Candida is a fungus that causes what are commonly referred to as yeast infections. These infections may be present in the vagina, in the mouth or in the folds of the skin. Candida lives on and in the human body and normally does not cause any problems, but when it becomes too prevalent, you may suffer from an infection called candidiasis. Some alternative health practitioners feel that excessive yeast may also contribute to fatigue, memory loss and headache.
Foods to Avoid
According to Mayoclinic.com, some people believe that cutting white flour products, sugar, cheese and yeast from your diet will eliminate excess candida from the body. The reason for this is that these foods may allow yeast to multiply and flourish. Avoiding these foods will mean that you will eat very few processed foods, and that you won't drink alcohol.
Foods to Eat
The Candida Diet website lists several foods to integrate into your diet to help combat yeast infections. They include coconut oil, garlic, onions and almonds. Coconut oil and garlic are considered strong anti-fungals. Try to cook with coconut oil and eat several cloves of garlic each day, either cooked or raw. Almonds can help you avoid eating sugary snacks and can encourage your body to be hospitable to friendly bacteria, which help reduce the amount of yeast in your digestive tract.
Theories/Speculation
The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, points out that cutting out foods containing sugar, white flour and alcohol may indeed clear up the symptoms of yeast overgrowth. There is some controversy, however, over whether the diet actually reduces the amount of yeast in the body, or whether following a more healthful diet simply makes you feel more healthy.
Other Alternative Remedies
Aside from changing your diet, several other alternative remedies exist to combat candidiasis and yeast overgrowth. Taking probiotics, a type of friendly bacteria, may help reduce yeast overgrowth when you are also taking antibiotics. Take acidophilus capsules or eat yogurt with live active cultures. The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, recommends taking up to 1,000 mg of vitamin C daily to boost your immune system and 1,000 to 1,500 mg of calcium daily. Some practitioners may advocate using herbs to treat candida. These herbs may include tea tree oil, echinacea, pau d'arco bark and pomegranate gel.
Warnings
If you have symptoms of a yeast infection that do not get better with a diet change or other alternative remedies, see your doctor. If you are a woman experiencing your first vaginal yeast infection, see your gynecologist for a diagnosis before using over-the-counter medications. Use caution in using herbs, as they may have side effects or be contraindicated if you have certain health problems or if you are taking other herbs or drugs. See a health care provider right away if you have symptoms of a yeast infection and you are pregnant.
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