Overcoming Candida & Chron's with a Yeast Free Diet

If you have Candida or Chron’s, it is beneficial to your digestive track to eliminate yeast from your diet. Yeast can upset these conditions and one of the best ways to heal and support these conditions is with what you eat.

Foods allowed: Rye Vita (contains no yeast), chicken, fish, meat, Rye Bread with no yeast or wheat, gluten & yeast free wholemeal bread, rice cakes, sunflower/olive oil, rice, potato or rye flower, 30ml lemon juice, corn or soya flower, all vegetables fresh or frozen, oats, corn meal, , avocado, almond a minimum of 125ml per day, plain Bulgarian yoghurt – 125ml (sugar free) or Paris Creek organic yoghurt (this is soothing and healing to your digestive track, brown rice (no white rice), low fat cottage cheese with no sugar, onions/garlic, soya / rice milk, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, coconut, homemade popcorn, with no MSG, fruit not bruised (but no melons or grapes), herbal teas, mineral water, hummus.

Candida, Chron’s, Leaky Gut

What cause our digestive problems?

A healthy immune system keeps our body as well as our digestive system in balance with the other microorganisms in the mucous membranes but under certain conditions it begins to overgrow and get out of control. The causes of immune system dysfunction are varied and complex, but antibiotics are the biggest culprits because they wipe out friendly microorganisms, in the digestive system. If there is a Candida problem as well this is then when we become resistant to antibiotics the imbalance of microorganisms allows it to take over. It begins to change its shape and starts to overgrow; raising large families called colonies.

These calories excrete toxins that circulate throughout the body further weakening the immune system and creating havoc throughout the body. The Candida produces very long root-like structures that penetrate intestinal walls leaving a microscopic hole which allows toxins, undigested food particles, bacteria and yeast to enter the bloodstream. This condition is known as the “Leaky Gut Syndrome”, which causes food allergies and many health problems. These root-like structures also cause considerable damage to the walls of the intestines resulting in malabsorption of nutrients.

Adding to the problem of malabsorption are nutritional deficiencies that also weaken the immune system. Today’s standard diet lacks the necessary nutrients to maintain a healthy immune system. It is loaded with sugar, carbohydrates, hydrogenated oils and fats (trans-fats), white flour products, processed foods, food additives, preservatives, pesticides, and heavy metals. This, in addition to foods being irradiated (exposed to high levels of radiation to extend shelf life), and being grown in nutrient depleted soil, long storage and transportation time, and improper handling, cooking and microwaving that goes on in most homes, further depletes nutrients available. All of these factors contribute to a weakened immune system.

Candida causes many health problems and symptoms including allergies, fatigue, headaches, digestive disorders, virginities, arthritis, muscle weakness, joint pain, nasal congestion, pain or tightness in the chest, blurred vision, ear problems, hypoglycemia, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, foggy thinking, loss of memory and a host of other ailments.
1.Eliminate foods that are harmful or cause irritation to the digestive track
2.Build up the immune system
3.Kill off Candida overgrowth
4.Plant good bacteria in the digestive tract

Foods that cause candidaRemove Foods that are harmful:
◾Sugar
◾Refined carbohydrates
◾Gluten grains

Sugar

Eliminating sugar is the most important part of this program. All fruit, except lemons, are also very high in sugar and should be extremely limited during the initial stages of the program, along with some vegetables that are very high in sugar, such as carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, parsnips and beets. Sugar also contained is most processed foods such as smoked luncheon meats, ketchup, cereal, and yogurt making it important to read labels carefully. The best way is to eliminate sugar all together not to attempt to replace it with artificial sweeteners as these can be even more harmful unless it is fructose.

It has been known for many years that sugar greatly depresses the immune system. In the 70s Linus Pauling knew that white blood cells needed a high dose of vitamin C. That was when he came up with his theory that high doses of vitamin C were needed to combat the common cold. But Vitamin C and glucose have similar chemical structures and they compete for one another upon entering the cells. If there is more glucose around less vitamin C will be allowed into the cell, and interestingly taking Vitamin C also helps curb sugar cravings.

