Holistic medicine proponents believe that a disruption in the balance of microorganisms living in your gut can cause a condition known as candida syndrome. Although conventional medicine practitioners acknowledge that maintaining your gut flora is important for good health, most do not consider candida syndrome a legitimate medical diagnosis. Some alternative medicine advocates claim that following a strict raw food diet can cure candida syndrome. Before beginning a raw anti-candida diet, consult your physician.
Candida Syndrome
Candida syndrome occurs when the population of Candida albicans, a species of yeast naturally found in your intestines, rises suddenly. This candida overgrowth may be due to poor dietary choices, antibiotic use or infection. Symptoms of candida syndrome include a white coating on the tongue, chronic fatigue, sudden weight gain, poor memory, headaches, irritability, mood swings and joint pain.
Diet Features
The purpose of a raw candida diet is to eliminate candida yeast's food source. Yeast thrive on sugars found in the intestinal tract. Significantly reducing intake of dietary sugars starves candida yeast, allowing your intestinal population of beneficial bacteria to rise. A raw candida diet includes at least 75 percent uncooked foods. Raw foods are those that have never been heated above 118 degrees Fahrenheit. They must also be organic, not irradiated and free of additives or preservatives.
Foods to Avoid
People following a raw diet to cure candida syndrome must avoid most sources of carbohydrates. Forbidden foods include all fruits, alcohol, juice, caffeinated beverages, aged cheeses, peanuts, vinegar, condiments, products containing yeast, wheat, corn, rice, pasta and other grains. Dieters should also avoid high-carbohydrate vegetables such as potatoes, beans, sweet potatoes, carrots and corn.
Foods to Eat
The only foods eaten for the duration of a candida diet must be raw, fresh foods. Acceptable vegetables include spinach, celergy, asparagus, cauliflower, bok choy, cabbage, radishes, sprouts, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes and other low-carbohydrate vegetables. Drinking raw milk or eating raw, nonfat dairy products is also allowed. Raw sources of protein include raw almonds, macadamia nuts, walnuts, seeds and sprouts. Non-vegetarians may eat raw or smoked fishes and meats that were raised without the use of antibiotics.
Expert Insight
Although raw candida diet proponents claim the plan improves their medical symptoms and restores good health, many conventional doctors deny the existance of candida syndrome. Brent Bauer, an internist at the Mayo Clinic, says that a candida diet may help dieters feel better because it contains more healthy foods than a typical diet high in sugar and processed foods, not because it kills candida yeast. To ensure your raw candida diet is safe and healthy for you, discuss your meal plans with a doctor before beginning the diet.
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