Kaufmann Diet

1. Kaufmann Diet BMS 536 MNT Mary Keels, Sara Staubach, Megan Brinker, Shannon Highfill, Danielle Tetrault

2. About Doug Kaufmann • In 1968 he was drafted to the military where he served in the Navy for 4 yrs • In 1970 he was sent to Vietnam and upon his return he became ill and attributed it to fungus • He then began researching and opened a laboratory • He has hosted a T.V. show, radio shows, and has written several books concerning his “discovery”. http://knowthecause.com/Fungus101/tabid/58/Default.aspx

3. Basic Premise of the Diet Kaufmann's theory is that certain foods feed fungus living in your body. Eliminating those foods will kill the fungus because the fungus needs sugars derived from carbohydrates to thrive. The diet is based on the belief that a person infected with fungus actually craves foods that satisfy the fungus rather than meet the nourishing needs of the human body.

4. How it works • There are 2 phases: The Initial Phase followed by the InterPhase • Stay on Initial Phase for at least 2 weeks to starve out the fungus then switch to InterPhase • People who have “will power” can do the Initial Phase indefinitely

5. Kaufmann’s Claims to Health Problems Related to Fungus • Arthritis • Digestion disorders (Chron’s dz, IBS) • Intestinal disorders • Respiratory problems (asthma) • Mental health issues (depression, brain disorders) • Chronic skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis) • Heart problems • Allergies • Women’s Health (yeast, infertility, miscarriage) • Pain (chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome) Psoriasis of the stomach

6. Initial Phase Diet – 2weeks (formerly Phase I) • Sugar – none • Artificial and herbal sweeteners – Stevia, Stevia Plus • Fruit – Green apples, berries, avocados, grapefruit, lemons, limes • Meat – “Virtually all meats, including fish, poultry and beef. Farm-raised meat and fish are corn-fed, so they should be kept to a minimum. Grass-fed beef is ideal, followed by organic meats to which antibiotic exposure has been minimized.” • Eggs – allowed (avoid egg substitutes) • Dairy – allowed. “yogurt (especially goat yogurt) cream cheese, unsweetened whipping cream, sour cream, butter. Dairy products are better if from range-fed cattle and animals not injected with antibiotics, hormones or steroids, nor fed with silo-stored grains.” • Vegetables – most fresh, unblemished vegetables and freshly made vegetable juice. No potatoes, legumes, or mushrooms. Pg. 232 from The Fungus Link book vol. 1 – 2nd series

7. Initial Phase Diet continued– 2weeks (formerly Phase I) • Beverages – Bottles/filtered water; non-fruity, herb teas; Stevia-sweetened, fresh lemonade or limeade. No coffee/tea (including decaf) or regular/diet sodas • Grains – NO grains allowed • Yeast products – NO yeast allowed • Vinegars – Unpasteurized apple cider vinegar and black olives not aged in vinegar • Oils – Olive, grape seed, flax seed (use cold pressed when available) • Nuts – Raw nuts, including pecans, almonds, walnuts. NO peanuts (or peanut products) or pistachios

8. InterPhase (formerly Phase II) • Sugar • Artificial and herbal sweeteners • Fruit • Meat • Eggs • Dairy • Vegetables – same as phase I and add back yamsand legumes. NO potatoes • Beverages – same as phase I • Grains – Oats, brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, millet, buckwheat, barley, flour tortillas, sourdough bread (in moderation). NO corn and yeast breads. • Yeast products • Vinegars • Oils • Nuts Pg. 233 from The Fungus Link book vol. 1 – 2nd series Same as Initial Phase Diet for first six items Same as Initial Phase Diet for food groups for last four.

9. Discrepancy in book on Dairy Pg. 232 specifically states “all types” but pg. 234 then gives you “additional facts about food” and states to exclude in both phases: • Cow’s milk • Casein • Caseinate • Sodium caseinate • Whey • Lactalbumin • Lactalbumin phosphate • Buttermilk (solids included)

10. Sample Menu • Breakfast: Fried eggs, uncured bacon, ½ grapefruit • Snack: Almonds, water (always bottled or filtered) • Lunch: Tuna with celery, herbal tea • Snack: Carrot sticks, water • Dinner: Steak, steamed veggies, sparkling lime water • Dessert: Plain yogurt with raspberries Pg. 262 from The Fungus Link book vol. 1 – 2nd series (Example menus for Initial Phase Diet)

11. Pros/Cons Pros: • No simple sugars and trans-fats or processed foods • Lots of fresh vegetables • Organic products are used so no hormones, pesticides, fertilizers, or chemicals • Does not restrict the amount of food Cons: • Excludes grains completely in Initial Phase • Excludes almost all milk products in both phases, thus may be severely lacking in vit. D • Severely limits variety of fruit in both phases • Expense of organic foods and grass-fed beef products • Promotes use of real butter

12. Scientific Evidence and Analysis • ADA Evidence Based Library (www.adaevidencelibrary.com) no information • National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (http://nccam.nih.gov/) no information • MedWatch (www.fda.gov/medwatch/) no information There is no scientific evidence and analysis upheld by major authorities that supports the Fungus Link theory or diet

13. Perspective • Omits grains in the Initial Phase (2wks) which is not supported by ADA. In the InterPhase a good amount/variety of grains are added back in • Severely restricts dairy in the Initial Phase and InterPhase. Suggested menus do not give the recommended number of servings per day. Long-term restriction could lead to vit. D deficiency and be high in saturated fat and cholesterol • Severely restricts the variety of fruit in the Initial Phase and InterPhase. Suggested menus do give 2 servings per day from the limited fruit allowed. • Long-term use would limit vitamins/minerals/functional components of food offered from this group

14. Conclusions • As a Registered Dietitian we would not suggest/support/recommend this diet