When the yeast-like fungus candida grows in excess, it can result in vaginal yeast infection and infections of the mouth, stomach and urinary tract. While largely unfounded, many health care practitioners believe excess candida growth throughout the body is the culprit for an eclectic range of maladies ranging from depressed immunity to acne. Research suggests that diet might play a role in candida formation, and if you are concerned about its growth, dietary changes might help.
Evidence
Many diets to prevent health conditions often fall into the realm of unfounded, alternative medicine practice. When it comes to candida, however, some links have been established. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) notes research has shown cutting back on sugar reduced incidences of yeast infections.
Candida and Sugar
Candida feeds off sugar and carbohydrates, explains nutrition expert Cynthia Perkins M.Ed, writing for her website No-Hype Holistic Health Solutions. She suggests several dietary changes and explains that if you can only follow one of her suggestions, make sure to reduce your intake of sugar, the biggest dietary factor. Besides serving as a main food source for candida, it can also weaken your immune system.
It is pretty obvious which foods to avoid, but you also need to familiarize yourself with the various ingredients that indicate the presence of sugar in a particular food. Examples include brown rice syrup, cane juice, cane syrup, maltose, dextrose, maltodextrin and high-fructose corn syrup. Perkins also recommends cutting out alcohol, another form of refined sugar.
Other Carbohydrate Considerations
In addition to limiting sugar, you also want to restrict intake of other types of carbohydrates. UK-based nutritional therapist Pamela Singh also recommends cutting back on refined, white flour carbohydrates present in most commercially prepared cereals, pancakes, waffles, breads and pastas. When it comes to other types of carbohydrates, opinions tend to differ. Perkins, for example, advocates cutting back on even whole grains as well as starchy vegetables like potatoes and beans --- high in carbohydrates. Singh, on the other hand, encourages you to eat whole grains like oats and brown rice. Both advocate eating lots of low-carbohydrate vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, peppers, zucchini, squash, cauliflower, tomatoes and green beans. As for fruits, you should aim for those with a low sugar content such as berries of all kinds and pears.
Animal Proteins
Diets to reduce candida often advocate avoiding dairy products, though Perkins recommends eating yogurt because it contains probiotics --- the good bacteria that help destroy candida. The UMMC notes mixed evidence on whether or not adding yogurt to the diet curbs candida growth, but it certainly cannot harm you. Other suggested animal foods include lean meats and eggs.
Avoiding Yeast
Avoiding foods that contain yeast might also help. Examples include many types of baked goods, gravy mixes, the skin of fruits, malt beverages, beer, MSG, grape juice and cider.
Anti-Fungal Foods
Many foods and spices have anti-fungal properties and can make a good addition to diets that fight candida growth. The UMMC recommends the anti-fungal spices cinnamon, clove, oregano and sage. Singh suggests eating a raw clove of garlic three times a day.
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