without drugs. MBCT is the fancy scientific term for what the layman calls meditation.

A Johns Hopkins University research review of 47 clinical trials performed through June 2013 among 3,515 participants that involved meditation and various mental and physical health issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, substance use, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and chronic pain, demonstrated very positive results far beyond what could be classified as a placebo effect.

“A lot of people have this idea that meditation means sitting down and doing nothing,” Dr. Goyal says. “But that's not true. Meditation is an active training of the mind to increase awareness, and different meditation programs approach this in different ways.”

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine, finds that mindfulness meditation may rival antidepressants in easing the symptoms of depression. Mindfulness meditation may not cure all, the research found, but when it comes to the treatment of depression, anxiety, and pain, the practice may be just as effective as medication.

My understanding is that the purpose of the process or practice of meditation is not to think of nothing, nor is it to think of one thing. Rather, as we sit, or lie down to meditate, we are to call our attention or focus back to the anchor we have chosen. One common anchor is the breath. We simply observe our breathing as we inhale and exhale. When the mind wanders, we gently shift our attention back to the rise and fall of our breathing. Some may choose a word, such as OM. By thinking, humming or chanting this OOOOMMMM, it can become the anchor with which to return when the mind goes elsewhere.

We know that this process of calling the mind back when you notice it has wandered or become distracted is what quiets the mind and reshapes the neuronal pathways in the brain. Scientific research has demonstrated that those who suffer from depression, anxiety, insomnia or chronic pain have a thickening in the area of the brain called the amygdala as observed with an MRI. After 8-weeks of meditation practice, participants not only reported improvement in symptoms but MRI follow-up demonstrated changes or a thinning in the amygdala region. It is thought that the thickness of the amygdala has a correlation with the persistence (like a positive feedback loop) of feelings of depression, anxiety, insomnia and even pain.

The study of neuroplasticity teaches us that changes in the brain can be dynamic and we are not stuck with how the brain may be or how it has developed.

Additionally, the new field of Epigenetic teaches us that a mere 5% of our DNA is being expressed at any time and we are not limited with the current expression of our DNA. As your environment shifts and changes, your DNA can adapt changing your brain and physiology to make the appropriate modifications. All of this simply means, we can change our brain, we can change our physiology.

During meditation, as your mind wanders or you become distracted, you may choose to employ another tool called Mental Noting. This is done by naming the distraction that comes to the mind. A general term such as this is a “thought”, “emotion”, “sensation”, or “urge” . You may choose to be more descriptive such as that is a “fear” or dog barking or foot itching. Mental noting gives the thinking mind something to acknowledge by naming it, which makes it easier to pull away and come back to your chosen anchor, rather than leaving the mind to its own devices (for example: escalating worrying).

Learning to control your mind by gently bringing it back is what is meant by mindfulness.

Developing a lifestyle of mindfulness or bringing back your attention can be practiced during all activities of life - at church, a boring lecture, etc. As we train our minds through a mindfulness meditation practice, we achieve better focus and concentration as well as calmness and peace.

Coming Back to Christ

Over the years that I have tried to learn to meditate, I have never found a practice that really resonated with me deeply enough that I have continued with the practice. I went through Deepak Chopra’s 6-day meditation workshop (20 years ago) as well as read books and to be very honest, it was often so immersed in Ayurveda (the traditional health care practice of India) and the religions of India that as a Christian, I somehow felt that I wasn’t being true in my devotion to Christ.

Recently, I have renewed my pursuit of meditation, however with a focus on Jesus the Christ. What I have discovered is called Christ-Centered Meditation. The task is to reflect upon Jesus Christ. Some may choose a particular verse of scripture, others may reflect on his name repeating it as they would the OM sound. Personally, what I am doing is using a document entitled, “The Living Christ”, which is a written witness or testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ.

For me, I needed an anchor that held greater meaning and purpose in my life. As mindfulness or meditation is the spiritual practice of many throughout the world, for me, it is vital that this avenue of spiritual practice reflect my personal and religious beliefs.

This is how I do it. Again, this is just me, Kyle, and I am not suggesting that this is THE WAY you or anyone else should meditate or engage in your spiritual practice. As you engage in a serious practice of this you will discover what works best for you.

I set aside 30 to 40 minutes (with the intention that I want to meditate for at least 20). For me, it’s early in the morning before the craziness of the day begins. I will choose a phrase or sentence from The Living Christ to begin with, such as “He went about doing good, yet was despised for it” or “He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead.” I will repeat in my mind the phrase and visualize it. Soon, usually very soon, my mind wanders - “what’s the dog barking at” - then gently, without any judgment (like, Come on! Kyle focus! - can’t you stay focused for even 30 seconds!), I pull my mind back to my phrase and focus of Christ. I let my imagination take me to the life of Christ - I imagine Him healing the sick, teaching the people, and walking the dusty roads. Then I discover, I am thinking of the itch on my left foot. As soon as I realize I’m no longer with Christ, I gently come back repeating a phrase. Sometimes, I will read a paragraph or two. Sometimes I will repeat a phrase again and again, memorizing it.

I am accomplishing at least two objectives during this practice. Number One, as I continually return my focus to my anchor (Christ), I am retraining my brain so that it enjoys the full benefits of a meditation practice as documented in the scientific literature. As a result, I find a greater sense of calm and focus in my life.

Number Two, I am developing the spiritual practice of drawing closer to God and Christ. I believe that one of the purposes of the Holy Spirit is to testify of truth. This means that when a truth is expressed, I will feel a measure of spiritual confirmation of that truth to the degree of it’s importance in my life. For example, if I say “my shoes are brown”, I may feel a subtle impression that says - “well, sure, that’s true”. However, when I say, “Christ will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords.” - I feel the spirit say “YES! That is True!” The resulting benefit is that my faith is strengthened and I feel a greater connection to Christ.

Many who have enjoyed the practice of meditation have reported an experience that is referred to as “the gap” between the thoughts. As the mind fluctuates between the anchor (Christ) and the distracted thought (the dog), occasionally, you can experience a sensation where you are neither thinking or aware of either thought. This is said to be the space or gap between the thoughts. This is often where we experience profound calm or joy or feel at one with God or mankind. It is said that miracles occur in the gap between your thoughts. I know this all sounds metaphysical, but there is truth here. Particularly if you understand that one of the purposes of Christianity is transformation. As Paul put it, to become a new creature in Christ. Or to be renewed, born again or experience a mighty change. During meditation, you can receive deeply spiritual experiences of peace, comfort and answers.

My experience is that the practice of mindfulness (meditation) has more for us than simply pulling us out of chronic depression, anxiety or insomnia. It can become a vital part of our spiritual growth and development.

It can easily be practiced without tools, money or advisors. For example, when I struggle with insomnia, I have decided, as I lie awake, it is time to pray. It’s time to meditate. Heck, I’m not doing anything else anyways. So lying in bed, I gently (without judgment) call my distracted or racing mind back to my anchor - Jesus. When it comes to prayer, it has been said that we have one mouth and two ears. Use them accordingly. In other words, we need to listen twice as much as we vocalize our prayers. Mindful meditation can help us to listen as we call back the mind to our anchor.

Many studies have shown that this type of daily practice is just as effective as pharmaceutical drugs, but without the side effects (which for some are worse than the condition the drugs are taken for).

 8-Weeks Practice

So, if you are up for a challenge and an adventure, commit yourself to an 8-week experiment in mindfulness. Dig around and do some research on your own, but get started. You’ve got nothing to lose and peace to gain. As you experience the positive benefits, you just may want to incorporate this mindfulness meditation as part of your lifelong spiritual practice.

Here's another permutation of the concept. Many have reported angst, exasperation and anxiety with even the thought of having to set aside 20 minutes to do anything.  Here’s something that may help.

