Treat Your Candida Successfully With Supplements & Diet

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Candida is the short name used to describe yeast overgrowth in the body.

The technical term is Candidiasis. Like their “cousins” the molds, they live all around us. One family “Candida Albicans” lives in all mucus membranes, i.e. intestines, eyes, ears, bladder, stomach, lungs, vagina, etc. It is one of the billions of friendly organisms that serve a useful purpose in the body. One of its important functions is to recognize and destroy harmful bacteria. However, candida is not intended to overgrow and get out of control while the body is alive. This is only intended to happen when the body dies, when it’s function and characteristics change, in order to break down the body.

 
A healthy immune system keeps candida in balance with the other micro-organisms in the mucous membranes but under certain conditions it begins to overgrow and get out of control. The causes of immune system dysfunction are varied and complex, but antibiotics are the biggest culprits because they wipe out friendly micro-organisms, in the digestive system. Because Candida is resistant to antibiotics the imbalance of micro-organisms allows it to take over. It begins to change its shape and starts to overgrow; raising large families called colonies.

Once begun, if not recognized and treated appropriately, candida overgrowth can result in a self-perpetuating, negative cycle. Large numbers of yeast germs can weaken the immune system, which normally protects the body from harmful invaders. Even though candida is part of the ecological balance in the body since birth, it is still recognized by the immune system as a foreign body that needs to be controlled. So, when overgrowth occurs, a chronic stimulation to the immune system results -every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every month, every year -in an attempt by the immune system to regain control. In time, it is believed that this can exhaust the immune system, predisposing one to more serious degenerative processes. Many believe chronic drains on the immune system such as candida and parasites can play a direct role in the development of cancer and AIDS. Seen in this light, candida overgrowth should not be taken lightly.

Women are more likely to get candida overgrowth than are men. This is related to the female sex hormone progesterone which is elevated in the last half of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone increases the amount of glycogen (animal starch, easily converted to sugar) in the vaginal tissues which provide an ideal growth medium for candida. Progesterone levels also elevate during pregnancy. Men are affected less frequently but are by no means invulnerable.

Why Did I Get Candida Overgrowth?

This is a list of some of the causes:

ANTIBIOTICS
BIRTH CONTROL PILLS
STRESS
TAP WATER CONSUMPTION
CONSTIPATION
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
HYPOTHYROID
IMMUNE DEFICIENCY
HOROMONAL IMBALANCE
DIABETES
DIET

Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth

• Allergies, sensitivities and intolerances that worsen in damp, muggy or moldy places or weather that is damp, muggy, humid or rainy.
• Hay fever and asthma.
• Intolerances or allergies to perfumes, odors, fumes, fabric shop odors, grass, cats, dogs or other animals, tobacco smoke, chemicals, smog, molds, dust mites, dust, pollen, and other airborne substances.
• Athletes’ foot.
• Babies - colic, diaper rash, thrush (coated white tongue), and cradle cap.
• Bruising easily.
• Cheekbone or forehead tenderness, pain.
• Cold hands or feet, low body temperature.
• Cold-like symptoms - excessive mucus in the sinuses, nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs.
• Cravings or addictions for sugar, bread, pasta and other high carb foods, and also alcohol.
• Cysts, abnormal formation of, in different parts of the body, especially around the neck, throat, and ovaries, and in the bladder or scrotum.
• Digestive problems - diarrhea, constipation, abdominal distention, bloating or pain, gas, mucus in the stools, hiatal hernia, ulcers, suffering from bacteria, i.e. salmonella, E. coli, h. pylori, etc.
• Ears - ringing in the ears (tinnitus), sounds in the ears, ear infections, dryness, itchiness, ear pain, ear aches, ear discharges, fluid in ears, deafness, abnormal wax build-up.
• Eyes - erratic vision, spots in front of eyes (eye floaters) and flashing lights; redness, dryness, itching, excessive tearing, inability to tear, etc.
• Fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome or Epstein Barr or a feeling of being drained of energy, lethargy, drowsiness.
• Flu-like symptoms.
• Glands – swollen, too little saliva (dryness in the mouth), blocked salivary glands, swollen lymph nodes.
• Hair loss, scum on the scalp, dandruff, itchy scalp, scalp sores and dryness.
• Heart palpitations and irregular heart beat.
• Headaches, migraines, brain fog, dizziness, etc.
• Hemorrhoids, and rectal itching, rash, irritation and redness.
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and diabetes.
• Hypothyroidism, Wilson’s Thyroid Syndrome, Hashimoto’s disease, hyperthyroidism, erratic thyroid function, etc.
• Irritability, nervousness, jitteriness and panic attacks.
• Lesions on the skin, and inside the body, i.e. the brain.
• Male associated problems - jock itch, loss of sex drive, impotence, prostitis, penis infections, difficulty urinating, urinary frequency or urgency, painful intercourse, swollen scrotum, etc.
• Female health problems - infertility, vaginitis, unusual odors, endometriosis (irregular or painful menstruation), cramps, menstrual irregularities, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), discharge, painful intercourse, loss of sexual drive, redness or swelling of the vulva and surrounding area, vaginal itching or thrush, burning or redness, or persistent infections.
• Fungal infections of the skin or nails, i.e. ringworm, saborrheic dermatitis, dark and light patches on the skin (tinea versicolor), etc.
• Joint pain, stiffness or swelling (arthritis).
• Kidney and bladder - infections, cystitis (inflammation of the bladder with possible infection), urinary frequency or urgency, low urine output, smelly urine, difficulty urinating, burning pain when urinating.
• Lack of appetite.
• Mind and Mood - anxiety attacks, crying spells, memory loss, feeling spaced out, depression(including suicidal feelings), manic feelings, inability to concentrate, mood swings, irritability, etc.
• Mouth sores or blisters, canker sores, dryness, bad breath, a white coating on the tongue (thrush) and blocked salivary glands.
• Muscle aches and pain, numbness, burning or tingling, and lack of strength and coordination.
• Nasal congestion, postnasal drip, itching, dryness.
• Odor of the feet, hair or body not relieved by washing.
• Respiratory - cough, bronchitis or pneumonia, pain or tightness in the chest, wheezing, shortness of breath, asthma.
• Sick all over feeling.
• Sinus inflammation, swelling and infections.
• Skin – dryness, dry red patches, acne, pimples, hives, rashes, itching skin, eczema, psoriasis, seborrhoea, ringworm, contact dermatitis, rosacea, etc.
• Stomach – h. pylori bacteria (causes ulcers), heartburn, indigestion, hiatal hernia, acid reflux, belching, vomiting, burning, stomach pains, needle-like pains, food that seems to sit in the stomach like a lump, etc.
• Sleep - insomnia, waking up frequently, nightmares, restless sleep, etc.
• Sore throat, hoarse voice, constant tickle in the throat, laryngitis (loss of voice), etc.

Foods To Avoid

What’s the number one reason why most people fail to get better from candida? Not following the correct diet. 90% of your candida problems will go away if you have the discipline to follow the correct anti-candida diet for 3-5 months as part of a strict candida cleansing regimen. Diet is your main weapon against candida overgrowth. Here is the no list.

NO - CONCENTRATED SUGAR
Candida’s main food supply is sugar and all forms of it, such as lactose contained in dairy products, honey, glucose, fructose, and sugar substitutes, i.e. Nutrasweet, aspartame, saccharin. Eliminating sugar is the most important part of any candida program. Eliminate all refined, concentrated forms of sugar from the diet.
As for fruit, it is recommended that for the first week or so one eliminate all high sugar fruit, or all fruit if you wish, along with high sugar vegetables. After one or two weeks, slowly add fruit back to see if it causes a problem. Some people claim that minimal fruit doesn't cause candida overgrowth at all, but rather excessive fat does, or at least the combination of high fat and high fruit/sugar. Some claim you must choose between either one. Be sure to follow proper food combining by eating fruit alone, certainly never with fat.

