KNOW THE CAUSE
by Doug Kaufmann

Q…I have bone spurs and one bothers me a lot. It is located on the back of my heel and my shoes hit the back of the spur, causing pain. I wear sneakers, which helps. I do surgery on my shoes to remove any padding in the shoe that would rub against the spur. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you, Ken

A…Ken, as readers know, I host a popular health talk show called KNOW THE CAUSE. I didn't name the show, TAKE THIS PILL or HAVE THIS SURGERY, because I truly believe that by knowing the cause of your malady (ie…bone spurs), you can prevent most pill taking and surgery. If I had bone spurs, the most important question I would have is, "How come I'm making new bone?"

Those in medicine might make milk the culprit, but I think the answer lies in an important study done and published in the 1996 book, Principles and Practices of Clinical Mycology. In this study, it was reported that the most common types of fungal masses (aspergillomas), which can grow unrestricted in the lungs or sinus cavities, were found to have "flecks of calcium" within. The fungal byproducts, called mycotoxins, in these infections attracted calcium. The result: calcium accumulation! How I wish every radiologist, interpreting mammograms knew this! It is very common for women to see "microcalcification" on their mammogram reports, yet they never learn why. Unfortunately, physicians do not learn of this calcium/fungus link and the cause goes undetected. This is analogous to your bone spurs, in that your body is accumulating calcium, causing these outgrowths which we call spurs. If I were you, I'd take the next 12 months and try to discover the cause of this phenomenon; new bone growth in your heel. Have a look at the diet/lifestyle program we discuss in our book, The Fungus Link. It may take some time, but the time investment should be well worth it!

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Q…About a year ago, I was diagnosed by two doctors of having cerebellar ataxia, but no reason was given why this was happening. I am 45 years old and have been having symptoms for five years. I have had numerous tests, including DNA tests, but they all showed up negative. Is there anything you can recommend? James

A…Cerebellar ataxia is an umbrella term for disorders of the nervous system, which cause unsteadiness and a lack of coordination. Know that certain fungal metabolites, some as near to you as the corn you may be eating, are neurotoxic. Several species are even called "tremorgens!"

They cause tremors, and isn't that what occurs to you and Alzheimer's patients, to name a few? Are the problems you're having caused by fungus?

Consider these questions. Has your home ever leaked? Is your home or office moldy? Have you been on numerous antibiotics at any time in your life (antibiotics are fungal metabolites)? Did you ever battle alcoholism (alcohol is a mycotoxin)? Do you smoke? All of these consider fungal metabolites a potential answer to your question. If you suspect a fungal root cause of this ataxia, ask your doctor to prescribe Diflucan and Nystatin for a few months and adhere to a diet that restricts grains and sugar during that time; the Phase 1 Diet may be best to try.

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Q…Dear Doug, I have been watching your program the past two weeks when not working. I was diagnosed with scleroderma and Raynauds in 1988. Since then, it has affected my digestive system, causing constipation and I have to eat slowly for food to get down my esophagus. I have pulmonary hypertension and fibrosis of the left lung and I am on many medications: 5mg of salagen three times per day for saliva, 125mg of Tracleer two times per day for pulmonary hypertension, 400mg of trental three times per day for circulation, 30mg of Prevacid 1 time per day for reflux, 10mg of Reglan two times a day for digestion and 85mg baby aspirin 1 time per day. I have just come off of prednizone and cytoxin, which I take whenever I have a flair up in my lungs. I believe in God and His provision, and I know the Bible specifies to eat certain things. But I don't know if it can help me. I have been told my sickness is mechanical and cannot be helped by what I eat. I am also taking vitamins for breakfast: All one powder (green phyto base), Fiber smart, Iso-Rich Soy Protein, Super rich Yeast Plus, 300mg of Grape Seed Extract, 3,000mg of Fish Oil and 500mg of L-Arginine. I would appreciate your help and input by e-mail for I do work and am not at home during the day. I watch you on WACX channel 14 in Melbourne, Florida when at home. Please help me. I am also visiting a doctor at Shands hospital for a LUNG TRANSPLANT, WHICH I AM BEING MONITORED AND NOT READY FOR. Thank you in advance for any help. Liz

A…Liz, as a believer, I think you'll find the answers to the questions you have by reading, not my book, but another best seller, The Holy Bible. Leviticus 14:32-50 refers to "spreading mildew" in homes in The Land of Caanan. Today we call this mold. Ironically, a man whom I respect very much, A. V. Costantini, MD, retired Head of The World Health Organization's (WHO) Collaborating Center for Mycotoxins in Food, published that he and his physician co-authors felt that both scleroderma and Raynaud's Disease both had a mycotoxin (fungal toxin) base. I concur with these researchers 100%. I firmly disagree, however, that your problem cannot be helped with diet, as fungi are parasites of man and must be starved in order for you to overcome these diseases, if in fact they are due to fungus. Fungi must get their potatoes, breads, sugars, pastas and likely the very foods that you now find yourself craving are also feeding fungi. This is a difficult time of year to begin a new diet, but you may just discover the road to health by digging in right now.

