The candida cleanse (or candida diet) has become a popular fad diet. This diet aims to lower the amount of candida fungi in the body. Candida fungi can cause infections such as vaginal yeast infections.
The candida cleanse is said to ease symptoms related to candida growth, such as fatigue. But there is currently no proof that the candida cleanse directly affects the amount of candida in your intestines. So, a candida cleanse probably won’t ease symptoms related to candida overgrowth.
How Does Candida Harm Your Health?
Candida is a yeast, which is a type of fungus. Candida lives in the environment, on your skin, and in your body without causing issues. There are several types of candida, but some types can cause infections in humans.
Candidabecomes a problem whenever it grows uncontrollably or grows deeper into the body. Candida in the bloodstream or vital organs — which are organs that people need to stay alive — can cause serious infections. Infections of candida are called candidiasis.
What Are the Types of Candidiasis?
The type of candidiasis is decided by where the fungus grows and how severe it is.
Vaginal candidiasis
This is a common type of candidiasis caused by the growth of candidain the vagina. Other names for candidiasis are:
- Vaginal yeast infection
- Vulvovaginal candidiasis
- Candidal vaginitis
Symptoms of vaginal candidiasis include:
- Vaginal itching
- Pain during sex
- Pain and discomfort when peeing
- Unusual vaginal discharge
Some women can also ease symptoms such as swelling and cracking of the vaginal walls.
About 1 in 5 women have candida in their vagina, but they don’t have any of the symptoms listed above. The symptoms of vaginal candidiasis are similar to those of many other infections, so your doctor will need to make a diagnosis to provide proper treatment. Vaginal candidiasis is generally treated with antifungal medications.
Candidiasis of the mouth, throat, and esophagus
This type of candidiasis is more commonly called thrush. Thrush is caused by candida overgrowth in the mouth, throat, and esophagus.
Symptoms of thrush include:
- White patches in your mouth, including the inner cheeks, tongue, and throat
- Redness
- Cotton-like feeling in the mouth
- Loss of taste
- Pain while eating or swallowing
- Cracking and redness at the corners of your mouth
Thrush doesn’t commonly occur in healthy adults. People with a weakened immune system tend to be at a higher risk of a candida infection.
Thrush can be diagnosed by checking the mouth and throat. Diagnosis of candidiasis in the esophagus — which is a tube connecting the throat with the stomach — may require an endoscopy.
An endoscopy is a procedure in which a tube with a light and a camera on the end is inserted into your mouth and down your throat. The images from the camera provide a closer look at your esophagus.
Invasive candidiasis
This is a serious infection caused by candida overgrowth in areas of the body. Invasive candidiasis is an infection that can affect your:
- Blood
- Heart
- Brain
- Eyes
- Bones
Invasive candidiasis often occurs alongside other medical conditions. When your immune system is weak, candida can spread more easily.
The most common symptoms include fever and chills. But if invasive candidiasis spreads to vital organs, you may experience a range of symptoms.
Invasive candidiasis is often diagnosed with a blood test or biopsy. Your doctor will take a blood or tissue sample from the infected body part and send it to a laboratory.
What Are the Effects of the Candida Cleanse?
The goal of the candida cleanse is to clear out the candidafungi that grow in your intestines. Candida in your gastrointestinal tract — which is a passage that includes the main organs for digestion — is normal. The growth of candida is generally kept under control by your normal gastrointestinal bacteria and immune system.
The candida cleanse removes many carbohydrates that are believed to support candida overgrowth. Some of those foods include:
- Sugar
- White flour
- Yeast
- Cheese
People who follow the candida cleanse may notice an improvement in their symptoms. But it may be because the candida cleanse removes processed foods and bad carbohydrates.
Removing carbs from your diet may be harmful to your health as they are a source of energy for your body. Instead of removing carbs entirely, you should eat healthy carbs such as whole grains. Added sugars and processed flours are the main causes of tiredness and other symptoms of candidiasis in your digestive tract.
There’s no proof that the candida cleanse prevents candidiasis. No clinical trials have been done to prove that this diet is effective as a treatment for any medical conditions. But if you want to cut some carbs and processed sugars from your diet, following the candida diet can help you do so.
How to Do a Candida Cleanse
There’s no proof that the candida cleanse diet can prevent a yeast infection. While what you eat plays some role in the growth of yeast in your body, antifungal pills and creams are proven treatments for candidiasis. But if you still want to try out the candida cleanse, keep the following in mind:
- Limit gluten, sugars, sweeteners, processed foods, and excess alcohol and caffeine.
- Choose fruits low in sugar, such as berries, lemon, and green apples.
- Opt for lean proteins, such as chicken, fish, and turkey.
- Select non-starchy vegetables and non-gluten grains.
The candidacleanse diet is tricky to sustain for a long time, and it may not prevent yeast overgrowth. But if you eat a lot of processed foods, the candida cleanse may help you feel better overall.
Are candidacleanse pills effective?
There’s no scientific proof that candida cleanse pills work. Your doctor will recommend antifungal creams and pills to treat candidiasis.
How Do You Prevent Candida Overgrowth?
Even if the candidacleanse doesn’t prevent candida overgrowth, eating fewer processed foods and more whole grains in your diet can still be beneficial. But the real way to prevent candida overgrowth is by practicing proper hygiene and eating a healthy diet.
Practicing good oral hygiene can prevent candidiasis of the mouth. Keeping your body clean can help prevent the spread of candida that can cause vaginal candidiasis.
Maintaining a healthy diet can help prevent complications and support your immune system. People with a weaker immune system are at risk for problems linked to candidiasis.
Takeaways
Candida albicans is a type of yeast that naturally lives in your body. If the bacteria in your body can’t keep it in check, you can develop a fungal infection called candidiasis. Some online sources claim that you can avoid yeast infections by following the candidacleanse diet, where you limit the amount of processed flour and sugar in your diet. While limiting processed food in your diet can help you feel better overall, there’s no clinical proof that the candida cleanse can prevent candidiasis.
Candida Cleanse FAQs
What can cause candida overgrowth?
Stress, having a weakened immune system, taking certain antibiotics, eating lots of processed sugar, or experiencing hormonal changes can all cause candida overgrowth.
What food is the strongest candida killer?
The best treatment for candidiasis is a prescription or an over-the-counter drug that your health care provider recommends. But the prebiotics and probiotics in unsweetened yogurt and kefir can help keep the yeast levels in your body in balance.
How do you starve out candida?
While eating less processed sugar can help prevent candida overgrowth, the only proven way to treat candidiasis is with antifungal creams or pills that your health care provider can recommend.
