candida link? (and HELLO!!!)

[ratboy83]

hi. alex here. i'm new to these forums. i've had depression since the age of 14 and managed it well since the age of 18, when i learned of natural alternatives for its treatment (ones i have use at present are: SAM-e, 200mg half an hour before breakfast; rhodiloa rosea at lunch; 500mg L-tryptophan at bedtime; EXERCISE!!!!- best thing i've tried). this sparked off a general interest in natural remedies, which has led me into a job with Holland and Barrett, and also a keen interest in nutrition and the science of exercise. i am now in my first year of a sports science and nutrition degree. okay, so there's the intro, now into the posting!

what are people's opinions on the candida/ depression link? anyone here who has seen their symptoms improve since making the strict changes to diet (and taking certain supplements) to tackle candida. i never really considered candida seriously but i think it has a part to play in my condition and am considering tackling it as the last piece in my depression jig-saw. any views???

alex.

[Breakthrough]

Hi Alex it's interesting where the search for health can take us isn't it ?

As for the candida depression link I'am convinced of it.

I have had candida for more than 20 years I now realize , but was only aware I had the condition about 1 year ago.

I tried tea tree oil and a herbal concoction.Neither worked.

It was only when in a search for a cure for my depression that I tried SJW , within 4 weeks all symptoms of candida were gone !! Along with my depression.

I'am convinced that long term depression is tied in to our general health.

And yes I agree exercise is a fantastic aid to health both physical and mental.

[hafs]

I'd be very interested in what info. you have on the subject because i have also suffered from candida.

[ratboy83]

Hi Alex it's interesting where the search for health can take us isn't it ?

As for the candida depression link I'am convinced of it.

I have had candida for more than 20 years I now realize , but was only aware I had the condition about 1 year ago.

I tried tea tree oil and a herbal concoction.Neither worked.

It was only when in a search for a cure for my depression that I tried SJW , within 4 weeks all symptoms of candida were gone !! Along with my depression.

I'am convinced that long term depression is tied in to our general health.

And yes I agree exercise is a fantastic aid to health both physical and mental.

what symptoms did you experience? i'm interested that your symptoms of candida dissapeared when you took st john's wort. i was aware of its anti-viral action (particularly effective against herpes simplex virus) but wasn't awar that it had an anti-yeast/ anti-fungal action :glasses:

alex.

[Breakthrough]

Alex,

my physical symptoms were continuous fatigue and fungal growth under my toenails.Both have disappeared since I have been taking SJW.I don't believe it is a coincidence.

I had made changes to my diet since September of last year but it was only when I started taking SJW at the end of January that I noticed the improvement.

Like you I was not aware of SJW having antifungal properties.But why not ? SJW as you are aware is comprised of many compounds , only some of which are known.

There is a posting somewhere on this site that gives a break down of some of the known chemical properties of SJW.If i come across it again in my regular wanderings around the site I will post it here.

Breakthrough

[ratboy83]

interesting. i take your point that there's no reason to say that SJW doesn't possess anti-fungal properties. herbs (unlike drugs) comprise of many interacting active synergists. we know of a few but your assertion that many are likely still unknown is sound. if it isn't a coincidence then this would be fantastic as there would exist a herb to treat not only symptoms of a form of primary depression but also the root cause. i think i will explore pub med to see if the herb has been officially tested for sucvh anti-fungal properties. let me say also though that i am very glasd you have found the solutuion to your depression. :smilehat:

alex.