Yogurt & Candida Diet
The amount of problems caused by the candida organism may be much higher than previously thought, according to Lean Chaitow, M.D., a naturopath and the author of “Candida Albicans.” The troublesome yeast, which exists peacefully in many individuals, can cause a variety of symptoms when it becomes overgrown.
Candida
A multitude of different microbes exist in the intestines, with each vying for domination. Jonny Bowden, a board-certified nutritionist and the author of several books on nutrition and health, explains how candida albicans can become dominant after the use of antibiotics, a high sugar diet or stress. When it does so, it can enter the bloodstream and cause symptoms such as dizziness, brain fog and tiredness.
Yogurt
Can I Eat Rice Cakes on an Anti-Yeast Diet?
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Yogurt forms from the fermentation of milk. Richard Sarnat, author of ”Life Bridge: The Way to Longevity with Probiotic Nutrients," explains how the fermentation process augments the yogurt with billions of beneficial bacteria, such as the lactobacillus species 3. These may come in useful in providing competition against candida when the troublesome yeast has become dominant.
Anti-Candida Diet
Because yeast thrives on sugar, the primary aim of any anti-candida diet revolves around the elimination of sugar from the diet. As explained by Bowden, you should also cut down on the overall amount of carbohydrates. Carbohydrate-rich foods, which include items like bread and rice, convert into sugars in the intestines, which can still feed the candida.
Yogurt's Role
The Effect of Sugar on Probiotics in Yogurt
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After starving the yeast population through a low carbohydrate intake, it becomes severely weakened. Adding live yogurts can prove extremely helpful at this point, as the beneficial bacteria flood the intestines and become the dominant species. Bowden refers to this as the “king of the jungle” effect, with the bacteria releasing antimicrobial peptides that kill off their rivals.
Other Aspects
The reduction in dietary carbohydrates and the use of live yogurt remain central to the success of any anti-candida program. However, adding anti-fungal compounds increases the likelihood of eradicating the troublesome organisms quickly. Dr Rodger Murphree, a physician who has tailored treatment plans for people with candida problems, highlights coconut oil, garlic, grapefruit seed extract and pau d'arco as excellent anti-fungals to expedite the process 1.
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References
- EI Resource: Treatment of Candida and Yeast Overgrowth: Dr Rodger Murphree
- TotalHealthBreakthroughs: Jonny Bowden – Get Rid of Candida For Good
- “Life Bridge: The Way to Longevity with Probiotic Nutrients”; Richard Sarnat; 2002
- Spampinato C, Leonardi D. Candida infections, causes, targets, and resistance mechanisms: traditional and alternative antifungal agents. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:204237. doi:10.1155%2F2013%2F204237
- Cunningham E. Is there a diet for "yeast allergy"?. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2013;113(3):484. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2013.01.013
- Fan S, Liu X, Wu C, Xu L, Li J. Vaginal nystatin versus oral fluconazole for the treatment for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Mycopathologia. 2015;179(1-2):95-101. doi:10.1007/s11046-014-9827-4
- Crook, WG. The Yeast Connection: A Medical Breakthrough. Jackson, Tenn., Professional Books, 1983.
- Dismukes WE, Wade JS, Lee JY, et al. A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial of Nystatin Therapy for the Candidiasis Hypersensitivity Syndrome. N Engl J Med. (1990) 323:1717-1723.
- Martin, Jeanne Marie and Rona, Zoltan P. The Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook. Rocklin, California:Prima Books, 1996.
- Santelmann H, Laerum E, Roennevig J, et al. Effectiveness of Nystatin in Polysymptomatic Patients. A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial With Nystatin Versus Placebo in General Practice. Fam Pract. (2001) 18:258–265.
Writer Bio
A London-based personal trainer, nutritional therapist and allergist, Marek Doyle runs Blueprintfitness.co.uk and counts world champion athletes and TV personalities amongst his clientele. He has contributed to various publications, including Good Life magazine, Natural News and PTontheNet.