:: Step 6: Food and Fitness Planner

Cracking the Gut Health Code: Detox From Oxalates, Recover From Candida, Save Your Gallbladder, and Balance the Microbiota

By Kelly Burris, PhD, MBC

Disclaimer: This page is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided on this page should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Always seek the advice of your doctor or another qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. This website or its use creates no physician-patient relationship. For example, stopping an antidepressant or PTSD medication should only be done under the prescriber's supervision.

Test Do Not Guess: The Top 5

If any of your numbers on the Burris Gut Health Checklist are a 5 or above consistently for more than 30 days, you must find a Functional Medicine MD who can order the following tests. After getting these tests, you will have enough data to move forward with correcting your dysbiosis and rebalancing the microbiota.

1.      Oxalate Acid 24-Hour Urine Test: Even though there are results for oxalates in the NutrVal test, this one is considered the gold standard and the one I prefer. The below test was taken after being on a low oxalate diet for 33 months, and as you will see, the Reference Range is 3.6 to 38 mg, and my score was 70.1. Oxalate dumping is, at best erratic, so it is possible to get a false negative, but all three tests I took were out of range. Before taking a test, I recommend going low oxalate for at least 30 days. Low oxalate means less than 50 mg or oxalate daily.

Kelly Burris: Oxalate Acid 24-Hour Urine Test

2.      Vitamin D Test: I did this test through Quest because it is oddly not included in the NutrVal Test. The test below was done when I took 20 to 40,000 IU of D3 daily. I have since reduced it to 10 to 20,000 IU daily and will get retested. D3 is critical to monitor, as you will find reading on.

Kelly Burris: Vitamin D Test

3.      Comprehensive Stool Sample: Several labs will do this, but Genova has refined its testing over the last few years, and most insurance companies will cover it. You will want to discuss this with your MD. The bottom line is that you need to evaluate your microbiota comprehensively. My before and after are listed below.

4.      NutrEval: NutrEval® is a blood and urine profile that evaluates over 125 biomarkers and assesses the body's functional need for 40 antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, digestive support, and other select nutrients.

Kelly Burris: NutrEval

5.      1001 IgG Food Antibodies Profile: The IgG and IgE Antibody Panels are blood tests that measure antibodies to commonly consumed foods and environmental allergens. Removal of the reactive foods often results in the resolution of symptoms. Of course, a carnivore diet is the ultimate elimination diet, but even so, it is essential to know which foods may be causing an issue. Your MD can also use this panel to determine if you should test for leaky gut. As you will see, I was well within range.

Kelly Burris: 1001 IgG Food Antibodies Profile

There are many more tests I would like to recommend, like an insulin test and SIBO test, but these are the absolute musts. Your functional medicine practitioner can determine what other tests you may need based on these tests.

Oxalate, Nutrition, Glycemic Index, Food Intolerances, and Measuring Tools

·        Oxalate.org: It is critical that everyone has a full understanding of oxalates and measure their intake. This site will enable you to calculate your oxalate intake, which should not be more than 150 mg per day.

·        MyFoodData.com: This site has several useful tools other than the stock nutritional tools. One I use is the Nutrient Ranking Tool. This tool enables you to select a nutrient and a food category to find the largest amount of that nutrient per the selected food. You can also simply select all. This is very useful when attempting to lower histidine. Histidine can be decarboxylated to histamine by histidine decarboxylase [5].

·        USDA: Considered the gold standard for food data, but I prefer how MyFoodData.com is laid out.

·        GlycemicIndex.com: The Glycemic Index enables you to determine how fast a food is turned into glucose. This is also important to determine possible inflammatory foods.

·        HowMany.wiki: The primary tool I use on this site is the Volume to Weight Converter. This is an important tool when detoxing from oxalate.

·        Food Intolerances: This App covers FODMAPs, Histamine, Lactose intolerance, Fructose intolerance, Sorbitol intolerance, Salicylate intolerance (or aspirin intolerance), Gluten intolerance, celiac disease, and Multiple Allergy Profiles.

·        Monash FODMAP App: The Monash app is FODMAP only, but they do this very well.

·        High Lectin Foods: This is a list by Dr. Gundry. There is no information on how he compiled this list, but Dr. Gundry is the super geek on lectins.

·        Bristol Stool Form Scale: This scale establishes the guidelines for how your stool should look.

The Synergistic Trifecta of Gut Homeostasis

The synergistic trifecta of gut homeostasis consists of the gastrointestinal stem cells, intestinal mucosa, and gut microbiota. If any of these components is disrupted, it affects the other; therefore, all must be addressed simultaneously.

Gastrointestinal Stem Cells

The gastrointestinal stem cell produces all the adult cell lineages of the gastrointestinal mucosa and is thereby perceived as the most important regulatory element in gastrointestinal function [3]. Stem cell regeneration is the very foundation of recovering normal gut function. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a significant part of the stem cell equation because cannabinoid receptors are attached to the stem cells, and cannabinoid signaling regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival [4].

Intestinal Mucosa

Inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by cycles of mucosal injury and ulceration [1]. My question is, can any bowel disorder that may lead to over one hundred forty autoimmune diseases happen without a mucosal injury? I believe that, in most cases, the answer is no. The medical literature regarding DBS/IBS is unclear but should be absolutely clear because one of the basic functions of the mucosal layer is the capacity to provide adequate containment of luminal microorganisms and molecules while preserving the ability to absorb nutrients [2].

Gut Microbiota

A breach in the mucosa can exacerbate immune reactions toward the microbiota. [2] What this means is once the mucosa is breached, the immune system will attack the microbiota. My Genova Comprehensive Stool Analysis indicated a very low diversity of bacteria.

With the importance of this trifecta made clear, I established a protocol to heal the gut and clear the remaining symptoms. Some people can heal by changing their diet, some can heal with probiotics, and others can heal without doing anything and letting the autonomic regenerative processes of the mucosa bring them back. However, an intervention is mandatory for those who have become ill or severely ill and cannot escape the disruption of the self-perpetuating cycle of the mucosa and microbiota. This cannot be stated emphatically enough, especially with anorexics who may have gotten to the point of not being able to eat because of a severely damaged intestinal mucosa. 

Oxalic Acid, Candida, Bile Sludge/Gallstones, and Histamine

Oxalate acid, Candida, bile sludge/gallstones, and histamine represent a self-perpetuating mechanism for a disrupted microbiota leading to various disorders and diseases. People do not usually think of the liver and gallbladder when rebalancing the gut, but this is definitively part of the equation and must be effectively addressed.

1.      Oxalic Acid

Oxalates are the most insidious of all plant toxins in that it is the only plant toxin that can accumulate in virtually every tissue of the body [6]. There are two primary ways to become poisoned from oxalates: endogenously (internal) via metabolism or exogenously (external) via the diet. Endogenous poisoning is usually from a rare genetic disorder.

Oxalic acid is a plant compound that is ubiquitous in the plant kingdom. It can damage tissue and ultimately slowly kill you if you engage in large amounts of superfoods such as spinach, chocolate, swiss chard, or almonds, among many others. However, several factors other than eating large amounts of this can make one vulnerable to this toxin embedded in your bone and tissues. Humans should not eat more than 150 mg of oxalates per day. This recommendation goes down to less than 50 mg per day if you have experienced kidney stones. If you eat more than 150 mg of oxalates per day, the question is not whether you are poisoned but how poisoned are you.

