Candida Yeast Cleanse Diet

Starving yeast like candida without starving yourself can be a difficult undertaking. However, one of the primary aspects of an anti-yeast diet aims to do just that, deliberately controlling the level of carbohydrates in the diet to help rid the body of these pathogenic organisms. Individuals may find adhering to the diet tough, especially when the symptoms of the die-off reaction rear their head.

Systemic Yeast

A systemic yeast infection occurs when the bacterial balance in the body becomes disturbed. Dr. William Crook, a physician and the author of "The Yeast Connection," explains how this typically begins in the intestines, often after a period of high stress or after the use of antibiotics. These troublesome yeast migrate around the body, triggering a response from the immune system that results in inflammation. Symptoms vary from one person to the next, but generally include headaches, itching, impaired digestion, brain fog and carbohydrate cravings.

Carbohydrate Control

Because yeast derive nourishment only from sugar, you should eliminate your intake of the sweet stuff. Dr. Rodger Murphree, a family physician who has tailored a range of treatment plans for the condition, explains that this step remains necessary to starve the yeast population. He also suggests cutting down on the amount of carbohydrate-rich foods like bread and rice, as the starch they contain converts to sugars under the influence of digestive enzymes in the intestines.

Anti Fungals

While a low-carbohydrate diet appears a vitally important aspect of any yeast elimination diet, this step alone may not be enough to remove these troublesome organisms from the body. Jonny Bowden, a board-certified nutritionist and the author of several books on natural approaches to various conditions, explains that you should use anti-fungal foods and herbs in order to finish killing off the yeast. He highlights garlic, coconut oil, grapefruit seed extract, pau d'arco and oil of oregano as particularly effective for this purpose.

Beneficial Bacteria

Bowden describes how the various strains of bacteria in the intestines compete for dominance. To do this, each species secretes chemicals that work against all other strains they are competing against; as such, dominant bacteria keep all others in check. Use of friendly bacteria such as lactobacillus and bifidus strains can help restore the dominance of these beneficial organisms, providing protection against the return of further yeast infections.

Die Off Reactions

When a lot of yeast cells die at any one time, they release a wave of fungal toxins that enter the blood stream and can cause aggravation. Crook explains how this die-off reaction, sometimes dubbed the Herxheimer response, tends to last for just a few days although can cause a worsening of symptoms during this time.