The Candida Diet is a diet that focuses on the consumption of low glycemic and low starch foods. This is done to rid the body's systems of an overgrowth of Candida albicans, or the common yeast. Candida is said to be attributed to many of the body's dysfunctions.
Common yeast is a normal functioning single-celled fungus found in the digestive tract and vagina. However when certain antibiotics have been used extensively and over a long period of time, yeast tends to over-grow while the good bacteria is killed off: interrupting the balance of the good bacteria to yeast. The surplus of yeast from the gut then leaks into the bloodstream and when in the bloodstream the yeast consumes sugar from the blood. Not only does this result in the consumer craving more sugar (which only creates a vicious cycle), but as the yeasts consume sugar they give off metabolic byproducts. This can result in the following problems:
- fatigue
- headaches
- depression
- 'spaced-out' feeling
- muscle aches and digestive problems
- sugar cravings
- sensitivity to certain chemicals (such as perfume and tobacco)
- food sensitivities
- persistant yeast infections (and other vaginal issues)
- PMS
- persistant urinary tract infections
- sexual dysfunction
- memory loss
- constant colds, sleep problems, irritability
- ADHD
- ear problems
- skin rashes, and other skin conditions
- asthma
The main way to overcome the exceeding growth of Candida in the bloodstream (and other places) is choosing foods with a low glycemic index.
