5 POINT ACTION PLAN AGAINST CANDIDIASIS

5 Point Plan of Action Against Candidiasis: A Tried-And-True Method

For those dealing with a “Candida overgrowth” in the GI tract or systemically, here is a 5 point plan that has been used for many years to assist with managing or even eradicating the affliction. This is not the only way, but it has helped many people recover from such an insidious and life-altering infestation of an extremely opportunistic organism. Candida overgrowth has been linked to many of diseases and adverse health conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, cholesterol issues, and many more.

Much of the following protocol is derived from the work of William Crook MD, author of the “Yeast Connection”. That book is a great place to start if you are looking into Candida.

Starve It

The first step in taking action against a rampant Candida overgrowth is to starve it and deprive it of an optimum nutrient environment. This is done by “cutting its supply lines” of Candida’s preferred food, simple and refined sugars, and the removal anything that may exacerbate the growth of Candida, such as steroidal medications (a physician keen on Candidiasis will know of a viable replacement), caffeinated beverages, alcoholic beverages, and/or oral contraceptives. Dairy is also removed because products derived from milk can create an environment that is ideal for the yeast to thrive- a damp, cool environment ripe with sugar in the form of lactose. Also, some cheeses, like blue cheese and cheddar cheese, contain mold, would likely cause a reaction in individuals with Candidiasis due to an increased sensitivity to yeast and fungus. Although the dietary approach varies slightly depending on how an infection is appearing in an individual, it is generally recommended to remove fermented foods for 3-9 months, especially vinegars, which can increase the incidence of further yeast proliferation. In some cases, the removal of certain fermented foods such as vinegar and some cheeses may be permanent.

The most important food to eliminate from the diet for an anti-Candida protocol is sugar. Sugar is the prime food for the Candida organism and without it, the yeast cannot thrive. However, if sugar is repeatedly introduced to the system, it can create an environment for the yeast to reproduce in such a way that no supplement can completely contend with. Even powerful anti-fungal medications such as nystatin that may kill the yeast initially, if sugar is not removed from the diet in the early going to starve the yeast and inhibit reproduction, when the medication is no longer taken the yeast will simply return to its initial strength. The removal of simple sugar foods is absolutely essential and there is really no way around it. This does not, however, preclude all carbohydrates from the diet; complex carbohydrates in the form of whole unprocessed grains and fresh vegetables [in addition to lean, un-medicated protein sources] are the preferred foods for an anti-Candida dietary protocol. Whole grains are especially important, and some, like millet, actually have anti-microbial properties that can help quell a Candida overgrowth. The key is to eat unrefined grains in their whole, unprocessed forms. It is important to remember that while Candida uses glucose as a food, it cannot break down conventional table sugar, sucrose, into glucose. Candida needs Saccharomyces Cerevisiea , also known as “brewer’s yeast”, to produce the enzyme invertase to break down sugar into glucose for Candida to consume. This is a potential reason as to why brewer’s yeast and similar yeast products and foods that contain it may not be appropriate for Candida overgrowth. Yeast products should be eliminated for at least 3-6 months or longer.

Although there are other steps to be taken, utilizing an anti-Candida diet is historically an effective and essential measure in healing from a Candida overgrowth. Here is a list of foods to avoid in order to “starve” the yeast and cut its supply lines of the nutrients it needs to thrive:

Kill It

After the supply lines of sugar are cut off from the yeast infestation, the next step is to kill the yeast itself. There are several ways that this can be done, and the conventional method in the past was to use powerful antifungal medications such as nystatin. However, these antifungal medications have some harsh side effects and could possibly allow the yeast to grow out of control once the medication is discontinued. Recently, experts and specialists have been utilizing safe yet effective non-pharmaceutical methods of killing off yeast infestations in the body. These would include anti-Candida proprietary nutritional formulas, oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract, and powerful probiotics.

An anti-Candida formula used in conjunction with oregano oil (or similar) can effectively and safely kill off yeast in the digestive system. If used properly, over time these nutritional supplements can penetrate deep into tissue and help to remove yeast that has taken root in the mucosal beds. It is important to remember that these powerful anti-yeast supplements can also act as natural antibiotics, so to prevent a depletion of healthy intestinal flora a high-quality probiotic supplement should be added to the protocol. An effective probiotic supplement to take for an anti-Candida protocol is one that contains Acidophilus DDS-1, a super-strain of acidophilus that helps to keep Candida under control in the digestive system. L. Rhamnosus GG, one of the most studied organisms in history, is a probiotic that in large doses has been found to destroy invasive Candida by attacking the hyphae, the invasive extensions or “arm” of the Candida Albicans species. L. Rhamnosus GG produces an enzyme called Chintinase that attacks the protein chitin, which makes up the hypha arm, ripping it to shreds and neutralizing the invasive form of Candida. Bifidobacteria colonizes the large intestine and can prevent Candida species from adhering to intestinal tissue, preventing the Candida cells from forming colonies.

