Candida is a type of bacteria that live harmlessly in your digestive tract. Allowed to multiply unchecked, Candida can cause a serious systemic infection, as well as health issues such as vaginitis, jock itch, diaper rash, athlete's foot, canker sores and oral thrush. You can help keep the balance between good and bad bacteria in your body by eating beneficial microorganisms found in fermented foods such as yogurt of cultured vegetables.
Candida
Candida is just one of hundreds of different types of living microorganisms in your body. Harmless in small numbers, if something upsets the balance of your inner ecosystem, Candida will grow out of control. Taking antibiotics and certain types of steroids or birth control pills can kill the friendly bacteria that stop Candida from multiplying. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, 75 percent of all women will experience a yeast infection at some point. Dietary changes and anti-fungal medications can treat and prevent future outbreaks.
Fermented Foods
Fermented foods contain live beneficial bacteria that can crowd-out Candida and help get the yeast population in your body under control. Eating fermented vegetables such as kim chi, sauerkraut or pickled foods will restore the balance between good and bad microorganisms in your digestive tract. Yogurt and kefir contain two particularly useful strains of probiotics -- lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium. Look for fermented foods that have not been pasteurized. The pasteurization process kills all bacteria, good and bad. If you choose not to eat dairy products, take probiotic supplements to get the same benefits.
Sugar
Dietary changes to treat Candida need to take a two-fold approach. Kill the existing Candida by starving them -- cut off their supply of sugar by eliminating simple carbohydrates from your diet. This includes foods with all forms of added sugars and foods that your body can quickly convert to sugar such as starchy vegetables and foods such as bread and pasta that are made from refined flours. Some Candida protocols suggest that you avoid all forms of grains, while some allow for gluten-free whole grains such as millet, quinoa or rice.
Other Dietary Changes
In addition to adding probiotic-rich fermented foods and eliminating added sugars from your diet, you may also need to avoid yeast and increase your intake of anti-fungal foods. Coconut and olive oils, garlic, onions and ginger will all contains anti-fungals that will help fight your Candida infection. Omega-3 fatty acids also help kill Candida; adding pumpkin seeds, walnuts and salmon to your diet will help.
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