Candida

Janet Nagel

Candida albicans is a single-celled fungus, always present in the genital and intestinal tracts. However, if it becomes overgrown, it can cause infection.  Diaper rash, vaginitus and thrush are some of the candida infections.  It can affect various parts of the body, such as mouth, ears, nose, toenails (athletes foot), fingernails, gastrointestinal tract and vagina, groin (jock itch), skin (white patches) and can cause a very wide range of symptoms, so is often misdiagnosed.

Many people with candida develop food allergies (especially yeast), and if left untreated, may go on to develop environmental sensitivities and auto-immune diseases.

Yeasts, including candida, feed on sugar and other yeasts.  If the body’s PH balance is upset for any reason, the friendly bacteria that normally break down sugars, cannot thrive and do their job properly.  Consumption of sugars, high carbohydrates intake (especially breads) and processed foods greatly increase the risk of candida.  Antibiotics, which kill beneficial bacterial along with the harmful ones, are another common cause of infections.  People on long term antibiotics, chemotherapy, cortisone and acne based formulations based on antibiotics, as well as diabetics are at high risk for severe cases of candidiasis.

The type of treatment will depend on where the candida is located. Skin, ear and nail disorders can be treated with Citracidal drops or Calendula oil to which oregano and/or Tea Tree essential oil is added (total of 25 drops per 100ml calendula oil), although a higher concentration can be used on nails.  

Vaginal thrush can be treated with vaginal creams with natural anti-fungal essential oils are available, although a tsp of the above mix can be injected into the vagina with a syringe.  Use of conventional anti-fungal medicine can lead to the development of stronger strains of yeast that are drug resistant.  Douching with plain organic yoghurt, probiotics (mixed in a little water) or 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar to 1 cup water can be very helpful and alleviate the symptoms of itchiness, burning and odour.

Candida needs to be treated three fold to be effective. 

  1. The fungus needs to be killed off with a gentle but effective agent that will not cause drug resistance. Even so, you will need to use several products and alternate monthly.
  2. A special sugar free, yeast free, low carb, healthy eating plan needs to be implemented (see below). Food intolerances may need to be tested and these foods avoided for up to 6 months
  3. Resistance needs to be built up against overgrowth in the future with probiotics containing the strains that builds up resistance and for long term immune support, as well as special probiotics made for the vagina (in the case of vaginal thrush). 

Thrush of the mouth can present as white sores or spots anywhere in the mouth and sometimes burning tongue or sore throats.  Certain mouth sprays containing natural anti-fungals, such as Berberine, Pau D'arco, Olive Leaf, Warburgia, can be used or colloidal silver swished in mouth often.  Spray probiotics should be used to re-establish the good bacteria to prevent further infection.

Intestinal candida presents as bloating, food intolerances, diarrhoea or constipation, irritable bowel, colitis, rectal itching, bad breath, abdominal pain, headaches, memory loss, moods swings etc.  There are many different natural remedies that can be used that will not cause resistance, however, they should be rotated every 2-4 weeks to prevent this.  They include:  Oregano oil caps, Caprylic acid, Olive Leaf extract, Pau D’arco, Wurburgia Grapefruit seed extract (Citracidal), Colloidal Silver, Garlic, Oxygen formulas and MSM.  Probiotics should be high strength. Vaginal cleansers that do not interfere with the pH balance are recommended (even 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar in 1 glass of water – use a syringe).

Recommended products: Bhealthy Candida, Willow Berberine, Willow Candida, Absolut Probiotic, Rafaa, Himalaya V-gel, Vagiforte plus, Escentia calendula oil. 

LOW REACTION AND CANDIDA/FUNGAL EATING PLAN

 

FOODS TO AVOID

 

FOODS TO EAT

 

Glucose, sugar, honey, syrup, fructose sugar, maple syrup, or products with, such as chocolates, sweets.

Corn syrup (found as preservative in many supermarket foods)

All breads with yeast.

Glucose, Artificial sweeteners

White Flour products, biscuits, cakes, white flour crackers

Wheat, especially bread

Yeast or stocks

Marmite or yeast spreads and stock

Sugared jams

All vinegars/pickles (use lemon or apple cider vinegar instead)

Mushrooms/fungi (except Chinese mushrooms - Shitake)

Soya sauce

Aged cheeses, brie, blue, camembert

Alcohol in moderation

No carbonated sweet drinks

MSG

BEER

Processed and aged cheeses

Excess starches (white rice, potatoes)

Coke or any carbonated drinks

Cordials

 

Deep fried foods - (except stir fries)

Nuts (rancid nuts produce toxic aflatoxins, except very fresh or soaked in water overnight with a bit of vitamin c powder, or roasted/fried in tamari or coconut oil, or straight from the shell)

Rice cakes

Non cold pressed and heated oils

Processed foods – ie.

Those with additives, colourings, preservatives, monosodium glutamate

Table salt (has aluminium)

More than a few cups of coffee

Food heated in plastic, including plastic kettles/microwave (false oestrogens).

