Several strains of yeast naturally live in your mouth, intestines, vagina and other areas of your body. Alternative medicine proponents pinpoint one species, Candida albicans, as the source of many chronic medical problems. Overgrowth of the yeast species supposedly causes a condition called chronic candidiasis, which is characterized by fatigue, weight gain, achiness and headaches. Before beginning a diet to treat chronic candidiasis, talk to a doctor to rule out other medical conditions that may be the cause of your symptoms.
Diet Foods
The central purpose of an anti-candidiasis diet is to limit sugar intake. This starves intestinal yeast. To lower your carbohydrate intake, eat plenty of lean protein and non-starchy vegetables. Acceptable vegetables include leafy greens, garlic, onions, peppers and avocados. Choose lean protein from both plant and animal sources, such as skinless chicken breasts, lean beef, soy products or fish. Eating small portions of whole-grain foods is a healthy way to get carbohydrates without stimulating candida growth.
Foods to Avoid
People treating chronic candidiasis through dietary modification should avoid fruits, processed foods, simple carbohydrates, additives, preservatives, alcohol, aged cheeses and nuts. Fruits naturally contain sugars and should be eliminated from your diet. After several weeks, some dieters reintroduce berries, pears or other low-sugar fruits to determine their effects. Because dairy can cause gastrointestinal distress in some people with chronic candidiasis, dieters should minimize consumption to small portions of nonfat dairy products.
Probiotics
Many alternative medicine advocates believe that probiotic bacteria restore balance to your gut flora and kill excess candida yeast. Beneficial bacteria include Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria. To receive these helpful bacteria, eat one cup of yogurt with live, active cultures each day. If dairy products upset your stomach, consider taking L. acidophilus supplements. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking 1 to 10 billion live organisms of L. acidophilus per day or 10 billion colony-forming units of bifidobacteria.
Expert Insight
Alternative medicine providers attribute a large number of physical symptoms to chronic candidiasis. Although vaginal and oral yeast infections do occur, most mainstream medical professionals do not believe that chronic candidiasis is a legitimate diagnosis. The anti-candida diet may make you feel better because it is healthier than a typical American diet that contains many sugary or processed foods. Discuss your symptoms of chronic candidiasis with a doctor before beginning an anti-candida diet.