It has been known for many years that processed sugar greatly depresses the immune system, avoid that, no questions asked.
Absolutely No: Fruit Juice, Dried Fruit, Refined or Processed Sugar.
Limit High Sugar Fruits: Pomegranates, Plums, Oranges, Kiwis, Pineapples, Pears, Tangarines, Cherries, Grapes, Mangos, Figs, Bananas, Dried fruit (dates, raisins, apricots, prunes)
Limit High Sugar Vegetables: Beets, Corn, Parsnips, Peas, Squash, Potatoes in all forms.

NO - HIGH FAT
Not only is fat generally difficult to digest, but as stated above, many people believe that fruit isn't what aggravates candida, the blame being moreso on fat. Some believe that eating a lot of fruits will lead to candida issues only if they are consuming more fat than they should be, more than they can healthfully tolerate.

Dr. Doug Graham says, "It's rather simple but as everyone knows, oil is a lubricant, oil coats things and if there's more fat in our bloodstream than we're designed to handle, it not only coats the blood sugar molecule, it also coats the insulin. When the insulin is coated and the sugar is coated, it's very hard for the insulin to link up with the sugar. They don't recognize each other. Not only that, but the portal where sugar exits the bloodstream becomes clogged with fat. Then, so it's hard for sugar to get out again. Well, the blood sugar level continues to rise so as the brain and eventually, more insulin is produced and the insulin's job is to find sugar. So, eventually it's going to, but now there's twice as much or three times as much insulin in the bloodstream as there are supposed to be and eventually your blood sugar crashes." Read more HERE.
Limit: Oils of any kind. Oil are very concentrated fat sources. When oils are used, they should be cold pressed and uncooked. Just don't overdo it with fats.

NO - GLUTEN
Candida thrives on gluten. Most Candida sufferers are gluten intolerant. Gluten is an elastic and gluey protein found in wheat, rye, barley, spelt, kamut, triticale and it is hidden in an endless variety of processed foods. Triticale is a new hybrid grain with the properties of wheat and rye, while spelt and kamut are gluten-containing wheat variants and are likely to cause problems similar to other wheat varieties. Gluten-containing grains have come to be used extensively in breads and other baked goods because of their “glutinous,” sticky consistency.

Gluten grains feed candida because they have a high glycemic index just like sugar, and like sugar, creates insulin resistance within the cells which leads to blood sugar problems like hypoglycemia and diabetes. The cells become resistant to insulin as they try to protect themselves from the toxic effective of high doses of insulin caused by high intake of sugar and simple carbohydrates. As the cells become insulin resistant, the pancreas produces more insulin which creates a vicious cycle. This exhausts the pancreas eventually leading to its breakdown resulting in diabetes.

Gluten grains contain a protein that is difficult to digest and interferes with mineral absorption and causes intestinal damage. This damage makes the intestines incapable of absorbing nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and even water in some cases. Our grain food supply also contains mycotoxins (a toxin produced by a fungus), especially found in corn and wheat. Mycotoxins can suppress our normal immune function.
Avoid Completely: Rye, Barley, and especially Wheat and any of it's variants.
If you must eat these, limit them, and try sprouting them before use. Wash the sprouts in cold water to prevent mold growth.

NO - PEANUTS
Peanuts often have molds that grow on them as well as fungal toxins. Some peanut butter brands are higher than others. Supposedly the organic Maranatha brand doesn't contain mold. However, peanut butter is also high in fat therefore it should be limited or avoided altogether and definitely not eaten with sugar, including fruit sugar.

NO - DAIRY
Best to be avoided. Dairy products and cow’s milk products in particular, should be avoided because they can lead to allergic reactions and digestive complaints. Some of the main yeast infection factors can include allergies and digestive problems. Better alternatives to cow’s milk are organic raw goat milk products. Keifer and yogurt can be eaten sparingly as long as they have no added sugar.

NO - FLOUR
Flour should be avoided most of the time, especially gluten flours. Flour is a refined food and can easily be eaten by yeast. Refined flour is also high in carbohydrates that will feed yeast. This is especially important in the cleansing phases of the diet. Again, after some progress is achieved in reducing overgrowth, then it may be something that can be eaten a little more often. But try to at least avoid refined and gluten grain flours completely such as wheat.

