KAUFMANN DIET

BMS 536 MNT

Mary Keels, Sara Staubach, Megan Brinker,

Shannon Highfill, Danielle Tetrault

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

BASIC PREMISE OF THE DIETKaufmann'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.

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

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

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

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

INTERPHASE (FORMERLY PHASE II)

Sugar Artificial and herbal sweeteners Fruit Meat Eggs Dairy Vegetables – same as phase I and add back yams and

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.

DISCREPANCY IN BOOK ON DAIRYPg. 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)

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)

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

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

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

CONCLUSIONS As a Registered Dietitian we would not

suggest/support/recommend this diet