What is Candida?

Excerpted from "The Nutrition Detective" pp. 125-129. (No longer in print)

Candida is a controversial term because most of the medical professionals deny its existence making it very difficult to get a medical diagnosis of Candida. But many of Western Medical Doctors/ Naturopaths are beginning to recognize it.  So, if you feel this can be apart of your case history, find a doctor who best represents your needs.

Candida is the popular term for Candidiasis (yeast overgrowth) - a condition first identified by American physicians in the 1970s.

Moderate amounts of Candida (and other yeast) live in every one of us without causing any harm, but when given free rein to grow (when intestinal bacteria is killed by antibiotics, drugs, NAID’s, alcohol and other items listed below) it leaves an opportunity for invaders to recolonize the intestines.  Eventually, if left untreated, Candida can mutate into a fungal form or commonly known as a single cell parasite.

Once Candida mutates it begins to break down the intestinal lining and eventually breaks through the intestinal wall.  Once through the intestinal wall it now moves through the bloodstream and anywhere blood travels (organs, tissues, joints, bones etc.)

Common symptoms of Candida Overgrowth:



Contributory factors to Candida over Growth:

  use of the contraceptive pill or HRT

· use of natural progesterone cream

· use of other steroids (hydrocortisone, prednisolone etc.)

· use of immune-suppressive drugs

· repeated use of broad-spectrum antibiotics e.g. for acne

· dental mercury amalgam poisoning

· other heavy metal poisoning e.g. lead, cadmium

· chemical poisoning from the home, garden, workplace etc.

· hormonal changes e.g. puberty, pregnancy, menopause and Stress

Stages of Candida over Growth:

Stage 1: 

Initially it can damage  the intestinal wall which in time allows undesirable toxins to permeate into the bloodstream. This condition called ‘leaky gut syndrome’.

Stage 2: 

Candida goes through the intestinal wall and spreads through out the body and can build in each of the organs; brain, liver etc.  There is scientific research indicating a correlation of Alzheimer’s Disease and Candida.

Once Candida has entered the blood stream, it  has the ability to disrupt the endocrine system causing symptoms such as:

Home Test For Candida:

CANDIDA SPIT TEST Also Called the Thrush Saliva Test

Have you ever seen someone with white patches on their tongue? Maybe bad breath that they could not get rid of and have tried everything? Some people have tried all sorts of weight loss products and none seem to work. Lurking in their body can be this overgrowth of yeast that was called Thrush back in the old times. People would have Thrush Mouth.

 

Candida Spit Test:

At night, put a clear glass of water by your bed. First thing in the collect some saliva in your mouth

and spit into the glass of water (make certain to spit out saliva only, not mucus). Keep an eye on the water for a half hour particularly the first couple of minutes.

If you have Candida overgrowth, you will see one or more of the following:.

1. Strings or legs hanging down from the saliva.

2. Heavy looking saliva at the bottom of the glass.

3. Gloomy specks suspended in the water.

If, within 3 minutes after spitting into the water, you see “strings” hanging down, over cast specks revealing up in the water, or “particles” sinking to the bottom, you most likely have thorough overgrowth.

If it takes longer than a couple of minutes for anything to show up, the candida is not as severe. If the saliva just drifts on top and the water remains completely clear, you most likely do not have candida overgrowth.



Treatment for balancing Candida: 

Tone and balance the gut.

One can tone and balance the gut through:

1.  Diet—eliminating any environmental toxins in foods; i.e pesticides, antibiotics, hormones...the easiest way is to read the ingredients  of what you are wanting to consume and if you can’t pronounce it then your body probably will not like it.

2.  Supplements—Probiotics/ Good Bacteria is one of the best supplements anyone can take.  It helps to replenish the good bacteria needed in the gut while helping to heal damaged intestinal cells.

3. Cleanses/fasts– Helps to eliminate toxins stored in the tissues and throughout the body.  A clean Start!

4.  Colon Hydrotherapy—This is an amazing tool to restart and begin any cleanse, diet or detoxification program or just to begin to have bowel movements again.  If your bowels are not eliminating 1 –2 daily...then where is all the fecal material going?  And if your body is storing it, what is it really doing to the rest of the body. If the bowels are sluggish, then nothing else can work efficiently. 

Candida Diet

Excerpted from "The Nutrition Detective" pp. 125-129. (No longer in print)

• Immediate elimination of antibiotics, birth control pills and other hormone-altering substances.

• A diet designed to stop feeding the yeast.

• homeopathic liquid, like Candex--which permeate the intestines and help destroy Candida throughout the body or Ayurvedic remedies like NVD.

• Strengthening of the immune system through supplementation. Specially a good probiotic.
   

The diets required to starve out Candida eliminate all sources of yeast and fungus and all sugars and sweets, including lactose-containing dairy products, except for butter. If you can handle going on a fast do it.

Mild cases of Candida (yeast infections and vague symptoms that are recent) will usually respond to the Candida Diet No. 1

Moderate Candida (chronic, severe yeast infections or definite, interfering symptoms) would best respond to the Candida Diet No. 2

Severe cases, which may have begun in early childhood or are debilitating (cannot work, difficulty functioning), would require the persistent efforts of the Candida Diet No. 3

Each diet is listed with foods to eliminate, to reduce, and to emphasize.  In addition, each level has its recommended nutritional supplementation.
 

Candida Diet No. 1:  Mild

For persistent vaginal yeast infections with no other symptoms.  This diet will help you get the Candida under control and prevent recurrent outbreaks.

