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What is Candida and how can you manage it?
Many people know what Candida is, but perhaps few understand it well or know how to recognise it. Here we breakdown common signs and symptoms to watch out for and some simple tips for self management.
What Is It?
Candida is a yeast present in your gut flora – the group of microorganisms living in your digestive tract.
When in balance, they live without issue. But when an overgrowth occurs, Candida can cause a cascade of issues.
It can weaken the intestinal wall, penetrate through into the bloodstream and release its toxic by products throughout the body causing many symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue
- Yeast infections (oral and vaginal thrush)
- Joint pain
- Brain fog
- Frequent colds
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Sinus congestion
- Weight gain
- Bloating, gas and abdominal pain
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Irritability
- Food sensitivities
- Skin problems – eczema, rashes, acne
- Dizziness
How do I manage Candida?
The first step in an anti-candida treatment is to remove as much sugar as possible. This is because sugar is one of the major causes of candida overgrowth.
Candida cells thrive off sugar as they need it to build their cell walls, expand colonies and switch into their more virulent, fungal form!
So as you can see, an anti-candida diet is the key to self-management.
The first step in an anti-candida treatment is to remove as much sugar as possible. This is because sugar is one of the major causes of candida overgrowth.
Candida cells thrive off sugar as they need it to build their cell walls, expand colonies and switch into their more virulent, fungal form!
So as you can see, an anti-candida diet is the key to self-management.
Foods to Avoid
Foods to Avoid
- Alcohol
- Sugars: Sugar, Honey, Maple Syrup, Chocolate, Molasses, Rice Malt Syrup, Artificial Sweeteners
- Vegetables: Potatoes, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Yams, Beets, Peas, Parsnips, Mushrooms, Truffles
- Beans: Beans and other legumes, Chickpeas
- Fruit: all fresh, dried, canned, juiced fruit
- Dairy Products: Cheese, Milk, Cream, Yoghurt, Kefir, Buttermilk, Whey products
- Meat: All pork products, Cured meats, Processed meats, Smoked or vacuum-packed meats
- Nuts and Seeds: Cashews, Peanuts, Pistachios
- Grains & Glutinous Foods: anything made with wheat, rye, oats or barley, white bread, rye bread,
- Pasta: Spelt products, Corn and corn by-products, Rice
- All Vinegars
- Oils: Peanut oil, Corn oil, Canola oil, Soy oil
- Condiments: Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Regular Mustard, Relish, Horseradish, Soy sauce
- Fermented Foods: Kimchi, Sauerkraut, Tempeh
- Beverages Coffee,
Eat More
- Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocado, Bok choy, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collard greens, Cucumber, Dandelion greens, Eggplant, Garlic, Capsicum, Jalapenos, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Olives, Onions, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Seaweed, Shallots, Spinach, Sprouts (green), Swiss chard, Tomatoes, Turnip, Turnip Greens, Watercress, Zucchini.
- Meat & Eggs Chicken, Lamb, Turkey, Eggs. Soy products (e.g. tofu, though please avoid Tempeh and Soy Sauce)
- Fish: Anchovies, Herring, Sardines, Wild salmon
- Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, Coconut meat, Flax Seed, Hazelnuts, Pecans, Sunflower Seeds, Walnuts, Macadamias
- Grains – Please consult with your practitioner
- Herbs and Spices: Allspice, Anise, Basil, Bay leaf, Cardamom, Coriander, Cinnamon, Cloves, Cumin, Curry, Dill, Fennel, Ginger, Garlic, Nutmeg, Oregano, Paprika, Parsley, Sumac, Turmeric, Thyme, Rosemary, Vanilla (bean only)
- Oils: Virgin Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Sesame Oil, Flax Oil, Coconut Oil, Ghee
- Seasonings: Black Pepper, Sea Salt, Lemon Juice
- Beverages: Chicory root coffee, Cinnamon Tea, Peppermint Tea, Ginger Tea, Liquorice Tea. Almond and coconut milks are okay (ideally homemade, check store-bought ones for added sugar)
Of cause, be sure to drink a minimum of 2 litres of water each day and consume 5 servings of vegetables to help flush out excess Candida and toxins.
Our naturopaths can also help you devise a meal plan tailored to you.
Tired of the way you are feeling?
In just 30 minutes you could discover real solutions to help you feel amazing.
Our $50 Naturopath Assessment with one of our expert practitioners is the ideal place to start with a complete overview of your health and your goals.
