How to Overcome Candida

Candida is a naturally occurring yeast that normally coexists with other microorganisms in the human body. When something upsets the balance of flora in the body, some alternative health practitioners believe candida can take over and enter the bloodstream, releasing toxins into the body and causing multiple health problems. People with candida overgrowth may suffer from headaches, fatigue, digestive problems, cloudy thinking, mood swings, acne, depression, sinus inflammation, earaches, vaginal yeast infections or jock itch, nail fungus and a variety of other problems. Keeping candida in check requires killing off the fungus and repopulating the intestinal tract with healthy bacteria.

Instructions

• 1

  Attack the candida. Take herbal supplements that kill fungus and remove toxins. Over-the-counter treatments can contain a combination of helpful herbs and supplements. Look for bentonite, black walnut, garlic, grapefruit seed, olive leaf extract and pau d'arco.

• 2

  Repopulate your digestive tract with healthy bacteria to keep candida growth in check. Take a probiotic supplement and eat foods containing probiotics. Yogurt and acidophilus milk are good sources of probiotics. If you take probiotic supplements, get them with an enteric coating that will allow the bacteria to survive in the acidic conditions of the stomach.

• 3

  Detox and cleanse your body by modifying your diet. Cleansing helps remove toxins, making your candida treatment more effective.

• 4

  Eat low-carbohydrate vegetables that candida can't use as a food source. These include greens such as spinach and kale, zucchini, cucumber, avocado, broccoli and raw garlic. Eat high-protein meals containing beef, chicken, buffalo meat, fish or eggs.

• 5

  Avoid high-carbohydrate, starchy vegetables such as potatoes, corn, beets, yams, and peas. Stay away from processed meats like lunch meat and bacon. Also avoid sugar, alcohol, cheese, processed foods, caffeine, fruit, mushrooms and vinegar.