Oxalate Poisoning Mechanisms

Escherichia coli are commonly found inside the nidus of calcium oxalate kidney stones and may play pivotal roles in stone genesis [7]. Candida albicans and Escherichia coli are also believed to be synergistic pathogens [8]. This is why some, like Great Plains Labs, believe it is Candida that causes excess oxalate accumulation. In other studies, a higher-than-usual concentration of oxalate was found to be inhibitory to many gut microbes, leading to dysbiosis and enabling commensal Candida to be converted to its pathogenic form [9].Once initiated, either mechanism becomes self-perpetuating and may eventually kill you unless you have a means of disrupting it. Death may not be directly from oxalate poising but the resulting disorders and diseases from being poisoned.

The question is, once either one of these mechanisms is initiated, how do you interrupt them and rebalance the microbiota? To be clear, oxalates are not the devil. Oxalates are produced in the liver as part of our metabolic processes. It binds with heavy metals and minerals and carries them out of the body. It only becomes problematic when there is an excess accumulation.

What Makes You Vulnerable to Exogenous Oxalate Poisoning

·        Stress

·        Antibiotics

·        Pharmaceutical or Illicit Drugs

·        Ingesting Excessive Amounts of Oxalate Rich Foods (More than 150 mg per day)

·        Inflammation

·        Alcohol

·        Inflammatory Foods

Systemic Manifestations of Oxalate Disorders [10]

Joints   

• Arthritis
• Chondrocalcinosis of the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints
• Spinal stenosis
• Synovitis
• Tenosynovitis
• Bursitis

Kidneys

• Acute tubular necrosis
• Interstitial fibrosis
• Nephrocalcinosis
• Kidney stones

Heart    

• Arrhythmias
• Diastolic dysfunction
• Valvular abnormalities
• Impaired ejection fraction
• Infiltrative process

Skin

• Livedo reticularis
• Acrocyanosis
• Papules and nodules on the face and digits
• Non-healing ulcers

Eyes      

• Retinal oxalate deposition

Nerve and muscle          

• Axon loss and Demyelination
• Polyradiculoneuropathies

Teeth   

• Periodontitis
• Jaw bone and root resorption
• Dental mobility
• Bone marrow    
• Erythropoietin stimulating agent resistant anemia

Bones   

• Fractures
• Pseudofractures
• Sclerosis
• Cystic bone changes
• Dense metaphyseal bands
• Increased bone density

Many more diseases and disorders are linked to oxalate, including breast cancer. Even though I had many of the symptoms listed above, I had many more listed below. This is also why I list oxalate dumping as the first consideration when initiating a flexible carnivore diet.

Oxalate Dumping

Oxalate dumping or purging is a release of oxalates that has been stored in body tissue when the body detects that there are low no oxalates being consumed. If poisoned with oxalates, it is recommended that you slowly reduce the amount of oxalate you are eating by 10  percent per week. Planning which oxalate foods you will leave in to slow down this process is essential. I ultimately found that 3 rounded tablespoons of organic sprouted buckwheat flour at approximately 8 milligrams of oxalate per tablespoon were adequate most of the time. If needed to curb heart palpations and bladder pain during a heavy purge, I would add a tablespoon of organic cacao, which is 25 milligrams of oxalate. The biggest takeaway from this process is that there is no linearity to the purging process. It can occur any time of the day or night and at varying intensity levels. I found myself continually adjusting the amount of oxalate I was eating to match the intensity of the dump to reduce the symptoms. To call oxalate dumping a brutal, horrifying nightmarish process would be a profound understatement. Because oxalates, Candida, and bile sludge are self-perpetuating mechanisms, it was initially impossible to tell which one was causing the symptoms. However, I decided to focus on the candida infection and bile sludge and found out that oxalate dumping was not the direct cause of the horrendous symptoms. One cannot fully appreciate this until you have lived through it, and even then, it is difficult to get your head around the fact that the foods you were told were healthy superfoods your entire life is doing this to you.

My Oxalate Dumping Symptoms

• Kidney Stones
• Gallbladder and Liver Stones
• Bile Sludge
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Suicidality (Suicidal Thoughts)
• Exhibited symptoms of ALS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Aphasia, and Multiple Sclerosis
• Vertigo
• Skin Peeling off Lips
• Increased Gait Abnormalities
• Axon Loss and Demyelination
• Arrhythmias
• Periodontitis
• Increased Chronic Fatigue
• Increased Brain Fog
• Plaque Build-Up on Lower Front Teeth
• Itchy Skin
• Large Amounts of Oxalate Crystals From My Eyes
• Excessive Ear Wax
• Dry Cough
• Itchy Throat
• Constipation
• Stiff Neck
• Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)
• Dizziness, Poor Balance
• Hyper Sensitivity to Light, Noise, and Odors
• Interstitial Cystitis (Bladder Pain)
• Enlarged Prostrate
• ED

Probiotics have been used to attempt to facilitate the breakdown of oxalates, but the results have been inconsistent [11-12].Oxalobactor is believed to be the primary gut bacteria for breaking down oxalates and one of the first to be destroyed when under stress or taking antibiotics. However, Oxalobactor was intact on my comprehensive stool test. I eventually tracked down the worst of my symptoms to Candida and Bile Sludge, both resulting from oxalate dumping.

2.      Candida

Candida Albicans is the most common form of Candida and can not be controlled until you get oxalates stored in your body within range. As stated above, Candida and oxalates are self-perpetuating mechanisms. This is one of the primary reasons, so many people report that it keeps coming back. This is not to say that medications like nystatin or antifungals will not work because they may if oxalates are not part of the equation, but most of the time, this is not the case. One can have a candida flare-up without oxalates, but it is highly unlikely that it is not part of the equation if you are poisoned with oxalates.

For Women: Recurrent Vaginal Candidiasis

If C Albicans were cultured from the vagina, it was always found in the stool. Conversely, if it was not isolated from the stool, it was never found in the vagina. These data are presented as an explanation for the recurrent nature of Candida vaginitis. Thus a cure for vaginitis would not be possible without prior eradication of C Albicans from the gut [13].It is estimated that 75% of females will have a yeast infection at some point in their lives.This completely discredits the notion that yeast overgrowth is primarily found in immune-compromised people.

Bringing the Microbiota Back Into Balance

With severe oxalate poising and consistent candida flare-ups, I tried everything except medication, and most of it worked initially, but Candida was very good at adapting. However, there is one thing that Candida cannot adapt to starvation via fasting. So the question was how to starve Candida without killing the host. After trying every form of fasting, I initially tried a 3-44 schedule of fasting. This translates to 3 44-hour fasts per week. It took about 9 days to kick in, but I passed large amounts of yeast for 4 months once it did. Even though this protocol was effective, it was unsustainable, so I switched to a 24 to 29-hour fast every other day. Keep in mind that you will have to maintain this protocol for as long as you are infected with oxalates which were years, as in my case.

Following are the three most potent yeast killers I found.

Top 3 Yeast Killers

1. Olive Oil

·        Oleuropein constitutes over seventy percent of the phenolic compounds found in olive oil and olive leaf. This is why it has gained a reputation as the best anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-aging, anti-candida, antiparasitic, and neuroprotective compound [14].

