Candida Breakdown

Candida, for most Americans, is not part of the daily vernacular; for raw-foodies, not so. Thanks to work by early raw-food authors, Candida and its effects have been given much attention.

When it comes to the cause of Candida however, specifically related to diet, the confusion is still prominent.

For those new to the subject, let us first address the basics.

What is Candida?
Candida is a yeast in the body. The most known form of Candida is Candida albicans, which is a mold/yeast. Everyone has some levels of candida in their system, however it only becomes a challenge when the Candida proliferates uncontrollably.

How does it effect me?
The effects of Candida are not very well understood by our health care system. That often leads to a misdiagnoses of Candia as the following:

• Allergies
• Arthritis
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Depression
• Diet Disorder
• Old Age
• PMS
• Influenza
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

What causes the proliferation of Candida? Via Light Party
When the critical balance of Candida to bacteria in the body is disturbed, with Candida gaining the upper hand, we can develop symptoms anywhere in the body as a result of what progressive doctors call systemic candidiasis. This condition develops when the balance between yeast and bacteria is upset as a result of:

• Immune dysfunction
• Upset in ratio of good to bad bacteria in the GI tract
• Change in intestinal pH A number of factors can cause immune dysfunction (Drugs, anti-inflammatories, cortisone, birth control pills, antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

What is the raw-food take on Candida?
Authors, David Wolfe and Dr. Gabriel Cousens M.D., have been most prominently noted as saying that the main causes of Candida are diets high in sugar. Thus the encouragement of a low-glycemic diet.

"One’s diet creates an acid situation which activates a fermentation process in the body which then creates bacteria, fungus and mold that actually grow out of our own tissues. That’s why we have such an epidemic of candida today." - Dr. Gabriel Cousens M.D

Authors Frédéric Patenaude and Dr. Douglas Graham, D.C. have disputed the notion that the sugar is the cause and instead have said that excess fat is the challenge:

"Excess fat is the culprit in candida, not sugar, per se. When fat levels in the blood rise, so does blood sugar, because excess fat inhibits insulin from performing its function of escorting sugar out of the bloodstream. The excess fat lines the blood vessel walls, the cells’ insulin receptor sites, the sugar molecules themselves, and the insulin with a thin coating of fat, thus blocking and inhibiting normal metabolic activity. Too much sugar in the blood is as life threatening as too little and can result in serious illness or death. Yeast, or candida, is a constant presence in the blood; it serves as a life preservation mechanism, blooming when there is an excess of sugar in the blood stream to bring blood sugar down to a non-threatening level. When the sugar is distributed and used by the cells of the body, the yeast quickly dies off as it is supposed to. If fat levels stay chronically high due to a poor diet, sugar will remain in the bloodstream and feed the large candida colonies instead of feeding the 18 trillion cells of your body. Starved for fuel, these cells can no longer metabolize energy, and you become tired, and feel rundown. Because all carbohydrate, fat, and protein that we eat is converted to simple sugar (glucose) if it is to be used by the cells for fuel, the way out of this cycle is not to eat less sugar, but to consume less fat. When fat levels drop, the sugar starts to get processed and distributed again, and the yeast levels drop because there is no longer excess sugar available.

" - Frédéric Patenaude

So what is it the fat or the sugar?
If I knew the answer, there would probably be a lot more visitors to this blog. On a personal level, I have seen individuals go beyond the Candida challenge through a low-glycemic diet. However, these individuals also do not consume heavy amounts of fat. Their diets, as my own, tend to focus mostly on greens. This leads me to feel that reinstating the balance of candida to bacteria has to do with a little bit with fat and a little bit with sugar. From my limited experience, many individuals who eat a low-glycemic diet tend to stock up on fats and raw-junk-food. If they lowered the amounts of fats while continuing on the low-glycemic diet, I imagine greater benefits would follow. Likewise, individuals eating a large amount of fruits, dates and agave nectar would probably benefit from eating more green-leafy vegetables to lower the amount of sugar the body has to process.

The comments section is open on this one. If you have any stories about Candida, any questions you'd like to explore, or you would like to correct something written above, please feel free to post.

