Safety of GSE + adranals... comments please... especially Andy

[Guest guest]

I've already searched the archives and have found nothing discussing the safety

of grapefruit seed extract (GSE) in this group.

Our son is 11 and high-functioning. We've been doing Andy's DMSA/ALA protocol

for about a two years with an interruption for six months. We're seeing slow

progress with his learning and emotions, but his verbal and hand stims are as

bad as ever. I've read this is yeast, which DMSA makes worse. We're up to

100mg DMSA + 100mg ALA every four hours from Friday at 4pm until Monday at 8am.

We're using CD Herbal from Kirkman's for the yeast although I've heard great

things about GSE. I bought some and started using it, but then read up on it

and found that it's really not very natural. The fact that it's made from

grapefruit seeds or rinds doesn't make it natural. From what I've read, it

appears to be very similar to a synthetic anti-bacterial, the same one you find

in Dial antibacterial hand soap. I stopped using it and started using CD

Herbal, which is oregano and several other herbs.

Am I wrong to be wary of GSE?

****

Second topic: adrenals.

This one is regarding me. I'm 50 yo & have virtually no adrenal function. I

have enough baseline adrenal production so that conventional doctors say " well,

it's low, but not a problem. " I've had a test where urine is collected for 24

hours, you get a shot of some hormone, then you collect urine for 24 hours

again. This test showed almost no boost in the adrenal hormones that would be

expected. I've lost faith in the doctor that did this test... all he wanted to

do was supplement my adrenals and didn't want to search for a cure.

My biggest complaint is excessive urination, which I blame on a lack of

Anti-Diuretic Hormone, although this is self-diagnosed. I also have almost no

adrenaline: be scared or run up the stairs and my heart rate goes from 60 to 70

(it pounds instead of going fast). Skinny arms and legs, but still have fat on

my belly (I think it's fat... could it be yeast?). I have been tested for yeast

in the digestive system and it's very low. My blood tests for yeast antibodies

have come up low also. I've read that you can still have systemic yeast

problems even if your antibody tests come up negative.

I keep suspecting yeast because I feel worse the day after I have more carbs.

I've read that yeast can interfere with the adrenals. I'm now having to drink 3

liters of water per day (up from 2.5 liters a few months ago)... if I drink any

less I have arm and leg cramps. No caffeine, no chocolate, one beer a week

[sigh], no medications. I tried CD Herbal for several months with no

improvement. I tried GSE for a week and I think it helped, but as I mentioned

above, I'm afraid that I'm drinking antibacterial soap.

I have also suspected some kind of parasite, because of the effect of carbs and

I feel worse around the full moon.

I've read Andy's book and I know that mercury can wreck your hormone production.

I would love to start chelation, but I still have 8 huge amalgams in my mouth.

I've found a mercury-aware dentist, but he's very expensive and my dental

insurance only pays 50%. Many of the amalgams are so big that once they are

taken out, I need a crown, which costs so much that I can't afford to do more

than one every six months. At least I'm down from 11 amalgams.

I know the answer, but I'll ask anyway: I can't start chelation until I've

gotten rid of all the amalgams, right?

Will GSE kill off systemic yeast, or just gut yeast?

I guess my primary question is whether GSE is safe and whether GSE is just for

the gut. I especially want Andy's opinion on these questions because of his

knowledge of body chemistry.

Any advise on my adrenal insufficiency would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

JT