Candida Diet
Overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans can cause significant health problems. While some Candida is always present in the body, it can grow to an unhealthy level when a person takes antibiotics or corticosteroids; has a weak immune system; lives in a damp, moldy environment; or has a hormone imbalance. In these cases, bacteria that normally keep Candida from overgrowing are not present in significant amounts. The Candida then causes problems such as chronic fatigue, vaginitis, frequent infections, bloating, rectal itching, bad breath, premenstrual syndrome, nail fungus and depression. Fortunately, controlling Candida with a healthy diet can reduce these symptoms.
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Avoid Trigger Foods
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Avoid foods on which Candida thrives. The main culprit is sugar. Any food high in sugar needs to be cut from the diet, including honey, molasses, syrup, fruit, juice and many processed foods such as cereal. Dairy products are high in a sugar called lactose, so except for plain yogurt, dairy should also be avoided. Other foods that should be avoided are mushrooms and nuts. Both of these foods can carry mold, which can contribute to Candida overgrowth. Because Candida also thrives in an alkaline environment, citrus and vinegar should also be avoided because they become alkaline once they enter the body.
Include Healthy Foods
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Fill the diet with foods that restore health and kill Candida. Vegetables, gluten-free grains, unprocessed meats and beans all provide necessary nutrients without contributing to Candida overgrowth. Make these the main ingredients in your meals. Garlic, which can help kill the Candida cells, should be used often and can also be taken as a supplement. According to Elson Haas, M.D., caprylic acid, which is derived from coconut oil, and pau d'arco, a South American herb, can also be taken to reduce the Candida growth.
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Include Beneficial Bacteria
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Replace the healthy bacteria that keeps Candida at bay. To keep Candida from overgrowing again, the body must have beneficial bacteria. These bacteria are found in plain yogurt, kombucha tea drinks and probiotic supplements. Using more of these products can keep the beneficial bacteria at a high level.
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