CONTROVERSIAL FOOD
There seems to be no agreement in the scientific world if these help or harm candida overgrowth. It is probably best to come to your own conclusion by listening to your body.

MUSHROOMS
VINEGAR
BREWER'S & NUTRITIONAL YEAST
OXALATE CONTAINING FOOD - you may want to go on a low-oxalate eating plan when you have candida. This means eliminating many very healthy foods such as spinach and almonds temporarily. More about the connection between candida and oxalates see here

Foods To Eat

YES - HERBS AND SPICES
Herbs contain antioxidants and anti-fungal properties which will help greatly with candida overgrowth.
Some Great Spices and Herbs are: basil, turmeric, cayenne, cilantro, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, garlic, ginger, oregano, paprika, rosemary, thyme, and many others.

YES - LOW SUGAR FRUITS
Low and medium sugar fruits may be okay to eat as long as it is not paired with a high fat diet. Although, they should be eaten in moderation, in their whole form and alone. Always eat the peel and leaves if you can. Buy organic.
Low sugar: Lemon, Limes, Raspberries, Cranberries, Blackberries.

Medium sugar: Strawberries, Papaya, Blueberries, Peaches, Apples, Melons, Nectarines, Apricots, Grapefruit.

YES - VEGETABLES
Vegetables starve candida. Good candida diet vegetables are sprouts, asparagus, bell peppers, brussel sprouts, broccoli, raw carrots, cabbage, okra, turnip, zucchini, celery, spinach, asparagus, cauliflower, string beans, lettuce, all leafy greens such as kale, bok choy, chard, argulua, collards, watercress, beet greens etc., cucumber, radish, brussel sprouts, onion, garlic, eggplant, leek, scallion, shallot, tomato, etc.
Limit High Sugar Vegetables: Beets, Corn, Parsnips, Peas, Squash, Cooked Carrots, Potatoes in all forms.

YES - SOAKED/SPROUTED BEANS
Beans should be soaked overnight, rinsed, and then sprouted before cooking. Beans are a great addition to the candida diet as they are generally low in fat, sugar and high in nutrients. Tofu is okay if it's tolerated well.

YES - FERMENTED FOODS
Many people are under the misconception that fermented foods are bad if you have candida overgrowth but the truth is that fermented foods can help you with this problem. Fermented foods contain probiotics which help restore your healthy intestinal flora and will help kill the overgrowth of candida.

YES - BIOTIN FOODS
It is extremely important to know that the conversion of the yeast form to the fungal form of Candida is partially dependent upon biotin deficiency. Dr. Yamaguchi and colleagues have recently found that when biotin is added to the medium in high levels, it can prevent the conversion of the yeast form of Candida to its fungal form.
Foods Rich in Biotin: Chard, Tomatoes, Romaine lettuce, Carrots, Almonds, Onions, Cabbage, Cucumber, Cauliflower, Raspberries, Oats and Walnuts.

YES - COPPER FOODS
A Copper imbalance may cause some candida imbalances. Copper is used in the human body as a natural anti-candida agent. Copper favors aerobic metabolism which disables yeast. In fact, copper is also used in many industries to retard yeast growth. For example, farmers often spray copper sulfate on fruits and vegetables to kill yeast and molds. Water departments may add copper compounds to drinking water for the same reason. Copper may be added to swimming pools and hot tubs to control yeast.

Until recently, it was generally believed that most people consumed adequate quantities of copper. However, modern research has shown that this is not the case. In the United Kingdom and the United States for example, many typical meals have been analyzed for their metals content. According to recent surveys, only 25% of the US population consume the amount of copper a day estimated to be adequate by the US Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences.

Foods Rich In Copper: Sesame Seeds, Cashews, Brazil Nuts, Sunflower Seeds, Garbanzo Beans, Navy Beans and Tempeh.