Comments

[Rex]

Candida is not much danger to our health because it preasent in our body in low concentration, but its increase amount can trouble for our body system.I agree to this blog.

[Christine]

Hello,
regarding sugar, fat and candida: I tried Cousens' phase I diet for 5 weeks and it was damn hard. I was on vacation, it was summer, yet it was very hard calorically, and of course mentally (the cravings!!). After 5 weeks I broke it with cheesecake, whipped cream and cheese pizza, as bad as it gets. Things I would have about once a year prior to this.

Is there anyone who tried Gabriel Cousens' diet?? Please reply.

Today I created a candida yahoo group, feel free to visit and post!
Christine

[Chef Mike]

Let's recall that Mr. Frédéric Patenaude is mainly a fruitarian thus he may metabolize sugars better than most... David Wolfe claims to metabolize fats easiest... SO, find out what's right for you by keeping a look out for candida overgrowth symptoms and rely on leafy green vegetables and green juices to fight it off... Alkalize my raw babies...

[Leanne]

Thanks for the insight on Candida. This is my 4th week raw, and it seems the weight is going down more slowly than I anticipated. But I have a real difficult time with candida. I also have found unlike the many raw websites that I have visited that I cannot eat unlimited amounts of either fat or sugars without gaining weight. So, no matter what diet I adopt it does seem that low-glycemic is the only way for me. But I also wondered if I could continue to eat the fruit regardless of the candida? Anyone has any ideas on that, please let me know. Thanks.

[Lindsey]

I suffer from Candida. I would like to know what food to eat to gain weight cause i am quiete slender.

[Karlyn]

Hello

I believe I am a co-sufferer of candida overgrowth. I have had many a test performed to diagnose what the cause of my numerous symptoms are and all the tests come back negative. And yet I still feel light years away from earth.
I suspected candida as the cause about 8 months ago and tried the raw, no fruit diet for a month.
this posed problems for me because I am also recovering from an eating disorder and this resembled excessive restriction. so, as my history goes, i ended up eating whatever the hell I wanted and in mass quantities (binge).
Luckily that didnt last too long and I am back on a normal eating pattern, however my problems with fatigue and various other issues are still present.
I need a support group. I need a reasonable answer. I am tired of feeling like a hypochondriac. I read success stories of raw foodies and of course am attracted by them, but scared at the same time because of my history with eating disorders.
I guess this is a cry in the dark. I need guidance and support. I am willing to do whatever it takes to get better.
if anyone has any flicker of hope, please... shine it on me.
peace.
karlyn

[Lia]

hi karlyn,
i just read your post tonight and my heart goes out to you darlin. i'm certainly no 'expert' on health or raw food or eating disorders, and the only things i know come from my own personal experience of transitioning to an increasingly raw food lifestyle over the past year.
my little piece of advice would be to get into the practice of making green smoothies (smoothies with lots and lots of greens... with a fruit and water base). I have found that the more greens I have, the more regulated my cravings are for candida friendly sweets). green smoothies are also very filling and they can be quite delicious. perhaps if you're regulating your sugar intake, use a semi-sweet fruit like apples or pears as the base instead of super sweet fruit like mangos....Just an idea that's helped me. ;-)
As an aside, sometimes I feel frustrated with the occasional 'religiosity' surrounding food that taints the raw food movement. Sometimes thinking about food in moral terms like 'good' and 'bad' can lead to the same feelings of guilt/ remorse that accompany disordered ways of eating and I think ingesting these emotions can be just as negative (if not moreso) as ingesting food that may not nourish your body optimally. I guess I would just like to say, remember to love yourself. Everytime you sit down to eat anything, ingest that love first and foremost, state this as your primary intention. And give yourself permission to view this path of health as a journey, one that takes time and learning and most of all patience.
I hope this helps a little. Purely advice from a novice, but good luck.

[Carla]

Karlyn,

I relate to your dilemma. I have the same issues. I have just started introducing raw recipes into my diet. I am a compulsive overeater with a candida problem. I was doing well with a low glycemic, vegetarian diet.. then I had a taste of sugar and went nuts. It became a sugar frenzy that lasted for 2 months. Hopefully, I'm done now. But it's back to the drawing board as far as the candida issue goes. I'm soooo frustrated.