These are a few of the negative effects sugar has on health:
◾Sugar contributes to the reduction in defence against bacterial infection
◾Sugar upsets mineral relationships in the body
◾Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium
◾Sugar can interfere with the absorption of protein
◾Sugar can change the structure of protein
◾Sugar can increase the body’s fluid retention
◾Sugar can cause hormonal imbalances
◾Sugar is an addictive substance and can be intoxicating, similar to alcohol

Refined or High carbohydrates

Candida also feeds on refined or high carbohydrate foods such as starches and grains, i.e. breads, pasta, pizza, cereals, baked goods and potatoes. Vegetables high in carbohydrates include beans, beets, squash, zucchini, corn, peas, parsnips and carrots. Grain foods (wheat, rice, corn, oats, etc.) store their energy as complex strands of sugar molecules, a starch. Starch breaks down into individual sugar molecules (glucose, or blood sugar) during digestion. All carbohydrates eaten turn into glucose (blood sugar), but only 58% of the protein and about 10% of the fat eaten are converted to glucose.

Gluten Grains

Most people with digestive disorders are gluten intolerant. Gluten is an elastic and gluey protein found in wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, Kamut, triticale and it is hidden in an endless variety of processed foods. Triticale is a new hybrid grain with the properties of wheat and rye, while spelt and Kamut are gluten-containing wheat variants and are likely to cause problems similar to other wheat varieties. Gluten-containing grains have come to be used extensively in breads and other baked goods because of their “glutinous,” sticky consistency. Gluten a grain feed Candida & disrupts Chron’s because they have a high glycaemic index just like sugar, and like sugar, creates insulin resistance within the cells which leads to blood sugar problems like hypoglycaemia and diabetes. The cells become resistant to insulin as they try to protect themselves from the toxic effective of high doses of insulin caused by high intake of sugar and simple carbohydrates. As the cells become insulin resistant, the pancreas produces more insulin which creates a vicious cycle. This exhausts the pancreas eventually leading to its breakdown resulting in diabetes.

Gluten grains contain a protein that is difficult to digest and interferes with mineral absorption and causes intestinal damage. This damage makes the intestines incapable of absorbing nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and even water in some cases.

Some of our grain food supply also contains mycotoxins (a toxin produced by a fungus), especially found in corn and wheat. Mycotoxins can suppress our normal immune function.

Immune Defence is what we are looking at recovering here:

So changing your eating habits will:
1.Build up the immune system
2.Building up the immune system requires:
1.Eating the right foods
2.Taking essential supplements –please see your health care practitioner regarding this
3.Avoiding yeast, mould and fungus

Foods that Kill Candida Eating the right foods

Eliminate your consumption a large percentage of processed foods these include: Packaged foods, cold meats such as ham, bacon etc.

If the wrong diet is constantly consumed, or if yeast overgrowth damage is never reversed from previous drug and antibiotic use, a cure can almost never be achieved. Eating the right foods is the most important aspect of getting Candida under control and building up the immune system.

The “Candida Control Diet” is high in protein and good saturated fats and oils, and low in carbohydrates, and contains no sugars, grains or processed foods. All foods must be as fresh and natural as possible, and free of additives, pesticides, heavy metals, irradiation, mycotoxins, etc.:

Meats and fats should be from organic grass-fed free-range animals and from good oils such as coconut, palm and fish. Fish should be from non-farmed sources and as free of mercury and other pollutants as possible. Vegetables should be from reliable certified organic sources.

Protein - It is important that you eat a high protein diet from a selection of high quality protein foods, i.e. nuts, seeds, lentils, beans, fish, eggs and meat. Proteins are found in all types of food, but only meat, eggs and cheese contain complete proteins, providing the eight essential amino acids your body cannot produce on its own. Incomplete proteins are contained in vegetables, fruits and grains. Amino acids provide the structure of all living things and in the human body they make up the muscles, ligaments, tendons, organs, glands, nails, hair and body fluids (except bile and urine). Enzymes, hormones and genes are also made up of various amino acids.

