Candida is a type of yeast. It is present in the gut, skin, and mouth of most people. The good bacteria in the gut prevent candida from overgrowing, and the antibacterial properties of saliva usually keep the small amount of Candida in the mouth in check. But if Candida grows out of control, it can cause yeast or fungal infection, most commonly oral and vaginal. So if attenuated viruses can be used in vaccines to prevent diseases, does the Candida diet actually prevent fungus?
What is the Candida Diet
The candida diet doesn’t mean eating food that contains Candida. What it means is eating food that will not cause candida overgrowth, and therefore preventing candida-related fungal infections.
The typical elements of a Candida diet include but are not limited to:
- Avoid refined carbs such as sugar, corn syrup, and fructose.
- Avoid simple carbs such as fruits, milk, starch, white rice, non-wholegrain pasta,
- Avoid foods that contain or could contain yeast or mold, such as dairy products and bread.
- Avoid processed food like canned food, cured meat, sausage and hot dogs, etc.
- Eat meals that are prepared from fresh foods.
- After a period of time, you can reintroduce fruits and milk to your diet.
The Source or Origin
As you can see from the above, the source of inspiration for the Candida diet appears to be common sense and knowledge of the evils of processed food and refined carbs. The Candida diet spread by words of mouth and gained popularity as a diet that promotes healthy living, with the added benefit of preventing fungus.
However, there are no scientific proofs that the Candida diet can prevent fungus. While this is the case, most people are not disputing that the candida diet might actually be beneficial, nor doubting those who claimed that they felt better after going on this diet. After all, it rather makes sense that not eating processed, sugary and starchy foods can make you feel better.
Treatment of Fungal Infection
It becomes harder to answer yes to does the Candida diet actually prevent fungus when you consider that this diet is not hailed as a treatment for fungal infections. If you have a fungal or yeast infection, you should ask a doctor or a pharmacist about the best antifungal for your specific type of fungal infection.
