Candida, What it is and What to do About it

Candida is a family of yeasts and is the most common cause of fungal infections. Many species are harmless and can live in the body, specifically the gut, without a problem. However, when mucosal barriers are disrupted or the immune system is compromised they can invade and cause disease. Candida albicans is the most commonly isolated species. Most common ways to develop an overgrowth of Candida are

-Antibiotic use
-Chlorine from swimming pools
-Alcohol, especially beer, red wine, vodka
-Use of cortisone or prednisone
-Regular eating of Candida-promoting foods, such as bread, chocolate, alcohol, sugar, vinegar, cheese, milk, nuts, coffee, apples, grapes and bananas
-Hormonal birth control
-Direct pesticide exposure
-Heavy metal exposure or fillings
-Having lived or worked in a moldy building
-Excessive milk intake

Symptoms include

-Cravings for sugar, bread, milk, cheese, vinegar, chocolate or alcohol
-Sleep problems
-Anxiety
-Acid reflux, heartburn
-Headaches
-Depression
-Asthma
-Fatigue
-Fibromyalgia
-Muscle or joint pain
-Bloating or abdominal pain
-Excessive weight gain
-PMS
-Endometriosis
-Lack of sex drive
-Diabetes
-Constipation or diarrhea
-Skin problems - rashes, eczema, psoriasis
-Recurring infections - ears, bladder, sinus, vagina
-Cold feet, hands, nose
-Poor memory
-Heart palpitations
-Dizziness
-Numbness
-Large abdomen ('beer belly')
-High cholesterol

A person suffering from Candida usually can distinctly identify with at least 3 or more of these symptoms.

There is a full Candida cleanse with a special diet that cuts a lot of foods out. But when patients come to the office we muscle test to see what their specific Candida diet is.  Every Candida diet is different.  Some Candida diets allow vinegars and others don't.  Some allow berries and others don't.  Everyone is different and that's why a custom made cleanse is nice to have.  But if you can't get tested google Candida diet, the standard Candida diet cuts out everything and therefore works for everyone.  Instead of me writing what not to eat on the standard Candida diet it is easiest for me to list here what is permissible while doing a Candida cleanse.

Vegetables - all kinds. No corn, potato, sweet potato.

Starches - beans, rice, lentils, quinoa, spelt, millet, buckwheat (bread of these grains, if no added malt or yeast).

Meat, poultry, fish and eggs - choose organic, grass-fed, pasture-raised when available. Veal and lamb are the safest meats if you don't have organic meat available. Avoid tuna.

Dairy - grass-fed butter and ghee.  Substitute coconut milk or almond milk for cow, sheep or goat milk.

Fruit - fresh lemon, lime

Spices - green herbs which come from dried leaves, such as basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano etc. Black pepper, salt, garlic, ginger, paprika, turmeric. 

Healthy Fats - unrefined coconut oil, olive oil, avocado, flax oil, sesame oil.

Nuts and seeds low in mold- almonds, sunflower seeds, coconut or flaxseed.

Condiments- Apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos and sauerkraut. 

Non-caffeinated beverages- Herbal teas, chicory coffee, filtered/bottled water, and water infused with lemon or lime.

Let me clarify no alcohol, caffeine, sugar or sugar substitutes like coconut sugar, stevia, honey etc.