[Meghna]

Hi there all,

Why not you go through Candida diet part 11 where Wammy will reply your qus with care and its so helpful .Im doing great following her instructions.
Take care.
Love.
Meghna.

[Dan]

candida can be hard to get rid of i have had it for a while now. i have eaten no bad fats only olive oil. candida is still able to thrive on anything that turns into sugar,even low sugar fruits.the reason candida can make one feel so tired is that it releases alcohole during the fermentation process.notice how when you endulge in carbs or foods high in sugar,you start feeling tipsy to an extent.these toxins are putting strain on your liver daily thus making you feel tired.

[Alexander]

Why does everyone want to get in a 'fight' with Candida? Lay down the weapons of war, and generate a healthy love for yourself, and learn to 'let go' and 'let flow'...so often Candida is related to past resentments.

20 mins per day getting 70% of your body out in the sunshine also works magic =) Its called heliotherapy. Look it up.

Many blessings,

Alexander

[Adrien Finckel]

Hi all,

I have been battling Candida for about a year now under the auspices of a team of nutritionists, chiropractors, acupunturists and other healers. My health over this past year continued to decline despite how closely I adhere to the diet and the antifungal regime. It wasn't until I stumbled upon this article that I began to notice a significant positive change within 1 day!

http://www.naturalnews.com/023191.html

Candida seems to happen when there is some underlying illness going on (compromised immune system probably from stress and poor diet, organs not functioning and out of balance, running out of enzyme reserves in the body). The importance of adding RAW foods in ones diet is significant, even fruit. There are certain vegetables and fruit with high enzyme content. Even organic grass and vegetarian fed meats have enzymes in them (probably from the veggies). Our bodies NEED enzymes to heal and combat pathogens and disease. It is important of course to consume sweet foods like food on an empty stomach so that acid from digesting other foods such as protein does not ferment the sugar. The fermented sugar is what feeds candida or causes allergy in the body. Read the article above. It is enlightening to say the least... I'm on day two of eating more raw fruit and veggies in the correct combination and feel the best I have in months! Remember fat is important too... but at the right times. Do not mix fat with fruit. Fat and veggies are better friends because most veggies already have fatty acids in them and our bodies know what to do with them.

I am not a nutritionist or specialist on candida... just one who has been through a lot of agony on the "Candida diet" who found a true gem that works for her. Some people may thrive on the candida diet, others might want to cut back on meat and focus more of fruit, veggies, seeds and occassionally nuts. Everyone is different. But we all need ENZYMES!

[Monica]

I've been unsuccessfully going raw for 1 year now. Before that I didn't touch sugar, flour and wheat for 3 years. It was a great solution to my ailments - over eating, mood swings, lack of concentration - until it wasn't. After three years I started to notice that I would wake up tired. At that time I ate very little fruit, 1-2 pieces per day.

A friend preached wonders about the raw food diet, basically 80-10-10. I went for it and again had wonderful results. I had energy like never before, my skin looked 10 years younger, I looked great. I had never really gotten it though. I would often fall off the wagon by eating grains and cooked vegetables. I just never felt full with all the fruit.

So here I am now after 1 year. I've gained nearly 10 lbs. unexpectedly, I am tired, lethargic, and gaining a lot of weight around the middle, which is unusual for me.

Yesterday I read G. Cousens articles and books about "human composting" and it makes sense. Since then I have made some big changes. I am very willing to do what it takes to feel better. So far I've drastically reduced my fruit intake cutting out entirely high glicemic ones. I've prepared a lot of vegetable foods that are easier to digest. I find that chopping the food, soaking it, sprouting it ensures better digestion for me.

So far I feel better in a sense that has nothing to do with the headache and sensitivity that comes with detox. I am not binging on fruit like I was yesterday. I don't have cravings for anything. I don't feel like a blimp and I'm less bloated.

Thank you for all your input on this site. It has helped me keep in mind some very key points namely:

everybody is different in the way they assimilate food and life in general. I am my best consultant.

Life is a mind, body, spirit interplay. If I focus on only 1 part of it, I'm missing the whole picture.