You don't need to necessarily spend a set amount of time. 2 Minutes. If all you have is 2 minutes - Come Back to Christ for two minutes - understand that your mind will wander 8 times during this two minutes - but the goal and the concept is coming back to Christ - NOT staying focused. Each time you become aware that your mind has wandered off - you bring it back to Christ.  It is the "becoming aware that you've gotten distracted AND coming back" that re-trains (actually entrains - the synchronization of the mind to an external rhythm - in our case Christ) the mind.

Want to super charge the experience?  Take Notes.  I promise you, God will not be offended if you bring a note pad and pencil to meditation or prayer.  Understand that the purpose of all of this - Meditation & Prayer - is to commune with God. Many times have I been given an insight, understanding, directive or revelation and said to myself - "I need to remember that" - and then of course, I forget.  Well take notes.  When I meditate or pray with the question "What Should I do?" answers come (you know for sure the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, when you begin to make excuses or rationalize why you don't want to or can't do what you are being told").  Anyways - take notes, write down your impressions. And yes - that still counts as your meditation and prayer experience. Don’t get caught up in with the clock.

Are you brave enough, Bold enough to try this for 2 minutes?  Two minutes is all it takes to get started and get a taste of this form of communion with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Blessings,

Dr. Kyle Christensen                                                                                                                          2016

Disqualified!

Disqualified!

I am seeing far too many who through their lifestyles are being disqualified from future service and goals. Many of you are getting older and the consequences of choices have turned into addictions (maybe addictions is too strong of a word and for you is reserved for substances of a more nefarious nature). But one of the most damning substances (using the word damn in it's literal sense of stopping progression or movement), is processed sugar. The most obvious culprit is the liquid candy called soda pop, but sugars including the artificial zero or reduced calorie ones are killing you.  But not outright, one organ or joint at a time.

I have often said, when I die, I want to die all at once, not one part at a time. Diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, many types arthritis are all examples of dying one part at a time.

 Sadly as the years roll on our health can gradually deteriorate until systems begin to hiccup and run less smoothly.

The challenge of course is change.  When it comes to food, people like to eat (and drink) what they like to eat, because that is what they like. Whether it is because of the caffeine that gives them a boost or the sweet taste of sugar, these addictions can have a hold not only on the body but on the spirit. 

Willpower alone is rarely sufficient in freeing ourselves from the grasp of addictions. (Oops, I used that word again - okay, you're not addicted you just really like the taste and could give it up any time if you wanted - yeah, we understand - wink - wink).

What I have found is that to truly break free and turn your health around, you may need to reframe your perspective and intent.  This is where the principle of sacrifice comes in.  In baseball, when you've got a player on third base eager to score the winning run, the player at bat is more than willing to sacrifice himself by hitting a pop fly into the outfield allowing the third base runner to tag up and score.  Was it really a sacrifice the batter made if the end result was winning the game?


So here's my point, when we make changes by sacrificing what we are currently doing, often we will experience far greater benefits in the grand scheme of things. 

Here's what I may suggest.  In ancient times, people would build an alter and sacrifice (often a prized animal) demonstrating to God their willingness to both trust and obey.  We likewise can metaphorically place our sacrifice our will or physical desires to God as an offering and show of our faith and trust that by giving up something that appeals to our physical body, we can reap benefits that are far greater in the big picture of our life - namely health and vitality that will allow a brighter future.

I promise that if you take your health issues (and the vast majority are of our own doing) and sacrifice to God our agency or will, we can receive his grace and strengthening power that can help withstand the temptations and give us insight and foresight to ward off what would normally cause our sinking back into self-destructive patterns.

By turning your health challenges into a spiritual endeavor (which is what it really is any way), we can draw upon our faith and spiritual commitment to garner strength to overcome our unhealthy tendencies.

I fear that too many may be disqualifying themselves from their dreams and anticipated futures because they have fallen victims to their taste buds.  But as with all sacrifices, by giving up and giving away those things which may be holding us back, we can become in line to receive a gift that is of far greater worth than the temporary fix we get from our vices.

Blessings,

Dr. Kyle Christensen
June 2016

Healing @ Home - Becoming the Grandma (or Grandpa)

Healing @ Home

 A Call for Grandma’s (and Grandpa’s)

What we really need, and I’m being serious here, is grandma’s, (and grandpa’s).  Hear me out on this.  In years gone by, when someone was sick, injured or had contracted a disease, professionally trained doctors were not always available.  As a result, people had to take it upon themselves for the vast majority of health related problems.  This care typically fell into the hands of those who were the most compassionate, patient, experienced and no nonsense individuals.  Who could that be?  You guessed it – Grandma! With a lifetime of experience, grandma (not all grandma’s but many) always seemed to have a remedy for just about everything. 

As years and technology pressed itself upon us, established authority, using tactics of fear and intimidation, began to undermine the confidence of many of the tried and true remedies of the past.  Most of our mothers were conditioned to take their kids to the doctor for a myriad of conditions that in times past were simply treated at home.  As a result, the health of our nation is in poor shape.  Those who are in positions of authority are driven by deep pockets urging, even demanding, the prescribed course of treatment, which is usually a drug.  While there are many in the medical field that are sincere in their intent to truly do what is best for the patient, the system truly is broken. 

I have seen some significant positive changes in the nearly 30 years I have been in practice as a chiropractic physician, but the greed/profit motives behind so many powerful organizations (medical, insurance, pharmaceutical, government and food processing companies) are corrupt and I am afraid beyond reform.

So this is where you come in.  If you’re a grandma (or a grandpa), GREAT!  If you are not, but you love a grandma, then you also qualify.  We need to learn as much as we can to take care of those we love.  We are not inviting you or even encouraging you to get involved in HEROIC Medicine.  When a life is at risk or teetering on the brink, heroic medicine is truly in order.  Get them to the emergency room for the lifesaving care that they may need.  What you want to be is an UN-HERO.  Someone who takes care of minor problems.  Those aches and pains, those minor injuries – the bumps and bruises.  The fleeting digestive pain.  The fatigue, the blues and ‘I just don’t feel good’ syndromes.  By taking care of the uneventful and mundane, little problems can be turned around before they become big problems and a crisis that needs a siren and catastrophic insurance reimbursement. 

We need Grandma’s (and grandpa’s).  We need your love, your wisdom and your no nonsense approach to life.  You’re life has not been an easy one. You’ve been there, done that and truly learned from the school of hard knocks.  We need to you learn natural home remedies.  We need you to learn to put your compassion and heart into your healing hands.  And then, we need you to teach your children and grandchildren, so they can become the grandmas of the next generation.  The world is not going to get better without you.  If you feel at all called to this work, please take it seriously.  I am convinced that the world cannot be saved without grandma.

Please check out our series of classes on Healing at Home.  These classes include the following:

1) Cold Laser Therapy at Home

2) Allergy Elimination at Home

3) Trapped Emotions, Energy and Angels

4) Herbal First Aid and Health Care

5) Healing in the Kitchen - What to buy, store, eat and how to make it.

Blessings,Dr. Kyle Christensen

Healing @ Home

Cold Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy is a relatively new technology (about 30 years old) when compared to many alternative therapies like acupuncture (which has been used since 8000-3500 B.C.), chiropractic (since 1895) and physical therapy. Just like the abacus evolved into the computer, many alternative medicine practices are evolving to include light therapy. Recent innovations in low-level lasers now make it possible for the average physician or consumer to own cold laser equipment. Cold lasers are sometimes called Low Level Lasers (LLL) or soft lasers.

