What is Candida? I Why Is it dangerous? I What are the main signs? I What Can Cause Candida Overgrowth I How to treat candida overgrowth? I Best Diet I Best Supplements (Healing Protocol) I Frequently asked questions
What is Candida?
Many people with hormonal and thyroid disorders have a Candida overgrowth.
Candida is a fungus, a form of yeast that lives in your mouth and intestines in small amounts. If it is overproduced, it breaks down the wall of the intestine and penetrates the bloodstream.
That's when the problems develop. The problem develops as not only it breaks the lining of your gut, but it also releases toxic byproducts into your body.
In addition, leaky gut (created by Candia), can let other toxins pass into your bloodstream and cause even more harm. It's like a downward spiral...all created by the Candida overgrowth.
So what are the main signs of Candida Overgrowth?
What Can Cause Candida Overgrowth?
Candida can be caused by many things. Here are the most common causes:
1. Bad diet.
Candida thrives on diets high in sugar and processed foods, so the more you eat these foods, the more Candida grows.
2. Diabetes
Candida is a common problem for people with diabetes. Higher levels of glucose in the blood make candida all the more likely.
3. Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance and blood sugar problems can cause candida overgrowth. This is because the higher levels of glucose in the blood make candida overgrowth more likely. It literally LOVES to feed on simple sugars, and when consumed in excess this causes microbial populations to become imbalanced, known as a state of dysbiosis.
4. Birth Control Pills
Published studies show birth control pills can negatively impact gut flora. When this happens, it can trigger candida overgrowth.
What's more, the contraceptive pill can also lead to estrogen dominance, which in turn triggers a gut imbalance and triggers Candida overgrowth.
5. Weakened Immune System
Anyone with a weakened immune system is more likely to develop candida. In people with AIDS or other diseases that weaken the immune system, Candida infections can be difficult to treat and can return after treatment.
6. Lack Of Hygiene
A lack of regular hygiene practices, such as daily showers and brushing your teeth, or a constantly moist environment can also lead to chronic yeast infections. You're also at risk of recurring yeast infections if you have a weakened immune system.
7. Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics
Antibiotics can cause yeast infections in some people because they kill off bad but also beneficial bacteria that prevent the overgrowth of Candida. It's kind of like "releasing the beast and letting it grow out of control". Furthermore, overusing antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance. Antibiotic resistance happens when germs like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. This also results in uncontrolled Candida growth.
8. Cancer Treatments
Chemotherapy and radiation can kill off the healthy bacteria that naturally fight candida. This can result in Candida overgrowth, which is very common in cancer treatments.
How To Treat Candida Overgrowth?
Step 1. Anti-Candida Diet
To treat Candida overgrowth, we have to focus on a low-sugar, anti-inflammatory diet that promotes good gut health and eliminates the sugars that feed a Candida overgrowth. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of foods that should be avoided during your Candida diet. The foods are chosen based on the anti-inflammatory healing properties.
Most Important Foods to avoid: high in sugar, gluten, grains, dairy, fermented foods, prebiotics, probiotics, alcohol, dried fruit, fruit juices, starchy vegetables, foods that increase inflammation.
Sugar: Candida needs sugar to grow and expand its colonies.
Dairy: It is a highly inflammatory food. Inflammation damages your gut lining, which is already leaky due to an overgrowth of Candida.
Gluten: It’s not just people with celiac disease that need to avoid gluten. Research shows that people can improve their health by avoiding gluten. Why? Because gluten causes inflammation in the gut, worsens intestinal permeability, and can cause leaky gut. All of these are a perfect environment for a Candida overgrowth!
Foods, which increase inflammation: Refined vegetable oils, which contain high levels of pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids that can increase inflammation. Oils, like peanut oil, soy oil, and canola oil.
Fermented foods, prebiotics, and probiotics: should be avoided during the candida healing diet. This is because they feed both bad and good bacteria in your gut. It means that if your gut is not healthy and balanced, it can feed Candida overgrowth.
Alcohol: Alcohol increases the permeability of the gut. It doesn't help while you're fixing the candida overgrowth. What's more, it's high in sugar, which only feeds Candida. That's why it's better to avoid any form of alcohol: wine, beer, vodka.
Dried fruits: High in sugar and feed candida.
Fruit juices: High in sugar and feed candida.
