CANDIDA: A brief summary
By Ronald Wayman
The following is for information only. Seek professional help with any medical and health conditions.

Candida is a type of yeast-like detrimental fungi. Candida albicans is one of 70 different species of Candida yeast. Candida albicans inhabit the intestines of all humans. The excessive proliferation of Candida albicans is called Candidiasis and can be in the Intestines, Vagina, Mouth, or Esophagus. Systemic Candidiasis is an overgrowth of candida throughout the body. It is estimated that 1/3rd of the world population suffers from Candida albicans overgrowth.
It is natural for it to be in the colon and vagina, but if it grows excessively it can penetrate the lining of the colon and then it can spread to the bladder, vagina, small intestines, blood, lymph, brain, lung, and other areas of the body it can cause problems of all sorts. Usually linked with bladder infections, it can also be associated with:
- sore throats
- mind confusion
- headaches
- body aches and pains
- most major illnesses
- minor and major fatigue
- dizziness or vertigo
- ear problems
- fluid retention
- cravings
- athlete’s foot
- psoriasis
- extreme sensitivities to the environment
- mood swings
- vaginal infections
- diarrhea
- constipation
- bloating
- and others
With Candida problems, it is hard to lose weight, to become healthy if in poor health, for some to get pregnant, to build strength, to learn, etc. People who continually get streptococcus or staff infections could consider candida overgrowth issues. People with sinus headaches, earaches, lung congestion, or migraines could also look at the candida diet suggestions and supplements for assistance.
Most often allergies or food sensitivities accompany candida overgrowth and can add stress to the body. The immune response to candida adds to the food sensitivities and the food sensitivities burden the immune system thus causing a vicious cycle. This starts in the intestines where the bowel normally blocks toxins and larger food particles. But when invaded by yeast overgrowth, the intestinal lining becomes inflamed and larger particles then can pass this lining into the bloodstream. The blood travels to the liver that has to deal with these large particles and is overwhelmed with the extra detoxification needed.
The liver cannot handle all the extra load, so the lymph system takes part of the burden. The lymph triggers the body’s immune response which is already confused and overwhelmed with the yeast and candida overgrowth elsewhere. The body becomes “sluggish”, fatigued, sick, and starts a downward spiral of illness. In fact, in the liver, if candida is not detoxified, candida can produce other toxins such as acetaldehyde which converts to formaldehyde, alcohol, carbon monoxide, and other toxins.
Candida can start with too much stress, not enough sleep, lack of proper nutrients from the diet, excessive use of antibiotics, excessive use of drugs, steroids, for some – the contraceptive pill, pregnancy, hormonal changes, excessive use of low-quality supplements, eating sugar, excessive carbohydrates, for some sensitivities to dairy or gluten, MSG, alcohol, coffee, tea, too much junk food or processed food, mercury or metal toxicity, environmental toxins, injury or surgery, stress caused by abuse or trauma, and lack of proper enzymes. These are just some of the possible catalysts for candida.
How do you get a handle on it?
One way is through the diet. A diet full of junk food and sugar and/or “eating on the run” will feed and maintain the candida in the body. This diet is usually lacking in enzymes and causes stress on the body’s endocrine and digestive systems. When the digestive system is taxed then fungus, bacteria, molds, other yeasts, viruses, and candida can have a great time multiplying in a body.
You can minimize the overgrowth by eating correctly – chewing slowly, eating a variety of foods, not eating sugar and carbohydrates, and supplementing with digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes make a major difference in most people’s diets. Not only does it assist in breaking down the yeast, but the enzymes also help the body assimilate badly needed nutrients. You are what you assimilate and absorb from your food.
Drink water, stay hydrated, take enzymes, eat a balanced diet, eat without the junk, eat in peace, and get a balanced emotional life.
If you take care of your current and past emotional stresses and get a proper diet with live and whole foods you might not need as much supplementation. But until you choose to do that, get a diet active in your life that is balanced, supplement with enzymes, and start taking care of your emotional and mental stressors.
Emotionally, candida is associated with helplessness, hopelessness, fear of responsibility, too much responsibility, overwhelming burden, suppressed rage, terror, lack of confidence, betrayal. And often there are beliefs that “no matter how hard I try, I can’t _____” (win, get what I want, to be loved, have control, be happy, be good enough, etc.).
Candida overgrowth needs the attention of all of you. Your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual sides. Get a journal, a friend, an animal, or whatever and get it out. The “get it out” means emotions that are trapped, especially any resentment about a person or event. Let it go and get well.
This chart on foods is suggested for people with candida problems. See your health care professional for diagnosis of candida. Often the candida spreads to areas that are not tested so it can be helpful to visit a Naturopath, Homeopathic Physician or Applied Kinesiologist for additional assistance.
For emotional assistance with candida consider the Centering Dynamics Book.
Anti – Candida Diet Suggestions
These are suggestions. This is a general list. Each individual should seek professional health advice from their health practitioner. For some cases, ask your practitioner about using nutritional plant enzymes and the bifidobacteria form of acidophilus.
Warning: the following is for information only. Seek professional help with any medical and health conditions.