In general, cold lasers can be used in 2 distinct ways:

• Targeting acupuncture trigger points (similar to acupuncture but without the needles)
• Broad coverage of deep tissue with laser photons to stimulate changes in the tissue

Cold Laser therapy offers a non-intrusive option to acupuncture and surgery. It also provides a non-addicting treatment that eliminates the complications of long-term drug treatment programs. Cold laser are widely use for treatment of:

• Acute and chronic pain
• Ligament sprains
• Muscle strain
• Soft tissue injuries

• Tendonitis
• Arthritis
• Tennis elbow
• Back pain
• Bursitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Warts
• “Suspicious” moles
• Acne or skin problems
• Wound healing

Healing With Cold Lasers

The cold laser produces an impulse of light at a specific wavelength that minimizes reflection and scattering but maximized absorption of the energy (in photons) at a desire depth.

The goal of laser therapy is to deliver light energy units from infrared laser radiation, called photons, to damaged cells. It is the consensus of experts is that photons absorbed by the cells through laser therapy stimulate the mitochondria to accelerate production of ATP. This biochemical increase in cell energy is used to transform live cells from a state of illness to a stable, healthy state.

Over 4000 studies have been conducted in recent years to validate the effectiveness of cold laser therapy. Cold lasers treatment systems may be cleared by the FDA.

Benefit of Cold Lasers

• Easy to apply
• Extremely safe
• Non-Toxic
• Non-Invasive
• No side effects or pain
• Cost effective for both the practitioner and patient
• Highly effective in treating ailments (more than 90% efficacy)
• Superior alternative to analgesics, NSAID's and other medications
• Reduces the need for surgery
• Works synergistically with other modalities like Chiropractic, Acupuncture, and Physical Therapy

General Therapeutic Laser Biological Effects

1. Increased Cell Growth: Laser photons accelerates cellular reproduction and growth.
2. Increased Metabolic Activity: Photons initiate a higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle loads for blood cells and thus greater production of the basic food source for cells, Adenosine Tri-Phosphate (ATP).
3. Faster Wound Healing: Cold laser photons stimulates fibroblast development and accelerates collagen synthesis in damaged tissue
4. Anti-Inflammatory Action: Laser photons reduce swelling caused by bruising or inflammation of joints resulting in enhanced joint mobility.
5. Increased Vascular Activity: Laser photons induce temporary vasodilation that increases blood flow to effected areas.
6. Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation: Laser photons reduce the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from: cuts, scratches, burns or post surgery.
7. Stimulated Nerve Function: Laser photon exposure speeds the process of nerve cell reconnect ion to bring the numb areas back to life.
8. Pain Reduction: Almost all systems have a mode of operation specifically designed to reduce pain.

Healing @ Home

Allergy Elimination

Like A Computer Virus

Allergies can be compared to a computer virus.  If you retrieve an email that is carrying a computer virus, that virus (a computer programs designed to cause problems) may lie dormant on your hard drive until something activates it.  It may be the change of the date or accessing a certain file or program.

 When the computer virus is activated, it can cause all kinds of problems.  To remedy this situation, you may need help from someone who is able to delete or remove that virus from your computer.  Once the virus is gone, when the date changes, or you access the program again, you will no longer have a problem or reaction, because the computer virus has been deleted and is gone.  Like a computer virus, an allergy is a faulty program that gets written into your immune system.  It will lie dormant until you are exposed to the triggering mechanism (pollen, corn, chocolate, etc.).  Once exposed, your immune system sounds the alarm and you have a hyper-immune response.  Allergies are nothing more than the immune system over-reacting. 

Of course, as we all know an over-reaction of the immune system can be life-ending.  If the immune system reacts rapidly and violently to an allergen, it is called anaphylaxis.  I am well acquainted with the deadly consequences of allergies, as it was the cause of my fathers’ premature death.  Allergies can range from a trifling annoyance to life altering disabilities. 

Going back to our computer analogy, there are two types of allergies, as I have learned to understand them.  The first I would call hardwired allergies.  Hardwired allergies a person is often born with that can cause the severe anaphylactic response.  Typical allergens that are hardwired in people can be things like peanuts, shrimp and bee stings.  The other type of allergies is acquired allergies, which I have compared to software computer viruses.  These are the allergies that are associated with hay fever, seasonal allergies, and most food allergies causing digestive upset or eczema.

If the body is able to create a faulty response (an allergy) to a normal substance, it makes sense that the body can un-create that abnormal response.  Many people who have suffered from allergies “out-grow” them.

This is because their body changes as they mature or their immune system gets healthier and reprograms itself.  I have discovered along with many others an amazing Allergy Elimination Treatment which can help the body change this faulty programming much quicker. This amazing treatment will be discussed later in this report.

Having Studied and practiced 3 separate allergy elimination techniques (NAET, BioSET, and Precision Meridian Therapy), I have been able to combine the best elements of each into a treatment method that is easy to learn and far more effective than each technique done individually.  I invite you to learn this powerful technique so that you can benefit and bless the lives of those within your circle of influence.

Healing @ Home

Emotions, Angels and Faith to be Healed

When we experience events in our life and do not have the support, experience or tools to adequately deal with often the subconscious will suppress or trapped an emotion.  Culturally, we are often encouraged to hold in or not show emotions such as grief, fear or anxiety. Emotions or feelings that are stuffed down and repressed don’t go away but will often manifest as physical, mental or emotional symptoms.  Ever feel how tight someone is across the shoulders.  Often the response is “Oh, that’s just where I hold my stress”.  That is my point exactly.  Holding on to stress, or any other emotion will affect your health and well being. 

Fortunately, there are some very effective ways to release these trapped emotions so that the body no longer feels it is necessary to hold them in.  The beauty of this treatment process is that we do not need to discuss the trauma, incidents or trauma that resulted in the trapped emotions.   In essence, we give the body the message or signal that we no longer want to hold on to any trapped emotion, grudge or negative feeling.  Through activating or stimulating acupuncture points, the body can begin to release those latent emotions.  Most often what is felt after a treatment is very subtle or not at all.  People report feeling lighter or freer than before. Often feeling light a weight has been lifted.  Occasionally, I will get a report that “I went home and cried for three hours, or I had the giggles all night.  I had one woman return the follow week asking “ What the heck did you do to me?!, I went home and was a little tired so I decided to lay down on my bed.  I woke up 23 HOURS later!!!  I hadn’t even moved on the bed.  It took me a while to discover I had lost a whole day!”  The same week another person declared, “Whatever you did to me gave me so much energy, I was cleaning the house until 3 in the morning!”.  I tell people to not expect anything, but should you experience something, just take a step back emotionally and say to yourself, “Hmmm, isn’t that interesting.”

We have learned that we are all energetic and electro-magnetic in nature, meaning that our chemistry and physiology and nervous system operates through positive and negative electric and magnetic charges.  As a result, we can be influenced from a healing perspective through the use of magnets, through rubbing or stimulating acupuncture points and through a variety of other types of therapies that are not intrusive or invasive to the well being of our bodies.  During this workshop, we discuss, demonstrate and learn how to influence our bodies to heal safely and effectively.

Many years ago, I was working on a patient using a technique called CranioSacral Therapy.  I had my hands on her head and after a short time she began speaking to me in a deeper guttural voice with an English accent.  Weird, I know.  She said “We are the boys” “We don’t want you working on Susan (not her real name) anymore.”  Well the hair on the back of my neck stood straight up!! I was totally creeped out, but decided to figure out what was going on.  I asked ‘the boys’ to let me talk to Susan.  “Susan”, I said, “It seems like something is going on here.  Like there are other spirits or personalities inside of you.”  She acknowledged that this was true.  I told her that we could work together to get them to leave.  Her reaction was direct and straight to the point. “If you make them leave, then I will be alone.”  With that she got up and left.  I never saw her again.