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Q…What is Myelodysplasia and can it be caused by fungus? Thank you. Sincerely, Sandra

A…Myelodysplasia (MDS) refers to a group of disorders in which the bone marrow does not function normally and produces insufficient number of normal blood cells. Once again, as astute readers of this column, you know that I will always try to isolate the cause, rather than dwelling on new drug sponsored research papers. In this case, MDS being yet another in the growing number of auto-immune disorders, it just may have something to do with fungus. Remember, fungus makes mycotoxins and these can and do enter the bloodstream and are extremely toxic. One of them (aflatoxin B1), has been known to cause human liver cancer since 1960. Apprise your doctor that you'd like to run a little experiment that is quite safe to try. I'd adhere to our Phase 1 Diet for 30 days while simultaneously taking natural antifungals like oregano oil, olive leaf extract and garlic. I'd juice daily with fresh, organic carrot juice (one of carrots powerful ingredients is falcarinol, a potent antifungal) and add a clove of fresh garlic. I'd exercise, perspire and RID my house of potential mold and begin taking probiotics just in case antibiotics started this condition. In 30 days, I'd report back to my doctor and make him promise that if your blood counts were better, he'd tell every one of his patients of your success. Kindest regards!

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Q…Doug/Dave/Kyle ----I have been battling a systemic yeast infection for months...years?? My immune system seems to be so impaired; I continue to get bladder infections, etc. We have prayed for soooo long and searched for God's answer. I can't find a doc to prescribe Diaflucan for more than one dosage! I've heard you and others talk about beta glucan. I got some, but discovered it has mushrooms in it.... isn't this going to be bad for my condition? What else should I try?? Anne, Fayetteville, Arkansas

A…Anne, actually beta glucans, an immune system modulator, comes in many forms, mushroom being only one. Beta glucan products don't have mushrooms in them. Rather, beta-glucans are molecules derived and isolated from the cell wall of yeast. The "glue" that holds oatmeal together when wet is high in beta glucans also (now you understand why oats reduce cholesterol!). A medical mycology (the study of fungus) textbook describes beta-glucans as being "broad-spectrum enhancers of host (human) defense mechanisms against bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections" (Anaissie, 2003).

Having said this, if I were in your shoes, with your physician's complete authorization, I'd begin taking Caprylic Acid with each meal. I'd also get chlorophyll liquid or caps and take it 2-4 times daily. These are both safe, but sometimes the caprylic acid can provoke a "die-off" reaction, wherein you may feel worse for a few days, then gradually much better. It is most unfortunate that physicians dispense Ritalin, Prozac and other dangerous drugs with such ease and withhold the drug that is safer and would likely heal many of their patients: Diflucan. I have found that although I think this drug would assist you, I'm not a physician and therefore cannot dispense it. If I were a physician, Pfizer the maker of Diflucan, would be worth a zillion dollars!

Anne, take the year 2006 and study the role that yeast, fungus and mildew has to do with your spiraling immune system. You may find that a Petri dish or two in your house would quickly identify the cause of your declining health.

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Q…Dear Mr. Kaufmann, Could you please help me with this: At night I wake up literally scratching my anal area; sometimes to the point of bleeding! It appears that a liquid is draining from my vaginal area causing this but I can't be sure. In the past I've splashed hydrogen peroxide + alcohol - then plain white vinegar which does stop the itching. I've tried many, many over the counter remedies to no avail. Please tell me something I can do for it. Thank you so very much - and I truly respect all your wise advice.

A…Itching is often caused by swelling, so you may have a hemorrhoid condition. As I have long contended, what makes bread rise is fully capable of making human tissue swell also! Yeast can virtually grow in every human tissue, sans teeth. Topical Witch Hazel often offers immediate relief to hemorrhoid sufferers. The fact that vinegar helped stop the itching tells me that this is most likely either a vaginal or rectal yeast condition.

NATREN makes a product called GYNATREN. It is a vaginal insert that repopulates the vaginal terrain and helps terminate the discomfort of a yeast infection. More importantly, it can assist in stopping the recurrence of yeast overgrowth that women most often notice. Remember also that the distal end of the alimentary tract (the food tube) is the rectum, so rectal infections, be they bacterial or fungal, most likely have to do with your diet and the condition of the intestinal tract. That being the case, it might benefit you to take probiotics by mouth, as well. NATREN makes an oral, encapsulated probiotic called HEALTHY TRINITY for this very purpose. So, you raise your right hand at midnight on Sunday, January 1, 2006, promise to change your diet to a Phase 1 Diet and see if that, Gynatren and Healthy Trinity doesn't help tremendously.

E-mail your questions to knowthecause@lakeshore guardian.com or mail to Know The Cause!, c/o The Lakeshore Guardian at 9697 Purdy Road, Harbor Beach, MI 48441. To order one of Doug's books, please call 972-772-0990. To learn more about Doug Kaufmann and his research, go to www.knowthecause.com.