Nystatin

Nystatin is a prescription anti-fungal medication which works against a wide variety of yeast and yeast-like organisms.  Nystatin is poorly absorbed from the intestinal tract so it can be safely used.  The medication is virtually non-toxic as is well tolerated by most people even on prolonged administration.  Nystatin is produced by a bacterium called Streptomyces Noursei.

However, Herxheimer reactions are fairly common with Nystatin therapy.  Herxheimer or "die off" reactions are related to the release of yeast toxins when the yeast is killed by Nystatin.  Nystatin breaks the cell membrane of yeast, causing it to release it's various antigens which can cause allergic reactions.  Herxheimer reactions may cause flu-like symptoms and/or an aggravation of the yeast related symptoms that you  have had in the past.  If the symptoms are mild, stay on the following Nystatin dosage protocol.  Each time you increase the dose, there may be some temporary aggravation of your symptoms.  If the symptoms are too intense, then back the dose down.

Nystatin dosage protocol for adults (Mix the Nystatin in 3 ounces or more of water)

Week One:  1/16 teaspoon, 3 times a day
Week Two:   1/8  teaspoon, 3 times a day
Week Three:  3/16 teaspoon, 3 times a day
Week Four:   1/4 teaspoon, 3 times a day
 

Children take the same dose, but only twice daily.  Some people have to increase their dose to 1/2 teaspoon, 3 times a day in order to reduce the level of yeast.  A therapeutic trial of at least three months is recommended before deciding whether or not Nystatin is helpful for you.

If 1/16 teaspoon is not tolerated, start with a "dot" dose on the end of a toothpick.  If a dot dose causes symptoms, you may have to clean your bowels with a laxative such as Milk of Magnesia (1 - 2 Tablespoons) or an enema.  If the dot dose is still not tolerated, dilute it in 12 ounces of water and take one drop, gradually increase every couple of hours to two drops, three drops, etc.  Do this for three or four days, or more, before attempting to raise the dose.

Ideally, Nystatin should be taken 20 - 30 minutes before a meal, but it rally doesn't matter a great deal when you take it - it can be taken with or without food.  Some patients who feel nauseated with Nystatin do better by taking it with food.

If you have Candida in your mouth or throat (thrush), mix 1/8 teaspoon Nystatin in a cup of water and swish and gargle for one or two minutes, then swallow.  This will help eliminate the yeast in your mouth and throat.  You only need to do this for ten days, then you can just swallow it to help eliminate the intestinal yeast.

Maintaining good bowel function while taking Nystatin is very important. If you tend to be constipated, and herbal laxative or a fiber supplement such as psyllium seed or flax seed may be beneficial.

Some people get less of a Herxheimer reaction with Nizoral.  Nizoral is absorbed quite readily, but can be potentially toxic to the liver.  If Nizoral is used, a blood test has to be done two weeks after being on the medication and then monthly thereafter.

Some patients get benefit with over the counter products such as caprylic acid or oregano oil which can be helpful at eliminating intestinal yeast.

You should read "The Yeast Connection" or other books on yeast by William Crook, M.D. to learn more about Candida.  Not everyone has to follow as strict a diet as recommended in Dr. Crook's book.  This depends on your level of sensitivities to yeast and other factors, and should be discussed with Dr. Buscher or one of his nurses if you are not sure what to do.

Foods you can eat while on a yeast restricted diet

Vegetables: asparagus, avocado, beans, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, green pepper, greens (beet, collard, kale, mustard, spinach & turnip), legumes, lettuce, okra, onion, parsley, parsnip, peas, potato (sweet and white), radish, squash (acorn, butternut, summer & winter), tomato (fresh), zucchini.

Cereals, Grains (whole grain): barley, corn, millet, oats, rice, wheat, unleavened breads.

Fruits: Apple, apricots, blackberry, cherry, grape, grapefruit, mango, nectarine, orange, papaya, peach, pear, pineapple, plum, raspberry, strawberry.

Meats: beef, chicken, deer, duck, egg, elk, fish, goose, lamb, moose, rabbit, salmon, tuna, turkey, veal, wild birds

Beverages: distilled or bottled water, fresh juiced vegetable or fruit juices

Nuts, Seeds & Oils: almonds, brazil nuts, butter, cashews, filberts, pecans, pumpkin seeds

Oils (cold pressed): almond, apricot, avocado, corn, olive, safflower, sesame, sunflower

Foods you must avoid while on a yeast restricted diet

All types of sugar and sugar-containing foods: boxed cereals, cakes, candy, canned fruits and vegetables, cookies, fruit drinks, ice cream, kool-aid, pies, soda pop

Fruit Juices: Either canned, bottled or frozen, Including apple, grape, orange, pineapple, tomato juices (exception- freshly prepared juices)

Vitamins and Minerals: B-complex vitamins, brewers yeast, selenium products (unless labeled "yeast free" and "sugar free")

Antibiotics: Antibiotics are indicated in treating certain infections.  However, most infections are caused by viruses and do not respond to antibiotic therapy.

Alcoholic Beverages:  beer, brandy, champagne, rum, vodka, whiskey, wine, etc (all fermented beverages, e.g.. extracts, tinctures, cough syrups, and other medications)

Yeasts, Breads & Pastries: all raised dough, crackers, flour enriched with vitamins from yeast, frozen breads, hamburger and hot dog buns, pretzels, rolls

Vinegar containing Foods, condiments or sauces: catsup, mayonnaise, olives, pickles, salad dressings, sauerkraut, and meat sauces such as barbecue, chili pepper, green pepper, horse radish, tomato, mince pie preparation and many others.

All Cheeses: including fermented dairy products, cottage cheese, natural, blended and pasteurized cheeses, buttermilk and sour cream

Ferments and Molds, Malted Products: malted milk, mushrooms, root beer, soy sauce, truffles

Nuts: Peanuts and peanut products usually contain mold.  So do pistachios.

Melons: Porous skin of cantaloupe is especially apt to be contaminated with mold.  However, careful washing before cutting may help

Dried Fruits: Some batches may be mold-free, but others will have commercially acceptable amounts of mold on the fruit while drying

Please Note: After reading this partial list of foods containing yeast products you now have a much better idea of the rather formidable task ahead of you.  It is absolutely imperative while on the rotary diversification and avoidance diet that you carefully look at all the labels on the canned and packaged foods and consult the list above constantly, or you will continue to suffer needlessly the consequences of allergic reactions.