Candida Diet
Not feeling well? Yeast could be the reason.
BACKGROUND
The Candida Diet was initially put forth by Dr. William Crook who in 1983 suggested that excess yeast in our intestines largely due to our diets is responsible for a yeast syndrome that results in a host of symptoms including fatigue, headache, mood swings, sinus congestion, depression, poor memory and lack of concentration, and cravings for sweets. Many medical professionals have not supported this theory but many holistic professionals support its validity and treat it as a real diagnosis.
According to the yeast theory, the accumulation of yeast occurs from a number of factors:
- the use of antibiotics
- steroids
- antacids
- anti-ulcer medications
- consuming a high sugar diet
- diabetes
- pregnancy
- smoking
In an effort to clean out your intestines from this overgrowth of yeast, it is recommended that you adhere to a strict diet, which excludes a host of foods like sugar and anything containing yeast.
The length of the diet can vary from individual to individual but in general, those on the diet usually report feeling better after about 4 weeks. It is recommended that you see a qualified holistic or alternative health professional to determine if you are an appropriate case for starting the Candida Diet. Your health professional will possibly also recommend certain herbs and/or supplements to take while you are on the diet.
PRO
- There are notable health benefits gained by avoiding certain foods like sugar and other processed carbohydrates on the Candida Diet
- Detox your body by ridding your intestines of yeast
- No predetermined time frame
- Lose weight and help many other health problems
- Reliance on the diet’s consumption of vegetables and lean protein is beneficial to one’s health and can possible aid in weight loss
CON
- Diet is very restrictive
- No scientific evidence of The Yeast Syndrome and the symptoms it supposedly results in
- No scientific evidence supporting that the use of suggested herbs and supplements when on the Candida Diet is beneficial to one’s health
DIET and NUTRITION
What you can and cannot eat is the backbone of the Candida Diet. On this food program, you'll eliminate foods that promote yeast and consume foods that have no or very little effect on producing extra yeast in the body. Foods you'll limit or avoid include:
- Sugar
- Fruit
- Bread
- Mushrooms
- Fermented foods like miso or beer
- Cheese
- Tomato paste
- Any foods containing gluten and vinegar
- Most dairy should be limited
Instead, non-starchy vegetables, protein like fish, poultry, red meat and certain nuts are the only foods to be eaten.
Remember also that sugar includes not just white table sugar, but also honey, molasses, and any of the other myriad names for sugar that typically end in “ose,” like dextrose, sucrose, maltose and so on.
During the initial phase of the diet, a low-carb diet is recommended, consuming no more than 60 grams per day. After the initial 2-3 weeks and as symptoms start to disappear, more carbohydrates are gradually added back into your diet.
EXERCISE
There are no specific exercise recommendations for the Candida Diet other than to follow your usual exercise routine by getting in some form of exercise on most days of the week.
CONCLUSION
The Candida Diet may earn some bonus points for its reliance on fresh vegetables and lean protein and for its low carbohydrate intake. A drop in body weight may also occur, but because this diet is highly restrictive, maintaining it for longer than a few weeks at a time will be a challenge.
The science behind the theory and diet is still under investigation and medical journals have yet to find any solid evidence purporting the existence of the Yeast Syndrome. However, many people following it do report an alleviation of many of the chronic symptoms that have been plaguing them. If the symptoms you have been experiencing are similar to the effects of the Yeast Syndrome and you have one or more of the risk factors, then it is recommended that you consult with a highly trained medical professional specializing in alternative treatments to discuss your condition with him or her.
Common Misspellings
candeda, candyeda, yeest, kandida, canada diet, yeast diet, canidda diet
Related Diets: Low-Carb Diet, Sugar Busters!, Diabetic Living Diet, Diverticulitis Diet
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I wrote up my own battle with candida -- victorious, after four hard months -- here
I was put on Nystatin along with other things for CFS/Lyme. I had no visible yeast and no testing for it. I was a bit skeptical but I was really sick and my immune system was messed up. On Nystatin I had a mild herx for several days. My mind felt much clearer and I felt calmer--very big difference. One night I drank some wine--as soon as I drank it I felt an explosion of symptoms--pains in my joints and head, itchy skin, stinging sensations. Now, anything I eat that has yeast causes painful symptoms--not an emergency kind of thing, just unpleasant. It certainly proves to me that candida (or whatever it is) causes these symptoms. I'm new at it but am going to stick to an anti candida diet to avoid the symptoms.
Candida can be a very irritating yeast infection. A person who has developed this infection suffers from itchiness and burning. If you are infected by Candida, you will require the proper treatment. Otherwise this infection can not be controlled and may spread to other parts of the body. Candida usually develops in the moist and damp parts of your body like vagina and around the douches. It is a fungal infection and depending on your conditions it may take a few months for it to fully clear up. One of the best ways of preventing Candida is by adopting a healthy lifestyle. However, it is a chronic infection that can reemerge frequently. Therefore, we have provided some advices that may prove helpful in preventing its onset. If you have suffered from Candida before, it may reappear, as it is a chronic infection. We suggest that you avoid wearing very tight nylon clothes or any other clothes that accumulate moisture. Tight fittings and nylon underpants create damp and warm environment that breeds Candida. Do not sit in your swimming suit for along time. Dry your body completely after taking a bath because moisture on your body can be harmful if you have developed Candida before. If you are suffering from Candida, you should be more careful about your personal hygiene. Keep your body clean and dry. Do not use soaps that cause irritation. Try avoiding harsh shampoos. They may cause burning or pain in the effected body parts. It is recommended that you should not take unnecessary doses of antibiotics because they can affect the immune system of body and may create suitable environment for Candida infection. Here are some of the more common symptoms of Candida and yeast. - Itching - Pain when urinating - Leaky guy syndrome - Rashes - Fatigue - Tiredness - Arthritis - Gas - Food allergies - Memory problems - Joint pain - Headaches - Premature aging - Irritability - Itching - Pain when urinating - Leaky guy syndrome - Rashes - Fatigue - Tiredness - Arthritis - Gas - Food allergies - Memory problems - Joint pain - Headaches - Premature aging - Irritability - And more... If you would like to be done with yeast and candida forever without using drugs, or topical ointments, and without the side effects...read on. This technique is revolutionary in that it does not require prescription medications that just mask your symptoms. This system attacks yeast and builds an environment that it cannot survive in removes it for good. Let me give you three good reasons to believe: 1. I have been able to move forward in life without recurring yeast infections and problems. 2. This system has worked for countless others and is backed by research. 3. There is no risk to you whatsoever when you see what I am offering and the guarantee that is incredible. Here's Rid Yeast, For free and helpful info. To receive tons of info, tips, and healing strategies for free visit Rid Yeast - Articles found at http://www.ridyeast.com/articles.html
Possibly one of the best things I have ever done for my health was to adhere to a strict diet to rid myself of candida. I had digestive issues, constant fatigue, irritability, etc, and after figuring out that it was being caused by intestinal candida, I knew I needed to do something. In addition to cutting out all sugars, gluten, yeast, flour, etc. from my diet, I also took Garden of Life's Fungal Defense or Now's Candida Clear which provide additional support in ousting the candida. My advice for anyone with symptoms like mine is to do a little research on candida and see if it sounds like you. It won't hurt. At the very least you'll begin to steer your body away from craving those things which aren't so great for it anyway.
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