During this aspect of this plan of action, something called the “Herxheimer reaction” or Yeast die off, takes place. This is a reaction that is caused by the massive amount of toxins released by yeast as it dies off rapidly. Allergic-like reactions are possible, as well as fatigue, lethargy, and general discomfort. Powerful drugs like the aforementioned nystatin can actually cause yeast to burst, which can cause even greater reactions and discomfort, which is why it is not typically recommended unless absolutely necessary. Although this only lasts for about a week or two, a Herxheimer reaction can discourage an individual from continuing on this plan. Counseling and coaching with a health professional that specializes in holistic nutrition and has experience in working with an anti-Candida protocol can help the individual stay motivated.

Candida often can be present topically on the skin as well as the internal environment of the body. Even though the nutritional and dietary measures are effective at killing yeast and fungal overgrowth inside the body, other measures are required for manifestations of yeast and fungus on the skin. Topical applications of Grapefruit seed extract, oregano oil, mild silver protein colloidal, and teat tree oil are all very effective in killing fungal infections, including athlete’s foot, “jock itch”, and similar afflictions. Probiotic topical are also effective, but hard to find. For vaginal yeast infections, it is best to consult with a gynecologist who has experience in dealing with Candida holistically for safe remedies to alleviate the infection.

Contain It

By consistent adherence to an anti-Candida diet and supplement protocol for at least 6 months, the Candida yeast infestation can be brought back down to normal, tolerable levels. The immune system and the helpful intestinal bacteria can then contain the yeast and inhibit it from overgrowing once again to unmanageable levels. It is important to stay committed to the supplement protocol, especially the probiotics, and to not vary from the dietary program. It is during this 6-8 month period that the yeast can still grow out of control if the conditions return to the way they were before starting the program. It can be very discouraging to embark on such a course and to work so hard that a few slip-ups can bring the entire situation back to square-one where the process would have to start again from the beginning. The strict avoidance of allergic foods during this time period is crucial as the immune system re-directs its resources to contain the yeast overgrowth.

Prevent It

A specific yeast-suppressive lifestyle and dietary approach is essential to preventing a recurrence of a Candida overgrowth. The maintenance protocol should focus on the following: whole, unprocessed foods and the reduction of yeast containing foods, proper stress management, hydration, proper hygiene, healthy lifestyle habits, reduced alcohol consumption, regular exercise, and the elimination of highly reactive foods while rotating those that are moderately reactive. It is important to also be very careful with antibiotics and that they are only taken for a short time period for specific bacterial infections as per your physician’s instructions. Improper or prolonged use of antibiotics can induce another overgrowth of Candida in the gastrointestinal tract. Also, remember that when choosing meats and animal products, select only grass-fed beef and antibiotic and steroid free animal products to avoid consuming the steroid and antibiotic residues found in commercial animal products. Biotin, an essential nutrient and a B-Vitamin, should be taken as a preventative measure because it inhibits yeast from mutating into its invasive mycelial fungal form.

Heal and Repair

The healing and repairing aspect of this action-plan actually begins the moment that yeast-promoting foods and lifestyle habits are eliminated and healthy, yeast-suppressive foods are incorporated. As yeast begins to die off and its growth is under the control of the immune system, inflammation in the bowel begins to lessen and damaged tissue begins to heal. The reduction of the inflammatory toxic by-products of yeast proliferation allows the body to heal itself, but the incorporation of certain foods and nutritional supplements can accelerate the process of healing and improve overall body repair. Once again, being consistent is the key here, because the body needs continuous nourishment to adequately heal from the infection. After the yeast has been brought under control, the repairing of a leaky gut begins. Repairing a leaky gut and healing the bowel can prevent further infestations of Candida and in turn the appearance of new food allergies. Certain probiotics, such as Bifidobacteria, can play a major role in GI healing, especially the large intestine.

Conclusion

This is only scratching the surface. While utilizing a plan of action like this is essential to fending off stubborn Candida infestations, the process doesn’t end here. A deeper dive into the microbial action of probiotics and how they influence Candida behavior is the next step, followed by long-term control over the internal microbial environment. For those that have been struggling with Candida, this is a good start.