Candida albicans is a yeast the normally resides in the body in the digestive tract and vagina, kept in check by the immune system and beneficial bacteria in the body.

If beneficial bacteria are killed by antibiotics or if the immune system becomes weakened, Candida yeast can grow unchecked.

Local infections, such as oral thrush, skin infections, and vaginal yeast infections in women can result.

People with severely weakened immune systems, such as those with cancer or AIDS, may develop widespread Candida infection, a serious medical condition called systemic candidiasis.

Some holistic practitioners also believe that overgrowth of candida yeast in the intestines is responsible for a yeast syndrome, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, headache, mood swings, sinus congestion, depression, poor memory and concentration, and cravings for sweets.

Excess Candida yeast in the intestins is thought to penetrate the intestinal wall, causing yeast and other unwanted particles to be absorbed into the body.

The absorbed yeast particles are thought to activate the immune system, resulting in an allergic hypersensitivity to Candida.

This yeast syndrome, popularized by William Crook, MD in his 1983 book, The Yeast Connection, is considered highly controversial. Most conventional doctors think this syndrome is overdiagnosed by holistic practitioners and many disagree with the validity of the diagnosis.

Contributing Factors

• Use of oral contraceptives, steroids, antacids, anti-ulcer medications, or frequent or long-term use of antibiotics
  
• High-sugar diets
  
• Pregnancy
  
• Smoking
  
• Food allergies and intolerances
  
• Diabetes

The Candida Yeast Screening Quiz

The candida yeast screening quiz describes the symptoms of yeast overgrowth.
Take the Candida Yeast Screening Quiz

Candida Cleanse

Diet is an important component of the Candida cleanse. Dr. Crook's recommended that people with Candida overgrowth:

• avoid eating sugar. According to Dr. Crook, sugar promotes the growth of yeast. The total carbohydrate intake per day is often limited. For example, during the initial two to three weeks on the diet, the carbohydrate intake may be restricted to less than 60 grams per day, depending on age, health, activity level, and the extent of food sensitivities. Low-carbohydrate foods such as meat, chicken, turkey, shellfish, non-starchy vegetables, and certain nuts are emphasized instead. As symptoms subside, the carbohydrate total of the diet is often gradually increased.
  
  
• avoid eating foods that contain any type of yeast. These include fermented foods such as bread made with yeast, cheese, tomato paste, mushrooms, and beer. Although Dr. Crook believed that people with Candida overgrowth would also be allergic to other fungi, not all practitioners believe this restriction is necessary.

The length of time on the Candida cleanse depends on the length of time one has had symptoms and the severity of the symptoms. The general level of health is another important factor.

People who do respond to the diet often report that it takes a minimum of four weeks before any improvement is noticeable. For many, it can take months. Once there is sufficient improvement in symptoms, practitioners suggest slowly reintroducing foods from the restricted list back into the diet.

• List of Foods to Avoid Entirely
  
• List of Foods to Limit
  

Herbs and Supplements

Another important component of Dr. Crook's plan was the use of herbs and supplements, or in certain cases, prescription drugs, to decrease the amount of yeast in the body. Holistic practitioners usually recommend starting with smaller amounts of herbs and supplements and increasing gradually. Otherwise, a temporary worsening of symptoms called a Herxheimer reaction, or yeast die-off, may occur. It is believed to result when Candida yeast are killed and they release protein fragments and toxins that trigger an antibody response from the immune system. Learn about herbs and supplements for Candida