Hi just thought I’d post a quick update. So far I have managed to give up soya milk 95% of the time and have stopped the nasty old Pill for about 2 weeks and I’m still sticking the candida diet and the improvement has been exactly zilch! No improvement at all! In fact I know that I only get hayfever when I have candida and my hayfever has kicked in recently so I’m not impressed. I am supposed to finish the 8 weeks of the candida diet this week (Thursday) but I dont feel better. However I realised that years of taking the Pill have probably messed up my poor hormones and so it could take several months to sort this out.
In the meantime I have been talking to friends and discovered that environmental factors can also play havoc with our hormones. I already knew that fabric conditioner is a nightmare and I stopped using it about a year ago. I’ve learnt that chemicals in cleaning products and skincare can also affect our hormones and actually its been really interested. I’m currently testing new cleaning products from Ecover which is readily available here in the UK in the major supermarkets. My research led to the fantastic Environmental Working Group website which has tested masses of many products. You need to click on ‘For Parents’ (surely a strange choice of menu name!) and then ‘Tools’. For example I found out about the dangers of using parabens on your skin and I was mortified when I checked the ingredients in my normal skincare range. At this time of the year I cant manage without my fake tan but my usual brand contains FOUR different parabens. I am ashamed to say that I have been using it for years and I actually slap it all over and sleep in it. Anyway I have ordered a non-paraben version (called Lavera Self Tan Lotion) which still contains DHA but it is at least contains 100% pure and natural plant derived active ingredients. Actually I found it on the EWG website last week but I’ve tried to double check their rating for this post and realised that its no longer listed which is deeply concerning. I’ve also ordered Lavera’s sun block which is well rated. I’m still learning a lot about this topic so I will keep you posted if I learn anything which might be useful for others. If anyone has any tips I’d be really interested!
love & light, Katie x
4 responses so far ↓
kimberlysnyder // May 9, 2008 at 1:15 am |
Hi Katie- I know, cleaning and skin products have atrocious ingredients! Have you tried drinking Kombucha to balance the system? I actuallly brew it at home, but I know they sell the GT Dave brand all over the place, depending on where you live. Maybe it will help with your Candida.
I’m glad that you are informed on the hormone-mimicing effects of parabens! I actually have my own skincare company, and we just put out one, quality paraben-free product for the face. Too many companies are using parabens as a cheap preservative, and it’s not necessary.
Remember that most beauty products that come in screw-top jars are constantly exposed to air and contaminants, every time you open them and put your finger inside. So it’s a safe bet that most of the products are laden with chemicals, parabens, and fillers.
Okay, well all the very best!
Kim
katiebeatscandida // May 11, 2008 at 7:50 pm |
Hi Kim
Thanks for your comments. No I have never tried Kombucha but I will look into it – thanks! Does your skincare business have a website? I like Raphael Aromatherapy’s stuff but I know there are loads of other great brands out there.
Katie x
kimberlysnyder // May 12, 2008 at 1:54 pm |
Hi Katie,
Yes, Kombucha is pretty amazing stuff. Its flavored many different ways, and just has a slightly fermented taste. But to me it tastes good! It is loaded with probiotics, antioxidants, enzymes, B Vitamins and more. I know a lot of naturalists have battled cancer by drinking it. I drink it every day to stay balanced. I take probiotics in capsule or pearl form but I’ve found that taking it as a liquid, in Kombucha, is the most effective I’ve found!
Oh, and when you get a chance, our website is http://www.envision-beauty.com.
Okay, all the best
Kim
Djinn // May 13, 2008 at 9:47 pm |
Hi Katie,
I’ve found ‘Faith in Nature’ products to be very good – suit my skin and I love the lavender fragrance. Trying out Kingfisher toothpaste at the moment too. Next purchase will be paraben-free shampoo and conditioner. Just wish it didn’t all have to cost an arm and a leg!
I’m really interested to read about this hypothesised link between hormonal imbalance and parabens. I’ve recently begun to replace all my skincare products with paraben-free equivalents – and now I have this information, I will step up the ‘assimiliation process’!
Re, time it takes to see an improvement, I certainly didn’t see much of an improvement for weeks, if not months, and then it took a good couple of years to get on top of my candida problems. It’s a long haul, but worth it in the end.