The Candida Diet

[Guest guest]

I personally do not agree with all of the

recommendations in this diet, but am posting it in

it's entirety. F.

 

http://altmedicine.about.com/b/a/103017.htm

 

The Candida Diet

 

From Cathy Wong, N.D.,

 

August 03, 2004

 

The Candida Diet

 

Candida albicans is a yeast and a fungus. It exists

naturally in small amounts in everyone's intestines.

It is also responsible for yeast infections in women.

 

Overgrowth of Candida in the digestive tract or mucous

membranes, called candidiasis, was popularized by

William Crook, MD in his 1983 book, The Yeast

Connection. It is also known as candida-related

complex, polysystemic candidiasis, and chronic

candidiasis.

 

While some doctors dismiss candidiasis as a " fad "

diagnosis, an increasing number of doctors and

naturopaths are recognizing that Candida can be a

serious health concern.

 

What are the symptoms of candida overgrowth?

Candida is believed to contribute to many troubling

and vague health problems including:

 

* chronic yeast infections, with classic symptoms

of itchiness, burning, and abnormal discharge

* digestive symptoms, such as irritable bowel

syndrome, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or

heartburn

* respiratory allergies, such as sneezing,

congestion and/or wheezing

* food allergies

* chronic fatigue

* nervous system symptoms, such as anxiety,

depression, irritability, poor memory and/or poor

concentration

* menstrual irregularities, such as severe

premenstrual tension and/or irregular menstruation

* skin rashes

 

It is not clear how many or which symptoms are

required to make a diagnosis.

 

What are the risk factors for candida overgrowth?

 

* Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics

* Use of oral contraceptives

* Diets rich in yeast-containing foods or refined

sugars

* Pregnancy

 

What are the guidelines for the diet?

Diet is an important part of the Candida treatment

program.

 

The length of time on the diet will depend on the

length of time one has had symptoms, symptom severity,

and overall health. Many people notice improvement

after strict adherence to the diet for two to four

weeks. Once symptoms are gone and lab tests show

significant improvement, whole foods from the

restricted list can be slowly incorporated back into

the diet.

 

Carbohydrate daily total

Sugar feeds Candida, so it is important to minimize

the total carbohydrate content of one's diet. During

the first 2 to 3 weeks of the program, it is often

recommended that carbohydrate intake be restricted to

20 to 60 grams per day, depending on age, activity

level, and extent of grain sensitivities. As symptoms

disappear, the carbohydrate total can gradually

increase. Foods that are low carb include protein

foods such as meat, chicken, turkey, shellfish, some

nuts, and non-starchy vegetables.

 

 

Foods to Eliminate Entirely

 

* Sugar -- It is best to eliminate all forms of

sugar, as it feeds the yeast and encourages its

growth. These foods include: white sugar, brown sugar,

honey, maple syrup, corn syrup, maple sugar, molasses,

date sugar, turbinado, raw sugar, demerrara, amisake,

rice syrup, sorghum.

 

Read labels carefully. The hidden sugars to

watch for include: sucrose, fructose, maltose,

lactose, glycogen, glucose, mannitol, sorbitol,

galactose, monosaccharides, polysaccharides.

 

* Fruit -- Fruit contain natural sugars that

support the growth of yeast. The following foods

should be eliminated:

o Frozen, canned, and dried fruit

o All canned and frozen fruit juice

o Oranges and orange juice

o Melons, especially cantaloupe. These fruit

often contain mold.

 

* Yeast -- Foods that contain yeast should be

eliminated. These include: Baker's yeast, Brewer's

yeast, Engevita, Torula, and any other nutritional

yeast. Baked goods raised with yeast such as breads,

rolls, crackers, bagels, pastries, and muffins should

also be eliminated. Healthy, yeast-free alternatives

may include: Sprouted Essene bread, Lifestream bread,

Manna wheat or rye bread, corn tortillas, tacos, rice

cakes, rice crackers, Wasa rye crackers,

Dimpfelmeier's 100% Plus rye bread, and rice bread.

Muffins, biscuits, pancakes, Irish soda bread,

chapatis, and other breads made at home using the

flour of whole grains that a person is not allergic to

and made with baking powder and/or baking soda for

leavening.

 

* Vinegar -- Vinegar is made with a yeast culture.

Foods that contain vinegar include: White vinegar, red

wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar,

mayonnaise, commercial salad dressing, ketchup,

Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce, BBQ sauce, shrimp

sauce, soy sauce, mustard, pickles, pickled

vegetables, green olives, relishes, horseradish,

mincemeat, chili sauce.

 

* Mushrooms -- Mushrooms are fungi. Eliminate all

mushrooms.

 

* Peanuts, Peanut Butter, and Pistachios --

Peanuts, peanut butter, and pistachios often have high

mold contamination and should be eliminated.

 

* Alcohol -- Alcoholic beverages provide sugar

that feeds the yeast and stresses other organs such as

the liver. Eliminate all forms of alcohol, including

red wine, white wine, beer, whiskey, brandy, gin,

scotch, any fermented liquor, vodka, rum, and all liqueurs.