Candida albicans is a type of yeast living among the billions of microorganisms in your gut. Your gut flora helps your body digest food and perform important immune activities. Holistic medicine practitioners believe that when candida yeast populations spike suddenly, they can cause significant medical problems. Because these claims are disputed by many conventional medicine professionals, you should talk to a doctor before beginning a candida yeast diet.
Diet Rationale
Alternative medicine advocates claim that candida yeast population increases occur because of diet and lifestyle choices. Candida yeast survive by eating sugars that pass through your intestinal tract. Infections, antibiotics, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy and certain illnesses cause candida yeast to proliferate. Symptoms of candida syndrome include fatigue, weight gain, gas, bloating, heartburn, headaches, bad breath, memory problems and mood swings. Candida diet proponents believe that strictly limiting sugar intake starves candida yeast, restoring good health.
Stages
There are several stages to a candida yeast diet, beginning with a restrictive detoxification phase. Some dieters start the detox phase with a colon cleanse by drinking broth and taking herbal supplements to stimulate bowel movements, according to the Candida Diet website. The initial detoxification step takes three weeks. The second stage of the candida yeast diet allows you to reintroduce foods that were previously banned. Dieters often take antifungal medications or use antifungal herbal supplements during this four-week diet stage. The final stage is a long-term maintenance diet designed to keep candida yeast populations in check. Many dieters remain in this phase indefinitely.
Diet Foods
Dieters must restrict all sugar intake for the duration of the detoxification period. The Candida Diet website includes a list of banned foods, including fruits, high-carbohydrate vegetables, caffeinated beverages, alcohol, aged cheese, mushrooms, processed foods, foods containing gluten, condiments and nuts. Dieters typically eat low-carbohydrate vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, turnips, peppers, onions and leafy greens during the detox phase. Whole-grain foods and lean protein are also permitted.
After three weeks of detoxification, candida diet adherents reintroduce apples, pears, berries, starchy vegetables and beans into their meals. During the final phase, dieters are encouraged to avoid sugars but may try foods to determine whether they cause a flare-up of candida syndrome symptoms. Eating yogurt containing live and active cultures is important to maintain intestinal health.
Scientific Evidence
Although holistic medicine practitioners tout the benefits of the candida yeast diet, no scientific evidence supports its use. Some people may lose weight or experience higher energy levels while on the diet. However, Mayo Clinic internist Brent Bauer says that this is likely because they shift from an unhealthy diet containing high-fat, sugary foods to a diet centered around whole grains, lean protein and fresh vegetables. Talk to your doctor before beginning the candida yeast diet to ensure it is a safe choice for you.
Member Comments