Protein in the diet slows the breakdown of carbohydrates, which decreases the need for insulin secretion by the pancreas. It also stimulates glucagon release, that hormone that unlocks our stored fuel.

The best protein sources are meats that aren’t mass-produced, such as lamb, buffalo, bison, ostrich, venison or other wild game, or naturally-raised meat including poultry, eggs, beef, and pork.

To obtain enough protein 3-6 ounces of meat per meal is required, depending on exercise levels.

Good Fats & Oils - Good fats and oils are equally important to protein in the diet and they are essential to getting Candida under control. They not only increase the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from the foods eaten but also provide the most efficient source of energy. They also provide the building blocks for cell membranes and a variety of hormones and hormone-like substances.

Good fats act as carriers for important fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and for the conversion of carotene to vitamin A, for mineral absorption and for a host of other processes. The kinds of fats consumed greatly influence the assimilation and utilization of vitamin D.

Cholesterol is the body’s version of fat, and contrary to popular belief cholesterol, is your best friend. Cholesterol’s job is to repair and protect, and it is essential for nourishing the brain and nervous system. The brain is 70% cholesterol and it could not function properly without it. Hormones like estrogen and testosterone are made from cholesterol. Bile salts (for digestion) are made from cholesterol. Cholesterol is also a powerful antioxidant.

Cholesterol is a substance vital to the cells of all mammals. There are no such things as good or bad cholesterol; in fact your body produces three to four times more cholesterol than you eat. The eminent American physician and scientist George Mann called the cholesterol theory “the greatest scientific deception of this century, perhaps of any century.”

Essential Fatty Acids - There are also two types of essential fatty acids that must be obtained from the diet and these are omega-3s and omega-6s. They are called essential because we have to get them from food because our bodies can’t manufacture them from other fats. Most people’s diets contain an excessive amount of omega 6 fats; therefore it is important to ensure the diet contains more omega 3 rich foods to offset this imbalance.

Good sources of omega 3s are animal meats and eggs. Grass-fed meats are a good source of omega-3s and 6s, however the best type of omega-3 fats is found in fish. That is because the omega-3 in fish is high in two fatty acids crucial to human health, DHA and EPA. These two fatty acids are essential in preventing heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases. Because of the high mercury content of fresh fish the best way to obtain these important fatty acids is to take fish oils in their purest form.

Avoid all newfangled fats and oils (Tran’s fats) - Candida sufferers cannot afford to jeopardize their health by consuming toxic oils and fats and must avoid all of the newfangled polyunsaturated fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils (margarine, Canola oil, safflower oil, etc.), called Trans fats. These newfangled fats and oils are not only toxic and increase the body’s need for vitamin E and other antioxidants, but also depress the immune system. All Trans fats, found in margarine and shortenings used in most commercial baked goods and most processed food should always be avoided even by healthy people.

All of these fats and oils are extracted by a process called hydrogenation. This process employs: 1) High heat, 2) A metal catalyst such as nickel, zinc, copper, or other reactive metals and 3) Hydrogen gas. This is a volatile combination that results in an extremely toxic product that the body reacts to like plastic.

Even when refrigerated, hydrogenated oils stay liquid and go rancid very easily. Vegetable oils should never be heated or used in cooking, except for extra virgin olive oil, which must be handled with care.

The most common newfangled Trans fats on the market to avoid are derived from plants such as canola (from rape seed), soy, safflower, corn, and flaxseed. These plants have evolved a variety of toxins designed to protect themselves from “predators,” such as grazing animals. These toxins block digestive enzymes that break down protein in the stomach. They seem to be specifically designed to effect mammalian enzymes that are necessary for digestion, production of thyroid hormones, clot removal, immunity and general adaptability of cells. Therefore using such plants to produce oils and fats is unnatural.

Fish oils - Fish, unlike mammals, birds and reptiles, do not respond to sunlight and rely on vitamin D found in phytoplankton and other fish. They must feed on phytoplankton and other fish in order to obtain and store significant vitamin D in their fat, flesh, skin, and organs.

