<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> I received a huge response to my post outlining the connection between yeast infection & food intolerances (Sunday, December 29, 2002 9:35 PM). Most of the responses were pleas for more information & help with similar problems, so I will include my answers to most of these requests [in bracketts]. Some replies contained additional information that can be helpful to those of us with these problems. Bear with me, this is long. This is such a common & serious problem for us celiacs, I don't want to leave anything out that may be helpful to others. ~Valerie in Tacoma, WA ------------------------ My own experience has echoes of yours. I find that I am soo much better at avoiding starches. I have no problem with potatoes, or pop corn, but must be careful with grain starches-- rice, corn, quinoa. I live fine limiting these, however, I would be interested to know where one would get betaine hydrochloride. I might give that a try. I am currently taking probiotics. I believe they have helped. CurtissAnn Matlock [Betaine hydrochloride (HCl) is available at many health food stores & naturopathic dispensaries. I've read that capsules are generally better tolerated than tablets. I've personally tried several different preparations, but the best for me is made by Thorne & is called BIO-GEST. It costs more, but I find I need less to get the job done. It contains a complete digestive enzyme package.] ------------------------ I'm in the middle of trying to work out my issues... I think I have discovered that I have a milk allergy. 18 months ago I developed constant itching and have had it ever since. 6 weeks ago I finally started an elimination diet. I have reacted to both milk and sugar with digestive problems and itchy skin. But in spite of being _totally_ milk free, it seems there are still a few issues which aren't subsiding. I have suspected candida and leaky gut, but haven't seen info on how to heal a leaky gut and what really causes it in the first place. It would really be fantastic if the HCl supplement would be the catalyst needed to get things under control and get back to my old self, this time without the milk. ;-) Steve [Food allergies should be eliminated BEFORE the HCl is used. If the stomach is still quite irritated from food allergies/intolerances, the HCl could make it worse.] ----------------------- You might be interested in reading "The Food Allergy Cure" by Dr. Ellen Cutler. She has a program which outlines basically what you went through and what to do about it. It does not, I stress, address celiac, but you will find the rest very interesting. Dr. Cutler may be on line but I don't have that info. Clare ---------------------- If you try HCl, you must use certain precautions. Capsules are better tolerated than tablets, don't take HCl with anti-inflammatories such as Advil, predsinone, etc., and make sure you have eliminated all irritating/allergenic foods & drugs from your diet. I've experienced nothing short of a miraculous recovery! I used to be a gas producing blimp. Now, I rarely "fluff!" Also, be aware that it takes some time to develop a tolerance for adequate stomach acid after you've been deficient for a while. When you start the HCl stuff, you must start slowly -- one capsule at dinner time. Do that for a few days, then add a capsule at lunch time for a few days then add a capsule at breakfast, etc. Eventually work up to several capsules per meal. I take about three capsules at each meal now, but it took me a while to get to that point. An added bonus is that HCl helps control both diarrhea & constipation. It kinda balances everything out. Ann ----------------------- I'm taking GNC hydrochloride and am very happy with the results. It cost $7.00/bottle. This is tolerable but I'm always looking for something better and cheaper. Dwight and Cathy [Thorne BIO-GEST probably cost more, about $23 /180 capsules & I take one or two per meal.] ----------------------- The old expression: “You are what you eat” is somehow proving to be true. Just it is too bad, that people in young age just don’t listen and throwing away their health just for “piece of cake”. I was lucky to found the way to feed myself, but it was too late for my children. They just don’t believe and keep poisoning them and their children. Just a month ego I lost my wife and I believe she was also victim of gluten and incompetence of doctors. I just try to figure out, why the medical science is ignoring the gluten issue. I’d say that gluten and sugar cause more health problem to people than alcohol tobacco and drugs combine but nobody cares. On a top of it we are “crazy” in eyes of all people around us. I am happy for you that you getting hang on right diet for you. I discard totally gluten and refined sugar from my diet 7 years ego and now I just don’t miss it at all. Otherwise I don’t feel bad about my diet when I am dinning with other people. I am confident with what I am eating. I call it “human food”. The rest of population is unfortunate not knowing what we know. Kevin [I love Kevin's attitude!] -------------------------- What I would like to know is this: is it possible for me to try this HCl ( I don't remember exactly) on my own? If so, can you tell me where you get yours, and what brand you use? I will be most eternally greatful and I hope I can try it on my own. [HCl supplements are available over the counter, but must be tried with caution. I suggest everyone read the book, WHY STOMACH ACID IS GOOD FOR YOU by Jonathan Wright MD.] ------------------------- ________________________________________________________________ Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today Only $9.95 per month! Visit www.juno.com *Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the CELIAC List*