Candida Diet

You most likely found this page because you already know about Candida and believe it is affecting your daily life. If so, then allow us a few minutes to show you an all-natural Candida diet that can help restore the body's natural balance of bacteria and yeast in your body.

Depending upon how long you have suffered with Candida and the severity of your symptoms, you may only need a few weeks or you may need several months on this diet plan.

However, in most cases, once the Candida is gone, it's gone for good. Some people never have flare-ups and others who do, recognize it quickly, and can fight it off with simple steps.

Dr. Crook, an alternative practioner, recommends people with Candida overgrowth follow certain diet guidelines to help regulate the digestive system. He states:

* Avoid sugar. According to Dr. Crook, sugar promotes the growth of yeast. The total carbohydrate intake per day is often limited. For example, during the initial two to three weeks on the diet, the carbohydrate intake may be restricted to less than 60 grams per day, depending on age, health, activity level, and the extent of food sensitivities. Low-carbohydrate foods such as meat, chicken, turkey, shellfish, non-starchy vegetables, and certain nuts are emphasized instead.

As symptoms subside, the carbohydrate total of the diet is often gradually increased.

* Avoid foods containing any type of yeast. This includes fermented foods such as bread made with yeast, cheese, tomato paste, mushrooms, and beer. Although Dr. Crook believed that people with Candida overgrowth would also be allergic to other fungi, not all practitioners believe this restriction is necessary.

This might sound like a tough diet to follow, but just keep reminding yourself how much better you'll feel once you're Candida free! Also note that as your body adjusts and once the Candida are less in your body, you will be able to add back and increase some of the foods you love.

Foods to avoid (Candida Diet)

Sugar

Includes sugar, products containing sugar, and hidden forms of sugar, such as sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup, brown sugar, and turbinado. Artificial sweeteners are usually not recommended. Stevia and erythritol are allowed natural sweeteners.

Carbohydrates

During the first 2 to 3 weeks of the diet, it is often recommended that carbohydrate intake be restricted to 20 to 60 grams per day, depending on age, health, activity level, and extent of grain sensitivities.

Progress: As symptoms disappear, the carbohydrate total can gradually increase.

Good: Foods that are low carb include protein foods such as meat, chicken, turkey, shellfish, some nuts, and non-starchy vegetables.

Dairy Products

Milk, butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and other dairy products.

Wheat

Wheat and products containing wheat, such as pasta and bread.

Gluten

All gluten-containing grains: wheat (including spelt, triticale, and kamut), rye, and barley.

Coffee

One cup a day should be OK and may reduce the possibility of caffeine withdrawal headaches.

Other Foods to Avoid

• Yeast
• Alcohol
• Food additives and preservatives
• Chocolate
• High-Fat Foods

Environmental/Lifestyle

Birth Control (oral contraceptives)
Consider discussing sustitute methods of birth control with your physician.

Alcohol and smoking
Both alcohol and smoking can impair the immune function.

Sources
Crook, WG. The Yeast Connection: A Medical Breakthrough. Jackson, Tenn., Professional Books, 1983, 1984, 1986.
Martin, Jeanne Marie and Rona, Zoltan P. The Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook. Rocklin, California:Prima Books, 1996.

Herbs and Supplements

One important point to note about using supplements and herbs that kill off Candida is to ease into it gradually. As the Candida die off, some people experience side effects and feel like they are experiencing the flu. This is believed to be caused by the Candida as they die and release protein fragments and toxins that trigger an immune response. This is known as Herxheimer reaction.

As always, the lesson to learn is to do everything in moderation. Don't attempt to "overdose" on the Candida killing supplements to speed along the process or you may find yourself worse off than when you started.

Acidophillus

This is a beneficial bacteria that is thought to control Candida overgrowth by making the intestinal tract more acidic or alkaline, which discourages candida growth. It also produces hydrogen peroxide, which kills Candida directly.

Past studies have shown that hydrogen peroxide-producing strains of acidophillus, DDS-1, greatly reduced the incidence of antibiotic-induced yeast infections. These beneficial bacteria also help to restore the microbial balance within the digestive tract.

Fiber

One teaspoon up to one tablespoon of soluble fiber containing guar gum, psyllium husks, flaxseeds or pectin can be mixed in an 8 oz glass of water two times per day on an empty stomach.

Enteric-coated essential oils

Enteric-coated capsules contain oregano oil, peppermint oil, and other volatile oils that are believed to prevent the overgrowth of Candida. Typical recommendatons are to take these oils for several months in order to see the benefits. A standard dosage is two capsules two times a day with water, in between meals.

WARNING: Pure volatile oils can be quite toxic in this amount so the liquid form of these oils should never be ingested, and the capsules should not be broken open before ingesting.

Enteric-coated garlic

Garlic capsules that have been enteric-coated to open when they reach the intestines are often be used in combination with the volatile oils. Typical recommendations include one capsule, two times per day, taken with the enteric-coated volatile oil.

Other valuable supplements are caprylic acid from coconuts, oleic acid from olive oil, oregano oil, and pau d'arco. There are many combination products formulated for candida that contain these herbs and supplements.

As always, consult your primary care physician before starting any kind of treatments. You need to be sure that taking these oils, herbs, and supplements won't have adverse affects or interactions with other medications.

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