The Candida Diet: How to Prevent and Treat Candida Infection In Schaumburg IL

As you probably know, it is healthy to have a balanced population of microflora (mostly what is known as "good bacteria") in your digestive system. The little bacteria that thrive in our gut help promote healthy digestion and immune strength. Continue reading to learn more from the Schaumburg IL chiropractors.

Every once in a while, however, bad microorganisms can take over. In extreme cases of intestinal infections, the cause is easy to spot, especially when it is accompanied by extreme discomfort, nausea, and diarrhea.

However, there is one microorganism, called candida, where the infection isn't always easy to diagnose.

In this article, we tell you all about candida, explain how it may be the cause of your health woes, and tell you all about how you can get rid of candida with The Candida Diet.

What is Candida In Schaumburg IL?

Candida is a type of yeast, a single-celled fungus, that is normally found in small amounts in the digestive system of healthy people. While there are over 20 species of Candida, the most common is Candida albicans. Overgrowth of Candida yeast can cause symptoms to develop, and the symptoms can vary greatly depending on which part of the body is infected (1).

Candidiasis: Candida Infection

The medical name for candida overgrowth or a candida infection is candidiasis. The most common and easily diagnosed forms of candidiasis or candida overgrowth are yeast infections (vaginal candidiasis), thrush (throat or mouth, or oropharyngeal candidiasis), and invasive candidiasis, which enters the bloodstream. This last one is the most serious because it can spread throughout the body and it is more difficult to control (1).

It is important to note that people who diabetes, AIDS, cancer, and pregnant women are more susceptible to candida overgrowth and infection, and waiting too long for treatment can result in serious consequences (2).

Other Forms of Candida Overgrowth

However, candida overgrowth is likely much more common than most medical practitioners believe. When overgrowth is a problem, but it hasn't exhibited the symptoms of candidiasis, it often goes undetected or it gets misdiagnosed.

Doctors call this Candida-related complex, candidiasis hypersensitivity syndrome, chronic candidiasis, and even the "yeast connection". The symptoms of candida overgrowth are exhibited in such diverse ways in different people, that they can be diagnosed as depression, irritable bowel syndrome, or even anxiety (3).

How do you know if you have candida overgrowth? One of the first medical doctors to identify candida overgrowth, Dr. C. Orian Truss, lists the symptoms, multiple of which are felt at the same time (4):

Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth

• Depression: Feeling low-energy, sad, and lacking motivation.
• Anxiety: The feeling of always being on the edge of your seat, worried that an uncomfortable situation might arise any second.
• Irrational irritability: sudden mood changes or the feeling of annoyance, without any apparent trigger.
• Bloating: The abdominal area is distended.
• Diarrhea: frequent bowel movements.
• Constipation: The inability to have bower movements for several days.
• Heartburn: A stinging or painful feeling in the chest.
• Indigestion: Stomach or abdominal discomfort.
• Loss of self-confidence: Suddenly losing your confidence without any apparent reason.
• Inability to cope: When a stressful situation arises, you are unable to face it.
• Lethargy: Feeling tired or lazy most of the time.
• Symptoms from contact with certain substances: You feel an aversion to certain foods or chemicals
• Acne: A type of skin infection characterized by pimples and blackheads.
• Migraine headaches: Intense pain in your head, and can cause dizziness and partial loss of sight for hours at a time.
• Repeated vaginal yeast infections: Yeast infections are characterized by vaginal itchiness, pain, and discharge.
• Menstrual problems: Irregular periods, vaginal discomfort, and anxiety related to menstruation.

Additionally, in children, candida overgrowth can also cause hyperactivity, irritability, learning problems, recurrent infections, diaper rash, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, poor appetite, and more (4).

These are the symptoms in addition to those that can present themselves as a result of candidiasis.

Some describe the feeling of having candida overgrowth as "being sick all over"… this is anything but fun.

The good news is, that there a Diet Developed by holistic health practitioners that can help prevent and treat candida overgrowth. This is commonly referred to as the Candida Diet.

The Candida Diet

There are multiple variations of the Candida Diet, but below is one of the most common versions of the diet that hundreds patients have found to be effective. It is important to note that the Candida Diet, per se, is fairly new, and scientific evidence is limited, but holistic health practitioners have been making dietary recommendations similar to these for hundreds of years.

The basis is removing sugar, white flour, yeast, alcohol, and processed foods.

Step 1

Kickstart Cleanse: Natural vegetable broth and steamed vegetables

To kick this off, it important to do what is called "cleansing". On day 1 you fast, drinking only a homemade vegetable broth made from organic vegetables, ideally onions, celery, kale, and broccoli, and salt. You can drink this throughout the day as often as you want. Don't forget to drink plenty of water as well.

On days 2-4, eat only organic or fresh steamed non-starchy vegetables one to two times a day. Choose leafy greens, broccoli, celery, cucumber. You can season it with salt, vinegar, or lemon juice.

Step 2

Learn what to remove from your diet

This might be the most difficult part for some of us that don't have the best eating habits.

Do not consume any of the following:

• White or brown sugar
• Packaged foods
• Processed foods
• White flour
• Bread
• Yeast
• Starchy vegetables like potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, beets, peas, parsnips and cooked carrots, and fruit. These may be introduced later in the diet.

These foods help to create an environment in your body where candida thrives, so it is important to remove them.

Step 3

Boost Probiotic and Postbiotic Foods

These will help promote healthy, "good" microorganisms to thrive in your digestive system, supporting your immune system and making less space for damaging microorganisms, like candida.

These foods include:

• Miso soup
• Sauerkarut
• Kimchi
• Kombucha
• Yogurt (no sugar)
• Kefir

Step 4

Introduce foods with important nutrients

In addition to vegetables and probiotic foods you want to make sure you are getting all of the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.

• Organic meats, especially fish and chicken
• Brown rice
• Millet
• Green drinks
• Coconut oil
• Chia
• Flaxseeds
• Unsweetened cranberry juice
• Spices like turmeric and cinnamon
• Apple cider vinegar
• Coconut oil
• Stevia
• Garlic

Step 5

Keep it up!

The time you need to continue to follow this diet can vary from person to person. It can take a few weeks for some people, or several months for others. It is important to listen to your body to identify when the symptoms have disappeared and stayed away for at least a week.

Step 6

Re-Introduce Nutrient-Dense Foods

Once you feel like your body has responded to the changes, you can begin to eat fruit and starchy vegetables in limited amounts.

Remember to stay off problem foods like sugar, white flour, and yeast. These foods will most likely always be problematic for people who tend to have candida overgrowth.

Reintroduce one new food every two days, and pay attention to any symptoms that seem to reappear.

Say bye-bye to Candida!

Candida overgrowth is likely much more common than most medical professional think, but since it is usually not diagnosed, most people don't even know they have it!

Just like for any other ailment, it is important to know your body, recognize symptoms of candida overgrowth when they arise, and take it to heart to identify the problem and begin to make choices that promote health and wellbeing.

Food can be your best ally or your worst enemy. It all depends on making better food choices on a daily basis, and be willing to take the first step.

If you're ready to get help with your health, contact us at the BrightLife Schaumburg today to schedule an appointment.