It's been awhile since I posted here about my progress with Candida overgrowth. It's been a hugely challenging journey for the past few years. And more complex than I initially understood. It seems that in addition to too much candida, I likely have heavy metal toxicity and possibly molds. I have been seeing a naturopath since last November to get expert help with this and with other health issues. A month ago, I embarked on a toxin-free diet to eliminate molds, candida overgrowth, and heavy metals from my body (talk about being mired in 3D density!). Being vegan, this translated to very few food choices, especially protein, since the diet doesn't allow for any seeds except pumpkin and sesame (no quinoa, millet, chia, hemp since they're susceptible to molds) and no grains including rice, no complex carbohydrates including all legumes, limited vegetables, and no fruit except one green apple a day, and no alcohol. I read recently that it's hard for vegans to eliminate heavy metals due to lack of complete proteins (apparently heavy metals will bind to amino acids in complete protein to eliminate through the gastro-intestinal system), so I recently added fish and eggs to my diet several days a week. My symptoms with candida and heavy metal toxicity began when I transitioned to eating a vegan diet two years ago. I am conflicted and torn apart about eating fish and eggs since I have a strong desire to eat compassionately out of respect for all sentient life. However, having added these protein sources to my diet, my symptoms are improving (skin rash better, elimination of heavy metals through the skin decreasing and increasing through the G.I. system). If anyone out there has had experience with what I'm going through, I would appreciate hearing from you. I'm feeling overwhelmed with all of this right now.

What prompted me to share about this now (hard for me to go public with this) is Trinity's recent article on compassionate, vegan eating. I resonate strongly with what she says, but I'm feeling lost about ways to improve my health if I continue to follow a strictly vegan diet.

Thank you.

Cathy