Okay Natalie, you want to get rid of and control the candida, which is pretty common if consuming years of refined and processed sugars and flours and poor foods with no nutritional value. For women, it can also be from the 'commercial' feminine insertive products that aren't really natural for the female's body.

GSE: Grapefruit Seed Extract, is the most effective at riding your body of candida and a host of other irritations., IT WORKS!
Do a google search and do more research. Consider getting the 'Nutribiotic GSE' from your local co-op groceries or which ever store that has alternative herbs, or order on line. Read the instructions and follow them. Also, consider using GSE for at least up to 30 days. Then see how you feel. The taste is a little bitter but what the heck when you know you're healing yourself. 15 drops three times a day with water (always recommended) or juice.
There's a video of Elijah Wood on the Jay Leno Show speaking about Nutribiotic GSE, on the right side of screen. www.nutribiotic.com/


Here, this is a trusted source for the leaky gut and poor digestion which leads to leaky gut. The DIGESTAZON PLUS and FIBERZON are the two you should look into: www.amazonherb.net/Corporat...duct.aspx

I've not heard of milk thistle being being much of a benefit for what you're wanting to resolve yet, milk thistle is good for proper liver function.

Continued Radiant Health,
Terry

I am so grateful for finding this group.
I had no idea I could find anywhere that could help me with the LGS.
Thank you, Natalie, so much, for asking.

18 months ago after chest pain, I was diagnosed with stage 3 Celiac.
Gluten had caused my immune system to eat tiny holes in my intestines... LGS
The western medical would not treat it.
Alternative medicine treat it with Pro Biotic and vitamin IVs
I will never eat candida causing starches again and have to release all sugar, just to heal.
So, I am very glad to hear the suggestions, that you have received.
Its like you spoke for me. Forever in your debt.

ps i take milk thistle at every meal. but all my pills are softjel, to not irritate the digestive walls.

Namaste

Hi Natalie. Just came across your post. Must preface everything i'm saying with the i'm not an expert, ask your doc. disclaimer. That said i have just a couple thoughts.
One: I'm not sure whether milk thistle does a thing for leaky gut. What i know about milk thistle is that it contains psylimarin, which has three key functions: to detoxify the liver, protect (or envelope) the liver, and aid in regenerating liver cells. Beyond that limited knowledge, i cannot vouch for any further purposes or indications of milk thistle.

Two: Although Candida is yeast overgrowth, it is typically the result of your GALT (or gastro-intestinal integrity made up of organ cells, mucosa, candida, FOS (prebiotic) and bacteria (e.g., probiotics like acidophilus, etc.). When i had candida and leaky gut as the result of parasites, i went to a naturopath who put me on a regimine to cut down build up the integrity of my GI system with a combination of mucous enriching herbs (e.g., aloe vera, marshmallow, slippery elm bark and others), as well as prebiotics (FOS or fructo-olygasaccharides -- speling- eek!) and probitotics. This was combined with some dietary supplements. If you're really concerned about this you should see a naturopath. Some aggressive treatment programs can be expensive, but there are also simple dietary remedies like the one you've already tried (cutting out fats and animal products).

Three: I would be remiss if i failed to mention the herb, Pau d'arco. I use Pau d'arco sporratically for everything from topical fungal infections to gastro-intestinal issues. It is an anti-fungal from the amazon rain forest. You can get it in tincture form (typically $7-9/ounce). Although this may not be the dynamite GI restructuring miracle that you would hope for, this is a simple treatment that gives me lots of relief from any sort of candididise or or undiagnosed GI issues.
Always be careful when starting new herbs. Talk to the workers at the store you go to. Try just a little and see if you react. Try a little more each day before you reach a standard dose. There are many herbs that you don't want to take daily for an extended period of time to avoid stasis or decreased response to their curative properties which happens with excessive use.
Good luck.