·        Oleocanthal rapidly and selectively induces cancer cell death. As with Oleuropein, Oleocanthal is an effective anti-inflammatory along with several other attributes, including Anti-Alzheimer Agent, Anticarcinogenic Agent, and Cardioprotective Agent [15].

·        Hydroxytyrosol reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, thus positively altering Metabolic Syndrome's key components [16]. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

An in vitro study showed that olive leaf aqueous extracts destroyed 15% of C. Albicans within 24 hours [155].

What to Look for When Purchasing Olive Oil

·        Organic

·        Extra Virgin

·        First Cold Pressed

·        Sourced From a Single Region

·        Use by Date: 1 Year Out Preference

·        DOP/POD: DOP stands for "Denominazione di Origine Protetta" in Italy or PDO "Protected Designation of Origin". For a particular area to be awarded the PDO/DOP status, it must be producing an outstanding olive oil and have a good reputation. For olive oil to qualify for the PDO/DOP name and logo, it must be grown, produced, and bottled in the designated area, but it must also meet strict requirements in terms of varietals, method of production, and overall quality. The bottom line is if you want the best look for DOP or POD designation.

·        Counterfeit Olive Oil: If you want a less expensive olive oil and you are unsure about the purity you are using, go to https://www.aboutoliveoil.org/certified-olive-oil-list to see if it has been tested for purity.

2. Crustless, Unsweetened Pumpkin Pie

·        Pumpkin Puree: Pumpkin has been shown to be antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hypotensive, and hepatoprotective [18].There is a concern for high lectins and pumpkins, but these are concentrated in the rhine and seeds of the pumpkin when you get organic canned pumpkin puree.  

·        Cinnamon: Cinnamon oil was found to be effective against nearly 50% of the Candida isolates [19].

·        Cloves: Clove oil was found to possess strong antifungal activity against opportunistic fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, etc. [20].

·        Ginger: Ginger extract successfully inhibited biofilm formation by A. baumannii, B. cereus, C. krusei, and C. Albicans. The minimum inhibitory biofilm concentrations (MIBCs) of ginger extract for fungi strains (C. krusei and C. Albicans) were greater than those of fluconazole and nystatin [21].

·        Nutmeg: Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) was effective against all endodontic pathogens, including C. Albicans [22].

Crustless Unsweetened Pumpkin Pie Recipe

·        One 15-ounce can of organic pumpkin puree

·        One tablespoon of pumpkin spice

·        3 whole eggs or 6 yolks

·        ¾ of a cup of heavy cream

Thoroughly mix the first 3 ingredients before adding the heavy cream to keep the spice from clumping, then stir again. I use a 9-inch glass pie pan and rub it down with butter or Ghee, so it is easy to clean. Next, preheat the oven or toaster oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30 minutes. Let it cool for 20 minutes after taking it out of the oven.

3. Coconut Oil

·        VCO is an antimicrobial and antifungal [24].

·        VCO is an antibacterial and antiviral [25].

·        VCO (virgin coconut oil) significantly reduces plaque and plaque-induced gingivitis [23].

3. Bile Sludge, Gallstones, and Liver Stones

Bile sludge is thought to be a precursor to gallstones and liver stones. I have experienced both, and I can tell you that this is indeed accurate. The bottom line is that bile sludge and gallstone composition were not understood until 2020 when advanced spectroscopic techniques were used to confirm that gallstones were composed of oxalate. There are many types of gallstones, but all have at least some oxalate [26].

Effects of Bile Acids on Neurological Function

Bile acids are synthesized from cholesterol and are known to be involved with the emulsification and digestion of dietary lipids and fat-soluble vitamins. Outside of this role, bile acids can act as cell signaling effectors. Bile acids are the end products of cholesterol metabolism and can contribute to hepatic, intestinal, and metabolic disorders [27].

Neuromyelitis Optica

Neuromyelitis Optica is one of the neurological autoimmune conditions linked to bile acids [28]. This was one of the multitudes of symptoms I had and am recovering from. The theory is that oxalate crystals travel down the optic nerve from the brain. This is why I am still flushing oxalate crystals from my eyes with water up to 10 times a day. The medical literature is not making the connection between oxalate and this condition nor how to reduce bile sludge effectively, which I will get into below.

4. Histamine

Histamine is an organic nitrogenous compound involved in local immune responses, as well as regulating physiological functions in the gut and acting as a neurotransmitter for the brain, spinal cord, and uterus.

Oxalate dumping and candida die-off cause the mast cells to release histamine. This, in conjunction with eating high histidine foods, can cause what appears to be histamine intolerance. I say "what appears to be" because there are virtually no MDs who understand the process of oxalate dumping and the results it produces; therefore, they label it histamine intolerance. In my opinion, it is histamine overload if you are dealing with oxalate dumping and candida die-off. Either way, histamine must be considered an essential piece of the oxalate candida equation.

The first thing that is prescribed is antihistamines, and this is usually without an accurate diagnosis. Histamine intolerance or overload symptoms are similar to some of the symptoms of oxalate dumping and candida die-off, so it just adds to the overall malaise. Diamine oxidase (DAO) is the enzyme that breaks down histamine, and I felt it was better to add a food high in DAO and reduce the amount of histidine I was eating [29]. Beef kidney is high in DAO, so I took it in freeze-dried capsule form. I was able to tell the difference, which sold me on the idea of freeze-dried animal organs. You do want to be careful about reducing histidine because it has been found to improve mental fatigue, cognitive performance, and sleep disruption [30].

The 3-44 or 3-24 Flexible Carnivore Diet: The Best Diet for Candida, Oxalate Poisoning, Inflammation, and Autoimmune Disease

The 3-44 or 2-44 Flexible Carnivore Diet consists of 3-44 hour fasts per week with 500 calories allowed on the fasting day or 3-24 hour water fasts per week and is primarily a meat-based diet. Working up to this must be implemented slowly because if you are severely infected with oxalates Candida and bile sludge, the malaise from this combination can be catastrophic. The Flexible designation of this diet is because it is not purely carnivore. This is because when the body detects low or no oxalates coming in, it will begin purging the oxalates stored in the body. This is why it is important to come off them slowly because oxalates are much more toxic coming out than going in. Also, it is extremely unpleasant when you add candida die-off and bile sludge caused in part by the dumping of oxalates into this equation.

What is the objective of this food? This is a question you must ask of any food you eat outside the carnivore diet. Following are the non-carnivore foods I kept and why.

·        Lemon Juice: I kept the lemon juice because the citrate helps break down the oxalates, and I use it to take shots of olive oil.

·        Seaweed: My metabolic test indicated low thyroid hormone, and my voice quality was bad. Seaweed is rich in iodine.

·        Sprouted Organic Pumpkin Seeds: Along with being antiparasitic and having a good mineral profile specifically a good balance of copper and zinc, pumpkin seeds seem to assist digestion. This is another high-lectin food; however, that must be sprouted.

·        Organic Unsweetened Shredded Coconut: I avoid the reduced-fat versions of this. Shredded coconut is the most potent parasite killer I have found and goes great with pumpkin pie.

