More than 75% of women will deal with candida albicans, also known as a yeast infection during their lives. Everyone carries yeast or candida in their body at all times, and only when the yeast is allowed to overpower healthy bacteria will a yeast infection occur.Many times, antibiotics are the cause of this ailment. Antibiotics cannot differentiate between the good bacteria and the bad bacteria. This results in bad bacteria thriving and multiplying unopposed. Fortunately, there are alternatives to pharmaceuticals, and smart decisions you can make in your diet to boost your immune system to fight off candida attacks.
Healthy Diet is Your First Line of Defense!
Fighting candida is not as hard as you may think. Simply customizing your diet to optimize immune system performance may just be enough to keep uncomfortable bouts of yeast infection at bay. Your primary goal will be to increase support throughout the body, so your body can operate at a peak performance.
You can optimize immune system function by following a few of these tips and suggestions listed below. One key factor to success is preparing your own foods. Pre-packages and pre-made foods are high in unhealthy fats and processed substances that are extremely unhealthy. A general rule is to stick to fresh foods, which brings us to our first tip:
Choose Organic, Nutrient Enriched Foods!
Many vegetables actually have the ability to STOP candida growth in its tracks. These foods include raw veggies like cabbage, broccoli, garlic, onions, turnip and kale. You should avoid vegetables like yams and potatoes to a minimum, as they do the opposite and allow growth to increase.
Increase Intake of Essential Fatty Acids!
Salmon, and flax seed probably contain the highest amount of Omega-3 Fatty acids. These are healthy fats that your body desperately needs to function properly. These fats cannot be manufactured by the body so it is essential foods containing these fats are consumed at least twice a week. Canola, soybeans and walnut are also great sources of these fats.
Ice cream, You Scream, We All Scream for…. YOGURT!?
While it may not be as satisfying as ice cream, yogurt still does the trick. Not only a tasty treat, but it has the ability to repopulate your body with good bacteria. The yogurt contains live bacteria and will overpower the harmful candida yeast which will eventually restore a healthy balance within the body.
Nuts, Seeds and Grain
Anything high in protein will restrict growth of Candida, and nuts and seeds are a great option. Beware of peanuts, they contain a higher mold level. If you want to eat peanuts, consider soaking nuts in water first. This will rid the outside of any mold, making it healthier to eat. Wheat and rye should be avoided at all cost. Other grains such as millet bread, brown or wild rice or oat bran are other items that will successfully aid your body in the fight against candida.
Adding these healthy tips to your diet will significantly increase your defense to candida. Remember to choose healthy fats, high protein foods and as always, veggies; and you’ll have Candida beat before you know it!
