Candida overgrowth is a common issue that can manifest in various ways, affecting energy levels, mood, skin, bowel movements, and even food cravings. The Myers Way® 30-Day Candida Breakthrough® Program, created by Dr. Amy Myers, aims to address this imbalance through a combination of dietary changes, targeted supplementation, and lifestyle adjustments. This review provides an in-depth look at the program, including its components, benefits, potential drawbacks, and overall effectiveness.
What is Candida?
Candida albicans is a yeast that naturally resides in the gut microbiome. While a certain amount of Candida is necessary for proper bodily function, an overgrowth can occur due to an imbalance of good gut bacteria. This overgrowth can lead to a variety of health problems.
Why Consider The Myers Way® Candida Breakthrough® Program?
Many individuals experience symptoms of Candida overgrowth, which can significantly impact their quality of life. The Myers Way® program offers a structured approach to tackling Candida, providing a comprehensive plan to restore balance in the gut.
Personal Experience with Candida Symptoms
Before starting the program, I experienced a range of Candida-related symptoms, including:
- Acne
- Constipation
- Waking in the night with bloating/indigestion
- Dandruff
- Dry eyes
- Excessive ear wax
- Low mood/depression
- Low energy/fatigue
- Anxiety
- White tongue
- Runny nose
- Sugar and carb cravings
What Does The Program Include?
The Myers Way® 30-Day Candida Breakthrough® Program is packed with resources to guide you through the cleanse. These include:
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1. The Myers Way Guide to Candida
This 16-page eBook serves as an educational tool, explaining what Candida is, its risk factors, its effects on the body, and common symptoms. It also introduces the 4R Program, which outlines the steps needed to eliminate Candida and repair the damage it causes.
2. The Myers Way Candida Breakthrough Guide
This 32-page guide is the core of the program, providing detailed information on foods to avoid and foods to eat, a weekly meal plan, potential Candida die-off symptoms, a supplement schedule, and tips for maximizing the cleanse's benefits. It also includes an overview of SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and a symptom checker.
3. The Myers Way 30-Day Candida Breakthrough Recipes
This 48-page recipe eBook features over 40 recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and sides, offering inspiration and guidance for creating Candida-friendly meals.
4. The Myers Way Candida Breakthrough Shopping List
This tool simplifies grocery shopping by providing a list of all the ingredients needed to prepare the meals in the weekly meal plans.
5. The Dirty Dozen and The Clean Fifteen
These lists, compiled by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), identify fruits and vegetables with the highest and lowest pesticide residues, helping you prioritize organic purchases.
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6. The Myers Way Candida Breakthrough Desserts
This resource offers three dessert recipes to help manage sugar cravings while adhering to the Candida diet.
7. The Myers Way Candida Breakthrough Salad Dressings
This includes recipes for a few different cleanse-approved salad dressings.
8. Online Community
Access to a supportive online community where you can connect with others undergoing similar programs, such as the Leaky Gut Breakthrough Program and the SIBO Breakthrough Program.
9. Supplements
The program includes supplements to support Candida die-off and gut healing. The Upgraded Program includes additional supplements such as digestive enzymes and leaky gut support.
Preparing for the Program: Prep Week
Before diving into the full program, a prep week is recommended to ease the transition into the Candida-friendly diet. During this time, it's crucial to start eliminating foods that feed Candida, such as sugar, processed foods, and refined carbohydrates. This can lead to sugar and carb detox symptoms.
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Navigating the Program: Weekly Breakdown
Week One
During the first week, focus on adhering to the Candida-approved diet and following the supplement schedule. This involves taking specific amounts of caprylic acid and coconut charcoal at designated times, with the addition of Candifense later in the week.
Week Two
Many individuals report a noticeable difference in their anxiety levels during the second week. The benefits of the supplements start to show and acne may get worse as the toxins leave the body. Bowel movements may also change due to the charcoal supplements. Additional supplements such as digestive enzymes, leaky gut revive, the bone broth can be added at the beginning of this week.
Week Three
Weight loss may occur unintentionally during this week. Skin improvements may also be noticeable. Bowel movements may improve but there may be some adverse affects from the supplements, which can be counteracted by taking a charcoal pill.
Week Four
During the final week, it's important to remain diligent with the diet and supplement regimen.
Potential Downsides
While The Myers Way® 30-Day Candida Breakthrough® Program offers numerous benefits, it's essential to be aware of potential drawbacks:
- Lack of Personalized Feedback: The program includes a symptom quiz to track progress.
- Supplement Schedule: Adhering to the supplement schedule can be challenging initially, requiring careful planning and reminders.
- Cost: The program and additional supplements can be a significant investment.
- Commitment to Cooking: The program requires preparing meals from scratch, which may be an adjustment for those accustomed to eating out or consuming processed foods.
- Self-Diagnosis: Relying solely on an online quiz for diagnosis may not be accurate.
Results
Following The Myers Way® 30-Day Candida Breakthrough® Program yielded positive results in several areas:
- Acne: Significant improvement in skin appearance, with smoother texture and reduced inflammation.
- Constipation: Noticeable improvement in bowel regularity.
- Waking in the night with bloating/indigestion: Elimination of bloating and indigestion, leading to improved sleep quality.
- Low mood/depression: Feeling lighter and less irritable.
- Low energy/fatigue: Reduced fatigue levels.
- Anxiety: Significant reduction in anxiety levels.
- White tongue: Complete clearing of white coating on the tongue.
- Sugar and carb cravings: Substantial decrease in cravings.
- Weight Loss: Unintentional weight loss.