What is candida overgrowth?
Candida is a fungus, which is a form of yeast that lives in your mouth and intestines. It aids with digestion and nutrient absorption but when overproduced can break down the wall of the intestine, going into the bloodstream and releasing toxic by-products into your body. Candida overgrowth can lead to a range of issues from skin irritation to vaginal infection to allergies and thrush. Using diet alone can take three to six months before candida is under control.
Behavioral/lifestyle risk factors (things you can change)
Eating a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar (feeds the yeast)
Consuming a lot of alcohol
Taking oral contraceptives
High stress lifestyle
Prolonged antibiotic use
Using a steroid inhaler for asthma
Symptoms
Bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation
Fatigue, headache, depression, irritability
Sugar cravings
Muscle and joint aches
Sinusitis and recurrent colds, sore throat
Recurrent skin rashes
Women: PMS, vaginal yeast infection
Men: prostate and bladder infections
Worse on damp days
How does candida present?
Athlete’s foot
Ringworm
Thrush
Jock itch
Psoriasis, eczema, hives, rashes
Acne
Skin and nail fungal infections
Chronic fatigue
Vaginal infections
Urinary tract infections
Severe seasonal allergies/itchy ears
Nutrition Support
Eat more:
Low carbohydrate diet
High fiber vegetables (no starchy veggies)
Grains that are gluten free (amaranth, buckwheat, millet, oats, quinoa, rice, sorghum, teff)
Non-dairy yogurt (containing active or live acidophilus)
Flax and chia seeds
Psyllium
Fermented foods (sauerkraut, kefir)
Eat less:
Eliminate sugar (candy, desserts)
Eliminate coffee, soda, alcohol, tea
Eliminate milk and dairy
Eliminate corn, legumes and soy
Eliminate processed/cured meat
Eliminate mushrooms and truffles
Eliminate nuts (cashews, peanuts, pistachios)
Fruit (limit to one serving to include apples, pears and berries, no melon or dried fruit)
Grains/bread/pasta (limit to one serving of gluten free)
Potatoes (limit to one serving)
Supplemental support
Echinacea
Garlic
Goldenseal
Oil of oregano
Digestive enzymes
Caprylic Acid
Saccharomyces boulardi
Lipotropic/silymarin
Magnesium
Colloidal silver
Tea tree oil for topical use
Relevant dietary theories
The Candida Diet: created to help remove excess candida, manage yeast production and restore the body’s immune system
The Body Ecology Diet: emphasizes the importance of maintaining the “inner ecology” for proper body function
Exercise
30 minutes per day to include cardiovascular exercise, stretching and strength training
Stress reduction and relaxation
Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, mediation
Lifestyle
Wear cotton or silk underwear
Avoid commercial feminine products
Use Neti Pot
Colon therapy