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We tend to think of vaginal yeast infections when we hear the word “Candida” or “yeast,” but an overgrowth of Candida actually can cause a number of conditions:
- Gastrointestinal symptoms – Candida overgrowth may show up as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, oral thrush, indigestion, gas, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Reproductive organ symptoms – Yeast overgrowth in the genital or urinary systems include vaginitis, PMS, interstitial cystitis, bladder infections, and chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Dermatological symptoms – Eczema, acne, hives. A new study may even link Melasma to systemic Candida infection.
- Mental/emotional symptoms – Lack of concentration, anxiety, hyperactivity, forgetfulness, depression, sleep problems, low energy and confusion could be related to Candida overgrowth. It also can show through migraine headaches, asthma, low blood sugar or muscle achiness.
- The autoimmune connection – There is evidence that Candida overgrowth may contribute to specific autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, hemolytic anemia and others.
One or two of these symptoms doesn't necessarily signal a yeast overgrowth, but if you have
several symptoms and suspect Candida, ask your clinician to order a simple stool test.
You can take control of your Candida by first taking control of what you eat. Our anti-Candida diet is a great place to start! This eating plan emphasizes eating whole foods and eliminating those that contain yeast, or are high in sugar, alcohol or vinegar (because these are known to promote the growth of yeast).
Here are tips for controlling yeast nutritionally:
- Avoid sugar in all forms except for some fruits. White, granulated or powdered sugar, honey, fruit juices, sodas and anything containing high fructose corn syrup should be avoided.
- Avoid tropical fruits (pineapple, mango, bananas, papayas); they’re high in sugar. Ditto raisins, prunes, dates and figs.
- Avoid foods containing yeast – beer, wine, alcohol, mustard, pickled foods, tomato or barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, soy sauce, cider, salad dressings, potato chips, any supplement containing yeast.
- Avoid molded foods such as cheese, miso, peanut products, or any foods containing malt.
- Avoid artificial sweeteners.
- Eat fresh vegetables and lean proteins.
- Consume low-glycemic fruits such as citrus, berries, apples and peaches.
- Use olive oil and lemon juice to dress salads and vegetables.
- Add raw nuts and seeds to your salads, or munch on them as snacks.
- Drink plenty of fresh, filtered water.
- If you notice a negative reaction to certain foods, remove them from your diet for at least four months. It might help to keep a diary of what you eat at each meal, how you feel, and your bowel movements.
In addition to eating the right foods, supplementing your diet with high-quality nutrients will boost your beneficial bacteria quotient. We suggest three key supplements for treating candidiasis:
- Probiotics – Live organisms that closely resemble the healthy bacteria already in our bodies, probiotics are found in foods like yogurt, kefir and Kimchi. They’re also available in supplement form—a great alternative for those who have a tough time digesting dairy, or who just don’t eat enough probiotic-containing foods. A probiotic supplement will correct the imbalances of the three main types of intestinal flora—Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidus, and friendly yeast. We recommend Dr. Ohhira’s Essential Formula, containing 12 strains of live bacteria.
- High-quality Super Supplement, such as Women’s Empowerment Formula – Important micronutrients often are lacking in those diagnosed with food allergies or candidiasis. A high-potency multivitamin formula like ours contains nutrients such as calcium and magnesium, antioxidants and immune system support. Click here for more information.
- Essential fatty acids – Recent studies show that essential fatty acids (EFAs) may reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and a host of other menopausal conditions such as osteoporosis. In relation to candidiasis, EFAs strengthen your immune system and facilitate your body’s ability to fight off infections from foreign microorganisms. The EFAs in our Women’s Empowerment Formula is the highest quality available and has undergone an extensive molecular distillation to ensure that it is free of heavy metals such as mercury, and other contaminants.
Embarking on a new eating and supplement plan will go a long way toward clearing the Candida out of your system. You also can enhance your efforts if you:
- Avoid certain medications. Antibiotics aren’t the only meds that can eliminate the good bacteria from your body. Birth control pills and steroids also have a dampening effect on the immune system, which upsets the balance of your intestinal flora—but be sure to talk with your physician before discontinuing any medications.
- Learn to relax! Finding time each day to engage in a stress-relieving activity will help settle your intestinal tract and heal both body and spirit.
- Move your body. Make exercise a priority. It will boost your circulation, and raise your heart rate and energy level. Aim for at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity most days and, if possible, head outdoors where the invigorating sounds, smells and sights of nature will naturally elevate your mood.
- Clean green. Most household cleaners are filled with hazardous chemicals and potential carcinogens. Swap your old cleaning products for eco-friendly brands, or make your own cleaning fluids using vinegar, water, baking soda and lemon juice solutions. In moist areas where mold can grow, such as your bathroom, spray distilled vinegar into crevices and let it dry naturally. (The smell will dissipate after an hour or two.) Or add a few teaspoons of tea tree oil to two or three cups of water, and use it as a cleaner to get rid of mildew.
The road to Candida-free health is a gradual process that involves overhaulingmany old lifestyle behaviors. Go gently along that path—don’t try to change all of your habits at once!
As you start on your wellness journey, you may initially experience a week or more of worsening symptoms. Don’t be concerned – embrace this development as a sign that your body is detoxifying. Within a few days, you’ll be feeling better than ever before, and over time you will experience a new state of health within your mind, body and spirit.
We’ve seen several over-the-counter Candida cleanse formulas on the market, and found many of them to be very harsh on the system, resulting in a major “die-off” of the fungus called a Herxheimer reaction. This can be quite uncomfortable, and new research has show that these fungus zappers can harm healthy bacteria as well, leaving your intestines even more inflamed and susceptible to re-infection.  If you’re considering using one of these products, we recommend talking with your health care provider first before making the purchase. In our view, the most gentle and effective way to clear Candida is through a healthy diet and high-quality supplements.
Our Women’s Empowerment Program is a great way to eliminate the symptoms of candida for life!
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