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What is Systemic Yeast (Candida)?
Candida Albicans, a fungal organism, is present in everyone’s intestinal tract. In healthy individuals, Candida is kept under control by the immune system and by healthy bacteria that colonize the gut.
This balance is upset when these healthy bacteria are destroyed by antibiotics, when our immune function is impaired (typically due to stress or illness), or when we develop environmental or food sensitivities.
Once the ratio of good bacteria to bad bacteria is compromised, Candida begins to proliferate, invade, and colonize our body tissues. Candida commonly appears as a vaginal yeast infection or as oral thrush. However, Candida albicans can also spread inside the body and become a systemic problem.
Yeast
How does Candida albicans affect the body?
When Candida proliferates, it changes from its simple, relatively harmless form to an invasive form, with long root-like structures that penetrate the intestinal lining. Penetration can break down the boundary between the intestinal tract and the circulatory system. This may allow introduction into the bloodstream of many substances that may be systemic allergens, poisons, or irritants. Partially digested proteins may enter the blood through the openings created by Candida (called leaky gut syndrome), which explains why individuals with Candida often display a variety of food and environmental allergies.
What are some of the symptoms of Candida yeast infections?
While many of these symptoms may be caused by conditions other than candidiasis, a woman suffering from systemic yeast will typically experience a number of the following symptoms:
Generalized: Fatigue, lethargy, migraine headaches, weakness, dizziness, sensory disturbances, hypoglycemia, muscle pain, respiratory problems, and chemical sensitivities.
Stool testing can be done to determine if someone has Candida yeast overgrowth. If there are food sensitivities, a special blood test such as an ALCAT or RAST panel is done to identify reactive foods. This is important because while food allergies are easily noted, it is more difficult to pinpoint the cause of food sensitivity since the reaction can take 8–72 hours.
Treatment of systemic yeast (Candida) infection
A combination approach, including dietary changes, supplements and lifestyle changes are needed for candidiasis control.
Basic eating plan: Maintain a diet high in whole foods, with plenty of vegetables, regular moderate amounts of protein, moderate fat, and virtually no simple sugars.Ideally, the diet needs to be free of artificial colors, sweeteners and dyes.
Guidelines for a yeast-free diet:
1.Avoid yeast-containing foods:
Beer, wine, and all other forms of alcohol
Breads, rolls, pretzels, pastries, cookies, and sweet rolls
B–complex vitamins and selenium products, unless labeled “yeast–free”
Vinegar or foods containing vinegar, such as mustard, salad dressings, pickles, barbeque sauce, mayonnaise
Commercially prepared foods such as soups, dry roasted nuts, potato chips, soy sauce, cider, natural root beer, olives, sauerkraut
2.Avoid mold-containing and mold-supporting foods:
Pickled, smoked or dried meats, fish, and poultry
Cured pork bacon
All cheese, aged or fresh
Mushrooms
Tempeh
Soy sauce, tamari, and miso
Peanuts, peanut products, and pistachios
Herbs and teas that may be moldy
Malt or foods containing malt
Canned or prepared tomatoes (fresh tomatoes are fine)
3.Avoid all concentrated sugars:
Honey, maple syrup, brown sugar
Fruit juices (canned, bottled, or frozen)
Dried fruits
All processed sugar
Anything containing high-fructose corn syrup
High glycemic index foods
What foods can you eat in a Candida diet?
All fresh vegetables — a large variety, raw or lightly steamed, is best; be sure to include dark green leafy vegetables.
Fresh protein at every meal, including beef, chicken, fish, turkey, eggs, and shellfish. Organic is best, but fresh is essential.
Complex carbohydrates, including grains (rice, buckwheat, barley, millet, couscous), whole grain oatmeal, beans (kidney, lima, red beans), and certain types of pasta (whole wheat, spelt, corn, rice). Be careful not to get too many carbs — 15 grams per meal maximum.
Unprocessed nuts and seeds, except peanuts.
Unrefined olive, sesame, safflower and corn oils (be sure to keep them in the refrigerator after opening to prevent spoiling).
Lemon juice with oil for salad dressing — this may be a prepared product, but be careful to avoid any salad dressing that contains vinegar.
Beverages such as mineral or spring water, soy milk, and unprocessed nut milks.
Limited quantities of fruit (three daily), unless you see a reaction, then limit to twice weekly. Avoid grapes, raisins, dates, prunes and figs.
If you notice an adverse reaction to certain foods, remove them from your diet for 4–6 months. If you know you’re upset by something but aren’t sure what it is, there’s a simple way to isolate your food sensitivities: don’t eat the same foods every day. Instead, rotate what you eat over a 4–5 day cycle. (Remember, it can take up to 72 hours for the adverse food reaction to appear.) By a process of elimination, over time you’ll identify the foods you’re sensitive to. It might help to keep a diary of what you eat at each meal, how you feel, and your bowel movements.
In any case, avoid the artificial colors, sweeteners and dyes found in almost all processed foods. Try to eat simply and naturally. Avoid toxins and pollutants, especially in the first few weeks of these dietary changes. You may notice that you become more reactive to environmental toxins such as paints and cleaning agents.
What supplements remedy candidiasis?
1. The best supplements for countering candidiasis include caprylic acid, uva ursi, berberine,paud’arco, berberine, garlic supplements and digestive enzymes.
2.Probiotics boost the population of beneficial bacteria and friendly yeast in the digestive tract. Normal intestinal flora include sufficient Lactobacillus, bifidobacteria, and beneficial yeast to optimally digest food; however, those with candidiasis often have a serious imbalance that these supplements will correct.
3.Essential fatty acids such as fish oil, flaxseed, and borage seed oil capsules. These fats play an important role in many of the body’s biochemical processes, especially in strengthening the immune system.
3.Vitamins and minerals, including nutrients such as calcium, iron, and magnesium that are essential for body function and healing. Other micronutrients such as trace minerals are often lacking in those diagnosed with food allergies, dysbiosis or candidiasis.
All these supplements are available at Earth Foods. Please call for information and prices.
Other general measures
If possible, avoid using antibiotics, birth control pills, and steroids. These medications alter the immune system and change the intestinal flora. Use chemical-free and all-natural deodorants and laundry detergent whenever possible. Avoid chemicals and molds in the environment, both at work and at home. If you find you have a lot of mold in the bathroom, use bleach or vinegar to clean it off — just be careful not to absorb them through your skin.
Because stress is a contributing factor, it’s important to find a regular aerobic exercise routine that suits your lifestyle. Doing at least 20–25 minutes, four to five times a week will help your circulation, enhance your energy levels and act as a wonderful stress reducer. Remember to get outside to get fresh air and sunshine.It may take four to six months to eradicate a system yeast infection.
