Until recently, few people had heard of candidiasis. In the late 1990s, however, this diagnosis began to spread from alternative to conventional medicine. In reality, few cases of candida overgrowth are strictly related to these dimorphic fungi that grow as yeasts. Candida itself is harmless. In fact, we cannot maintain the health of our intestinal tract without it, and it helps protect us by consuming remnants of poor-quality food and toxins. In this process, it helps reduce the amount of food available to truly harmful pathogens that would otherwise feed on these remnants.
In other words, candida fungi deliberately consume food waste and poisons to prevent harmful microorganisms like E. coli, Clostridium difficile, and streptococci from feeding on them and multiplying. Candidiasis can also occur simultaneously with diseases such as Lyme disease, shingles, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex, diabetes, and others. Thus, a large accumulation of these yeasts can serve as a warning sign that something else in your body requires attention, but candida is often the scapegoat. For example, a vaginal streptococcal infection may go unnoticed by doctors, while the yeasts, which are also present, are blamed for the patient's symptoms. Once the underlying problem is addressed, Candida levels will naturally normalize.
Fats vs. Fruits
If you have been diagnosed with candida overgrowth, chances are you have been advised to eliminate all processed foods from your diet, avoid sugar at all costs (including fruits), and consume a high-protein, high-fat diet. While it is indeed crucial to avoid processed foods containing sugar, such as donuts, cakes, cookies, candies, popcorn, pastries, croissants, rolls, and baguettes, strictly avoiding fruits is unwarranted. Candida does not feed on sugar unless it comes from grains like corn or wheat, and it does not feed on natural fruit sugar.
It is important to note that the natural fructose in fruits is linked to beneficial compounds, including antioxidants, minerals, phytochemicals, and even cancer-killing trace elements that help destroy pathogenic microorganisms like streptococci, E. coli, Clostridium difficile, staphylococci, and viruses, which are likely responsible for elevated candida levels (again – elevated Candida levels are actually a defense mechanism designed to prevent the multiplication of these pathogenic microorganisms). This is precisely why fruits are your secret weapon against candida, because they are your secret weapon against "broad-spectrum" pathogens!
If you are still afraid of fruits, keep in mind that sugars from fruits leave your stomach in about three to six minutes, and the sugar does not reach the intestinal tract. What does reach the intestinal tract are the skin, pulp, and fiber in fruits, which actually help cleanse the intestines of diseases like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and other pathogenic conditions. (To learn everything Anthony William reveals about the unwarranted fear of fruits, read the article “The Truth About Fruits”.) Unlike fruits, other forms of processed sugar – refined cane sugar, beet sugar, agave nectar, corn syrup, etc. – feed candida and other pathogens, so you should indeed avoid them.
Another misconception about candidiasis is the idea that a high-protein, high-fat diet kills candida cells, but in reality, both proteins and fats feed these fungi! Even if your symptoms initially improve, this approach can eventually backfire, as excess protein and fat in the gut are a breeding ground for bacteria, cancer cells, viruses, etc., which can trigger candida overgrowth as your body tries to fight these things. Therefore, the best approach is to eat a lower-fat diet that includes fruits and their pathogen-killing nutrients. It's not that healthy fats (like avocados, nuts, seeds) are bad for us; it's just best to control fat intake.
This applies regardless of the type of diet you follow. For example, if you eat a vegan diet, reduce the amount of fat you get from nuts, nut butters, seeds, oils, and avocados. If you are a lacto or ovo-vegetarian, reduce eggs or dairy products accordingly, etc. If your diet includes animal products, reduce to one serving of meat per day, as even lean animal protein contains some fat. In addition to reducing fat and incorporating fruits, it is important to consume enough leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, lettuce, and arugula, and to avoid processed and grain foods.
While these recommendations may contradict everything you've heard about candidiasis, if you are one of the many who have endured restrictive diets, denying yourself the luxury of even a small handful of blueberries – without experiencing any relief from symptoms – it may be time to try something new.
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