I've been reading a fascinating book: **THE FUNGUS LINK to allergies,
arthritis, digestion, respiration, mental health, heart health, women's
health, pain* " by Doug Kaufman (MediaTrition, 2000, Rockwell, Texas;
ph972-772-0990.) It's not available on Amazon at this time.

This book cdovetails with the paleo diet approach, including some
information found in Ray's boo on the hazards of wheat, corn, peanuts, etc..
Did you know corn, potatoes, and peanuts are frequently infected with very
high levels of aflatoxin?  When the levels of mycotoxins in these foods are
above that which is deemed passable for humans, the infected grains and
beans are fed to livestock, which we later eat... Kaufman explains about the
possible effects of this!  He is in favor of grassfed meats, by the way.

This book relates use of antibiotics, birth control pills, non-steroidal
anti-inflammatry drugs, and consumption of a high carb, high starch, high
sugar diet, to a long list of common disorders, including digestive
disorders, IBS, Crohns, allergies, asthma, arthritis, fibromyalgia, eczema,
psoriasis, acne, and other skin problems, depression, reproductive and
hormone imblances, cancer, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels,
heart disease, and many other common ailments.  The information on mycoxins
(fungal poisons) in the food supply and many of the most widely used
medicines is fascinating.  Frankly, I found it hard to put the book down.

Kaufman discusses the problem with fungal toxins in wheat, corn, soy,
potatoes, sugar, beer. processed foods, animals fed fungus infected grains,
and various foods that typically contain yeasts or fungus. He has some very
plausible explanations for diseases that conventional doctors don't
understand.  He supports his claims with research.  He presents some
fascinating case histories. I found this much more plausible, user friendly,
comprehensive, and thought provoking than books I'd read years ago on yeast,
fungal and candida overgrowth.

The author has more than 20 years of experience using nutrition to eliminate
the yeast/fungal toxins from the body of his patients, which surprisingly
led to the elmination of a long list of seeminly unrelated health problems.
He includes experiences/findings of dermatologists and other specialists who
have been open to explore the effects of nutrition on various disorders.

Kaufman explains how a person whose body contains a lot of yeast/fungal
toxins may end up with elevated cholesterol levels. (The body produces more
cholesterol to protect against fungal toxins just as other sources explain
that one may produce excess cholesterol as an antioxidant, to protect
against oxidative damage due to a diet that contains a lot of damaged fats!)
What is presented in this book has such broad ramifications for the American
public.  The material on cancer and heart disease appears to be very well
researched. I was recently told by someone who has watched Kaufman's TV show
"For Your Health," on the FamilyNet cable channel, that Kaufman has a book
due out later this year on the fungal link to cancer! The excerpts from that
book are fascinating as well.

The author has a radio show in Texas too....

Aside from the possible inclusion of pasture raised dairy products, such as
yogurt, his diet is very paleo friendly and his suggestions are simple and
straightforward.

Interesting reading,
Rachel