YES - SEAWEED
Seaweed is a nutrient-dense healing food that will help the body in the fight against candida. It is rich in nutrients. Seaweed flushes toxic pollutants and heavy metals from the body, cleanses the intestinal tract and helps eliminate acid from the body to balance your PH levels. Seweed should be soaked before using. Buy organic.

YES - GLUTEN-FREE SOAKED/SPROUTED WHOLE GRAINS
Buckwheat, millet, amaranth, quinoa, steel cut oats, wild and brown rice. These should be soaked and sprouted (at least soaked) before cooking. Make sure to strain the soaking water out and put fresh water in, before cooking.

YES - HERBAL TEA
Teas with antifungal properties that will help kill candida overgrowth are: Cinnamon, Clove, Chamomile, Pau d'arco, Peppermint, Ginger, Licorice, Lemongrass, Tulsi, Yerba mate and Green.

YES - B6 FOODS
There is a noted link between Vitamin B6 deficiency and candida overgrowth. But you must get the B6 from food, because many B supplements are made from yeast which may not be tolerated by a person with high candida.
Foods High In B6: Garlic, Celery, Cauliflower, Mustard greens, Cabbage, Asparagus, Broccoli, Kale, Collard greens, Chard and Brussel sprouts.

YES - MAGNESIUM FOODS
One of the most common deficiencies that candida sufferers struggle with is magnesium deficiencies. Try getting it from food.
Food Sources Are: Black beans, Spinach, Pumpkin seeds, Almonds, Mustard Greens, Peppermint, Brazil nuts, Walnuts, Avocado, White beans, Lentils, Kelp, and Spirulina. GREAT LIST
 
YES - SOAKED/SPROUTED NUTS AND SEEDS
Raw nuts and seeds have no sugar, and are high in nutrients needed for candida overgrowth sufferers, therefore they are important on this diet. Be sure to soak nuts overnight before use. Pour out soaking water in the morning and rinse. A great way to use these nuts and seeds is by making a milk.
Nuts To Limit/Avoid: Peanuts (technically a legume), Pistachios, and Cashews. These nuts accumulate more mold than other nuts.

YES - ALGAE
Green algae such as chlorella and spirulina – sometimes called 'Super Green foods' – are very rich in nutrition and have strong detoxification capabilities. And detoxifying the colon is an important step in the fight against candida infection because the candida yeast thrives in a toxic environment. These green foods also have a very strong alkalinizing effect on the body, which is also crucial because candida albicans thrive in an acidic environment. Chlorella and spirulina are among the most alkalinizing foods. Be careful, though, to buy only the best quality green algae, as some tend to be moldy.

ANIMAL PRODUCTS: Lean, organic, minimally processed, free range meats, seafood (avoid shellfish and pork) and eggs are okay for candida, but should be limited. Do not eat them fried, processed, or with oil and other questionable ingredients.

Supplements To Take

COCONUT OIL
Coconut oil is a healthy saturated fat that contains many properties that are beneficial to candida sufferers which are anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal. It also kills off yeast overgrowth. Coconut oil supports immune system function, supplies important nutrients necessary for good health and improves digestion and nutrient absorption.

The fat in coconut oil is easily digested and absorbed, unlike the newfangled trans fats that act like plastic in the body. It puts little strain on the digestive system and provides a quick source of energy necessary to promote healing. Coconut oil is absorbed directly from the intestines into the portal vein and sent straight to the liver, whereas other fats require pancreatic enzymes to break them into smaller units.

Look for unrefined coconut oil, since most commercial coconut oils are refined, bleached, and deodorized. It is highly resistant to spoilage and has a long shelf life (up to 2 years at room temperature). Coconut oil can be taken by the tablespoonfuls with meals to aid digestion. A good therapeutic dose is 1 to 2 tablespoons with fat containing meals.

OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT
Olive leaf extract is highly recommended. It can kill invading fungus rather than just inhibiting its growth. It contains a a phenolic compound called oleuropein, which has antiviral, anti-fungal, antiprotozoal, and antibacterial properties. Take as directed on the product label.

