Candida Diet
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The Candida Diet is an approach to improve individuals’ overall health by maintaining healthy levels of naturally occurring bacteria and microorganisms in the body. The Candida Diet focuses primarily on balancing high levels of potentially toxic bacteria, Candida, in the body. Participants in the Candida diet focus on maintaining a food-restrictive health plan while attempting to detox the body’s unhealthy imbalances.
What is Candida?
Candida is a group of yeast-like microorganisms that can be toxic. These organisms live among many others in areas of the human body such as the mouth, throat, intestines, and digestive tracts. Normally, these organisms live in 80% of the human population without serious harmful effects; however, in 20% of the population, these organisms become out of balance with other bacteria and can weaken the body. Healthy levels of Candida are maintained by the body’s immune system and beneficial probiotic bacteria; therefore, individuals with weakened immune systems or a lack of probiotic bacteria often suffer from the negative side effects of imbalanced Candida levels.
Individuals Prone to Candida Imbalance
Since a weakened immune system is often the causal factor in Candida imbalances, individuals suffering from the following health issues may be more prone to Candida issues, which can lead to a condition called systemic candidiasis:
- Weakened immune systems from illness / disease
- Cancer
- AIDS / HIV
- Diabetes
Additional contributing factors to Candida imbalance include:
- Pregnant women
- Individuals consuming high-sugar diets
- Use of oral contraceptives, steroids, antacids, anti-ulcer medications, or frequent and/or long-term consumers of antibiotics
- Individuals with food allergies
- Individuals with food intolerances
- Smokers
How Does Excess Candida Cause Health Problems?
As Candida naturally lives in the body, it is believed that excess amounts penetrate the intestinal wall causing yeast and other various unwanted particles to be absorbed by the body. This absorption activates the immune system and results in an allergic-like reaction to Candida. Side effects and infections from Candida imbalance may include:
- Oral thrush
- Skin infections
- Vaginal yeast infections in women
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Mood swings
- Sinus congestion
- Depression
- Poor memory
- Concentration
- Cravings for sweets / sugary foods
How Does the Candida Diet Work?
The Candida diet is normally promoted by alternative and/or holistic practitioners. Candida Dieters are encouraged to maintain healthy levels of Candida by altering lifestyle choices, such as:
Low-Carb Lifestyle
Individuals participating in the Candida Diet must initially restrict their eating, while focusing on maintaining a low-carb lifestyle. They must also avoid eating sugars, as these products can promote yeast growth. Additionally, dieters should increase their protein intake from sources such as lean meats, nuts, and non-starch vegetables. While dieters will follow a more restricted eating plan in the initial phases of the diet, carbs and other foods can gradually be re-introduced once Candida symptoms subside.
Avoiding Added Yeasts
In addition to maintaining a low-carb lifestyle, individuals are also encouraged to avoid any foods that contain yeast, as some Candida Dieters believe that the body reacts to such yeasts in an allergic-like response. High yeast foods include products such as:
- Many breads
- Cheese
- Tomato paste
- Beer
- Mushrooms
- Other various fungi
How Long do I Stay on the Candida Diet?
The duration of the Candida diet depends upon the length of time that an individual has suffered symptoms; however, participants in the Candida Diet often report that a minimum of four weeks of diet participation is required in order to see noticeable improvement. The diet, for many others, may require longer participation in order to receive benefits and results.
