Candida

What is Candida?

Candida is a yeast that is present in most people's digestive tract, women's vaginas and the mucous membranes of the mouth. Under certain situations, like taking antibiotics, this yeast can multiply and get out of control. When this happens you can suffer from a wide variety of symptoms, including:

Fatigue
Allergies
Thrush
Cystitis
Skin rashes, acne, "eczema & psoriasis"
Mood changes, depression, anxiety
Bowel changes, to name a few

How do you get a Candida overgrowth?

Taking antibiotics, hormones, steroid and cortisone drugs are the main reasons why most people suffer from a Candida overgrowth. This is because these drugs affect the balance between "the good and bad bacteria" found in the intestines.

When we take antibiotics into the body to help with illness, their action basically, is to fight the invaders and wipe them out. This action is non-specific, in that, not only does the medication wipe out the invaders, it also wipes out the good things that are needed for a healthy balanced system. It is mainly the bowel that is adversely affected by this invasion.

In the bowel we have a large population of "good bacteria". When we were born, provided we were breast-fed, the colostrum (which is the first part of breast milk) feeds this good bacteria and makes a plentiful amount of it. This helps to keep the balance between "good and bad" in the intestines.

However, if we have antibiotics, their action wipes out the invader, but this action is non- specific (broad spectrum) and wipes out the good bacteria as well. Each time we have another lot of antibiotics, this good bacteria is destroyed more and more. This lack of good bacteria leads to all kinds of health problems, such as:

Constipation
Diarrhoea
Headaches
Skin rashes
Mood changes
Poor nutrient absorption ability
A lowered immunity
General ill health

Candida has two quite separate identities in the body. One is when it is in its yeast form and the other is in its fungal form. In the yeast form it has no root, but in its fungal form it produces what are called rhizoids. These are long structures, similar to roots. Once in this form, the roots can actually penetrate through the mucous lining of the tissue, in which they are growing. When this happens, this substance then enters the blood stream.

Once the Candida has broken through the intestinal barrier, undigested proteins from the food eaten, as well as toxic wastes from the Candida infestation, may begin to circulate in the blood stream. If these substances reach the brain, there is a chance for the production of what has been termed as "brain allergies". These can result in a wide variety of mood and personality problems, ranging from depression, irritability and mood swings, to conditions, which look to all the world, like the symptoms of schizophrenia.

How can you get Candida back down to a manageable level for the body to cope with?

Strict dietary changes are needed. Most people who suffer from a Candida overgrowth crave the foods that encourage the overgrowth and find that these "forbidden" foods make up a large proportion of their diet. As well as this, there are 2 supplements that need to be taken - A probiotic and also something to help to break down the over growth.  Inner Health Plus, Candex or Primadophilus Optima are probiotics and an antifungal, such as Kolorex, Candeze or CandAid. Often, a liver cleanse or a parasite cleanse is needed first.

Which foods do you need to cut out of your diet when Candida is a problem?

The "forbidden foods" include any foods containing
added sugar and yeast and fermented foods and drinks.

All forms of added sugar. These are the ones that have been included as an added ingredient, not the naturally occurring ones that show in the Nutritional panel under carbohydrates. These can be written as sugar, glucose, sucrose, honey, fructose, maltose, corn syrup, maple sugar, maple syrup, invert sugar, molasses, malt dextrose, corn syrup, sorbitol, aspartame, saccharin. It does not matter if it is a healthy sugar, such as honey, or an artificial sugar such as NutraSweet.  These sugars ferment in the gut & must be eliminated 100%. The sugar substitute Stevia can be used freely.

Limit the amount of dried fruit you have to an absolute minimum. Raisins, sultanas, dates & prunes are some of the worst, as these are very high in natural sugars. You will need to avoid some fresh fruits but particularly pineapple, all melons, banana, kiwifruit, grapes, as well as over-ripe fruit. Summer fruit can be a problem. Avoid mushrooms, fungus & nuts also.

You will need to start reading the labels on everything you buy.  This is to make sure items do not contain sugar or anything else that is not permitted. This also includes medicines that are in a syrup (like cough mixture & pamol) and coated tablets & lozenges.  If you must take antibiotics a 1 month course of a probiotic’s is essential, to replenish the beneficial bacteria depleted from this. Do remember there are natural alternatives to antibiotics that may work as effectively, so long as they are taken at the 1st sign of unwellness. The contraceptive pill is not recommended.

These foods which contain culture e.g. sour cream, cream cheese, all soft cheeses such as brie etc., but particularly blue cheeses should be avoided.  This does not include unflavoured unsweetened yoghurt.  The only “safe” cheese to eat for some people is a Mild or Edam & possibly a little goats feta.  Plain cottage cheese should be ok for most people. 

Avoid all fermented foods and foods containing yeast e.g. savoury yeast, vegemite, marmite, bovril, promite, natex, vecon, all soy sauces, vinegars, all alcohol and cider, bread, buns, cakes and doughnuts etc., unless you have made it yourself & know that it does not contain sugar or yeast.  All foods containing monosodium glutamate, or MSG - written as Flavour or Flavour enhancer 621. This is contained on most foods that have a powdered flavouring –like flavoured rice crackers, flavoured potato chips, packet soup, KFC, on Chinese takeaways.  If its yummy & salty, its probably MSG. 