Foods to Eliminate
Sugar in all forms, including honey, except occasional whole fresh fruit.
Fungus, moulds, and yeast in all forms, including vitamins and minerals.
Most B vitamins (unless label states otherwise).
Most breads and commercial baked goods. (Yeast free is possible but must be fresh because of moulds)
All alcoholic beverages.
Mushrooms.
Vinegar and all foods containing vinegar, including salad dressing, sauerkraut, green olives, pickled vegetables, and relishes.
Some crackers (read labels carefully for yeast ingredients).
Fermented products including soy sauce (tamari) and tofu.
Dry roasted nuts.
Potato or Corn chips.
Most commercial soups.
Apple cider and natural root beer.
White flour.
Bacon and other pork, which often contain moulds.

Reduce
Whole grains and starchy vegetables until symptoms lessen.
Fruit and diluted fruit juices, which may cause yeast to grow.
Nuts and seeds (small amounts).
Beans and other legumes (small amounts).

Emphasize
Eggs, fish, chicken, turkey, seafood, lamb, and veal.
Vegetables except corn and potatoes.
Vegetables that inhibit the growth of Candida:  raw garlic, onions, cabbage, broccoli, turnip, kale.

Supplements for Candida Diet No. 1
Take for one month.
Yeast-free multi-vitamin/minerals
1000 milligrams vitamin C, three times a day
Zinc , start with 25mg increasing to 75mg every evening
Probiotics/ acidophilus tablets to increase intestinal bacteria.
 

Candida Diet No. 2--Moderate

For chronic vaginal yeast infections, or additional symptoms which prevent you from feeling really good, begin with this diet.  If Diet No. 1 did not clear up your symptoms, incorporate these suggestions into your program as well.

Eliminate
Same as Diet No. 1 -- Plus
Wheat, oats, rye and barley, which contain gluten and can feed Candida.
Fruit and diluted fruit juices, high in fructose (fruit sugar).

Reduce
Same as Diet No. 1, except for some whole grains:  brown rice, millet, buckwheat, cornmeal.
Herb teas and spices, which may contain moulds.

Emphasize
Same as Diet No.1
Supplements for Candida Diet No. 2
Yeast-free multi-vitamin/minerals
1000 milligrams vitamin C, four times a day
Lactobacilus acidophilus in large quantities with approx. 2 billion organisms per gram) to help repopulate the intestines.  Take 1/2 teaspoon morning and evening on an empty stomach.
2 teaspoons olive oil with 2 teaspoons oat bran, three times a day, to help keep fungus from crossing the intestinal barrier.
100 micrograms selenium for immune system support.
400 iu dry vitamin E for immune system support.
20,000 iu beta carotene for immune system support.
Digestive enzymes, with pancreatin, after meals and before bed, to help digest the food you eat as well as undigested food particles in the bloodstream.
Zinc , start with 25mg increasing to 75mg every evening
Yeastmax to improve immune response and eliminate the fungus.

Candida Diet No. 3:  Severe

Some people are debilitated by Candida and cannot function at work or can barely get through the day.  If you were exposed to high levels of antibiotics as a child, or if you have had severe symptoms for more than four years, go directly to this diet.  If your symptoms did not clear up with Diet No. 2, advance to this one until they diminish.

Foods to Eliminate
Same as Diets no. 1 and 2.
Dried meat and smoked meat, fish of poultry, including sausage, hot dogs, luncheon meats, smoked turkey, and smoked salmon.
Nuts and seeds, which may contain mould.
All grains, except a little rice and millet.
Herb teas and spices.

Foods You Can Eat --
Eggs, fish, chicken, turkey, seafood, lamb, or veal, sautéed in a little butter or safflower oil or baked with vegetables.
Steamed, sautéed, or baked vegetables, especially onions, garlic, cabbage, broccoli, turnips, and kale.  All vegetables are fine except potatoes and corn, which are high in carbohydrates.
Sautéed vegetables on rice cakes, or a vegetable omelette.
Salads seasoned with safflower oil and a little fresh lemon juice.
Gazpacho, tomato-based fish chowder, vegetable soup.
Small quantities of rice and millet.  A cold rice salad with steamed vegetables, seasoned with oil and lemon juice; sautéed rice with vegetables, or simply steamed vegetables with either grain are a few ideas that will work on this program. Rice cakes, found in some supermarkets and health food stores, can be used instead of bread.

Vegetable sticks with guacamole dip (avocado, fresh tomatoes, onions, lemon juice, and a little salt) for a snack.


Supplements for Candida Diet No. 3
Yeast-free multi-vitamin/mineral.
Digestive enzymes with pancreatin after meals and before bed.
1000 milligrams vitamin C an hour (up to 10 grams/day) for immune system.
Acidophilus in large quantities to repopulate the intestinal bacteria.  Take 1/2 teaspoon morning and evening on an empty stomach.
2 Teaspoons olive oil with 2 teaspoons oat bran, three times a day, to help keep fungus from crossing the intestinal barrier.
100 micrograms selenium three times a day, for immune system.
400 iu dry vitamin E two times a day for immune system.
20,000 iu beta carotene, for immune system
Pau D'Arco tea (taheebo tea), an herb tea from South America, which kills fungus, one cup three times a day.
YeastMax to improve immune response and eliminate the fungus.

Nystatin in powder form, available by medical prescription.
Zinc , start with 25mg increasing to 75mg every evening.

 As soon as you are free from symptoms, begin reintroducing a few foods  slowly.  The last ones to add would be sugar, yeast, vinegar, and mushrooms.* 

It may be necessary for you to stay on the Candida Albicans Diet for a number of months.  The more thoroughly you are able to stay on these diets, the faster you can eliminate excess Candida.  However, it is better to be on a modified diet than on no diet at all.  Some patients would rather eat sugar or have a glass of wine occasionally even though it may mean being on the diet for a longer period of time.

Drink at least 2 litres daily of clean pure water. Consider lymphatic drainage techniques (Dry skin brushing) to keep the lymph system moving. Also consider exercises like a rebounder.