Candida,
the single celled fungi:
Candida
is a medical term for single celled fungi that can be
found in small amounts in the moist environments of the
human body: the gastrointestinal tract, the genital
area, the mouth etc. While in a healthy individual’s
body these microorganisms are balanced by the friendly
bacteria and a functional immune system, the coexistence
of certain conditions can disrupt this gentle
equilibrium. When Candida grows out of control, it
adopts a root like structure and tears and damages the
membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, penetrating the
blood stream and causing the infamous yeast infection
related symptoms. Since those microorganisms can settle
in various parts of the body, yeast infection often
manifests systemically as well as
locally.
Factors
contributing to Yeast
Infection:
There
are multiple factors that contribute to yeast infection.
Some of these factors are tightly related to diet.
Following the dietary patterns that can prevent the
aggravation of yeast infection is the first and one of
the fundamental principles of an effective holistic
Candida treatment. Adhering to the following dietary
guidelines, among other nutritional and lifestyle
principles, can make a positive impact on your overall
health and especially on your yeast infection
condition:
·
Eliminate
refined sugar and carbohydrates from your diet. Refined
sugar (including simple carbohydrates such as honey and
molasses) and other refined carbohydrates (including
white rice, white flour, any type of cereals etc.) feed
Candida; therefore consuming these foods can encourage
Candida overgrowth. In order to prevent Candida
multiplication, replace sugar with stevia and refined
carbohydrates with whole grain non-gluten products (i.
e. brown rice, kamut, buckwheat
bread).
·
Yeast
or mold containing foods such as white vinegar,
mushrooms, corn, dried fruits, canned vegetables and
some condiments can also feed Candida and thus should be
avoided.
·
A
strong immune system is required to combat Candida. The
intake of antibiotics can weaken your immune system
capabilities and kill the friendly bacteria. For this
reason, many nutritionists recommend their patients not
only to avoid the use of antibiotics but also to reduce
the consumption of dairy products, which may contain
antibiotics.
·
Dairy
products, especially cow’s milk products, should be
avoided also because they trigger allergic reactions,
create heavy mucus and take longer to digest. Frequent
allergies and digestive problems are considered to be
among the main yeast infection contributing factors.
Organic goat and sheep’s milk products are the best
alternatives to dairy products made of cow’s
milk.
In
order to prevent Candida overgrowth, you want to
maintain a proper acid – alkaline balance, i. e. proper
level of ph (potential hydrogen) in the blood. The level
of ph is measured using a scale that runs from zero to
14, with zero as the most acid, 14 as the most alkaline
and 7 is neutral. Our body functions best at the normal
pH range of 7.35 to 7.45 in the blood, yet extra acidity
creates an environment that stimulates Candida
multiplication. Alkaline diet, which is based on the
intensive consumption of alkaline forming foods (i. e.
most fresh vegetables, calcium, cesium, magnesium,
potassium, sodium, green juices, almonds, tofu etc.)
alongside moderate consumption of acid forming foods (i.
e. most meat, fish, diary and grain products), can help
you alkalize your system, thus better control Candida
multiplication.
Keep
in mind that Candida diet
can be highly beneficial for controlling all types of
yeast infections, yet it is only a small part of the
comprehensive holistic treatment. Did you know that your
painful, debilitating Candida infection could be safely
and permanently cured using powerful all-natural
holistic methods combined with proper Candida diet?