Anti-Candida Nutrition Plan
The first step in overcoming Candida is to starve it to death. This is done by eliminating all sugars and anything that turns into sugars. Candida loves sugar and anything that turns into sugar so a lower carbohydrate diet is critical to getting well (20).
It is very important to eliminate all gluten containing grains and most grains all together other than small amounts of quinoa or small amounts of root vegetables such as beets, sweet potatoes and squash from time to time.
The anti-Candida diet consists mainly of phytonutrient rich vegetables, healthy fats, and clean proteins. This is the same nutrition plan that I recommend for my leaky gut patients that suffer with issues like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive complaints.
My experience is that individuals with Candida often have several other issues such as SIBO.
Key Components to Anti-Candida Nutrition
Non-starchy vegetables and anti-oxidant rich herbs are the best sources for critical immune-boosting phytonutrients. Healthy fat sources include coconut products, avocados, olive oil, nuts, & seeds. Healthy protein includes wild-caught fish, grass-fed red meat and free range chicken, turkey and eggs.
I also recommend lots of coconut oil and grass-fed ghee (clarified butter). These contain small and medium chain fats that are anti-fungal and provide a great energy source for the body. I have my candida patients add 4-6 full tablespoons of coconut oil each day to their diet. These healthy fats are a foundational strategy to heal candida.
They can do this by putting 2 tbsps in a protein shake, adding a tbsp to organic coffee or tea, cooking meat and vegetables with 2 tbsps of coconut oil and adding melting extra coconut oil over finished steamed or sauteed vegetables.
Fermented Foods and Candida:
Progenic (life supporting) bacteria compete with Candida for attachment sites and nutrition. Additionally, these good bacteria release anti-fungal compounds that keep Candida from overgrowing. Adding mega-doses of good bacteria into the body is a critical step to heal Candida.
I have found that many individuals with a Candida overgrowth are unable to tolerate fermented foods right away. This is because most fermented foods contain wild types of Candida. These wild types are typically good for most people but individuals with Candida overgrowth often have a heightened IgG inflammatory response to any yeast forms.
Consuming fermented foods can cause more inflammation and further Candida progression for many individuals struggling with Candida. I recommend a 30 day period with less fermented foods (perhaps some unflavored coconut yogurt is fine) while we work on killing off the bad microbes.
After the initial period, adding in organic forms of sauerkraut, kimchii, coconut kefir and fermented grass-fed dairy can be great. Begin with small amounts (1-2 tbsps daily) and gradually add in more over time. Observe for any recurrence of symptoms and modify as needed while you heal candida overgrowth in your body.
Soil Based Probiotics and Candida:
I recommend a soil-based probiotic that also contains S Boulardi and researched strains of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium to overcome Candiasis. The SBO probiotics contain a proprietary formula of humic and fulvic acids that help support the growth and development of the good microbes within the intestinal tract.
Both humic and fulvic acids are major organic constituents of soil, coal, streams, lakes and ocean water. They help to bind and eliminate yeast organisms while the spore forming microbes compete with the attachment sites in the gut and help to kick out the yeast and bad bacteria (21).
Anti-Microbial Support:
We need to use natural anti-microbial support to heal candida. Certain foods have very powerful anti-fungal properties. Coconut oil is extremely rich in lauric acid, which is one of the best natural anti-fungals (22). Protocols to heal candida overgrowth should consist of 4-6+ tablespoons of coconut oil daily. This includes coconut oil added to our skin and coconut oil added to foods and used for cooking.
Candida infections drain the body of trace minerals, alkaline salts, & anti-oxidant reserves. To heal candida, one needs to consume substantial amounts of powerful anti-oxidant rich, anti-inflammatory herbs such as cinnamon, turmeric, green tea, & ginger. Here is a list of anti-microbial plants, seeds and herbs to use daily.
Improve Liver Function:
A lifestyle that supports liver detoxification includes reducing toxic exposure while simultaneously enhancing immunity, rebuilding glutathione levels, sulfurcompounds and methylation.
We use the phrase, “Bitter is good for the liver,” to help us remember that bitterherbs are especially good for the liver and the bodies detoxification process.
Using detoxification techniques such as Epsom salt baths, coffee enemas, oil pulling, dry brushing, intermittent fasting, water flushing & infrared sauna are especially helpful for strengthening the liver. These should be done whenever possible along with consuming liver healthy foods. Read more about supporting the liver here
Strengthen the Immune System:
Candida overgrowth wears down the immune system. Strengthening the immune system is super critical to recovery. This begins with supporting the gut immune response in secretory IgA.
Secretory IgA is the secreted form of an antibody in the blood called IgA. IgA is produced in the blood, taken into the gut, secreted across the mucosal lining into that mucous layer that is the surface lining of our digestive tract. It is the mucosal immune barrier or first line immune defense (23).
Everything we have already discussed helps provide an environment for healthy sIgA levels. I have my clients further support IgA production with Vitamin C, olive leaf extract and beta glucan supplementation. We have all of these immune strengthening agents in our Immunocharge supplement
Restoring the Gut Lining:
Candida destroys the gut lining leading to leaky gut and multiple food sensitivities. Once we get the Candida population under control we need to do everything possible to restore the integrity of the gut lining.
The nutrition plan starts the process but adding in extra bone broth, aloe vera, slippery elm tea and L-glutamine are all vital strategies to rebuilding the gut lining. I recommend my clients drink 24-32 oz of bone broth daily if possible to strengthen the gut lining.
In addition, we want to support the liver detoxification and gut healing process with things like B Vitamins, glutathione precursors, ginger, turmeric, MSM, quercetin, zinc and other anti-inflammatory compounds. We have all of these compounds, a complete liver, bile duct and gut healing complex in our easy to use and great tasting Gut Healing Protein.
I have clients use 1-2 scoops in a shake 1-2x daily depending upon the severity of their condition and how well they are able to tolerate solid foods. For many clients, I have them do a week of liquid foods (broth, herbal teas, gut healing smoothies, etc) to repair the gut before adding back solid foods.
Supplements to Overcome Candida:
This is an advanced supplement protocol to help someone break through and heal Candida once and for all. This goes along with a nutrient dense, leaky gut nutrition plan and healthy lifestyle habits.
We need to utilize clinically proven anti-microbials to reduce the yeast load while we support the liver and microbiome so we can effectively eliminate the toxic debris that will be released. Additionally, we have to support the weakened digestive and immune systems in order to prevent the Candida from reinfecting the system and growing back stronger than ever.
This is why I put together an entire heal candida support pack to provide everything you need as you go through your journey to heal candida naturally. By getting the entire pack, you save close to 25% off of the products if you were to purchase them individually. Take advantage of this deal and get started on your path to heal candida overgrowth and get your health back!