·        Crustless Unsweetened Pumpkin Pie: One of the best candida killers.

Temporary High Oxalate Foods for Reduction of Oxalate Dumping Symptoms

·        Sprouted Organic Buckwheat Flour: Buckwheat is not a grain; it is a fruit with a low glycemic index and a good mineral profile. I used a little over an ounce daily to take down the oxalate dumping symptoms. Sprouting deactivates the lectins.

·        Raw Organic Cacao: I used this when I needed to increase my oxalate intake to lower symptoms significantly. I only used this when absolutely necessary.

Acclimation to this diet can take days to weeks to months, and you could very well heal yourself while implementing this. Unfortunately, this was not the case for me, but I do not expect everyone to be as severely infected as I was.

3-44 Flexible Carnivore Diet Safety

The 3-44 Flexible Carnivore Diet is, in essence, ADF or Alternate Day Fasting, and it has been found to be safe in several studies. It has, in fact, not only been proven for eating disorders but enabled improvement [31-32]. Anorexia is an exception to this if you are below a safe body fat percentage. Any diet protocol, in this case, must be under the supervision of your MD. ADF is the most studied fasting protocol I have found, and it has benefits that go far beyond killing yeast and rebalancing the microbiota.

A Short List of Other ADF Benefits [33]

·        ADF showed statistically significant reductions in weight and body mass index

·        ADF showed significant differences in terms of total cholesterol

·        ADF showed significant differences in low-density lipoprotein

·        ADF showed significant differences in triglycerides

·        ADF showed significant differences in fat mass

·        ADF showed significant differences in lean mass

·        ADF showed significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure

·        ADF had the same effect compared with the control group in aspects of high-density lipoprotein homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance and fasting blood sugar

Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that ADF is a viable diet strategy for weight loss and substantially improves risk indicators for diseases in obese or normal-weight people.[33]

Inflammation is at the core of virtually all diseases, and digesting food is an inflammatory process. This is why fasting is fundamental if you suffer from any digestive disorder.

Implementing the 3-44 or 2-24 Flexible Carnivore Diet

Implementation of this diet requires that you start slow with intermittent fasting. This means choosing an eating window of 8, 6, 4, or 24 hours. Anything past 24 hours is considered extended fasting. I started out with a 6-hour eating window and then moved to a 4-hour window called the warrior diet. I then initiated ADF once per week, then twice weekly. I was 30 hours into the second 44-hour fast at one point, and it felt like I was experiencing multiple organ failures, so I cut it short. However, I did pick it up the following day and kept going.

Fasting is tricky if poisoned with oxalates because fasting accelerates the exit of the oxalates from the body. The malaise can be pretty extreme, which is why you must closely listen to your body and continually adjust what you are doing. I was eating about 25 mg of oxalate daily to slow down the oxalate dumping, and I had to double it after starting this diet. Within two months, I was back down to 25 milligrams. I discovered that candida die-off and bile sludge symptoms were much more severe than oxalate, so I stayed focused on fasting.

3-44 and 2-44 Flexible Carnivore Considerations

·        Oxalate Dumping

·        Candida Die-Off

·        Bile Sludge

·        Fat to Protein Ratio

·        Mineral Balance

·        Supplements

·        Glycine Balance

·        Water

Fat to Protein Ratio

Even though there are some carbs in this diet, I still found it necessary to pay attention to the amount of fat I was eating. If constipation is an issue, then I was not eating enough fat. I did not eat just any fat. Vegetable oils (grain oils) were not a consideration.

Top 4 Fats

·        First, Cold-Pressed Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil DPO/PDO Designation

·        Organic Ghee from Grass-Fed Cows

·        Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

·        Organic Tallow from Grass-Fed Cows

·        Organic Butter from Grass-Fed Cows, if Tolerated

There are many more good ones; these just happen to be the ones I use.

Ending a Fast: Killing Candida, Flushing the Liver and Gallbladder, and Addressing Constipation

One to two hours before breaking a fast, I take 3 ounces of olive oil and an equal amount of lemon juice. Hitting Candida with olive oil after a fast is very effective, but this is not the only benefit of olive oil after a fast. Bile sludge is considered a precursor to gallstones, and this represents some of the most severe symptoms of oxalate dumping in the form of a gallbladder attack.

The most certain symptomatic manifestation of gallstones is episodic upper abdominal pain. Characteristically, this pain is severe and located in the epigastrium and/or the right upper quadrant. The onset is relatively abrupt and often awakens the patient from sleep. The pain is steady in intensity, may radiate to the upper back, be associated with nausea, and lasts for hours to up to a day. Dyspeptic symptoms of indigestion, belching, bloating, abdominal discomfort, heartburn, and specific food intolerance are common in persons with gallstones but are probably unrelated to the stones and frequently persist after surgery [34]. This is only one of the many reasons surgery does not make sense for most people.

Mineral Balance: The Synergistic 4

Magnesium, potassium, sodium, and calcium work synergistically. Oxalic acid binds with heavy metals and minerals. This is why close attention must be paid to this balance. It is difficult to accurately measure calcium and magnesium because the body will pull these two minerals into the bloodstream from bone to keep them in balance. The question regarding magnesium is, do I sleep well, and are my dreams clear and vivid? If the answer to this is no, sufficient magnesium may be an issue. 'Approximately 50% of Americans consume less than the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for magnesium, and some age groups consume substantially less'.203

Other comments on this diet suggest no issues regarding mineral balance, supplementation, or glycine balance. Everyone seems to agree on the fat-to-protein ratio and water and salt. Nonetheless, I addressed all these issues. I addressed all issues because, entering this diet, I had been battling Candida for over a decade and was suffering from several mineral and vitamin deficiencies. Magnesium and calcium are based on RDA sodium, and potassium is based on AI (adequate intake). You will need to look up your requirements, as the following numbers are based on my gender and age.

·        Magnesium: 420 mg per day

·        Potassium: 4,700 mg per day

·        Sodium: 1,500 mg per day

·        Calcium: 1,000 per day

Supplements

I do not listen to any recommendations regarding supplements because it always gets down to Test, do Not Guess. I will also avoid synthetic vitamins..

Top  7 Supplements

1.      Magnesium Citrateor Glycinate: The enzymatic process of vitamin D requires magnesium, so I had to increase this mineral. Citrate assists in breaking down oxalate, and glycinate assists in sleep.

2.      Potassium Citrate: I get this in bulk and take a teaspoon per day, but my potassium was still borderline.

3.      R-Alpha Lipoic Acid: I take 900 mg per day based on my NutrVal. The R indicates it is the natural version which is more bioavailable. ALA and B12 compete for the same pathway, so this takes some adjusting.

4.      Raw B Complex: I was low on B1, B2, B3, and B6, so I changed my B vitamin protocol. I am now using a Raw B Complex, along with unfortified nutritional yeast, B2, and NMN, which is a form of B3. I will update this protocol after getting tested again.

5.      Raw Vitamin C: At the time I took the NutrVal test, I was taking 500 milligrams of vitamin C, and it was still low, so I changed brands and increased it to 1 gram.

6.      Collagen Peptides: I use Great Lakes because it has the most glycine. Glycine is a precursor to glutathione. I was borderline on glutathione, so I increased the collagen to twice daily. I buy this directly from the manufacturer in 8-pound bags, and I use the plugin honey for a discount.