I have come to learn that we are not alone on this world.  There are powers and forces for both good and ill. And while there are negative and evil influences in our lives, it is important that we focus and move toward that which is positive and good.  In this workshop, we review how to get rid of or cast out negative or bad spirits or influences.  We also discuss angels.  What they are and how to work with them, not in a New Age sense, but as a follower or disciple of Christ.

Healing @ Home

Herbal First Aid and Health Care:

Medicine for a New Millennium

I wrote and had this book published in 2000.  My feeling was to provide an manual that could be used, just in case emergency medical help was not available.  While true emergencies may require trained professionals, this book is a guide that can be used to help a myriad of problems using herbs or natural therapies.

In our workshop, we learn how to make and the difference between an herbal infusion and a decoction.  We learn to make tinctures and ointments – there are a few secrets that make it much easier.  You will learn to make a poultice and a fomentation along with how and why you may use them.

Once you have walked through making some of these herbal preparations, it is not nearly as intimidating.  One of the keys to a healthy life and taking care of others is to focus on problems when they are minor and easier to work with.  Of course, injuries or acute illnesses must also be dealt with and herbal medicine and natural health care has much to offer.

We invite you to begin using Herbal First Aid and Health Care as you care for those you love into this new millennium.

Healing @ Home

Healing in the Kitchen

Truly, the kitchen is the key to health and vitality.  Health never was and never will be found in a supplement.  True health, real health can only be obtained the way our bodies were designed to enjoy it.  And that is with nutritious wholesome foods.

In this workshop, we will discuss, demonstrate and taste foods prepared in a healthy way that may be a little different that what you were taught.  We learn the importance of soaking grains – such as in making sourdough.  You will learn how to incorporate fermented or naturally cultured foods into your meals.  Creative applications of bone broth for rebuilding the digestive tract will be discussed.  All of this and much more will be centered around menus and recipes that are absolutely delicious. 

The key to health really is delicious foods like our great grandmothers made.  The food in a healthy diet is hearty, filling and nutritious.  We will share with you what, how and why we do things as we do.  It is not necessary to spend long hours in the kitchen.  Let us teach you how to work smarter, not harder and longer. 

With this class, we will share with you many of our favorite recipes. 

Stroganoff

Stew

Soups (egg drop, fresh ginger chicken noodle, miso, vegetable)

Enchiladas

Tamales

Chili Rellenos

Quiche – with four varieties of crusts

Sourdough (bread, pancakes, waffles, pita, foccacia, biscuits, tortillas)

Shepherds Pie

Fermented Vegetables

Eggs (easy and amazingly prepared)

Hummus

Baba Ganoush

Condiments (ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard, mayonaisse, chili sauce, salsa, sweet & sour sauce)

Rice pilaf

Mexican Rice

Bone broth soups

Cooking with stored foods

Most important, you will learn concepts and understand why and how to adapt your favorite recipes making them super healthy without compromising the great taste.  Seriously, the key is not recipes, but understanding why and how you make things.  We will demonstrate recipes that will teach the underlying principles of healthy cooking.

Healing @ Home

Herbal Remedies

A couple of years ago, I came to a realization that not only did I feel it important that my family and I prepare for hard time which may fall upon us, but I also desired that my friends and neighbor also be prepared.  If the power goes out, it is nice that we all have a warm blanket and loaf of bread, lest everyone flock down to the most prepared neighbor with asked hands. 

The same hold true to our natural herbal medicines.  I set a goal to have 500 gallons of herbal remedies dispersed through the homes of my patients, friends and family.  It has been gratifying to see the excitement of many learning how to make your own remedies and benefiting from their use.

Our Herbal Remedy Manual includes nearly 40 recipes with detailed instruction on how to make these formulas.  Learn to make herbal tinctures, ointments, syrups and teas that will greatly bless those you love.

Included are also my resources on where to purchase the herbs and supplies. 

Conclusion:

From our family to yours, we hope that you will have the desire to grasp the concept of Healing @ Home.  Whether you study with us or follow your own inspiration, it is our prayer that we all strive to do everything within our power to bless the lives of those within the circle of our influence and love.

Blessings,

Dr. Kyle Christensen

Manuals and tools are available.

Healing @ Home: Cold Laser Therapy

Healing @ Home: Allergy Elimination

Healing @ Home: Healing in the Kitchen

Healing @ Home: Emotions, Angels and Faith to be Healed

Healing @ Home: Herbal Remedies

Book: Herbal First Aid and Healthcare, Medicine for a New Millennium

Tools:  Allergy Treatment Vials

            Cold Laser

            Emotion treatment magnet

            Air Lock Lids – for sauerkraut

Our webpage is not quite set up to take orders, so please give us a call and we can assist you.

Candida Overgrowth

Could it be Candida Overgrowth?

We moved into our home, years ago, during the early spring with snow still on the ground. It was kind of exciting discovering our yard as the snow receded. As the green (mostly weeds) began growing we soon discovered we were infested with a weed known as puncture vine or goat heads (Tribulus terrestris).

 These weeds have the sharpest, nastiest thorns! They go right through your gloves, puncture your bike tires, and embed in the soles of your shoes (and yes – you must always wear shoes!).  I would pull out these noxious weeds and throw them in the garbage can – no composting for them.  Try as I diligently did to pull and eradicate every last one of these, next season they all seemed to come back seeking revenge for disposing of their forbearers.

About the third year into this, as I agonized over this situation (cause I’m a barefoot kinda guy), something came to my mind – (it had to be from God or one of his more compassionate angels) – “Kyle, plant Red Clover”.  "Humm", I thought, Red Clover is a great medicinal herb, a soft ground cover and has beautiful purple flowers (not red).  So I did and guess what happened? 

That blessed Red Clover came up first and so filled the ground that the darned old goat head got crowded right out. The root system of the Red Clover allowed no room for the puncture vine to germinate and come through.  Goat Heads defeated!

As I have pondered this experience, I understand that this same issue plays out in each of our bodies. We all have in our bodies the noxious weed known as Candida.  This yeast is in all of us to a greater or lesser degree.  Candida is a selfish creature who will take more and more of our body’s real estate resulting in a myriad of symptoms and demanding sweets and carbs to fuel it.  That is why the person suffering from chronic candidiasis craves sugar, is overweight and is usually insulin resistant.

Like ridding the yard of prickily weeds by crowding them out, so, too, we must crowd out the candida to truly heal. Because of this, most candida programs are both difficult and ultimately unsuccessful.  As you eliminate foods that feed the candida, you diminish in number, but the most virulent are the last to die.  When you slip up on the diet (and you will) – the strongest of the strong candida will come raging back intensifying the problem.

Candida Albicans is the most common type of a yeast infection that is found in the mouth, intestinal tract and vagina. It can also affect the skin and other mucous membranes. If the immune system is functioning optimally, this type of yeast infection is rarely serious. However, if the immune system is not functioning properly, the candida infection can migrate to other areas of the body, including the blood and membranes around the heart or brain.

Candida is not all bad, because it is a fungus that aids with nutrient absorption and digestion, when in proper levels in the body. When it overproduces, the typical candida symptoms may appear. In the digestive tract, left unchecked, it breaks down the walls of the intestinal lining and penetrates into the bloodstream. This releases by-product toxins and other toxins from your system, causing what is known as a leaky gut syndrome.   

When you body’s natural acid/alkaline or pH balance is upset, the candida can grow out of control, creating a systemic problem. Good healthy bacteria and a properly functioning immune system are essential when fighting this stubborn infection.

Candida Overgrowth Syndrome, or COS, is the term used when candida has grown out of control in your body. This is a chronic health condition that can last for years and even a lifetime. Individuals with a candida yeast infection (leading to a leaky gut) often find they develop food sensitivities, allergies or intolerances. The most common foods include dairy, eggs, corn and gluten.

