Candida is a condition in which too much yeast grows in the blood, which can cause many uncomfortable health conditions. Candida can be caused by a diet too high in sugar and carbohydrates. The glycemic index measures the amount that foods will raise your blood sugar levels. Planning a diet based on a low glycemic intake may lower blood sugar levels enough to improve symptoms of candida.
Causes of Candida
Candida albicans is a bacteria that is normally present in the body. Normally the bacteria is in normal amounts and does not cause any symptoms. However, an overgrowth of candida in the mouth is also called oral thrush, a condition that is common in infants and patients with AIDS. Alternative medical practitioners also believe that poor diet, sugar consumption, antibiotics and a weakened immune system can cause an overgrowth of candida bacteria.
Symptoms of Candida
An overgrowth of candida albicans may cause uncomfortable health symptoms, including skin irritations. Diaper rashes are often caused by the same candida bacteria. Women with candidiasis, an excess of candida, commonly experience frequent vaginal yeast infections. Other symptoms attributed to candida include fatigue, intense sugar cravings, foggy thinking processes and mood changes. Diabetics are especially prone to candidiasis.
Glycemic Index
The glycemic index measures the amount that a certain food will raise your blood sugar. High-glycemic foods raise your blood sugar levels quickly. Examples of high-glycemic foods include juice, starchy vegetables, and foods made with refined sugar and refined flour. Fiber slows down how quickly your body digests the sugar, which makes whole grains and unprocessed fruits and vegetables lower on the glycemic index.
Benefits of Low-Glycemic Diet
A low-glycemic diet is associated with fewer fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Fewer wide swings in blood sugar levels can improve diabetes symptoms. A low-glycemic diet also eliminates the sugar that allows yeast to grow, which in turn improves candida infections. Consuming less sugar can reduce yeast infections and stabilize moods.
Low-Glycemic Foods
Foods are considered low-glycemic if their number on the glycemic index is below 55. Some foods that are very low-glycemic include raw carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, green beans, broccoli, barley, nuts, cherries, apples, plums and peaches. Whole wheat and milk are acceptable in limited amounts. Processed grains, such as most cereals and white pasta and rice, are generally high on the glycemic index. Certain vegetables, such as carrots, have higher glycemic index scores when cooked.
Warning
Check with your doctor if you are experiencing frequent yeast infections, especially if you have not been diagnosed with diabetes or if your symptoms do not improve by consuming less sugar.