7.      Vitamin D3 K2: Sports Research is plant-based, and the best price is at Costco. Just this alone is worth the Costco membership.

Why D3, K2, Magnesium, and B Complex Must Replace Antidepressants and PTSD Meds

WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS

In October 2004, the FDA required a black box warning for antidepressant drugs of any class that they may increase the risk of suicidality. That warning became effective in January 2005. In 2006, the FDA warning was extended to young adults aged up to 25 years. This is just one of a long list of contraindications, but this is the most significant as it potentially causes what it claims to help.

There is a strong antimicrobial effect of antidepressants from different chemical classes against gut commensal (good) bacteria representative of the predominant phyla found in the human gut microbiota[35].

As of this writing, the following four antidepressants are used for depression and PTSD in the VA and are widely used in the civilian world. All of these SSRIs will degrade beneficial gut bacterial species [35].

• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Venlafaxine (Effexor)

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are not the only issues with these antidepressants. Following are several more significant contraindicators, but it does not end there. I used Paxil here as an example, but all of the above antidepressants have similar warnings [36].

• Serotonin Syndrome: Increased risk when co-administered with other serotonergic agents (e.g., SSRI, SNRI, triptans), but also when taken alone. If this occurs, discontinue PAXIL CR and initiate supportive measures.
• Embryofetal and Neonatal Toxicity: Can cause fetal and neonatal harm. Increased risk of cardiovascular malformations for exposure during the first trimester. Exposure in late pregnancy may lead to an increased risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPNH) of the newborn.
• Increased Risk of Bleeding: Concomitant use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, other antiplatelet drugs, warfarin, and other anticoagulant drugs may increase risk.
• Activation of Mania/Hypomania: Screen patients for bipolar disorder.
• Seizures: Use with caution in patients with seizure disorders.
• Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Angle-closure glaucoma has occurred in patients with untreated anatomically narrow angles treated with antidepressants.
• Overall, 73% of SSRI-treated clients reported adverse sexual side effects [36].
• Antidepressant drug therapy is significantly associated with long-term weight change at two years [37].

Antidepressants and the Placebo Effect

Antidepressants are supposed to work by fixing a chemical imbalance, specifically, a lack of serotonin in the brain. Indeed, their supposed effectiveness is the primary evidence for the chemical imbalance theory. But analyses of the published and unpublished data that drug companies hid reveal that most (if not all) of the benefits are due to the placebo effect. Some antidepressants increase serotonin levels, some decrease it, and some have no effect at all on serotonin. Nevertheless, they all show the same therapeutic benefit. Even the small statistical difference between antidepressants and placebos may be an enhanced placebo effect due to the fact that most patients and doctors in clinical trials successfully break blind. The serotonin theory is as close as any theory in the history of science to having been proved wrong. Instead of curing depression, popular antidepressants may induce a biological vulnerability making people more likely to become depressed in the future [38]. The question is, does it make sense to use a supplement instead of meds with no side effects and improves your health in multiple ways? If your answer is yes, read on.

D3, K2 (MK-7) Magnesium, and B Complex

Vitamin (hormone) D3, K2-7, magnesium, and B Complex work synergistically. K2-7 and magnesium are especially critical when taking high or mega doses of D3. A high dose of D3 is anything up to 100,000 IU. A mega dose of D3 is 100,000 IU and above. I know this sounds like an extraordinary amount, but keep in mind that 40,000 IU of vitamin D is just 1 mg. I will break down all four of these separately, starting with D3, but they must be taken together.

D3

Anyone who hears about D3 thinks of bone health, but this hormone goes far beyond bone health. Vitamin D receptors (VDR) are found in nearly every cell, and the ability of the cell to produce the active hormone is also widely distributed. Furthermore, the physiological functions with which vitamin D signaling is now associated are as diverse as the tissues in which the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is located [39]. I am going to list just a few attributes of D3 to attempt to drive the point home of how critical D3 is.

1. All-Cause Mortality: A meta-analysis of 32 relevant studies found that concentrations less than or equal to 30 ng/mL were associated with higher all-cause mortality than concentrations greater than 30 ng/mL [40].
2. All-cause, Cardiovascular, Cancer, and Respiratory Disease Mortality: In this large cohort study, vitamin D deficiency concentration <30 nmol/L] was strongly associated with mortality from all causes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and respiratory diseases [41].
3. Blood Pressure: Vitamin D Deficiency Is a Potential Risk for Blood Pressure Elevation and the Development of Hypertension [42].
4. Depression: A meta-analysis that included 29 studies with 4,504 participants indicated that the use of vitamin D was beneficial to a decline in the incidence of depression and improvement of depression treatment. Subgroup analysis revealed that people with low vitamin D levels and females could notably benefit from vitamin D in both the prevention and treatment of depression. The effects of vitamin D with a daily supplementary dose of >2,800 IU and intervention duration of ≥8 weeks were considered significant in both prevention and treatment analyses. Intervention duration ≤8 weeks was recognized as effective in the treatment group [44].
5. Sleep, Pain, and Bowel Symptoms: Three months of vitamin D plus B100 resulted in improved sleep, reduced pain, and unexpected resolution of bowel symptoms [45]. The reference to B100 in this study was specific to pantothenic acid (B5). The whole foods B Complex I use happens to have 100 mg of B5.
6. Viruses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis theoretically established that zero mortality could be achieved from Covid-19 with blood levels of 50 ng/ml [45].
7. Vitamin D Deficiency Changes the Intestinal Microbiome: In my opinion, this is the single most significant issue with vitamin D because homeostasis can not occur if the microbiome is not in balance. The combination of vitamin D plus B100 creates an intestinal environment that favors the return of four gut bacterial species, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria, that make up the normal human microbiome [45].

These bacteria represent the majority of friendly bacteria in the gut, with Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes representing 90% of gut microbiota [46].

D3 Blood Levels

The recommendations for vitamin D blood levels are all over the map. Low is considered <20 ng/ml, with 30 to 60 in the normal range. I consider 50 ng/ml to be the minimum, with a goal range of 70 to 90 ng/ml. This is because a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis theoretically established that zero mortality could be achieved from Covid-19 with 50 ng/ml [45]. If 50 ng/ml of vitamin D will save your life from the next pandemic, it simply makes sense to look at that as the minimum, NOT 30 ng/ml.

D3 Dosing

The current D3 dosing recommendation from NIH is 600 IU for people between the ages of 1 and 70 [41]. This is one of the biggest lies in the medical community. This amount was established in the 1930s to prevent rickets in children and is woefully inadequate for multiple other issues and most people, including children. The endocrine society has recently increased its recommended amount of D3, but I believe an acceptable range should be established instead of making up an ultra-conservative number to try and conform to 100% of the population. My position on this is based on the following data.

• Vitamin D can be produced in the skin in amounts estimated up to 25,000 international units (IUs) a day by the action of UVB radiation [47].
• In a hospital setting, 4,700 patients admitted over seven years were administered from 5000 to 50,000 IU of D3 per day without any sign of Hypervitaminosis, Hypercalcemia, or any adverse events attributable to vitamin D3 supplementation in any patient [47].

