Candida Albicans Diet

Candida albicans is a yeast that is found in the mouth, throat, digestive tract, genitals and urinary tract. When the immune system of our body weakens or when certain useful bacteria are killed by antibiotics, there is an increased growth of candida yeast in our body. The excess candida yeast escapes into the blood stream and causes infection, this is also termed as yeast syndrome. The yeast syndrome was popularized by William Cook, MD, in 1983.

Symptoms of Candida Albicans Infection - Candidiasis

The symptoms of candidiasis are so varied that its diagnosis becomes difficult. However, some common symptoms are:

• Rashes and itchings
• Oral Thrush
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Sweet cravings
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Abdominal pain

Candida Albicans Diet

Although there are a number of anti-fungal remedies to treat a candidiasis, a change in diet along with medication expedites recovery. The candida diet in general prohibits the consumption of food that contains sugar and mold, as they feed the candida yeast. Instead, it advocates the intake of proteins that starve the yeast. The foods that should be eaten and avoided when one is on a candida albicans diet is as discussed.

Foods that should be avoided

• Sugar: Food that contains sugar should be avoided as sugar feeds the yeast. Food labels should be read and any food that contains maltose, sucrose, dextrose or even maltodextrin, should be removed from one's diet. One should stay away from processed and packaged food, as these are rich in sugar, yeast or other products that encourage growth of the candida yeast.
• Dairy products: Dairy products should be eliminated from one's diet when suffering from candidiasis, as the yeast prevents the body from processing fats properly. As a result, fatty acids accumulate in one's system.
• Food containing any type of Yeast: Food items like bread, cheese and tomato paste should be avoided as they contain yeast. Beer, wine, liquor should also be eliminated from the diet as they are high in sugar content and fermented using yeast. As vinegar is made from yeast culture, anything made from it like salad dressings, pickle and barbecue sauce should also be avoided.
• Fruits and fruit juices: Avoiding fruits when on Candida Albicans diet may come as a surprise as fruits are good source of vitamins and minerals. However, the sugars contained in fruits also encourage growth of candida albicans. Fruits like melons should be specially avoided as they may contain mold.
• Additives and Preservatives: Additives like Citric Acid is derived from yeast. Certain antibiotics and steroids may be present in the non-organic food, fed to poultry and cattle. These yeast may thus be present in the meat or eggs. If they enter the system they further worsen candidiasis.

Food that should be consumed

• Certain Vegetables: Vegetables like raw garlic, cabbage, broccoli and onions help to fight the yeast infection. However, starchy vegetables like potatoes should be avoided.
• Protein rich food: Food items like chicken, fish, beef, eggs, nuts and seeds that are rich in proteins, starve the candida of its sugar and mold diet. However, peanuts should be avoided as they are rich in mold content. Even while consuming other nuts, it is preferable to soak them in water, so that any mold on the skin is removed.
• Live yogurt Cultures: Live yogurt cultures or probiotics help to increase the number of good bacteria inside the body, which fights the growth of candida yeast.

During the first few days of the diet, the infection may worsen, as the yeast releases toxins as it dies. However, this condition lasts only for a few days. As weeks roll, a patient who strictly adheres to this diet can see marked improvement in his condition.

Although, candida albicans diet seems to be a tough one, it is a small price to pay, to have the immune system, the friendly bacteria as well as the candida albicans yeast at right levels in the body, to enjoy a good healthy life.