Unfortunately, eating most fresh fish, whether from the ocean, lakes and streams, or farm-raised, is no longer recommended because of their dangerously high mercury levels. Unless reliable sources can be found it is strongly recommended to avoid eating all fish since their high levels of mercury dramatically compromises health.

The only safe sources of fish are those that have been tested and shown not to contain detectable levels of mercury and other toxins. Since fish are the best source of Vitamin D, and essential fatty acids (EFAs) are so essential to health, they must be obtained without eating fish.

The best sources of vitamin D are cod liver oil and halibut liver oil, and EFAs are found in all fish oils. Look for oils that are free of chemical modification and processing, purified to the highest standards, routinely tested and free from detectable levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, PCBs and other contaminants.

A good therapeutic daily dose of cod liver oil or plain fish oil liquid is one teaspoon for every 50 pounds of body weight per day. If you weigh 150 pounds that would be about one tablespoon (three teaspoons) per day

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) - There are also two types of essential fatty acids that must be obtained from the diet and these are omega-3s and omega-6s. They are called essential because we have to get them from food because our bodies can’t manufacture them from other fats. Most people’s diets contain an excessive amount of omega 6 fats; therefore it is important to ensure the diet contains more omega 3 rich foods to offset this imbalance.

Good sources of omega 3s are animal meats and eggs. But there is an important difference in the ratio of omega-6s to 3s according to how the animals are fed and raised. For example, grain-fed beef can have ratios that exceed 20:1, but grass-fed beef is down around 3:1. Similar ratios are found in all grain-fed versus grass-fed livestock products. Grass-fed livestock are rich in all the essential fats that are health-enhancing and provide the body with goods fats for the production of cholesterol. Similarly free-range fed chickens produce eggs with an omega 6:3 ratio of 1.5 to one, whereas the “supermarket egg” has a ratio of 20 to one.

Grass-fed meats are a good source of omega-3s and 6s, however the best types of omega-3 fats are found in fish. That is because the omega-3 in fish is high in two fatty acids crucial to human health, DHA and EPA. Because of the high mercury content of fresh fish the best way to obtain these important fatty acids is to take fish oils in their purest form as mentioned above.

Carbohydrates – Decreasing your consumption of processed and refined carbohydrates is an important aspect of this eating plan. Since a large percentage of grains and fruit, except lemons, are eliminated when improving your digestion this leaves a wide variety of vegetables that are healthy to consume. Vegetables with the lowest carbohydrate index are green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, turnips, spinach, asparagus, celery, peppers, kale, mustard greens, and Chinese cabbage. These particular vegetables have a great healing benefit on the digestive track as well as assisting with digestion such as raw garlic, onions, horseradish, cabbage, broccoli, turnip, and kale.

Avoid Soybean and Soy-based foods - Soybeans contains large quantities of natural toxins or “anti-nutrients,” including potent enzyme inhibitors that block the action of enzymes needed for protein digestion. These inhibitors are not completely deactivated during ordinary cooking and can produce serious gastric distress, reduced protein digestion and chronic deficiencies in amino acid (proteins) uptake. In test animals, diets high in enzyme inhibitors cause enlargement and pathological conditions of the pancreas, thyroid malfunction and other diseases including cancer. Soybeans also contain haemagglutinin, a clot-promoting substance that causes red blood cells to clump together. Instead of these beans such as butter beans, chick peas and lentils are a great additive to your recipes.

Soy also contains one of the highest percentages of pesticides of any of our foods and is 99% genetically modified. Soybeans are also high in phytic acid, present in the bran or hulls of all seeds, which blocks the uptake of essential minerals - calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and especially zinc - in the intestinal tract. Candida sufferers must avoid soy and all soy products in order to get well.

Salt & Spices – Instead of using salt, herbs add great flavour and are beneficial to your health

Avocado & Orange saladEating to Heal

70 % Raw & Fresh Foods; Lean meat, organic chicken and Fish, Roasted almonds, Yoghurt & Green or White Tea

These digestive disorders affect each person differently from chronic fatigue, yeast infections and difficulty losing weight is just a few of the ways this can negatively affect one's system. However, with the right nutrition, it is possible to regain control of your body and conquer the frustrating effects of problems with your digestive function. Following a gluten, yeast and dairy diet gives your body its best chances in winning the fight against the condition.

