Factors that contribute to Candida overgrowth include:

• A diet high in refined foods, especially refined sugar and white flour
• Antibiotic use
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Hormonal contraceptives
• Blood sugar imbalances (high blood sugar can feed Candida)
• High stress (cortisol, the “stress” hormone, raises blood sugar and lowers the immune system)
   

Symptoms of Candida overgrowth are many, and may include:

• Digestive distress, including diarrhea, constipation, gas and bloating
• Fatigue/lethargy
• Weakened immune system
• “Brain fog” or trouble focusing
• Craving sweets
• Anxiety/panic attacks
• Rectal itching
• Skin rashes
• Acne
• Sore throat

 
Candida overgrowth can be a frustrating and exhausting experience; one that unfortunately, many people are experiencing today. Often people are unaware that it is fact Candida that is at the root of their general feelings of malaise and unwellness.  If you have Candida, addressing it is a must if you want to feel well again.  While the road back to balance may not always be an easy journey, it is certainly well worth it, and it IS doable. Successfully managing Candida means approaching it from several different angles; diet, supplementation, and lifestyle all play a part in taming unruly yeast.
 

The Yeast Free Diet

What to eat:

• abundant non-starchy vegetables including leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables and crunchy snacks like cucumber and snap peas
• Lean protein (hormone and antibiotic free)
• Legumes in moderation (bean dip – yum!)
• Eggs
• Nuts and seeds
• Whole gluten-free grains in moderation  (for a severe case of candida, grains may need to be omitted from the diet for a few weeks or more)
• Plain unsweetened cultured yogurt
• Sour fruit including berries and cherries (for a severe case of candida, fruit may need to be omitted from the diet for a few weeks or more)
• Coconut oil, an excellent medium chain fat and a potent anti-fungal
• Garlic, raw if possible (also a potent anti-fungal)
   

What to avoid:
 

• All forms of refined sugar including table sugar, honey, molasses, brown sugar, turbinado sugar, and artificial sweeteners
• Gluten grains, including wheat, barley, spelt, rye, and oats
• Most dairy, especially aged dairy/anything moldy
• Very sweet fruits like banana and melon
• Alcohol
• Fruit juice
• Caffeine
• Vinegar (all except apple cider)
• Mushrooms
   

The Candida diet is not always easy, but it is effective, and essential if you are serious about getting your yeast problem under control.  Try to plan meals out ahead of time.  You might even pick one day every week to make and freeze meals, so you know you will always have something to eat.  Be sure you always have snacks on hand, so you’re not tempted to cheat in a moment of desperation.  You can do it!  
 

Suggested Supplements to Manage Yeast

	ADDED 2012:  N-Fuzed Candida is a evolutionary new treatment concept for eliminating systemic Candida albicans from the blood and soft tissues of the body. In vitro laboratory tests confirm that n-fuzed Candida kills Candida albacans in as little as 3 days, and eliminated it entirely in 7 days. Using a proprietary blend of Pau d' Arco, Black Walnut hulls, and vitamin C, the electromagnetic frequencies of Candida albicans are infused into the crystalline structure of water. This signals the immune system to eliminate candida in the blood system, soft tissues, and organs of the body. It also treats thrush and surface yeast infections.
	Candex is an enzyme blend that can actually break down the wall of the yeast cell.  For many years, Candex has provided the most potent blend of plant based, fiber digesting enzymes available for those suffering from candida. It has been proven in clinical trials, and has helped countless people live richer, fuller lives. It works very quickly to make a difference you can feel — in even the worst of systemic problems — within a week or so.  It is also helpful for overcoming common vaginal infections in just days.
	Vitalzym is a blend of enzymes that work synergistically to provide total system support.  The Serrapeptase and other proteolytic enzymes in Vitalzym work beautifully in conjunction with other supplements to conquer stubborn yeast and help keep it in check.  Further, the enzymes in Vitalzym support optimal liver function and detoxification, which is critical when doing a candida cleanse, as candida produces toxins that can be harmful to the liver.
	Colloidal Defense is formulated to help us fight off invaders, including yeast.  It is a natural antifungal that has proven to be effective against candida, as observed under dark field microscopy.  Colloidal Defense also stimulates the immune system to produce T-Cells, which are the body’s first defense against viruses, fungi (yeast) and bacteria.
	Stabilized Oxygen is vitally important in the journey to rebalance yeast.  Yeast is an anaerobic organism, meaning it cannot overgrow where adequate oxygen is present.  Likewise, where oxygen is low, yeast will thrive.  Including stabilized oxygen in your yeast management protocol will help to ensure that your body is not susceptible to Candida overgrowth.
	iFlora is a premier blend of beneficial flora designed to support both the small and large intestine.  Ensuring you have adequate beneficial flora in your gut is critical to managing yeast, as the “good” flora help to keep the potentially harmful organisms like Candida in balance.  When there is inadequate beneficial flora in the gut, it is much easier for yeast to overgrow.  iFlora Women is also available, and is ideal for supporting a woman’s unique needs.

