Candida & Thrush

One of the most common gut infections of all is an overgrowth of a kind of yeast called Candida albicans – a tiny microbe which has the potential to cause myriad health problems.

The infection is technically called candidiasis. This is what is meant by a yeast infection. The minute microbe Candida albicans multiplies, migrates and releases toxins. All of us have some Candida present as part of a normal balanced gut ecology; however, when it overgrows, it can afflict us with countless symptoms, both physical and mental: bowel problems, allergies, extreme fatigue, hormone dysfunction, skin complaints, joint and muscle pain, thrush infections and emotional disorders, many of which mimic other diseases and are frequently misdiagnosed.

A reliable test is the Candida antibody test (saliva or blood for IgG and IgA antibodies). It is important to confirm that you do have candidiasis before following a restrictive anti-Candida diet.

GOOD MEDICINE SOLUTIONS

1. Follow an anti-Candida diet

The aim of an anti-Candida diet is to cut off the Candida’s sugar supply. This should quickly improve your digestive symptoms and will stop fuelling the Candida’s growth. All forms of sugar must be strictly avoided, including lactose (milk sugar), malt and fructose (fruit sugar). Refined carbohydrates add to the glucose load in the body, so it is essential to use only wholegrain flour, rice, and so on. The simplest way is to follow a low-GI diet, as this ensures that you will omit sugar and eat only slow-releasing complex carbohydrates.

Other substances to be avoided are yeast (bread, gravy mixes, spreads), fermented products (alcohol, vinegar), mould (cheese, mushrooms) and stimulants (tea, coffee).