Candida Cleanse for Candida Infections

Candida albicans is a kind of yeast that ordinarily lives in the human body in small amounts and is found residing in a person's digestive tract and the vagina. The levels of this Candida albicans are kept under control by the immune system and the probiotic bacteria in the body contribute to that effect. If the immune system of an individual becomes very weak or if the probiotic bacteria are killed then this Candida yeast grows disproportionately causing problems. Various infections can be seen as a result of this growth and they include oral thrush and skin infections and in women vaginal yeast infections can be seen. This infection is ordinarily caused with the Candida yeast penetrating the wall of the intestine and this causes the yeast to get absorbed within the body.

Those individuals whose immune system has been compromised through AIDS and other problems such as cancer may have Candida infection and systemic Candidiasis. Some common symptoms of this infection include fatigue, depression, poor memory, mood swings, and congestion in sinuses, headache, concentration problems and a craving for sweet food items.

Some of the factors that are supposed to contribute to the development of this problem in the human body include:

• Diets high in sugar

• Diabetes

• Pregnancy

• Use of antibiotics for a long period of time

• Food allergies

• Oral contraceptives, antacids or other anti ulcer medicines and steroids

The symptoms of candida infections include:

• Exhaustion and feeling of being drained

• Lethargy

• Poor memory

• Numbness in the body

• Muscle aches and weakness

• Pain or swelling in the joints

• Stomach Pain

• Reduction or loss of sexual desire

• Erectile dysfunction

• Itching or burning sensation in the vagina and vaginal discharge

• Constipation, diarrhea

• Bloating, belching and gas problems

• Anxiety attacks

• Infertility problems

• Irritability

• Coldness in hands or feet

• Prostatitis

Candida Cleansing

There are some techniques or recommended dietary changes and changes in lifestyle that alternative medicine advises as a way of cleansing the body of Candida infections. This is also called the Candida diet.

• Doctors advise people to limit or avoid sugar. In the initial period of the diet the carbohydrate intake is limited to within 60 grams for each day. This is of course determined based on certain aspects such as age of the individual, health, level of activity in which the person is involved and any existing allergies or sensitivities towards certain food items. Consumption of certain food items that are low in carbohydrates such as meat, shellfish, chicken, turkey, vegetables free of starch and even certain nuts is encouraged. The consumption of carbohydrates is increased as the symptoms of this problem decrease.

• Consumption of food items that contain yeast should also be avoided. Fermented products such as bread, tomato paste, cheese, mushroom and beer should be avoided. Usually improvement can be seen after this diet is continued for a minimum of a four week period.

• Practitioners also prescribe certain herbs and other supplements to reduce the Candida yeast amount in the body.

The other list of food items to be avoided in Candida infections include:

• Sugar since the refined form of sugar is supposed to encourage growth of the amount of Candida yeast in the body. Also brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, corn syrup etc should be avoided.

• Since fruit contains natural sugar this can aid the yeast growth in the body so fresh, canned, frozen and even fruit juices are typically eliminated.

• Food products that contain gluten such as wheat, rye and barley should also be avoided.

• All types of vinegar including white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise, all types of sauces are avoided.

• Peanuts, pistachios and peanut butter cannot be consumed in Candida diets.

• All varieties of Black tea, regular coffee, decaffeinated coffee and instant coffee are not allowed during a Candida diet. It is difficult to completely avoid caffeine so one cup a day is usually accepted.

Certain capsules that are enteric coated and that contain essential oils such as oregano or peppermint oil are often prescribed since they can be successful in limiting the growth of Candida. Garlic capsules that are enteric coated are also effective in coping with any Candida infection. For women suffering from Candida infections it would also be advisable to talk to the physician about substituting oral contraceptives if they are being used with some other method. Smoking and alcohol can also prove to be a roadblock in recovering from a Candida infection.