Common Signs of Candida Overgrowth

Do you ever experience any of these health issues?

·      Cravings for sweets – You tend to NOT have a stop button when it comes to sweets

·      Exhaustion

·      Mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, bi-polar and seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

·      Inability to lose weight – no matter how much dieting and exercise

·      Bad breath

·      Crave cold foods

·      White coat on tongue

·      Brain fog, forgetfulness, and inability to maintain focus

·      Hormone imbalance – thyroid, PMS, Menopausal symptoms

·      Joint pain, arthritis

·      Loss or diminished sex drive

·      Chronic sinus and allergy issues

·      Digestive problems (gas and bloating)

·      Weak immune system

·      Urinary Tract and Vaginal Infections

These are just some of the signs that you may have Candida Overgrowth. Candida has also been classified in stages that may help you gauge where you are.

Of course, candida is not solely responsible for every symptom, disease or health complaint (as some authors suggest), but it can be a contributing factor. Candida albicans is an opportunistic organism, which means it is ever ready to take advantage of a weakened situation in your body.

Major Causes of Candida

Research from the Journal of Medical Microbiology suggests that Antibiotics may promote yeast infections, including gastrointestinal Candida overgrowth, and penetration of the GI mucosa.

Once conditions are right, candida will thrive and your general health will suffer. There are various causes that trigger or feed a yeast infection.

Common triggers are:

1.     Overconsumption of processed and sugary foods

2.     Refined flours and commercial (GMO)yeast

3.     Alcoholic beverages

4.     Corticosteroids and NSAIDs or any drug that may suppress the immune system

5.     Stress – from emotions and lack of sleep

6.     Exposure to candida via the womb and breastmilk if the mother has an overgrowth

7.     Heavy metals (via tooth fillings, vaccines, food, tap water)

8.     Artificial colorings, flavorings, sweeteners, and synthetic odors (i.e. perfumes, scented candles)

9.     Preservatives and synthetic ingredients in personal care products

10. Insufficient vitamin D

11. Chlorine (namely from swimming pools) & fluoride

12. Pesticides and herbicides

13. Anger, grief, frustration or any other negative emotion that you can’t shake

14. Consuming conventional animal products laden with hormones, antibiotics, etc. typically what you get by eating fast foods

15. Surgery, including dental and cesareans (a trigger for both mother and child) often accompanied by antibiotic use

16.  Oral Corticosteroids – asthma inhalers

17.  Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy

18.  Weakened Immune System associated with chronic disease or in infants or the elderly

All these create an acidic environment that encourages yeast growth and the presence of candida. Many people will use over-the-counter anti-fungal creams, but they only treat the symptoms, not the environment that allows candida to flourish. You need to eliminate the underlying cause in your diet or medication, restore your body’s pH balance and boost the presence of good bacteria.

Stage 1 Candida Overgrowth

Affects the mucous membranes of the body: Mouth,Nose,Vagina and Respiratory System.

1.     Cravings for sugar and/or alcohol

2.     Infant Colic, childhood and adult unexplained anger/rages

3.     Vaginal Yeast Infections

4.     Severe PMS

5.     Urinary Tract Infections

6.     Body Rashes

7.     Difficulty falling or staying asleep

8.     Eczema

9.     Acne

10.  Oral Thrush

11.  Allergies to: foods,chemicals,dust,fungus,yeast and/or molds

12.  Recurrent bouts of bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, strep or staph infections

13.  Gas (infant or adult)

14.  Bad breath and body odor

15.  Bladder Weakness

16.  Sun spots or liver spots

17.  Belching

18.  Heartburn

19.  Unexplained tooth decay

20.  Asthma – respiratory problems

21.  Mastitis – cracked nipples

22.  Rectal itching

23.  Persistent cough – more than weeks

24.  Nausea during fasting – or fasting causing headaches

Stage 2 Candida Overgrowth

Involves more generalized and chronic reactions. The symptoms that belong to Stage 1 are also present in Stage 2.

1.     Unexplained weight gain or inability to keep weight on

2.     Inability to lose weight no matter what

3.     Ear Infections or Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

4.     Chronic Pain, Muscle Pain, Joint Pain and Arthritis

5.     Headaches (including migraine)

6.     Fatigue

7.     Fibromyalgia

8.     Infant or Adult Reflux

9.     Endometriosis

10.  Dizziness/Vertigo

11.  Bladder Infection/UTIs

12.  Jock itch

13.  Nail infections

14.  Gluten intolerance

15.  Dairy (casein) intolerance

16.  Athletes' foot

17.  Celiac Disease

Stage 3 Candida Overgrowth

Stage 3 affects an individual on a behavioral and mental level. All symptoms that belonged to Stages 1 & 2 are also present in Stage 3.

1.     Inability to concentrate

2.     Serious forgetfulness

3.     Memory Loss

4.     Mental Confusion

5.     Not being able to think of words to say something

6.     Switching around of words and letters when trying to speak and/or write

7.     Loss of previous skills (such as:how to type or play piano)

8.     Irrational thoughts,Unusual fears, Phobias and Panic/Anxiety attacks.

9.     Muscle twitching

10.  Violence, Depression and Aggressive behaviors

11.  Epileptic seizures

12.  Infertility

13.  Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Leaky Gut or Crohn’s Disease

14.  Insulin Resistance and/or Diabetes

15.  Hypoglycemia

16.  Thyroid disorders – Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Stage 4 Candida Overgrowth

Also known as systemic yeast. It is possible to suffer from a complete shut down of multiple organs when you reach this stage. The symptoms that are present in Stage 1-3 are also present in Stage 4, but they will be more severe.

1.     Adrenal gland failure

2.     Endocrine system failure

3.     Severe Constipation

4.     Total Muscle Weakness

5.     Hives

6.     The Circulatory System may be swamped with so much yeast that the capillaries are clogged, causing HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, NUMBNESS OF EXTREMITIES, and EASY BRUISING.

7.     The person may run a low-grade fever, but the hands and feet will often be very cold

8.     Tachycardia (palpitations, irregular beats, mitral valve problems or heart murmur)

9.     In the Respiratory System, the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs may be packed with yeast so that the person cannot get adequate breath AKA asthma

10.  Boils

11.  Vomiting

12.  Neuropathy – numbness in hands or feet

13.  Autoimmune Diseases – Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis

14.  Cancer

15.  Alzheimer’s Disease, Senility, Dementia, Pre-senile Dementia

Stage 5 Candida Overgrowth

1.) Death

Sadly, Candida Overgrowth can spread throughout the entire body affecting every last cell. It causes all the organs to shut down.

Getting Rid Of The Candida Overgrowth

Candida Overgrowth is very easy to get rid of, it just takes some time. Depending on what stage you are in will tell how long you should continue with the treatment. There are many treatment options to choose from. You can choose to do one, or all of them. The more treatments you take part in, the faster you will get rid of your Candida Overgrowth.

How to Fight Candida

Just as we were able to get rid of the goat head weeds by crowding them out, so, too, candida must be killed and immediately replaced.  The digestive environment must be made healthy so that the good bacteria – the probiotics – can be established.  Most people who have had candida related health problems also have a leaky gut, which must be repaired.  As a result of the leaky gut, food allergies develop and must be treated and eliminated.

There are many candida cures that can be found, however, for lasting success and a return to good health, you must adhere to true principles.  Simply avoiding the foods that promote yeast growth as is outlined in many programs is not enough.  As soon as you cheat (even just a little) the candida will rage back with a vengeance.  This is what I recommend:

Goals of the Candida Cleanse Program

1.     Rebuild the Digestive Tract

2.     Kill the Candida

3.     Repopulate the gut with the good bacteria

4.     Detox the body, getting rid of the toxins from the freshly killed candida

5.     Ancillary Therapies: Allergy Elimination treatments, Far Infrared Sauna, Sweaty Exercises, Biologic Dentistry to remove heavy metals.