Food cooked in aluminium

Too much milk or yellow cheese

Any foods known to give allergic reactions or discomfort

Citris fruits (if skin allergies/eczema) (except lemon)

 

Stevia or Solal sweetener, xylitol or Acai berry powder.

(watch for hidden sugars – read labels)

Rye or gluten free bread only

Miso instead of stock, or yeast free stock

Any beans

Any meat that is not processed

Cold pressed olive oil or cook with coconut oil

Flax seed oil for salad dressings

Lemons

Any vegetables and salads (min. of two cups per day)

Tamari or Liquid Aminos (instead of Soya sauce)

Max 2 fruits a day (avoid citrus and pineapple <except lemons and grapefruit>, avoid dates, dried figs, raisons, bananas, watermelon)

Any meats (avoid ham, hamburgers, processed meats with nitrates etc)

Quinoa or rice milk

Unbleached sea salt (Himalayan) herb salt (Herbamare etc.)

Any teas, preferably not ceylon tea -(rooibos, honeybush, green tea, Chai dandelion or substitute coffee etc)

Vegetable juices – freshly squeezed

6-8 glasses of water

Unsweetened yogurts

Milk substitutes, rice, quinoa, almond or oat milk

Sunflower, sesame, pumpkin and linseeds in salads/cereals

Natural cheeses (not aged), feta etc.

Use stainless steel pots or glass

PROTEIN SHAKES (SOYA)

Grains in moderation:

100% Rye, millet, rice, quinoa, barley, buckwheat, oats, grains or bread

Gluten free or 100% Rye bread

Oat biscuits – no sugar – Nairns.

Finrek rye crackers

Brown rice, basmati, buckwheat or corn     pasta – non wheat

(quinoa grain recommended)

Natural cereals (unprocessed)

Wheat free, sugar free muesli

All potatoes in moderation.

 

B Healthy, Stellenbosch

 

CANDIDA EATING PLAN – wheat free sugar free

 Eat 3 small meals and 2-3 small snacks per day to not be hungry.

 

Breakfast suggestions:

  • Fried, scrambled, poached or boiled (free range)
  • Grilled/fried Tomatoes, onions and Chinese (Shitake) mushrooms
  • Sardines with grilled tomatoes
  • Non sweetened goats yoghurt and fruit
  • Protein shake (NO SUGAR BRAND) smoothie with allowed fruit (optional)
  • Rice or soy protein smoothie with fruit
  • Spiralina or green powder smoothie with tropical fruit juice and half banana
  • Avo with squeezed lemon, sea salt or on thin rye toast
  • Oatmeal porridge or sugar free muesli

 

Mid morning snack (see snacks below)

 

Lunch and Dinner suggestions:

  • Avo and tuna with lemon and sea herbs
  • Avo/tuna or breast of chicken salad with mung or alfalfa sprouts
  • Creamed (with coconut milk) spinach
  • Stir fry vegetables, tofu, nuts (cashews), and seeds (sunflower, pumpkin) and mung sprouts with noodles (especially the Shirataki Superlite noodles) and tamari (wheat free soy sauce)
  • Rice or soya protein shake (optional fruit)
  • Plate of steamed vegetables with grated cheese and brown rice with lentils
  • Any lean meat/fish/skinless chicken with heaped vegetables
  • Lean grilled steak/ and veg/salad
  • Wheat free Pasta allowed twice a week with veg, garlic and herbs in tomato puree sauce
  • Chopped salad mixed with Quinoa grains and flax oil/lemon dressing (Tabouleh)
  • Green (dark green leafy) salad with tin or drained chick peas.
  • Soups and stews homemade with beans (no packets), use barley. Split peas or lentils to thicken.

 

Mid Afternoon snack (see snack suggestions)

Dinner suggestions:  Any of above lunch suggestions.

Snack suggestions:

  • Trail mix – mixed nuts/seeds/dried fruit, except dates
  • Rice or soy protein drinks
  • Non sweetened goats yoghurt with fruit
  • Any fruit (not more than 2 portions per day) but avoid bananas or dates
  • olives/gherkins/mussels (no biscuits – only oatmeal (Nairns) no sugar)
  • Celery/carrot/cucumber sticks with hummous or home made dips
  • Sprouted or tinned chickpeas, quickly tossed with garlic and ginger
  • Use cucumber slices with cottage cheese, salmon, tomato.

 

Foods not allowed:

  • Bread – carb free, Paleo or Banting only
  • No white rice, (except with lentils, barley), or wheat cereals (quinoa allowed)
  • Fried foods, except eggs OR STIR FRY.
  • No cane sugar (or sugar products) or artificial sweeteners (use Stevia, Erythritol or Xylitol)
  • Alcohol in moderation, but preferably none
  • No yeast products.

Readers should not use this information for self-diagnoses or self treatment, but should always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any major dietary changes. This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice.