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

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

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.