6.     Avoid Candida promoting foods and drink

7.     Eat nourishing heatlhy foods

The Candida Cleanse

Rebuilding the Digestive Tract

If you are in any of the advanced stages of Candida Overgrowth (2+), you are also suffering from a leaky gut and must heal and rebuild it.  This is accomplished by following principles set forth by the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) and the GAPS diet (Gut And Psychology Syndrome). The concepts taught help to rid the body of excess candida by providing the nutritional building blocks to re-knit the matrix of the intestinal lining which will provide the fertile ground as we introduce the healthy candida fighters (probiotics) found in fermented vegetables and probiotic rich foods.

Bone Broth

Start by making a bone broth made with added vegetables. [ If you are opposed to bone broth, which is by far our first choice, you can substitute a homemade vegetable broth from organic onions, garlic, celery, kale, kombu seaweed, sea salt and pure water.] Let simmer at least 12 hours and strain. God has blessed you with a crockpot for making broth! Discard the vegetables and bones and refrigerate the broth. Bone broth is high in collagen, minerals and L-Glutamine which will heal the gut.

Throughout the day, sip on warm broth. It’s imperative that you drink lots of water to help your body expel all the toxins in your system.

Continue drinking bone broth or soup made from bone broth as you heal the gut.  Bone broth is so healing and nutritious (and delicious!), you will want to add this to your families regular diet.

Steamed Vegetables

Mostly, eat fresh, organic vegetables that have been steamed. Keep away from any starchy vegetables like carrots, radishes, beets, sweet potatoes and white potatoes, which may contribute to sugar levels and feed the candida. Continue to drink plenty of pure water, a minimum of 64 ounces per day, to help flush the candida and by-products from your system.

By eliminating grains, sugars, fruits, starches and alcohol from your diet for three to five days, you can make great headway in your fight against candida overgrowth. Eating only steamed vegetables and drinking broth for the first 3-5 days (or longer if you are really sick or really serious) will give you a great boost in your battle towards health.

During this time, no more than once a day, you can eat salads made from leafy greens (like romaine) or bitter greens (like chard) and topped with just a bit of coconut oil (you can use fractionated – it is a liquid and will pour) and apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (both of which have an alkalizing effect).

Use bentonite clay to help surround the toxins and efficiently remove them from your system. Drink 1 teaspoon mixed with water.

Killing the Candida

There are many effective ways to kill candida. Candida is easily killed off, but it immediately comes right back. You may purchase a commercially prepared product such as those made by Garden of Life – Fungal Forte, Fungal Defense or Raw Candida Cleanse. These are all excellent products that contain herbs to kill the bad guys, as well as, provide the needed probiotics.

Other products to consider (you may use all or some of the following):

Herbs to crush and kill candida:

Garlic- Nature's antibiotic, but, it is also nature's anti-fungal, so the garlic will not kill the friendly bacteria like prescription antibiotics do. Consider cutting a clove into pill size pieces and swallowing. Work up to two fresh cloves daily. That is usually plenty.

Olive Leaf - Inhibits further growth of Candida.

Turmeric – best taken in capsule form with 16 parts turmeric and 1 part black pepper. Black pepper greatly magnifies the effectiveness of turmeric. According to the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, turmeric is a more potent anti-fungal agent than the anti-fungal drug, fluconazole.

Pau d’arco – Probably the most powerful herbal deterrent to candida.  Made into a tea with cinnamon is delicious.  Work up to 3 cups per day. Try a delicious combination of 6 parts Pau d’arco, 1 part Cinnamon, 1 part Spearmint.

Milk Thistle – this herb will help to detoxify the liver and ease the ability of the body to get rid of killed candida die-off toxins

Candida Recovery Formula – This is my own Herbal Remedy that can be made in our workshops or on your own at home.  The advantage here is you will make about 2 quarts of the tincture for about 20% of what it would cost to purchase at a healthfood store. This remedy contains Pau d’arco, Oregano, Basil, Lemongrass, Ashwagandha, Sage and Olive leaf. You will take 3 dropperfuls of this formula 3 times daily. There is not enough alcohol in this to cause any concerns.

Foods that fight Candida:

Coconut Oil- Contain an ingredient called Caprylic Acid. It is very effective. Work up to consuming 4 Tablespoons per day.  Coconut oil can and should also be used topically on areas of skin irritation.

Apple Cider Vinegar- Contains a natural anti-fungal ingredient called Malic Acid that is not found in other vinegars.

Carrot Juice- Has great antifungal properties.

Nuts, seeds, wild-caught fish and other foods high in healthy fat and protein will all fight candida. Soaked and dried nut are best - see our Crispy Nut recipe in our Healing in the Kitchen Manual.

Cultured dairy or fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kefir, yogurt, kvass. These foods will provide the good bacteria.  Be cautious with commercially made Kombucha because of it’s high sugar content. Good quality store-bought kefir and yogurt are fine. Read the labels for undesirable chemicals.

Green drinks – Green vegetables will help improve your immune response. Groundbreaking experiments conducted at Oregon State University reveal that chlorophyll, the plant pigment that's concentrated in green leaves, binds to mycotoxins, highly acidic waste products made by fungi and yeast, to block these toxins from entering the bloodstream.
Ground flax and chia seeds – Flax and chia seeds are anti-fungal. Grinding releases the healthy oils.
Unsweetened cranberry juice – Cranberry juice creates an acidic environment, which is unpleasant for yeast in the urinary tract. This is okay as far as acidity and candida are concerned, but only if it is unsweetened.

Clean Meat and dairy – organic, grass-fed is the best.

Essential Oils For Candida

The best essential oils for candida have anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties.  These oils include clove, oregano, tea tree and myrrh essential oils. These oils can be rubbed on your tummy once or twice daily.  You may also use a blend such as Butterfly Express’ Candila. Lavender oil also inhibits the growth of candida and is effective at preventing the spread of the infection. Also, for oral thrush, use three drops of clove oil with one tablespoon of coconut oil and swish in the mouth for 20 minutes.

Water – try for 8 glasses (1/2 gallon per day of purified water). Some of this can be coconut water (high in caprylic acid which is highly anti-fungal – that’s very good!)

Repopulating the Gut with the Good Guys

Prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates that probiotics can use to multiply their growth and fuel activity, akin to taking 2-3 times your probiotic dosage. The top common prebiotics are:

·      Bone Broth: by far the most effective and important prebiotic

·      Dandelion Greens

·      Garlic

·      Leek

·      Onion

·      Asparagus

·      Wheat bran

·      Whole Grains, including oatmeal

·      Banana

·      Flax and chia seeds

·      Soaked almonds. Soaking almonds in water in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours will remove their phytic acid (an enzyme inhibitor), making the nutrients more bio available. Sprinkle sea salt / Real Salt on them.

What Probiotic Should I Take

Certainly, you can do all of this without purchasing any manufactured supplements.  But most will do better taking some.  Mentioned early are the Garden of Life’s Candida products, which I highly recommend.  I would take an additional probiotic as well.   Taking a probiotic supplement is one way to insure you are getting enough and the right quality.  Choose a probiotic that has a minimum of 15 billion active cultures (also known as CFUs – Colony Forming Units) and at least 15 different strains of bacteria and one that is refrigerated. (One really good one is "Garden of Life Raw Probiotics, Women 50 & Wiser", which has 85 billion live cultures and 33 probiotic strains. There's also an equivalent "Men 50 & Wiser" one, and one for kids – the womens and mens are almost identical.). Find these at your health food store or you can purchase them from us.

I recommend getting probiotics from 3 different sources each day. For example, 1) Your quality supplement, 2) yogurt or Kefir – at least a mouthful, 3) Fermented Vegetables. We need an abundant and diverse array of probiotics to build a strong and healthy digestive tract.

Additional Supplements to consider

·      Vitamin C (1,000mg 3x daily)
Boosts immune function and helps fight off infections.

·      Vitamin D-3 (5,000 IU’s daily) – most people are severely depleted

Detox the body and get rid of toxins from freshly killed candida.

When the candida yeasts are killed, they are messy.  Cellular walls are broken and the innards or guts of the now deceased yeast are spewed all over.  It is important that the debris is cleaned up quickly and efficiently in order to minimize symptoms of “die-off” or what is known in the literature as a Herxheimer Reaction. When large numbers of yeast cells and parasites die in a short period of time, quick detoxification is difficult. As a result, yeast toxins enter circulation and can cause die off symptoms almost anywhere in the body.

Each person’s die-off reaction is different and can be unpredictable.

In some, preexisting symptoms are exacerbated; in others, new symptoms appear. For

those whose elimination pathways are clear and open, there are no die off symptoms at all.

Symptoms can last anywhere from several days to two weeks, often not starting until the third day of balancing yeast. Typical die off symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, greasy hair, stomach upset, gas, burping, vertigo, fatigue, brain fog, low grade fever, headache, sore throat, body itch, muscle and/or joint soreness or pain and feeling as if coming down with a flu as well as other symptoms.

To Reduce or Eliminate Die Off Symptoms

·      Doing a daily ORGANIC coffee enema gets rid of the yeast as quickly as it is dumping. A coffee enema should definitely be on your list of go to treatments if you experience die off. Green unroasted coffee if preferable, but roasted coffee also works to detox.

·      Drink 4-6 fluid ounces of warm or hot water every forty-five minutes

·      Take measures to have more bowel movements with herbal laxative supplements

·      Epsom salt or a baking soda bath (1-2cups of Epsom salt or ½ cup baking soda)

·      Probiotics and Enzymes: There are specific enzymes and strains of probiotics that assist with eliminating dead yeast cells. Garden of Life: OmegaZyme and Primal Defense are good choices.

·      Rest

·      Far InfraRed Sauna – 30 minutes daily if you have access to one.

·      Peppermint essential oil internally ( 1 or 2 drops in a cup of warm water)

·      Chlorophyll drops as needed – Nature's Sunshine has a good liquid chlorophyll.

·      ½ cup cooked brown rice daily. Try brown rice in a pressure cooker - Yummm!

·      Dry skin brushing before and after a shower stimulates your liver and helps your elimination pathways to open.

·      Grind a small amount of flax seeds in a coffee grinder until fine, light and fluffy, then stir a heaping tablespoon into a glass of lukewarm water, let stand for about ten minutes, stir again and drink on an empty stomach.

·      Increase your greens – Garden of Life: Perfect Food (Alkalyzing & Detox)

·      Go for a walk – breathe deeply and sweat.

·      If you do not effectively rid the yeast as it is dying off and dumping, it can possibly settle in other areas of your body, such as your joints and cause arthritis type symptoms. Yeast die off symptoms are a sign that the system’s eliminatory pathways are overburdened or as oftentimes happens, blocked. Individuals with elevated heavy metal levels may have special problems with yeast die-off reactions.

Herbs and Other Supplements to Reduce Die Off Symptoms:

Bentonite/Redmond Clay – 1 teaspoon mixed with water – 1 -2 times daily

Slippery Elm – 1 teaspoon mixed with water – 1 -2 times daily

Marshmallow Root - 1 teaspoon mixed with water – 1 -2 times daily

Taking a mixture of some or all of these herbs and supplements BEFORE you start your Yeast Herbal Regimen is recommended in order to prime your gut. Taking this mixture during and after the cleanse is very effective in treating die off symptoms.

NOTE:

If you do not effectively rid the yeast as it is dying off and dumping, it can possibly settle in other areas of your body, such as your joints. If you experience yeast die off symptoms and refuse to do an enema, I would recommend backing off of your herbal dosage.

This would mean that your road to yeast balancing will take longer and may be more difficult than had you done enemas. (Coffee enemas are the most effective, and you can look up online how to do those. They open the liver to dump toxins into the intestines.) You can order green, unroasted coffee online from Amazon.

Additional Therapies

1) Allergy Elimination – Much of how I help my patients is by performing a treatment to eliminate the body’s allergic response to foods or toxins that they are exposed to.  We tend to become addicted to the foods we are allergic to.  For example, the Candida within our bodies absolutlely craves and demands sugar.  As the candida breaks down the lining of the intestinal tract, we develop a leaky gut allowing greater sized particles of partially digested food into the bloodstream.  The immune system in the blood will after time begin to label these foods as allergens.  Once a leaky gut is developed, our immune system can become very good at labeling foods and chemicals as allergens.  Soon, not only are we allergic to sugar, but we are addicted to it.  We don’t have a stop button. Instead of enjoying one cookie or a small piece of pie, we crave more and more.  By treating to eliminate allergies, not only can we break the craving – giving us a stop button, but makes it easier to avoid those foods which are unhealthy and promote your feeling of ill health. 

Go to our YouTube Video to learn how to do these treatments at home.

2) Far InfraRed Sauna – Candida likes the cold and damp. By sitting in a far infra red sauna you can not only assist the body in detoxifying the body by mobilizing and  sweating out the toxins, but the warmth will assist in killing these bad boys.

3) Exercise and deep breathing – Circulation and movement are important.  Exercise and deep breathing – particularly for those of us who live in the dry deserts is very beneficial. Remember candida like cold and moist.  Dry and hot are not candidas friend.

4) Biologic Dentistry – for those will metal (amalgam fillings) in your mouth.  It may be necessary to have those fillings removed and replaced by a dentist trained and qualified in Biologic Dentistry.

5) Reduce Stress – Consider the Christ-Centered Meditation taught in previous email and on our Blog. Out of control stress, anxiety and depression create acid in the body, which promotes candida overgrowth.

Foods to Avoid that cause Candida

Sugar – Feeds yeast, so you should avoid it at all costs.
Fruit or fruit juice – Even though fruit is generally healthy, it can be high in sugar and can make candida worse. Fruit should only be eaten as a prebiotic (bananas) or with a meal (yogurt/fruit smoothie) but not alone on an empty stomach.

Junk foods and foods that contain artificial additives, colors, sweeteners, etc.

Soda pop (the elixir of Babylon). There really is no reasonable justification for consuming liquid candy. And yes, diet soda is FAR worse than the sugary stuff.
Alcohol – produces more yeast and should be avoided.
Food intolerances – Some yeast infections are due to food allergies. Try to avoid foods that cause negative reactions of any kind. If you think you have a food allergy or sensitivity, try an elimination diet to figure out what foods are causing intolerances.
Limit Grains – Gluten rich grains such as wheat, barley and rye should be avoided for now. Carbohydrate rich grains break down into sugar and can feed candida, yeast and bad bacteria. You may only need to get off the grains for a few weeks.

Processed and refined foods create the acidic environment that candida and other diseases need to survive. Replace foods high in gluten, sugar and high-fructose corn syrup with fresh fruit and vegetables.

Peanuts, mushrooms and aged cheese can be avoided.

So What Can I Eat?!!

Your Diet

This is a diet to not just discourage candida; it’s the diet to help you rid your body of candida!  It will be important that you listen to your body as you eat.  You will get a sense if something is not agreeing with you. If you introduce too much starch, carbs or sugar too soon, you will need to back off. 