D3 Hypervitaminosis and Hypercalcemia

Getting poisoned from vitamin D3 is extremely rare. I only found one case, and a relative reported the amount and timeline it was taken [48].The big concern with taking too much D3 is hypercalcemia which is too much calcium in the blood which then enables it to accumulate in the arteries. This can be circumvented with vitamin K2-7, which is why in my opinion, one should always take K2 with D3.

Vitamin K2-7

Clinical studies have unequivocally demonstrated the utility of vitamin K2-7 supplementation in ameliorating peripheral neuropathy, reducing bone fracture risk, and improving cardiovascular health. K2-7 accomplishes this with the protein synthesis of osteocalcin and various other proteins [49]. This means that K2-7 delivers calcium where it is supposed to go.

Vitamin K2-7 and Vascular Calcification

Vascular calcification is characterized by mineral depositions on the walls of the vascular system. This is the primary concern when taking high or mega doses of D3. K2 has it has the potential to inhibit as well as reverse the process of calcification [50]. The benefits of K2 do not stop at simply delivering calcium where it is supposed to go and freeing calcium present in the blood vessels.

• Vitamin K2 suppresses cancer cell growth via apoptosis, autophagy, and cell-cycle arrest [50]
• Vitamin K2 improves sensitivity to insulin in diabetic patients [50]
• Vitamin K2 facilitates the synthesis and repair of the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous system [50]
• Vitamin K2 has the potential to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's Disease and contribute to its prevention [50]

Contraindications to Vitamin K2-7

There are no severe adverse effects due to the supplementation of vitamin K2-7. However, high doses of vitamin K2 can cause allergic reactions [50].

Sources of K2-7

Sources of K2-7 include natto, which is the highest, moderate in chicken, sauerkraut, beef, and a variety of cheeses, and is low in pork, salmon, etc. [50].

K2 Dosing

I do not go beyond the dose that is part of the D3 K2 supplement that I take.

Magnesium

Magnesium assists in the activation of vitamin D, which helps regulate calcium and phosphate homeostasis to influence the growth and maintenance of bones. All of the enzymes that metabolize vitamin D seem to require magnesium, which acts as a cofactor in the enzymatic reactions in the liver and kidneys [26]. This is why you can become deficient in magnesium if high doses of D3 are taken, even if you are taking the daily RDA. As one increases, D3 magnesium must also be increased.

B Complex

As mentioned above, three months of B100 or B5 (pantothenic acid) and vitamin D resulted in improved sleep, reduced pain, and unexpected resolution of bowel symptoms [45]. This combination also creates an intestinal environment that favors the return of four foundational gut bacterial species, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria, that make up the normal human microbiome [45]. Before and after comprehensive stool tests prove this to be accurate.

Kelly Burris: Comprehensive Stool Test: 9-20

If you look under Commensal Microbiome Analysis, you will see the four foundational bacteria and a couple of others. All were low, with Euryarchaeota Phylum below detectable levels. MD's nutritionists and even Functional Medicine Practitioners recommended probiotics, so I took their advice and researched the top probiotics, taking up to 1.7  trillion CFUs daily. As you can see, it had little to no effect on the commensal bacteria. This is not to say that probiotics do not work because taking the right ones can be very effective. Just do not depend on them to reestablish foundational commensal bacteria.

Kelly Burris: Comprehensive Stool Test: 9-22

Seven weeks before doing this test, I did high doses of vitamin D with 12 days of mega-dosing, which I do not recommend. I was already taking a B Complex that included 100 mg of B5. Another interesting piece is that plant-based diets are recommended to increase Firmicutes Phylum. I had been primarily a carnivore for 33 months when this test was done, yet there were significant increases in all commensal (good) bacteria. Another thing to look at with these two tests is "The Need for Microbiome Support" at the top of the page. Part of this equation is yeast overgrowth (Candida), and this test completely missed it as I was still a 10, as the first one indicated. All tests I had for yeast overgrowth were unreliable. This is after 3 comprehensive tests, 2 standard tests, and several urine tests.

Additional Attributes Of B Complex

B1 (Thiamin): Foods rich in thiamin include whole grains, brown rice, pork, poultry, soybean, nuts, dried beans, peas, and fortified or enriched grain products such as cereals, infant formulas, and bread. Individuals with certain medical and non-medical conditions are more susceptible to vitamin B1 deficiency, e.g., alcohol dependency, older age, diabetes, post-bariatric surgery, malignant disease, gastrointestinal disease, pregnancy, lactation, fasting, starvation, use of unbalanced diets, hyperthyroidism, renal failure on hemodialysis, and systemic infections.

Beriberi is a disorder caused by vitamin B1 deficiency which can present as wet or dry types. Wet beriberi presents as a high-output cardiac failure with signs of edema, an enlarged heart, warm extremities, tachycardia, and respiratory distress. Dry beriberi is predominantly a neurological complication involving the peripheral nervous system and presents with peripheral neuropathy, malaise, muscle weakness, seizures, or brisk tendon reflexes [10]. Infants and children are susceptible to vitamin B1 deficiency as well, presenting as infantile or childhood beriberi. Usually, infants present with edema, ill-looking appearance, pallor, anorexia, coffee-ground vomiting, and diarrhea. Neurological signs include a hoarse cry due to vocal cord paralysis, head lag, seizures, coma, and sudden infant death syndrome. Juvenile beriberi is uncommon and often misdiagnosed due to overlapping symptoms of meningitis.

Individuals with thiamin deficiency also require other nutrient supplementation, such as magnesium, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), B3 (nicotinamide), B6 (pyridoxine), B12, vitamin C, potassium, and phosphate. Taking a good B Complex, in my opinion, is the best way to go.

Toxicity

The human body excretes excess thiamin in the urine. There is a lack of evidence of toxicity from high thiamin intake from food or supplements. Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) concluded that excessive consumption of thiamin might cause adverse effects despite a lack of substantial evidence of toxicity. Per the Institute of Medicine, there is no established upper limit of thiamin intake reported in the literature to cause any toxicity [226].

B2 (Riboflavin): B2 can be found in a wide variety of foods and natural sources, especially milk, and organ meats, mostly in calf liver, egg, fish, nuts, certain fruits and legumes, wild rice, mushrooms, dark green leafy vegetables, yeast, beer, cheese, and dietary products.

Vertebrates poorly store B2 because of its limited absorption in humans. Therefore, orally supplied RF by a healthy diet is required to avoid ariboflavinosis, which causes cheilitis, sore tongue, and a scaly rash on the scrotum or vulva. B2 causes no known toxicity since it is excreted in the urine at higher intakes and not stored. B2 is found in different concentrations in various human body fluids and organs [52].

·        B2 reduces reactive oxygen species

·        B2 was used for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

·        B2  plays an important role in the antioxidant status inside cell systems and is part of the glutathione reductase

·        B2 functions as an endogenous antioxidant in different cells

·        B2 can attenuate oxidative injuries through its ability to scavenge free radicals and therefore decrease re-oxygenation injuries

·        B2 is neuroprotective of cerebral ischemia

·        B2 intake from food sources was associated with a decrease in the risk of PMS

·        B2 with co-treatment with selenium or vitamin E can have a protective effect on the brain and microsomal membrane

·        B2 contributes to blood cell formation

·        B2 was shown to enhance iron absorption

B3 (Niacin): B3 includes two vitamers (nicotinic acid and nicotinamide), giving rise to the coenzymatic forms nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. The two coenzymes are required for oxidative reactions crucial for energy production, but they are also substrates for enzymes involved in non-redox signaling pathways, thus regulating biological functions, including gene expression, cell cycle progression, DNA repair and cell death. Vitamin B3 has long been recognized as a key mediator of neuronal development and survival in the central nervous system.