Avoid Oxo, bisto, maggi stock & any other stock or gravy mix.  Anything labelled “Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein”, which can also be written as soy or vegetable broth. This is found in flavoured tins of tuna & salmon - like lemon pepper etc.  You can only have tined fish in brine, water or oil. 

Avoid sausages, sausage meat, bacon, luncheon sausage, pressed ham and other processed meats.  These all contain either sugar or bread.  Chicken is also a problem, as is eggs, unless they are organic or free range.  

Wow! It seems like most of the food I am eating is not permitted. What can I eat?

4-6 WEEK SUGAR FREE DIET FOR CANDIDA

Ideally you should be drinking 8 glasses of water a day. You may like to have Japanese Green tea. These all contain anti-fungal properties. Any other herbal tea should be OK, so long as it does not have added sugar. Most people can tolerate normal tea.

Coffee should not affect Candida unless sugar is added. You can have milk in these beverages if you want to.

A suggested menu for candida sufferers

Breakfast:  
Fruit salad consisting of apple, berries, pear & NZ orange (or other low GI fruits, most stone fruit fit into this category as they are lower in naturally occurring sugars, however do not eat when over ripe), or stewed fruit, such as apple with plain unsweetened yoghurt. Spices like cinnamon or coconut can be added to create more flavour. Healtheries puffed grains, such as Puffed Millet, Kamut etc. Whole oat Porridge. You could make your own Muesli that does not have sugar or honey. Tahini or seeds, such as sesame, pumpkin or sunflower, can be added to breakfast. Make Leanne’s bread & have toast with sardines; a poached egg; avocado; tomato; hummus etc or a tiny bit of St Dalfours jam as a treat. Choose whole grains only like rye/spelt not processed / refined grains as these will encourage yeast overgrowth in the body. You could make a Smoothie by adding berries, Red 8 Protein Powder, milk or water, yoghurt and tahini & blending these together.  

Lunch: 
Dovedale breads (all yeast & sugar free, except for their Gluten free range) lightly toasted with avocado, tomato, sprouts, lettuce, hummus, tuna or salmon etc. Leanne has a yeast free bread recipe, please ask for a copy. Rhyvita or Multigrain corn thins with salad, hummus, tuna. Roast eggplant, courgette, kumara, pumpkin, yams, seeds, a little fetta etc with salad greens. Cold wholegrain pasta salad (such as spelt) with tomato, avocado, garlic, basil, mint, parsley, with a lemon & oil dressing. Corn on the cob with salad.  A small portion of Basmati rice with stir-fried vegies. Plain tuna or salmon from a tin, with salad & avocado wrapped in a Mountain bread rye wrap which is yeast free. Hot spelt or rye pasta with a tomato sauce, made from onion, garlic, oregano, sweet basil & whole tinned tomatoes. Vegetable soup made with garlic, onion, leek, red lentils, kumara, green beans, broccoli, carrot & grated courgette, you could add organic chicken or lamb if you like. Pikelets, scones or pancakes from the Edmonds cook book. Omit added sugar.

Dinner: 
Salad, consisting of avocado, lettuce, capsicum, celery, carrots, tomato etc with tinned salmon or tuna and an egg.  Vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, beans, spinach, cabbage, brussel sprouts, etc with a piece of fish or lean meat. A small portion of basmati rice with a homemade curry (coconut milk is fine to use) that does not contain yeast or sugar. Any home made soup is fine providing the stock is yeast & MSG free (best if homemade stock). Make a homemade pizza using roast vegetables and a small amount of feta, you could use Mountain bread as a base or make your own with wholemeal (spelt) flour using the scone recipe from The Edmonds Cookbook. Use lots of garlic, ginger, onion, basil, coriander, chilli and Braggs liquid amino to flavour stir fries. Fresh packets of herbs, spices & curry powder is fine.

If you eat meat, choose fresh cuts, such as beef, lamb or fish. (Luncheon sausage, bacon or any other processed meats are not permitted). Chicken is a problem unless it is organic.  If vegetarian, or even if not, you could have egg dishes, such as frittata or omelette with grated courgette and carrot, broccoli, beans and kumara. Eggs must be organic, such as Frenz. Or you could have beans, legumes or soy products (make sure these have not been fermented). Make homemade falafel, hummus & salad wraps.  Corn fritters. Potato & fish cakes. Use your imagination. 

There are plenty of foods you can have when Candida is a problem. These are the ones I know of, but I'm sure there are plenty more. Spend some time in your supermarket and check the labels. If you find anything else that is permitted, please let me know so I can add it to the list.

If you follow this advice for a minimum of 4-6 weeks and still find your symptoms have not improved, we will need to look at other aspects, such as fruit, but particularly over-ripe fruit, dairy products, reheated foods and using your compost heap or digging in your garden. These can all affect a chronic candida sufferer.

Please Note: Leanne James is not stating that foods suggested on this sheet are necessarily healthy, but they could be suitable alternatives for Candida sufferers.