The first step of the diet is to boost the immune system, the elimination of sugar, alcohol and refined carbohydrates. These items all depress the immune system – 70% of your immunity is controlled or mediated by the digestive tract. These refined carbs are contributing to the growth of the candida in your system. You cannot restore your body to a healthy balance unless you eliminate the favorite foods of candida and yeast.

Eat organic vegetables, including carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale and asparagus. According to ancient Chinese medicine, warm starchy vegetables support the spleen in clearing candida from the body. While we don’t recommend these vegetables during the beginning “cleanse” stage (the first two weeks), the regular candida diet includes warming fall vegetables that nourish the spleen, such as sweet potatoes, yams, peas, beans, lentils, carrots, beets, corn, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, acorn squash, zucchini, yellow squash, rutabaga and pumpkin. These should be the main sources of carbs that satisfy your cravings for sweets as well. Avoid canned beans (green bean, black beans, etc.)!

What about grains? Some grains like quinoa, barley, teff, sorghum and amaranth and a starch, like corn can help to dry the overly damp gut, so one serving a day (no more!) of those grains can work for most people with candida. Brown rice can be eaten one half cup per day to help detoxify.  Avoid grains such as wheat for at least the first month. Listen to your body as you re-introduce foods. 

GREENS! Greens will help to alkalize the body preventing and reducing candida’s ability to multiply and thrive. Mold, fungi and yeast attach onto the green's molecules (chlorophyll) and help to sweep them out of the body efficiently, thereby reducing die off symptoms. Raw or cooked greens are good, but you may choose to supplement with a greens product containing  things such as wheat grass, barley grass, chlorella and spirulina.  Garden of Life:  Perfect Food is a great choice to take a scoop 1 to 3 times daily. There is no limits to greens unless you have pre-existing kidney stone problems.

Meat: - you need to stay away from grain-fed animals.  (Grass fed beef, buffalo, lamb, or wild game. Poultry such as chicken and turkey). Fish is good – especially oily fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines sardines. Eggs are good. No lunch meats or processed meat (including bacon and ham unless it is nitrate/nitritie free).

Dairy: Cultured dairy such as yogurt, kefir are good - store bought is okay.  Cheeses should be avoided. Some hard cheeses can be added later, but stay away at first. Processed milks such as rice, soy, and almond are generally loaded with added sugar.  Make your own rice or almond milk but avoid soy in every form.

Nuts & Seeds: Very good, except peanuts. Soaking in brine and drying until crisp are best as they break down the phytic acid, which can agitate the digestive tract. But chances are you will be able to handle the roasted or raw nuts you purchase.

Sprouts: These are wonderful, but only if you sprout them yourself. Grocery store sprouts are known to contain mold.

Fermented Vegetables are wonderful. Make your own or purchase in the refrigerated section. No canned or processed. Check out our YouTube video at KyleChristensenDC on making your own fermented vegetables and sauerkraut.

Apple cider vinegar is good.  Processed vinegar (such as distilled or red wine) create acid and should be avoided.

Try adding some Miso to your bone broth. Super Healthy! Purchase at your Asian Market.

Oils: Extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, fish oil, ghee, and other healthy cold pressed oils. Canola, Corn, Soy, Safflower, etc. are not healthy and should be avoided.

Protein shakes are acceptable – Try Garden of Life’s Raw Meal.

Cold foods shouldn’t be consumed more than once per day. Don’t have a gut-friendly smoothie on the same day you have a salad. Your candida gut will heal most from warm nourishing foods. Candida likes cold and damp. Promote warm and dry.

As with any food, it’s always important to monitor how you feel after eating a meal when you have candida. Some people who suffer stomach distress after eating any kind of starch, for instance, should avoid starchy vegetables like corn, peas, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkin, squash, zucchini and yams. Instead, they should eat non-starchy vegetables — typically the flowering parts of the plant — like lettuce, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, spinach, onions, peppers and tomatoes. You may need to take digestive enzymes with your meals to help your digestion.  Many also take enzymes on an empty stomach (1 hour before meals) to reduce inflammation in the body (Enzymes on Empty is an old trick for relieving arthritis).

Also, keep fruit intake low, as well as, natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey.

Watch our YouTube Video on making your own Fermented Vegetables – easy and delicious!

Fermented Vegetables contain microflora (probiotics) that help to protect the intestines. Regular consumption can help improve the immune system, making the body less hospitable for candida. Begin with a half-cup per day of sauerkraut, kimchi or other fermented vegetables as part of a new eating plan dedicated to bringing your body back into a healthy balance.

The candida diet helps to provide beneficial bacteria, regulate appetite, and reduce your cravings for refined carbohydrates and sugars.

An Overview of the Candida Cleanse

This sounds like a lot of work. Well, it is.  But for those of you who have struggled for years with your health, this is what you may need to do.  Understand, that once you are healthy, it will be much easier to maintain good health and you will not need to be so strict.  No, you won’t be able to eat junk and uncontrolled amounts of unhealthy sweets, but you will be able to eat whole natural foods and healthy natural sweets. Understand that God gave you taste buds that specifically taste sweetness.  He wired those taste buds to the pleasure centers in your brain.  Because He did this for us, He has provided the perfect sweet foods for us to enjoy: fruits, honey, maple syrup, etc. There is so much in nature that is deliciously sweet.  That will be your future.

Follow a 14-day regimen effective for stage 1 and 2 overgrowth. More advanced stages will take longer.  But you should definitely start feeling better and like you are on the right tract within a couple of weeks.

Here are the basics:

Then:

1.    Bone Broth and steamed vegetables will be a staple.

2.    Herbs: Take Candida Recovery Formula 3 dropperfuls – dropperful equals 30 drops), 3 times per day  AND/OR Fungal Forte (Raw Candida Cleanse or Fungal Defense) 2-3 capsules twice daily.

3.    Take Slippery Elm, Marshmallow and Bentonite Clay to absorb toxins

4.    Take 2 cloves of Garlic daily (cut and swallow)

5.    Work up to drinking 3 cups of Pau d’arco tea daily. A headache will let you know if you've had too much. No headache with 3 cups means your really cleaning the toxins out.

6.    Coconut oil – work up to 4 TBS per day – put it on vegetables and in your food. Use it topically as needed for rashes or skin irritations.

7.    Eat prebiotics – bone broth is not just for the first couple of days, but is a part of a healthy lifestyle.  On the days you can’t get bone broth, use 1 TBS of gelatin powder in water or in your smoothie.

8.    Probiotics: Take at least the recommend dose that's on the label of probiotic, but I typically like to double or triple the dose. Take one pill source and 2 food sources daily.

9.    Take Vitamin D3 (5,000IU’s/day) and C (2,000mg/day).

10. Greens: Take the recommended dosage of a good greens supplement, although again, I like to double it. Eat salad with apple cider vinegar and olive or coconut oil. Also greens in a smoothie with yogurt, blueberries and a banana.

11. Rub on essential oils. Soles of your feet and tummy are best.

12. Follow recommendations for reducing die-off symptoms.

13. Treat for allergies, use sauna, walk, deep breathe, meditate/pray and get the metal out of your mouth.

14. Avoid the food that feeds candida or that gives you symptoms.

15. Eat foods that promote a healthy digestive tract. Eat whole natural foods and pay attention to your digestive tract.  Did you eat something that gives you brain fog or bloats?

This program should give you the tools to rebuild a healthy gut and restore your energy.  One reason you cannot lose weight is because the candida is releasing a constant stream of toxins in your body and the fat we carry is a survival mechanism to insulate you from these poisons. 

This program is infinitely easier than traditional candida diets and programs.  However, as you can see, it requires work and effort. Expect to see results within days to two weeks.

Blessings,

Dr. Kyle Christensen

March 2016