Common questions

Yes, as the unique ‘Flora Ferm’ fermentation process will break down all foods and change the chemical structure; and in doing so many people are then able to happily consume the fermented foods. And remember all allergies are a sign – like an ‘oil light flashing’ - indicating that the digestive tract is out of balance; keep in mind 85% of your immune system is manufactured in the lining of your gut wall, so if your gut is out of balance you will be more prone to both chemical and food allergies.

So the solution is to rebuild the gut and decrease the inflammation so you can enjoy a whole range of foods!

Yes, because it is a natural food! And many babies born today have reflux, cradle cap and colic – all yeast infections passed on from the mother’s birth canal (or lack of good bacteria due to a C section), which is extremely prominent in western world due to the use of the pill, antibiotics (there is a time and place), chemicals, parasites, poor diet and malabsorption.

Feed it to your baby in diluted boiled, cooled water.

Most definitely, as this is the ideal time to establish the ‘good guys’; and especially if you have heartburn (and even if you are not pregnant), thrush from the imbalance in your hormones, constipation, sugar cravings – the ‘good guys are a much needed relief. They are also essential for the health of the new baby in establishing their gut and immune system.

This sometimes can be a very confusing question and here’s why... Firstly, when companies say they have billions of bacteria (CFU – Colony Forming Units) in their products – that means they are synthetic and made in a laboratory. All our ‘hardy’ naturally fermented foods are made within the boundaries of Nature – the ‘good guys’ have been naturally grown from organic foods, just like in nature – they feed on the whole foods and continue to multiply into effective communities - so you’re eating natural whole probiotic foods which colonise the body, as opposed to synthetics.

Secondly, bacteria’s are very intelligent and their strength lies in working together in colonies (thousands in each colony) and communities, not on their own. So when many companies ‘shake up’ colonies to get an individual count on the bacteria’s, they actually reduce their effectiveness!

It’s not the number of bacteria present that is important; it’s how many make it through the digestive tract to recolonise and build a community to effectively work together, that counts. We need ‘healthy and alive’ bacteria colonies working together through the entire body. Many companies will concentrate on an individual strain i.e. Bifidobacteria bifidum for the colon, as opposed to balancing the whole system and allowing the colonies to support and communicate to each other. Thirdly, most synthetic bacteria’s are not as strong as our naturally fermented probiotic foods. Our ‘good guys’ have been inoculated against the pill; heat, cold, pesticides, preservatives and up to 12% alcohol!

Great question! Because the ‘mother culture’ - which is the probiotic base of the fermented foods, needs a sugar and starch to grow on, we use organic honey and agave to feed them. It’s like giving them a ‘packed lunch’ to go to work with and they consume the honey and agave and convert the organic wholefood ingredients into a highly potent ‘superfood’. So the fermented probiotic foods will never feed candida or any ‘bad bacteria’. But it will kill off the bad bacteria and recolonise the gut and bum with the ‘good guys’.

Yes, most definitely – then you can create the taste that you most enjoy!

We tend to crave sugar and refined carbohydrates when we have an oversupply of ‘bad bacteria’ in our system – they just love sugar! So when we get the body back in balance with a great supply of the ‘good guys’ in our digestive tract, the cravings generally subside within 3 – 5 days! And so that puts you back in control of what you’re eating and naturally many people tend to lose weight, as they no longer have those insatiable sugar cravings!

Because our fermented probiotic foods and drinks are ‘nutrient dense’ and packed with probiotics, protein – broken down to an amino acid level which is essential for a healthy body, enzymes, vitamins and minerals it sends a signal to the brain that it has had sufficient and so we actually tend to eat less food.

Whereby processed and some take-away foods tend to be ‘nutrient poor’ and so the body may crave more foods to continually satisfy the brain and body – hence the vicious cycle of overeating and putting on weight!

During the natural fermentation process a ‘bubbly’ effect is created and because our liquids are full of ‘live and active’ good bacteria it creates a natural self pressurisation; and so the cap needs to be opened VERY slowly to avoid the ‘fountain’ effect.

Because the ‘good guys’ come alive and bubbly at room temperature, chill the bottle for a short while as this puts the ‘good guys’ to sleep, making it easier to open and then keep in the fridge!

A. Candidiasis definitely does affect men. Allergies, digestive problems, "jock itch", athlete's foot, and skin rashes are all common symptoms of the condition in men. In its most deadly stage, the candida fungus can colonize around the heart, a phenomenon much more prevalent in men than in women. Candidiasis tends to be more systemic in men, making it potentially even more threatening to them than to the female population.

Can candida be transmitted sexually?

When your body truly needs them. If you are overdoing them, your kidneys (lower back) will ache and you may feel overly tired. Signs of cleansing such as swollen glands, sore throats, a tender abdomen, depression, bloating, and constipation are your body's way of telling you that you need to cleanse the colon. A competent colon therapist will be able to help you determine how often you should schedule your colonics and home enemas.
When first beginning the diet, I generally suggest a series of 10 colonics to facilitate the cleansing process. Adding Pro-Flora cow whey to the water acidifies the colon and helps prevent mineral loss. Be sure to get plenty of rest, replenish electrolytes by adding crystalloid electrolyte trace minerals to the colonic water, drink organic apple cider vinegar, and take friendly bacteria after getting a colonic or doing an enema. Please remember that these procedures are used to help rid the body of toxins during a cleansing cycle, not to purge abuses such as bingeing on junk foods, drugs, alcohol, and the feelings of guilt and self depreciation associated with eating disorders. When these techniques are used for the wrong reasons and done excessively, they can be harmful.