Legumes: They're not a perfect food for healing Candia and leaky gut, because they contain agglutinins. An agglutinin is a substance in the blood that causes particles to coagulate and aggregate. Agglutinins can cause a leaky gut and, through direct binding with immune cells and stimulate both the innate and adaptive immune systems.
Starchy vegetables: Like squash, butternut squash are healthy sources of carbohydrates. However, all of these carbohydrates can be a perfect source of energy to feed Candida. That's why it's better to avoid it during the Candida healing diet.
Grains: If you are suffering from a chronic intestinal Candida overgrowth, it's better to avoid grains, as Candida loves sugar and carbohydrates. If you can't avoid grains, at least limit them to 60 grams a day.
Here is a comprehensive list of the foods that you need to avoid and the foods you need to consume, to fix candida overgrowth.
How to use the food list?
Follow it for at least 14 days. It's the minimum time needed for your body to starve Candida and force it to die.
Step 2. Use the right supplements (Healing Protocol)
Use this protocol for 30 days. Then, take a 14-day break and repeat for another 30 days.
One exception are essential oils, which require taking a break after the first 10 days.
Without a doctor's supervision, do not give to children, if you are pregnant or nursing.
Healing Protocol:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
1. How does the Candida rash look like?
Superficial candida skin infections appear as a red flat rash with sharp, scalloped edges.
Smaller patches of similar-appearing rash are usually nearby. These rashes may be hot, itchy, or painful.
Skin Candidiasis
2. Can Candida cause bad breath?
Yes, chronic bad breath can be caused by Candida overgrowth.
3. How long should I use the anti-Candida diet?
You should use the anti-Candida diet for at least 14 days. Keep in mind that it can take up to few months to completely heal Candida overgrowth. It depends on your health situation.
4. Can I eat yogurt on the anti-Candida diet?
Yogurt contains casein, a protein that causes inflammation in your gut and can even cause a leaky gut. All of these create a perfect environment for Candida to grow, resulting eventually in an overgrowth. What’s more, you may think that yogurt is a “healthy probiotic”, while in reality most yogurts have very few live bacteria in them and are packed with sugar, and are made from poor-quality, low-fat sources of milk.
4. How can I avoid hidden sugars during my diet?
You can check the hidden sugars list here. Remember to always check the back label of the foods you're eating.
5. How to stay motivated on the candida diet?
Remember WHY you're doing it. It could be that you want to feel better, or to get rid of your symptoms: headaches, sugar cravings, weight gain, brain fog, bad breath, joint pain, digestive issues, and others.
Picture for a second how your life would look like, if only you got rid of all of these nasty symptoms. More energy, more concentration at work, having more "you time" during your day, and feeling happy. Wouldn't it improve your happiness but also your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues? Would it be worth it? Yeees, it would be worth it!
What's more, as you progress through the weeks, it will be easier for you to stick to the diet (as cravings will disappear) and you'll see your health improving, so it will give you an additional motivation boost! Just keep going and keep being a Health BOSS!
6. "I have horrible sugar cravings during my Candida healing diet, what can I do with it?"
There are 2 tips for sugar cravings:
1. Add one teaspoon of cinnamon to your meals. Cinnamon helps your body control the amount of sugar in your blood. This prevents your blood sugar levels from going too high or too low and in this way reduces your sugar cravings.
2. Use chromium picolinate. It may be effective at improving your body's response to insulin and lowering blood sugar, which automatically helps with sugar cravings. Use 800 mcg.
7. "How do I know if my Candida overgrowth is resolving?"
You should be noticing an improvement in your symptoms and the oral thrush should start to disappear (creamy white, sore patches in your mouth or on your tongue, caused by a Candida overgrowth).
What's more, when Candida dies off, you may experience a detox reaction, which can give you flu-like symptoms or a fever. Sometimes, other detox symptoms can also appear:
itching, burning
skin rash
skin flushing
chills
low energy
rapid heart rate
muscle pain
headaches
anxiety
hyperventilation
a sore throat
Don't be afraid of the detox symptoms as they usually disappear pretty fast. The reason for these detox symptoms is endotoxins and proteins, which are being released from the Candida cells when they die.
The release of these harmful substances causes your body to release cytokines (signaling molecules that mediate and regulate immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis.)
Cytokines help to fight infection and they can cause inflammation. This inflammation can cause temporary above-mentioned "detox symptoms". They usually pass in few days.
Questions? Comment Below!
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Updated on: June 7th, 2022 Published on April 24rd, 2021
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