Does your belly often feel bloated? Are you finding it difficult to lose belly fat? You may have symptoms of Intestinal Candida. Our diets today can encourage the overgrowth of Candida causing health problems especially in the digestive tract.
When yeast or Candida multiply beyond normal levels in the body they can threaten the immune system. Sometimes we do not realize we are feeding yeast and causing Candida overgrowth. Intestinal Candida can cause bloating, gas and cramps. Candida overgrowth can also cause desperate cravings for sugar and carbohydrates causing belly fat.
If Candida is fed and it grows it can burrow into organs, multiply and overrun the digestive tract, sinus passages, tongue and vagina. Candida can produce a by-product called acetaldehyde and is the same compound responsible for a hangover effect. Acetaldehyde is a toxin and can accumulate in muscles, the brain and spinal cord. It will cause muscles to ache, foggy thinking and pain.
Common Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth:
* Abdominal bloating or flatulence
* Unexplained fatigue
* Recurrent thrush and cystitis
* Food cravings, especially for sugar and bread (carbohydrates).
* Fungal infections of the skin or nails, athletes foot, Psoriasis
* Headaches
* Acne
* Rectal Itching
* Food and chemical sensitivities
* Endometriosis
* Abdominal pain
* Numbness, tingling and weak muscles
* Constipation
* Muscle aches, joint pain
* Blurred vision
* Ear-aches
* Recurrent sore throats and blocked nose
* Difficulties with weight gain or weight loss
* Symptoms worse in damp weather or places, moldy environments
* Alcohol intolerance
* Mood swings, feeling spacey, memory loss and depression
Reducing Candida can be a challenge but it can be done. You cannot completely get rid of Candida but you can stop the overgrowth through diet and nutrition.
Foods that contain yeast and you must avoid:
Cakes, breads, biscuits, crackers, rolls, buns, pastries, stuffing mixes, products with breadcrumbs, soya sauce, dried fruits, all fermented drinks such as beer, spirits, wine cider and malted products, vinegars, miso, tempeh, tofu, smoked meats and fish, processed meats and peanuts.
You must avoid eating sugar, dried fruit and some natural fruits in the beginning. Some people are unable to eat fruit at all. You must see how your body responds. Avoid alcohol, as this converts to pure sugar and will feed yeast. Avoid refined carbs that easily convert to sugar. These foods are usually white flour products and foods which are processed. Try to eat natural and organic foods, especially a lot of veggies.
At first when you are not eating the usual foods your Candida is use to you may suffer die off effects. The Candida is protesting and crying out for more food to feed the yeast. Side effects can include headaches, aches and pains, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and excess mucus. The die off effects can mimic everything you are struggling to be free of but stick with it and know that the new diet is working.
In little time these side effects will pass. It’s your body’s way of saying that “we are fighting the Candida, so please don’t feed the yeast!”