Humans obtain niacin from both endogenous and exogenous sources. Only 2% of dietary tryptophan is converted into niacin via a multistep pathway, occurring mainly in the liver. Diet provides the vitamin as nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and tryptophan, as well as the active coenzymatic forms of niacin. Niacin is found in animal and vegetable foods. In meat and fish, the vitamin is present as nicotinamide, whose amounts are higher in unprepared foods compared to processed foods.

Severe niacin and/or tryptophan deficiency leads to a variety of clinical symptoms, including diarrhea, dermatitis, and dementia, collectively known as "pellagra." Pellagra is common in people who mostly eat maize, as well as in malnourished and alcoholic men. Other risk factors leading to vitamin B3 deficiency are nervous anorexia, AIDS, cancer, and malabsorptive disorders, such as Crohn's disease [53.

Toxicity

Niacin-associated hepatotoxicity is generally related to ingestions of around 3 grams per day. In contrast, the more common symptom of flushing can occur at doses as low as 30 mg per day [54].

B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Vitamin B5 is a naturally occurring substance found in various plants and animals (i.e., eggs, milk, vegetables, beef, chicken). An experimental vitamin B5 deficiency study associated the deficiency with symptoms such as fatigue, headache, malaise, personality changes, numbness, muscle cramps, paresthesia, muscle/ abdominal cramps, nausea, and impaired muscle coordination [55].

Toxicity

B5 is considered generally safe. There are currently no upper limits established since there have been no reports of vitamin B5 toxicity in humans with high intakes. However, there are still side effects involved with B6  administration [55].

B6 (Pyridoxine): B6 is involved in the vast majority of changes in the human body because it is a coenzyme involved in over 150 biochemical reactions. It is active in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and nucleic acids and participates in cellular signaling. In addition, it is an antioxidant and a compound with the ability to lower the advanced glycation end products (AGE) level [56.

Pyridoxal 5' phosphate (PLP) and pyridoxamine 5' phosphate (PMP) are the active coenzyme forms of vitamin B6. PLP deficiency leads to immunosuppression, local exacerbation of inflammatory processes, and increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Conversely, replenishing PLP may boost immunity and maintain an equilibrium that allows control of viral replication without uncontrolled expression of cytokines [56].

Toxicity

Most studies indicate that an intake below 200 mg of pyridoxine per day does not cause issues. I am taking 75 mg daily, which is 25 mg above what I normally take because I was low [56].

B7 (Biotin): Marginal and severe degrees of biotin deficiency leads to various clinical abnormalities, including neurological disorders and dermal abnormalities. Such deficiency/suboptimal levels occur in a variety of conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). At the metabolic level, biotin acts as a cofactor for five carboxylases that are critical for fatty acid, glucose, and amino acid metabolism. Important roles for this vitamin in cellular energy metabolism (i.e., ATP production) and in the regulation of cellular oxidative stress (24), as well as in gene expression (where expression of over 2,000 human genes appears to be affected by biotin status; have also been reported recently. An increase in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines has also been observed in biotin deficiency [57].

Toxicity

Although not impossible, it would be very difficult to overdose on biotin. Since biotin has documentation of playing a role in postprandial glucose control, it bears mention that excess would cause signs and symptoms of a person experiencing hyperglycemia (e.g., increased thirst). Diabetic patients should, therefore, be cautious before taking biotin [58].

B9 (Folate): The decreased folate level of the body, mainly caused by environmental and hereditary factors as well as aging, can lead to genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic changes. It can be related to the development of megaloblastic anemia, various cardiovascular diseases (such as atherosclerosis and stroke), obstetrical complications (such as abruption of the placentae, spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, neural tube defect), neuropsychiatric diseases (such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression) and tumors [59].

Toxicity

Recent folate intervention trials suggest that folate supplementation may increase the risk for individuals at a higher risk of the chronic diseases listed above [60]. This is why virtually every B complex does not exceed 100% of the daily value.

B12 (Cobalamin): B12 is used as a cofactor for enzymes involved in synthesizing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), fatty acids, and myelin. B12 deficiency can lead to hematologic and neurological symptoms. Vitamin B12 is stored in excess in the liver, decreasing the likelihood of deficiency. However, in cases in which vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed, for example, due to dietary insufficiency, malabsorption, or lack of intrinsic factor, hepatic stores are depleted, and deficiency ensues [61-62-63].

Sources of B12 are animal products such as red meat, dairy, and eggs.

Toxicity

No toxic effects of vitamin B-12 have been identified, even when it is administered intramuscularly at 300–3000 times the recommended dietary allowance. For this reason, no upper tolerable level for the vitamin has been established [62].

Probiotics

Probiotics are the wild wild west of supplements. There is virtually no regulation of probiotics, making it difficult to know which ones to take and for what and how much of each strain is in a probiotic. After an extensive amount of research on probiotics, I established what I call the essential 7. The task was then to find a probiotic that contained these bacteria.

Recommended Probiotic

Dr. Formulated Once Daily Women's 50 Billion CFU: It has a balance of 40 billion lacto cultures and 10 billion bifido cultures and contains the essential 7 probiotics listed below.

Essential Probiotic 7

1. Lactobacillus Reuteri

• L. Reuteri significantly reduces chronic functional abdominal pain in children [64.]
• High-fat-diet-induced obesity is associated with decreased anti-inflammatory L. Reuteri [65].
• L. Reuteri reduces hepatic cancer cell proliferation, muscle wasting, and morbidity and prolongs survival [66].
• L. Reuteri attenuates stressor-enhanced infectious Colitis [67].

2.Lactobacillus Rhamnosus

• L. Rhamnosus provides protective effects on alcoholic liver injury by reducing oxidative stress and restoring the intestinal flora [68].
• L. Rhamnosus diminishes oxidative markers in the brain [69].
• L. Rhamnosus protects against tissue damage mediated through free radicals and inflammatory cytokines [70].

3.Lactobacillus Acidophilus

• L. Acidophilus restrains the development of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa enteric infections [71].
• Exopolysaccharides (EPS) from Lactobacillus acidophilus have antioxidative properties [72].
• Surface layer protein A (SlpA) from Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM potentially represents a feasible therapeutic approach to restore intestinal homeostasis [73].

4.Lactobacillus Plantarum

• L. Plantarum potentially enhances the immunity of the small intestine [74]
• L. Plantarum could ameliorate anxiety and depression-like behaviors and modulate neurochemicals related to affective disorders [75].
• L. Plantarum has a positive effect on the immune system and acts as an antiviral [76].

5.Lactobacillus Brevis

• L. Brevis synthesizes gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) [77]. GABA is the most potent depressive neuro amine in human brains. It regulates many of the depressive and sedative actions in brain tissue and is critical to relaxation [78].
• L. Brevis may prevent some metabolic disturbances [79].

