The Candida Diet

By Cathy Wong, About.com
Updated: September 20, 2007

Candida albicans is a yeast that normally resides in the body in the digestive tract and vagina. Candida levels are kept in check by the immune system and beneficial probiotic bacteria in the body.
If probiotic bacteria are killed by antibiotics or if the immune system becomes weakened, Candida yeast may grow unchecked.
Local infections, such as oral thrush, skin infections and vaginal yeast infections in women can result.
People with severely weakened immune systems, such as those with cancer or AIDS, may develop widespread Candida infection, a serious medical condition called systemic candidiasis.
Some alternative practitioners believe that overgrowth of candida albicans yeast in the intestines is responsible for a yeast syndrome that results in symptoms such as fatigue, headache, mood swings, sinus congestion, depression, poor memory and concentration, and cravings for sweets.
The excess Candida yeast in the intestines is then thought to penetrate the intestinal wall, causing yeast and other unwanted particles to be absorbed into the body. The absorbed yeast particles are believed to activate the immune system, resulting in an allergic hypersensitivity to Candida.

This yeast syndrome, popularized by William Crook, MD, in his 1983 book, The Yeast Connection, is considered highly controversial. Most conventional doctors think this syndrome is overdiagnosed by holistic practitioners and many disagree with the validity of the diagnosis.
Contributing Factors
Use of oral contraceptives, steroids, antacids, anti-ulcer medications, or frequent or long-term use of antibiotics
High-sugar diets
Pregnancy
Smoking
Food allergies and intolerances
Diabetes
The Candida Yeast Screening QuizThe candida yeast screening quiz describes the symptoms of yeast overgrowth.Take the Candida Yeast Screening Quiz
The Candida DietSome alternative practitioners use diet to address Candida overgrowth. For example, Dr. Crook recommends people with Candida overgrowth follow certain diet guidelines:
Avoid sugar. According to Dr. Crook, sugar promotes the growth of yeast. The total carbohydrate intake per day is often limited. For example, during the initial two to three weeks on the diet, the carbohydrate intake may be restricted to less than 60 grams per day, depending on age, health, activity level, and the extent of food sensitivities. Low-carbohydrate foods such as meat, chicken, turkey, shellfish, non-starchy vegetables, and certain nuts are emphasized instead. As symptoms subside, the carbohydrate total of the diet is often gradually increased.
Avoid foods containing any type of yeast. This includes fermented foods such as bread made with yeast, cheese, tomato paste, mushrooms, and beer. Although Dr. Crook believed that people with Candida overgrowth would also be allergic to other fungi, not all practitioners believe this restriction is necessary.
The length of time on a Candida diet depends on the length of time one has had symptoms and the severity of the symptoms. The general level of health is another important factor to alternative practitioners when recommending a treatment plan.
People who do respond to the diet often report that it takes a minimum of four weeks before any improvement is noticeable. For many, it may take months. Once there is sufficient improvement in symptoms, practitioners suggest slowly reintroducing foods from the restricted list back into the diet.
Candida Diet - List of Foods to Avoid Entirely
Candida Diet - List of Foods to Limit

Herbs and Supplements
Another important component of Dr. Crook's plan is the use of herbs and supplements, or in certain cases, prescription drugs, to decrease the amount of Candida yeast in the body.
Alternative practitioners usually recommend starting with smaller amounts of herbs and supplements and increasing gradually. Otherwise, a temporary worsening of symptoms called a Herxheimer reaction, or yeast die-off, may occur. It is believed to result when Candida yeast are killed and they release protein fragments and toxins that trigger an antibody response from the immune system. Natural Remedies for Candida

Lab Tests
The Candida Immune Complex test is used by some alternative practitioners. It costs approximately $100. Labs that perform this test include Immuno Sciences, Great Smokies Diagnostic Lab, and Antibody Assay Laboratories.
Scientific Evidence
There is very little scientific evidence showing that candida yeast overgrowth is common, or that diets, herbs, and supplements can help.[/]
One clinical trial looked at the use of the antifungal drug nystatin in 116 people who were thought to have candida yeast overgrowth. After four weeks, treatment with nystatin improved symptoms compared to placebo. Some people in the study also avoided dietary sugar and yeast and reported an even greater improvement in symptoms.
Another study, involving 42 women, didn't find any benefit on symptoms with nystatin use.
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Crook, WG. The Yeast Connection: A Medical Breakthrough. Jackson, Tenn., Professional Books, 1983.
Martin, Jeanne Marie and Rona, Zoltan P. The Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook. Rocklin, California:Prima Books, 1996.
Dismukes WE, Wade JS, Lee JY, et al. A randomized, double-blind trial of nystatin therapy for the candidiasis hypersensitivity syndrome. N Engl J Med. (1990) 323:1717-1723.
Santelmann H, Laerum E, Roennevig J, et al. Effectiveness of nystatin in polysymptomatic patients. A randomized, double-blind trial with nystatin versus placebo in general practice. Fam Pract. (2001) 18:258–265.

Blogger comment:
It is reasonable to refer patient or try them in low candida diet if they have the sympotms below and you roled out most of common medical causes. Treament is with diet plus/minus pantethine 300mg three times a day, garlic or propbiotic like acidophillus.

From: http://www.thecandidadiet.com/

Candida Symptoms
You may find yourself suffering from any or all of the following symptoms if you have Candida:

Abdominal pain - sometimes confused with IBS
Fatigue - you struggle to get up in the mornings
Bloating, gas, indigestion - again, sometimes confused with IBS
Oral Thrush - sometimes appearing as white film on the tongue
Joint pain - sometimes confused with arthritis
Weight gain - very resistant to dieting
Fungus - on your fingernails, or athlete's foot
Confusion, dizziness- you struggle to keep up with life
Urinary infections - antibiotics won't help
Red, itching eyes - no eye remedies helpRashes and itching - from a yeast infection
Depression or mood swings - occur randomly and without warning
Cravings - for alcohol and sweets
Acne - and other skin problems like eczema