 
GARLIC
Garlic contains a large number of sulphur containing compounds that exhibit very potent broad-spectrum anti-fungal properties. Among the most studied are allicin, alliin, alliinase and S-allylcysteine.

Fresh raw garlic is significantly more potent against candida albicans than any other form, including tablets, oils and pills. Fresh garlic is also a suitable alternative to drugs for serious systemic yeast infections in patients with severe immune suppression. Adding fresh garlic to food (raw and crushed), or crushing and swallowing raw clove is a cheap and powerful anti-fungal treatment. Garlic also stimulates the immune system, improves circulation, lowers high blood pressure, kills intestinal parasites, and is a powerful antioxidant and antibiotic, in addition to many other health benefits.

To obtain the most benefit from garlic buy certified organic garlic and crush it. Crushing breaks the cell walls releasing garlic’s beneficial properties. To kill off candida overgrowth take 4 average sized cloves per day mixed in foods or with meals. Another alternative is to drink 3-4 cups of garlic tea per day.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Raw apple cider vinegar and candida do not get along. Take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and mix it with a glass of water and drink before every meal. The apple cider vinegar helps to fight off the intestinal yeast overgrowth by actually killing the yeast, creating a die off reaction. Raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar creates an unfriendly environment for the yeast, while helping create a good environment for friendly gut flora.

PROBIOTICS
As the yeast overgrowth is being killed off by anti-fungal agents it is important to ingest a constant supply of probiotics. These are the ‘friendly’ or ‘beneficial’ bacteria, or micro organisms, that live in the digestive tract. As yeast colonies are reduced space becomes available for colonizing the other healthy bacteria. The most numerous bacteria found in the small intestines are species of Lactobacilli. In the colon the majority are mainly Bifidobacteria.

The easiest and least expensive way to plant healthy bacteria in the digestive tract is to take Cabbage Rejuvelac. But probiotic supplements can also plant good bacteria in the digestive tract. Unfortunately it’s not as simple as just buying the first probiotic supplement and assuming it will do the job. The best probiotic supplements will contain specific strains of bacteria that have been studied and verified as effective, and they will identified on the bottle as a series of letters or numbers after the name of the bacteria to indicate a specific strain. Some of the most studied strains include Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 and Lactobacillus GG. Probiotic supplements should be at least 500 billion organisms per gram, contained in dark bottles to avoid deterioration by heat and light, and kept refrigerated, even in the store. Take according to instructions on the bottle.

CELLFOOD - oxygen supplements 
Dr. Whiting claims that candida can be cured by oxygen [VIDEO] because candida can't continue to live in the presence of oxygen. He might be on to something. He recommends something called oxyflush, but it turns out the popular cellfood works well enough. There are a huge amount of candida sufferers who have cured themselves while using cellfood, and they claim it's the only thing that worked. It's worth a try! Other ways to get more oxygen in the bloodstream is deep breathing and exercise.

CANDIDA CLEANSES
It is highly recommended to do a fast to clear candida overgrowth in the body efficiently and quickly. The fast will cleanse your colon which is absolutely essential in healing. Fasting on only green/vegetable juice is recommended. After the fast, move onto a very clean, pure diet which the candida diet essentially already is. Try to add foods slowly; dairy, fruits and grains should be added with more care. Be aware of any poor reactions.

Not all of us have time to fast or the inclination, therefore there are many candida cleanses on the market which can get the job done, in addition to the change of diet. There's Candida Clear by NOW with herbs such as black walnut and oregano oil. Garden of Life Fungal Defense is rated very well and is well worth the price. Then there is Candida Cleanse by Rainbow Light with grapefruit extract, garlic included in a blend.   

Test for Candida At Home In the morning, before you put anything in your mouth, fill a clear glass with room temperature water.

Work up a bit of saliva, and spit it into the glass of water. Check the water every 15 minutes or so for up to one hour.

If you see strings (fibers) traveling down into the water from the saliva floating on the top, cloudy specks (particles suspended in the water) or cloudy saliva that sinks to the bottom of the glass you have a candida problem.
 
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