6. Bifidobacterium Lactis

• B. Lactis improves the intestinal microbiota more effectively than non-proliferating bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria [80].
• B. Lactis improves defecation frequency [81].
• As part of a multispecies probiotic blend, B. lactis showed cognitive reactivity to sad mood, which was largely accounted for by reduced rumination and aggressive thoughts [82].

7. Bifidobacterium Longum

• B. Longum decreases the excitability of enteric (gut) neurons [83].
• B. Longum has anti-allergy effects, reductions in harmful bacteria, and improvements in the intestinal environment, defecation frequency, and stool characteristics [84].
• B. Longum supplementation prevents bone loss and increases bone formation [85].
   

Probiotic Administration

The majority of human gut microbiota is present in the large intestine. This makes it difficult to repopulate with probiotics. Dr. Perlmutter has solved this issue by the use of recommending probiotic enemas. As he clearly stated in his book, do not do this without permission from your MD or functional medicine practitioner. Tourette syndrome was just one of the disorders he cured using this method. The Tourette syndrome enema contained 1.2 trillion CFUs.

The Inflammatory 9

1.      Anti-Nutrients and Plant Toxins: This includes Oxalates, Lectins, Goitrogens, Phytoestrogens, Phytates, and Tannins. Grains, in particular, can also alter the composition of gut microbiota [87].

2.      High IgG4 Food Antigens: If over-stimulation of IgG4 is an issue, symptom improvement is confirmed by eliminating beef, pork, lamb, egg whites, and wheat.

3.      FODMAPs:

4.      Alcohol and Sugar: Alcohol increases intestinal permeability by disrupting the microbiota. The dysbiosis caused by alcohol can perpetuate the habit of drinking [86].Refined and artificial sugars alter the composition of the gut microbiota [87].

5.      NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. These drugs are linked to the onset of IBD [88].

6.      Milk Fat: MF increases the presence of Bilophila Wadsworth, which is a gut bacteria associated with IBD and Colitis [251 Kefir and raw organic grass-fed cheddar are exempt. Likewise, Ghee is exempt as it is free of lactose, casein, and whey.

7.      Some Polyunsaturated Fats: Certain PUFAs disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota [89].

8.      Preservatives: I discovered this one inadvertently while researching Candida antimicrobials. The nearly universal antimicrobial activity attributed to grapefruit seed extract is merely due to the synthetic preservative agents contained within. Natural products with antimicrobial activity do not appear to be present [90]. The assumption based on this research is that preservatives act as an antimicrobial. If one takes an antibiotic or antimicrobial, they must be accompanied by probiotics to assist in preventing dysbiosis, but I am certain very few people know that preventives act as an antimicrobial.

9.      Caffeine: Cortisol [91] is a stress hormone, and caffeine can cause a robust increase in cortisol [92]. I know how hard it is to quit caffeine, and there are many benefits to coffee. There should, however, be a consideration of switching to decaf until the dysbiosis is under control.

CBD: Reduce Nausea, Improve Sleep, and Lower Toxicity, Inflammation, and Pathogens

CBD (cannabidiol) is the non-psychoactive component of cannabis. With over two thousand full-text articles on PMC, I came to find that CBD had more uses than just as an antipathogen [95]. It was the most industrial-grade anti-inflammatory I had ever used [96].

Studies on models of human diseases support the idea that CBD attenuates inflammation far beyond its antioxidant properties by targeting inflammation-related intracellular signaling events. The details on how it does this remain to be defined.

The use of THC and Candida in a mouse model was deemed ineffective [93]. However, Candida colonization delays the healing of inflammatory lesions, and that inflammation promotes colonization. These effects may create a vicious cycle in which low-level inflammation promotes fungal colonization, and fungal colonization promotes further inflammation. High-level Candida colonization is frequently observed in ulcer and IBD patients and is linked to Crohn's disease, ulcerative Colitis, and leaky gut [34]. It was interrupting this vicious cycle that the profound anti-inflammatory processes of CBD became very useful in eradicating the pathogenetic Candida.

Because cannabinoids are profoundly anti-inflammatory, infections caused by HIV-1 or HSV-1 can worsen. The anti-inflammatory action can impair dependent enzyme systems which are central to inflammatory and cell-autonomous antiviral responses [94]. This was not the case with me, so the industrial-grade anti-inflammatory nature of CBD worked very well.

Getting Started with CBD

Warning: Even though CBD is difficult to overdose on, it seems good at killing yeast and removing pathogens, making starting with high doses relatively dangerous.

The only way to take CBD is in the purest form possible. This is in the form of CBD oil combined with coconut or MCT oil. Some CBD sprays contain Polysorbate 80. Polysorbate 80 is linked to low-grade intestinal inflammation and metabolic syndrome—a group of conditions that increase the risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.247 Always ensure that you are taking only oil and CBD.

For me, CBD was an important factor in getting through the extreme toxicity brought on by fasting and therapeutic amounts of olive oil.

Where to Purchase CBD

I get mine at CBD Market because I do not like digging for coupons, and they have the best prices.

Oxalate Detox Protocol

Even if you are not infected with oxalates, you may want to engage this protocol to keep the liver and gallbladder functioning at optimum levels.

Step 1: Reduce oxalates slowly

Oxalates are ubiquitous in the plant kingdom, and you must calculate how much you are eating now and reduce them by 10% per week until you are down to less than 50 mg daily. In addition, it is essential to determine which foods you will use to bring down oxalate dumping symptoms if they occur.

Step 2: Intermittent and Extended Fasting

If you are not used to fasting, you must also start this slowly. Intermittent fasting means you establish an eating window of 8, 6, or 4 hours. Fasting 20 hours is referred to as the warrior diet, and a 22-hour fast is called OMAD (one meal a day).

How Fasting Affects Oxalate Dumping Candida Die Off and Bile Sludge

Fasting will accelerate oxalate dumping, which means Candida will increase in the gut and cause bile to slow down and turn into sludge. However, fasting is the most effective way to kill proliferating Candida. Another result of oxalate dumping is constipation and diarrhea. For me, oxalate was associated with constipation, and candida die-off was associated with diarrhea.

Effectively Addressing Candida Bile sludge and Constipation

Three ounces of olive oil mixed with an equal amount of lemon juice one to two hours before breaking a fast will solve all the abovementioned issues. After an 18 to 24-hour fast, Candida is weakened and vulnerable, and hitting it with olive oil has a distinct impact. Fasting also enables bile to collect in the liver and gallbladder. Olive oil will cause the liver and gallbladder to contract, which will assist in pushing stones and bile sludge out. I used this twice to save my gallbladder from surgery.

Go Slow, be Consistent

Getting up to speed with consistently doing a 24-hour fast every other day can take 30 days or longer, but it is critical to be consistent once up and running. As long as oxalates are out of range, you will suffer from yeast overgrowth and bile sludge.

Getting Help with the Carnivore Diet

If you need help getting started with a carnivore diet, you can find a coach at revero.com.

References

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2. Sánchez de Medina F, Romero-Calvo I, Mascaraque C, Martínez-Augustin O. Intestinal inflammation and mucosal barrier function. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2014 Dec;20(12):2394-404. doi: 10.1097/MIB.0000000000000204. PMID: 25222662.

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