CANDIDA DIET

Candida is a form of fungus that occurs naturally in the body. I health problems can be caused by candida overgrowth. Candida organisms produce various different chemicals that interfere with cellular function and may cause fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, skin outbreaks, menstrual problems, digestive dysfunction, allergies, vaginal infections, and immune system weakness. Candida is also now being shown to cause psychological illness including autism and attention deficit disorder.

Many medications will cause candida overgrowth, specifically antibiotics, steroids, birth control pills, and hormones. Diet plays a major role. Sometimes only eating too much sugar will cause an overgrowth of candida since sugar will cause yeasts to grow.

It is a good idea to read several books about candida. I recommend The Yeast Connection and the Woman by William Crook, M.D. and The Yeast Syndrome by J. Trowbridge and M. Walker.

TREATMENT OPTIONS: Yeast overgrowth or Candidiasis can be treated with various prescription medications. Diflucan and Sporanox are the most common. Although they have side effects and should not be used in patients with liver disease, most people can take them for even months without complications. It is important to report pain under the right side of the ribs, nausea and dark brown urine immediately and discontinue the medication. Some people will have reactions from the medication as the yeast organisms are destroyed. . These are called "die ofF" reactions where the symptoms are intensified as the candida organisms die and produce more chemicals that your body can deal with. You might feel more achy, fatigued or just not feel well. If this becomes difFicult we need to change your prescription. PLEASE CALL ME IF THIS HAPPENS. We will need to adjust your medication. If this happens, you need to drink lots of water, take extra buffered Vitamin C and consider a colon hydrotherapy. Taking a bath in epsom salts or taking a sauna may also be helpful in removing the toxins from candidia.

There are other natural options that can be used instead of or after the medication is finished. Please see the list at the end for those recommendations

DIET The most important aspect of the diet is to eliminate sugars for a period of time. The best results are if you can go on a strict diet in the beginning. Then begin adding foods into your diet to see how you tolerate them. The longer you have had candida related symptoms, the longer your treatment will be and the longer you will need to restrict your diet.

YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH! YOU WILL NEED TO LEARN TO BALANCE AND GET FEEDBACK FROM YOUR BODY ON WHAT FOODS WORK FOR YOU AND WHICH FOODS DON'T.

Here are some guidelines: The candida diet is designed to eliminate those foods which promote yeast production in the body. A diet higher in protein foods and low in carbohydrates is preferred. Some people do well with this and others can tolerate some carbohydrate. You will find what works.

1. Eliminate all simple sugar including candies, cakes, honey, corn syrup, maple syrup fructose etc. Sugar promotes candida growth.

2. Reduce fruit to one serving daily. If you have severe yeast it is best to be strict for 2 to 4 weeks then introduce fruit as tolerated.

3. Eliminate foods with made with yeast such as yeast breads, prekels, bagels, pizza. Look for no yeast varieties of breads in the remgerator case of the health food store. Not everyone will have a yeast sensitivity so eliminate these initially and then reintroduce them after 5 days to see if you are sensitive.

4. Alcoholic beverages are full of yeast and sugar. It is best to eliminate all alcoholic beverages for 2 to 4 weeks. 5. The following foods can be eaten if you have checked to see that you don't react to them: wheat, corn, vinegar, mushrooms, peanuts, coffee, tea, melons, cheese.

DO EAT LOTS OF FRESH VEGETABLES DAILY, PROTEIN RICH FOODS AND SOME COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES (WHOLE GRAINS).

A part of the healing process involves rebuilding the intestinal tract which I usually do once you have taken anti-candida medication for 2 to 4 weeks. Taking acidophilous daily in powder or capsules will help repopulate the bacterial environment with "healthy flora". We will discuss which treatment program is appropriate for you at you follow up appointment. It is important that you plan to go on a fairly restrictive diet for the short term and then broaden the diet for a long term life style.

If you have silver amalgam fillings, they will contribute to the return of candida overgrowth following treatment. If you are having trouble with candida, it is best that you plan to have your fillings removed by a biological dentist.

REMEMBER: Candida is not necessarily life threatening but the treatment can be difficult and take time. Learn to-be patient.