Just like with any effective diet plan, it is better to focus on the foods you can enjoy instead of those you need to avoid.

Instead, a better plan of action is to stock your kitchen with anti-candida foods and think positively about the nutritious and delicious menus you can create while performing a candida detox in your body. With an anti-candida diet you are essentially fuelling your body to do what it was created to do, which is protect itself from unhealthy bacteria.

So what can you eat on an anti-candida diet? Think whole, natural foods. If it has been processed, it isn't whole and it isn't natural. Some people like to think of this way of eating as a hunter/gatherer-if you can hunt for it or gather it from the field, garden or forest; it is better for your body.

However, on an anti-candida diet, one has to be especially careful of sugar intake, because sugar feeds the candida yeast, which exacerbates the problem. In fact, if you consumer a lot of sugar or yeast, such as candy or baked goods, you will likely notice an increase in candida symptoms. Because of this sugar-sensitivity, high sugar fruits should be avoided. But you can still enjoy two to three servings a day of low-sugar fruits like apples, different types of berries and citrus fruits.

To give you an idea of the low-sugar, hunter/gatherer approach that is best for the anti-candida diet, below is a Sample menu:

On rising: juice of one lemon in a glass of warm water

Breakfast:

2 x Poached, scrambled or boiled eggs

2 pieces yeast-free-whole-grain toast with a spread of natural peanut butter with a soy, almond or rice milk smoothie including banana, kiwi fruit and LSA

Bowl of porridge with apple to sweeten

Lunch: Chicken, turkey cooked the night before or salad with leafy greens, carrot, avocado, onion, tomato

Dinner: Grilled Salmon, or lean red meat and vegetables including sweet potato, cauliflower, beans, asparagus and broccoli

Desert: Berries, gelato or sugar free yoghurt

It is still possible to enjoy your meals on an anti-candida diet. Try introducing new vegetables to your menu to keep it interesting. By following this way of eating you will not only perform a candida detox, but you will also find yourself with more energy and better over-all health due to the nutrient-rich anti-candida foods you are including in your diet

Good Foods to Eat

Nutrition is one of the best, most effective ways to heal candida-related health conditions. You are what you eat is very true in the case of candida. Diets high in sugar and white flour contribute to the yeast problem. Such foods literally feed the yeast, making it grow even more out of control.

By eliminating these foods and incorporating the right foods into your diet, you can be well on your way to kicking candida to the curb.

Here are the foods that should be the foundation of your candida diet:
◾Protein source—from poultry to fish to lean meats, protein does not only keep hunger at bay, but it also promotes a healthy body. When possible, stick to organic and lean meats to maximize the health benefits.
◾Vegetables—choose veggies on the low end of the glycemic index, which means lowest sugar content, such as green, leafy vegetables, and other non-root vegetables, including peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, onions, and celery. It's best to avoid carb-laden veggies like potatoes and corn. These items turn to sugar in your system.
◾Fruit—again, you want to go for the low-sugar fruits. Apples, oranges and other citrus fruits, and berries are great choices. Fruit juice is another high sugar item and one to avoid.

In addition to the mentioned food items, there are other supplements and foods that can be included with your meals to provide a candida-destroying boost, such as:
◾Garlic
◾Oregano Oil
◾Lemon Juice
◾Flaxseed
◾Fish Oils
◾Apple Cider Vinegar
◾Grapefruit Seed Oil

As with any new diet, it is important to be prepared in advance in order to have the right foods on hand. When you keep your fridge stocked with anti-candida foods, it will become much easier to stick with the plan.

The perfect beverage to accompany your candida diet is fresh, purified water. Water will help to flush out the toxins, keep your body hydrated and functioning at the optimum level. While your immune system is low with a candida condition, drinking plenty of water can help to heal and improve the system. You can also include green tea, white tea and dandelion tea