The FOODS to AVOID | |
Added Sugars | Jam, Honey, Fruit Juices, Syrup, Biscuits, Dried Fruit, Chocolate, Yogurt, Drinks, etc. |
Fruit | No Fruit except Avocado, fresh Grapefruit, Lemon, Banana, for some Sour Apple, for some Orange. |
Yeast Products | Bread, Pizza, B Vitamins from yeast source, Breadcrumbs, Citric Acid from fungal source. |
Alcohol | Wine, Beer, Brandy, Cider, etc. |
Fermented Products | Miso, Vinegar, Tomato Sauce, Pickles, Barbecue Sauce, Olives, Horseradish, Salad Dressings, Relish, Sauerkraut, etc. |
MSG | Some Chinese food, 2 minute noodles, some soups, flavored chips and snacks |
Gluten | Wheat, Cakes, Pastries, non-pure Rye, for some Oats, for some Barley, for some any rice, for others just non-brown rice |
Dairy Products | Milk, Cheese, Ice Cream, for some eggs. |
Molds and Fungi | Peanuts, Pistachios, Soy Sauce, Mushrooms. |
Stimulants | Coffee, Tea, Cola, Cigarettes |
Food Additives | Coloring, Flavoring, Preservatives, Thickeners, Anti-Caking Agents |
Processed Meats/Smoked Meats | Salami, Sausage, Hot Dogs, Pastrami, Corned Beef, etc. |
Processed Foods | Processed Cheese, etc. |
Oils | Heated Oils (except pure virgin olive oil), Oxidized Oils, Margarine, etc. |
Left Overs | If they grow mold. |
Starchy Vegetables | Corn, Potatoes, Dried Beans, etc., for some peas. |
The FOODS that are Allowed | |
Meats/Fish | Meats that are Free Range (Chicken, Beef, Turkey, Lamb). Fresh Fish, Seafood, Tuna, Salmon. |
Vegetables | All vegetables: except Potatoes, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, for some Peas, Corn. |
Sprouts | Alfalfa, Lentil, Mung Bean, Fenugreek, Flax Seed, Radish, etc. |
Legumes | For some people they can have Beans, Chick Peas, Lentils, hummus without Vinegar, Peas. |
Fruit | Limited – Coconut, Lemon, Banana, Grapefruit, Sour Apple for some. |
Grains and Pasta | For some people – Brown Rice, Millet, Quinoa, Amaranth, Buckwheat |
Nuts | Unprocessed Nuts: Almond, Brazil Nut, Walnut, Hazelnut |
Seeds | Unprocessed Seeds: Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Linseed, Pumpkin Seed |
Nut Butters | Tahini, Almond Butter, not Peanut Butter |
Oils | Cold Pressed Oils: Olive, Sunflower, Safflower, Linseed, Avocado, Apricot, Almond |
Yogurt | Non-Sweetened Yogurt, Pure Yogurt, Goat and Sheep Milk Yogurt |
Milk | Soy Milk, Almond Milk, for some Rice Milk. Without maltodextrins or sugar. |
Spices | Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Garlic, Onion, etc. |
Sweetener | Stevia (for some), FOS – Fructo-oligosaccharides which assist acidophilus bacteria |
Bread | Sprouted Grains, Spelt, Pure Rye (for some) |
Crackers | Rice Cakes, Pure Rye, Buckwheat Crispbread |
Other Foods | Kelp, Spirulina, Carrots, Garlic |
Herbs and Foods that Inhibit Candida Albicans | |
Agrimony | Anti-Fungal properities |
Barberry | Inhibits proliferation (Berberine) |
Black Walnut | Anti-Fungal, Anti-Parasitic |
Carrot | Inhibits Candida (Phytoalexin compound) |
Cinnamon | Inhibits growth |
Dandelion Root | Tea – Cleanses liver, inhibits growth of Candida |
Echinacea | Prevents recurrence of Candida proliferation |
Garlic | Can eliminate Candida from body – not in excessive amounts |
Goldenseal | Suppresses Candida (Berberine) |
Lemon Grass | Oil – inhbits proliferation |
Mastic | Inhibits and destroys Candida albicans |
Neem | Inhibits growth |
Oregon Grape Root | Inhibits the proliferation |
Oregano | Inhibits growth |
Oregano oil | Inhibits growth (to be used topically and cautiously) |
Pau D’Arco | Inhibits and destroys Candida albicans |
Phellodendron | Inhibits and helps to destroy |
Propolis | Bee propolis (regionalized) suppresses the proliferation of Candida |
Skullcap | Inhibits |
Spirulina | Inhibits Candida Albicans |
Suma | Inhibits Candida |
Yogurt | Non-sugar, more pure forms of high quality bacteria. Lactobacillus acidphilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosis, Bifidobacteria bifidus |
Supplements that Enhance the Eradication of Candida | |
Biotin | Helps prevent the proliferation of Candida |
Bromelain | Digestive enzyme found in pineapple enhances immune function against Candida |
Caprylic Acid | Inhibits Candida growth |
Cellulase | A plant enzyme for breakdown of plant fibers |
Coenzyme Q10 | Helps with the elimination of Candida |
Copper | Increases immune function if in proper balance with zinc |
Germanium | Mineral – inhibits growth of Candida |
Lactoferrin | A form of Bovine Colostrum or whey protein |
Nystatin | On contact kills Candida. May not go to all parts of body. |
Protease | Digestive enzyme |
Silver | Colloidal Silver destroys Candida |
Tea Tree Oil | For vaginal proliferation |
Vitamin C | |
Vitamin E | |
Zinc | Increases immune function helping the body fight Candida |
Kinergetics Unit 3, Philip Rafferty
Hyperhealth Pro ver.3
The Yeast Connection by Dr. William Crook.