Heard about the Anti-Candida diet? Want to know if it is right for you?

We know: All about the Anti-Candida Diet

What does Candida mean?

Candida is an overgrowth of the "friendly" bacteria in the body. The anti-candida diet is an elimination of foods that contribute to the growth of candida. These foods can be eliminated from a person's diet forever or for just for a period of time until the food is no longer contributing to the problem.

What are the symptoms of candida?

The overgrowth of candida may contribute to a number of health problems including: chronic yeast infections, digestive symptoms (such as IBS, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or heartburn), respiratory allergies, food allergies, chronic fatigue, nervous system symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, irritability, poor memory and/or poor concentration, menstrual irregularities, and skin rashes.

How does the anti-candida diet work?

Basically the anti-candida diet eliminates certain foods that contribute to the growth of candida in the body. These include:

Sugar- all foods that contain processed sugar (i.e. cakes, cookies, sodas)
Processed foods- white flour products, pasta, bread, rice
Simple carbohydrates- chips, potatoes, crackers
Fermented products- removal of products that have been fermented or contain yeast (i.e. bread, beer, soy sauce, vinegar)
Fungal products- cheese and mushrooms

In addition, drink plenty of fluids, especially water, and add a good probiotic supplement to your diet.

What causes the over growth of candida in the body?

There are many factors that can contribute to the problem. Some of the more common forms of acquiring an overgrowth of candida are:

Use of antibiotics or drugs, even over the counter medicines
Working around fumes of poisons
Trauma or long term stress
A mother can pass the condition onto her baby
Birth control pills
Tap water consumption
Constipation
Drugs and alcohol
Diabetes
Hormonal imbalance

Who should practice the candida diet?

People with mild candida symptoms may want to try the diet for 3 months to evaluate if it helps. People with more severe symptoms should consult with a doctor or anti-candida diet specialist with a successful treatment history.

Is the anti-candida diet forever?

No. After a few weeks you can start to reintroduce foods one at a time. Take a note of how each food affects your body. If you begin to experience some of your old symptoms then eliminate the food that doesn't agree with you from your diet for good.

Remember, it is always best to consult a doctor before beginning a new diet.