Candida Diet

Candida is a yeast-like fungus that lives in the human body. It's primarily found in the mouth, intestines, and urinary tract. In small quantities, it's not harmful, but occasionally, it overgrows the good bacteria, and wreaks havoc on the body. Some Candida outbreaks include athlete's foot, diarrhea, diaper rash, jock itch, ring worms, and depression.

Candida overgrowth is often a response to the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacteria, and compared to Candida, it takes good bacteria longer to grow back. This makes the body more vulnerable to the ill effects of this particular pathogen. Another reason why Candida grows is due to a weakened immune system. This is often caused by illness, including diabetes.

The Candida Diet, also known as the Candida Cleanse, is based on detoxification. The dieter spends four weeks in detox. The Candida Diet defines detox as a phase when the dieter doesn't consume any sugars or yeasts. During this month of detox, the dieter can only eat from a selected list of foods. This period is also spent drinking plenty of fluids, including water, fresh vegetable juices and milk. Dieters are encouraged to exercise during this time.

Approved foods on the Candida Diet

• Chicken
• Fish
• Rice cakes
• Corn
• Pears
• Brown rice
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• One fruit per day

(not an exhaustive list)

Foods to Avoid on the Candida Diet

• All yeast products, including bread and pasta
• Alcohol
• Vinegars
• Salad dressing
• Cheese
• Mushrooms
• Fruit juice

(not an exhaustive list)

In addition to this list, a dieter takes herbs and probiotics to regulate the natural flora of bacteria in his or her body. During the four-week detox, the dieter keeps a strict intake regimen, but afterward, can slowly integrate all foods from the avoid list. The ultimate purpose of the Candida Diet is to give the body a chance to restore bacterial balance.

What Do The Experts Have To Say?

Prevailing medical opinion on the Candida Diet is unfavorable. Although most doctors agree with detoxification, the idea of excluding an entire food group -- in this case, fruit -- from a daily diet isn't recommended. Any weight lost on the Candida Diet is a result of calorie restriction and will likely be regained after the dieter resumes eating a normal diet.

Resources

Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook: Everything You Need to Know About Prevention, Treatment & Diet (Three Rivers Press) by Jeanne Marie Martin and Zoltan P. Md Rona