Candida albicans, a yeast-like fungal organism, lives naturally on and in your body. While you can never completely rid yourself of it, you can keep it under control by making certain modifications to your diet. According to MedlinePlus, Candida overgrowth causes a number of unpleasant conditions, such as oral thrush and yeast infections of the skin and vagina. The two factors that keep Candida in check are your immune system and the natural bacterial flora that live in your body. Your diet should focus on keeping these two factors strong.
Step 1
Consume a probiotic food product that contains a live bacterial culture, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus or bifidobacterium. Many yogurts contain one or both of these cultures. According to the Mayo Clinic, the presence of these bacteria in your body creates competition for Candida albicans and can prevent its overgrowth.
Step 2
Increase your consumption of spices, such as garlic, oregano, sage, cinnamon and cloves, that have antifungal properties.
Step 3
Strengthen your immune system and reduce general inflammation by taking a 500 to 1,000 mg vitamin C supplement and 2 tbs. of omega-3 fish oil each day.
Step 4
Consume 1,000 to 1,500 mg of calcium, complemented with 750 to 1,000 mg of magnesium, every day. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, people with low calcium intake get more yeast infections.
Step 5
Remove refined sugar, processed foods, alcohol and animal fat from your diet until your problem with Candida comes under control. According to the University of Kentuck, some scientists suspect that these food substance promote fungal growth on and in your body.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid antibiotics when possible; they kill bacteria and provide Candida with a window of opportunity to overgrow.
- Consult your doctor before taking any herbal supplements, especially if you are on prescription medications.
Things You'll Need
- Yogurt or other probiotic food
- Vitamin C supplement
- Fish oil supplement
- Calcium supplement
- Magnesium supplement
- Sage
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