How Long Do I Have to Do the Candida Diet and Supplements?

That all depends on how severe your yeast overgrowth is.  For mild cases, it may only take you a couple of weeks to bring your body back into balance.  For more severe cases, it may take a while longer.  Try sticking with your plan for at least a month or two.  Once you feel your body is back in balance, work on keeping it that way by making healthy diet and lifestyle choices.  Avoid things on the “Factors that Contribute to Candida” list.  Long term supplementation with a high quality probiotic like iFlora can be useful in helping to maintain balance once achieved.  

The thought of having a parasite residing in our intestinal tract, or anywhere else in our body can be frightening and repulsive. The truth is, we have a variety of parasites living in us and on us. However, some of them are actually beneficial, while others can be harmful.

 Symptoms of intestinal parasites can include:

• Diarrhea
• Gas or bloating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach pain or tenderness
• Fatigue or weakness
• Weight loss

There are over 100 types of parasites that can live in a human host, such as hookworms, roundworms, pinworms, tapeworms, and giardia. These parasites are found in wild and domestic animals, and in well water. Exposure to these parasites can cause infection in humans, especially those who have weakened immune systems.

Some conditions that can promote parasitic infections can be excess mucous, an imbalance in the intestinal flora (beneficial bacteria), chronic constipation, and a toxic internal environment. The good news is probiotics may help protect humans against the unpleasant effects of intestinal parasites.

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that reside in our intestinal tract that help maintain the natural balance of microflora (organisms) in the intestines. It is believed that approximately 400 different strains reside in the intestinal tract where they help reduce the numbers of harmful bacteria, which can promote a healthy digestive environment.

The largest colony of probiotic bacteria in the small intestine is Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium primarily resides in the large intestine. It is believed that probiotics can be used to treat problems associated with the stomach and intestines.

Symptoms of decreased beneficial bacteria include:

• Vaginal yeast infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Gas and/or bloating
• Poor digestion
• Food allergies
• Diarrhea

Perhaps your doctor or someone else has suggested taking probiotics after taking antibiotics to help with replace the healthy bacteria that may have been destroyed.

The reason is, antibiotics kill the “beneficial” bacteria, as well as “bad” bacteria that can cause disease in the process by upsetting the intestinal balance that helps keep bad bacteria from getting a strong hold. Friendly bacteria can also be destroyed by:

• Stress
• Poor diet
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Antacids
• Certain medications
• Chlorinated water
• A toxic environment

Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium Defined

There are a variety of other probiotics that help keep a healthy balance of organisms in the intestinal tract. However, the primary residents are:

Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) is the most commonly used probiotic, or “friendly,” bacteria. You may be familiar with its use in yogurt. Such healthy bacteria inhabit the intestines and vagina and protect against the entrance and growth of “bad” organisms that can cause disease, which is accomplished through a variety of mechanisms.

Bifidobacterium are normal inhabitants of the human and animal colon. Newborns, especially those that are breast-fed, are colonized with bifidobacteria within days after birth. The population of these bacteria in the colon appears to be relatively stable until advanced age when it appears to decline. These bacteria are often influenced by a number of factors, including diet, antibiotics, and stress. (1)

Probiotic History

The word probiotics comes from the Greek language meaning “for life”. They are defined as live microorganisms that benefit the host by improving the balance of the intestinal microflora, as previously mentioned. Their use has been documented as far back as 6,000 years ago.

“Elie Metchnikoff, the father of modern immunology, spoke highly about the possible health benefits of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus in his writings at the turn of the last century.

He wrote in his book, The Prolongation of Life, that consumption of live bacteria in the form of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus…was beneficial for gastrointestinal health, as well as for health in general and longevity.” ⁽¹⁾

It has only been in the last 20 years that conventional medicine has began to scientifically study these friendly bacteria through the use of probiotic supplements.

Further Reading

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/content/view/print/257040

Probiotics and intestinal health effects: a clinical perspective

Probiotics in gastrointestinal and liver diseases

The impact of probiotic on gut health

Place of probiotics

References

1. Thomson, PDR for Nutritional Supplements. New Jersey: Thomson PDR 2002; 377