Candida Diet

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 timeframe

- 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

FOOD and RECIPE

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-carbohydrate 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.

EXPENSE

You can reference the book, “The Yeast Connection," for a cost of $16.95.

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

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