I am now getting too thin on the diet. How can I gain weight?

A green drink, such as Vitality SuperGreen™, taken twice daily will strengthen a thin person and aid in weight gain. Excessive thinness as well as obesity is often a result of the body's inability to properly assimilate nutrients. Digestive enzymes can be taken with and between meals to ensure assimilation. Remember to eat frequently and to include the unrefined oils and coconut oil in the diet. Coconut oil especially helps regulate the thyroid, a gland often out of balance in people with hormone and weight problems.

I just found out I'm pregnant. Can I stay on the diet? What foods do I need to emphasize or add?

Absolutely. Pregnancy increases a woman's protein needs. Since the algae family provides excellent sources of concentrated, easily assimilated protein, Vitality SuperGreen would be an ideal food during pregnancy.
Women should also listen to their cravings for animal foods and eat them accordingly. Consuming plenty of ocean vegetables and taking liquid trace minerals will ensure that both baby and mother get enough minerals.
Leafy greens provide calcium and should be eaten as much as possible.
The essential fatty acids are crucial to the developing fetus; salmon and unrefined oils such as pumpkin and flax are wonderful sources. Aside from what she eats, the expectant mother should pay careful attention to colon health since the elevated levels of progesterone during pregnancy contribute to constipation. By doing occasional lower-bowel enemas if she becomes constipated, she will protect her baby from toxins. And don't forget to take plenty of friendly bacteria to establish the baby's ecosystem. Excellent sources include...Lifestart by Natren (Bifidus Infantis) and Continental Liquid Acidophilus Culture. Kefir is an excellent source of protein, minerals, B vitamins, Vitamin K and beneficial flora. It is excellent for a mother-to-be.

I'm aware that animal proteins are not to be combined with oils or butter. I haven't found too many recipes that don't involve butter or oil in some way when cooking chicken. Does this mean I should never have stir-fried chicken again?

When I said do not use fats and animal proteins together, I meant in foods such as tuna salad, egg salad, or chicken salad. This amount of oil combined with animal protein inhibits the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and prevents digestion of the animal food. Small amounts of animal protein can be combined with a small amount of the medicinal oils during any meal.

Coconut Oil causes high cholesterol. Why is it on the Body Ecology Diet?

Coconut oil does not cause a problem with cholesterol as we have been misled to believe. In fact, it has wonderful therapeutic qualities and should be a part of any diet that restores and nourishes a healthy immune system. Use coconut oil for cooking.
Coconut oil like palm kernel oil is a medium chain triglyceride and digests very quickly, never causing cholesterol problems especially when the diet is balanced with the other oils that are rich in essential fatty acids. Medium chain fats are easier to digest and do not tax the liver like other saturated fats from animal foods.

Can I ever really become well and repair the damage done to my liver with drugs and bad oils?

There are many things you can do and we cover this subject thoroughly in Chapter 20... Healing at a deeper Level. Briefly, here's what we MUST do to heal our livers. Substitute organic, unrefined oils for bad oils. Eliminate drugs, alcohol, sugar etc., as well as eating late at night.
Follow the 80%/20% rule to avoid overeating. Use herbs (dandelion root, silymarin), chlorophyll-rich green foods (Vitality SuperGreen), and good oils like flax seed oil.
Do not consume high amounts of any oils when your liver is weak. Your liver uses up its important energy reserves when it digests fats. Small amounts (2-3 tsp. daily) are necessary for rebuilding the liver. Taking digestive enzymes, high in lipase, is also highly recommended.

I have a weak liver. Can I take the flax seed oil medicinally?

Absolutely. Weak livers, because of traditional eating habits in this country, are the norm today. As a matter of fact, for over five generations we have consumed refined corn and other vegetable oils. Since these refined oils have no essential fatty acids (neither does olive oil), we have NOT been consuming the critical essential fatty acids needed to nourish our brains, nervous systems, hearts, and eyes.
As you can see from the many serious hormone-related problems facing us today, we also haven't had the raw material needed to make critical hormones. Flax seed oil, rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, DHA from marine algae (found in Vitality SuperGreen) and cold water fish such as salmon give us these essential fatty acids. You'll be surprised to know that they also aid the liver in cleansing those bad fats and oils from our systems.

After going on the diet, my husband and I have both experienced itchy skin. Why? Can it be relieved?

In Chinese medicine the liver controls the skin, eyes and the joints. Since the Body Ecology Diet is a cleansing and healing diet, this itching indicates that your liver is cleansing and starting to heal. You must absolutely start a colon cleansing program. (Read Chapter 17...How To Care For Your Colon). Also you will want to use flax seed oil and Essential Balance™ (with its 1:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3) to help your skin. Use these oils only in salad dressings and sprinkle on veggies. The precious omega-3 essential fatty acids are destroyed by heat.

When I exercise I get leg cramps and miss the potassium I used to get from bananas. Is there another source of potassium that would be acceptable on the diet?

Our Vitality Supergreen contains cereal grasses and algae and is an excellent source of proteins and minerals including potassium. Many people with candidiasis and other immune disorders are, like you, allergic to grains but do tolerate the B.E.D. grains. In truth, B.E.D. grains (quinoa, amaranth, millet and buckwheat) are not true cereal grains. They are actually more seed-like. Some people cannot tolerate them at first, but can after the inner eco-system is re-established. Don't worry about potassium from bananas. All you're losing is the sugar. You'll find potassium in buckwheat, millet, red skin potatoes, ocean vegetables, fish, lean meats, a wide variety of land vegetables, sunflower seeds and organic apple cider vinegar.