"Ann" > wrote in message
m...
> Hello,
>
> I've been vegan as in no food or toiletries or anything with any
> animal products for about five years, but, it hasn't been for health
> reasons and I haven't been the healthiest eater -- my diet includes
> lots of carbs, bready things, potatoes, pasta, sugary >things.

Carbs are good for you, as part of a balanced diet. Just cut down on the
sugary things.

>I was
> recently told to switch to an all raw fruit and veggie diet to treat
> an acne problem that I've had for a long time.

What you eat really doesn't have as much effect on acne as some people
think. It should only hurt you if you have an allergy to one particular
food.

http://www.skincarephysicians.com/acnenet/myths.html

"Myth #2: Acne is caused by diet. Extensive scientific studies have not
found a connection between diet and acne. In other words, food does not
cause acne. Not chocolate. Not french fries. Not pizza. Nonetheless, some
people insist that certain foods affect their acne. In that case, avoid
those foods. Besides, eating a balanced diet always makes sense. However,
according to the scientific evidence, if acne is being treated properly,
there's no need to worry about food affecting the acne."

>It sounds promising,

Don't bother.

> and I'm hoping that it will help with a lot of other health >problems
> too,

Ask a doctor (a mainstream one) what to do about improving your health. See
a real dermatologist about your acne.

>but I want to do it right, not have to worry about adding >*more*
> problems and getting frustrated thinking it's not helping >because I'm
> bumbling it.

Then stay far far away from "Alternative" practitioners. Whoever told you to
go on a strict diet to avoid acne has probably completely ignored the
scientific studies which have shown little to no linkage between acne and
diet.

>Exactly what fruits and veggies and how many?

Why the heck are you getting medical advice on a newsgroup anyway? If
someone told you to go on a strict diet of sour cherries and plain eggplant,
would you do it? Where does the madness end? I'm not saying you're mad, just
that you need to take more of a common sense approach to these things.

Diets can improve heatlh sometimes, but it seems like you're obssessing too
much about what you eat and not giving enough energy toward other, more
important things.

> Where
> should I get them, supermarket or health food store?

There's no really substantial health benefits regarding organic vs.
non-organic, so don't pay the extra money.

>Should they be
> organic?

Unecessary.

> How should I wash them, eg I read about soaking
> non-pealables for 15 min. in a sink full of water mixed with a little
> peroxide.

Don't drink peroxide! It can be very dangerous and eat away things.
Surprisingly a lot of pseudoscientists including Kent Hovind are promoting
this, but it's really quite dangerous.

"Hydrogen peroxide is being promoted as a "cure-all" by several small
nonmedical organizations.
These organizations claim that hydrogen peroxide can cure a variety of
ailments including cancer, AIDS, and arthritis. However, use of hydrogen
peroxide for these purposes has resulted in deaths and serious injuries. "

http://www.h2o2.com/h2o2update/pgarticles/human.html

Just wash with water.

> I also have a dilemma because I also want to try the >"Master Cleanse"

Why do you feel a need to do that?

> and I'm probably going to try a treatment for chronic >systemic candida
> infection -- what do I do first?

You must have a really weak immune system if you have that! You'd better get
a second opinion before you try to treat something you probably don't even
have.

> Can I do the cleanse and start the
> treatment at the same time?

Do neither. Ask a doctor, a REAL doctor who went to medical school.

> Please help!!

I'm doing the best I can, please listen to what I've told you and don't put
your health or pocketbook at risk any longer by accepting faux advice and
faux treatments from a bunch of pseudoscientists.

-Rubystars