Candida is an overgrowth or imbalance of the flora of the intestine including yeast, mold and fungus. Many people who suffer from Candida have a difficult time reducing the sugars that feed those yeasts. Since acupuncture works on the principle of balance, it can help to rebalance your blood sugars. Balancing these blood sugars can reduce the cravings for sweets. And reducing the sugars that feed the yeast is the first step in balancing the body. In addition, Chinese herbs can also help reduce these cravings. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can also help with the stress and symptoms associated with the die-off process, which is the main reason why rebalancing the body's pH is so difficult.
Acupuncture is Powerful Medicine
The World Health Organization has published a list of over fifty diseases successfully treated with acupuncture. Included on the list are allergies, sinusitis, asthma, weight control and the common cold.
Acupuncture is powerful medicine that aids in strengthening the immune system and serves to prevent diseases and increase both the ability to function and improve the quality of people's lives.
Acupuncture is highly effective not only as a preventative medicine, but as a drug free treatment of signs and symptoms. Studies indicate that acupuncture influences the central and peripheral nervous system.
Among a host of factors, acupuncture affects sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the blood, the functioning of the gastrointestinal system and the activity of the endocrine system.
Acupuncture works with the body, strengthening and balancing energy. It improves circulation and allows the body to heal itself more quickly and more completely.
Acupuncture is a well-developed whole health care system based on natural energetic laws. Dating back to over 3,000 years as a primary health care system in China, acupuncture is widespread in Asia, Europe, and now the U.S.
Whole Health Center's providers have treated many individuals. Most of our patients feel better, lose weight and reduce many of their symptoms. Due to poor diet and widespread usage of antibiotics, many people suffer from asthma, allergies, and other maladies causing them to have an imbalance in yeast and candidiasis. We have designed an eight-week plan including a diet to work in conjunction with acupuncture to get better results, prolong life and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Candida Yeast Control
Candida (albicans) is one of the many different types of yeasts. Yeast cells are able to grow on the surface of all living things and occur virtually everywhere. The fact is, we breathe, eat, and drink them daily. Because they are part of our daily lives, we all have yeast growing in our skin, other body surfaces, and in our intestines. Normally our bodies' defense systems keep the total number of yeast cells under control and so, Candida colonies in our intestinal tract are nothing to worry about. However, poor nutrition or a sluggish or impaired immune system weakens the body's ability to fight off yeast. Stress and environmental pollutants can also play a role in reducing the body's control over Candida. When this happens, yeast colonies grow rapidly and Candida may result.
There are over 900 species of yeast. Candida albicans is a major one found in the human body. In some ways it is very much like the yeast used in breads. Scientists are not sure why yeasts are in our bodies or what their exact function is. The only thing for sure that we know, is that they help decompose and recycle our bodies when we die. If they multiply too rapidly in our bodies, they begin their job prematurely.
A number of conditions can lead to Candidiasis. Steroid drugs (such as cortisone), birth control pills, and the long- term use of antibiotics, such as those used to control acne or various bacterial infection, can invite the problem. Such antibiotics can reduce the number of beneficial bacteria that normally help to keep the yeast under control.
Poor nutrition or a sluggish or impaired immune system weakens the body's ability to fight off yeast. Stress and environmental pollutants can also play a role in reducing the body's control over Candida. When this happens, the yeast colonies grow rapidly and Candida may result.
When yeast is in an overabundance, there may be local yeast infections in the mouth (thrush), gastrointestinal tract (gas), vagina (yeast infection), urinary tract (bladder/kidney infection), prostrate gland (prostrate troubles), skin (hives, rashes), fingernail, or toenail (fungus of the nail bed).
Too much yeast can cripple the immune system, causing chronic viral and bacterial infection or allergies. Yeast can damage the intestinal wall allowing food particles and toxins to enter the blood stream. The body then produces antibodies to fight these foreign substances and typical "allergic" reactions like eczema and hay fever, along with headache, dizziness, heart palpitations, anxiety, fatigue, and muscle aches.
There may be changes in the cells. Yeast by-products or exhaust are two very toxic substances: ethanol and acetaldehyde. These two toxins in turn alter the ability of our cells in the following ways:
Red blood cells have difficulty passing into small capillaries. This can cause fatigue, dizziness, muscle aches, or headaches.
White blood cells have trouble enveloping bacteria and foreign material, thus, the body has trouble fighting infection.
Sugar has difficulty passing through cells. Insulin cannot do its job properly, causing low blood sugar and often weight gain.
Thyroid hormones have trouble passing through cells so metabolism slows down, often causing low body temperature {cold hands and feet), fatigue and intolerance to cold.
Minerals have trouble passing through cell walls causing fluid retention, and electrolyte imbalance.
Messages passed from one cell to another have difficulty. This can cause muscle and nerve problems.
Enzymes are destroyed. Enzymes are the chemical helpers in the body that help build, break down, and produce energy and heat. Yeast toxins can inactivate or destroy some of the enzymes, and can result in the slow down of all the functions of the body. Example: enzymes help break down sugar stores to help the blood sugar at ideal levels; when yeast overgrowth destroys enzymes abnormally high or low blood sugar levels may develop.
Candidiasis Symptoms
- Allergic reaction: congested nose, hives, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, weakness, cramps, arthritis, irritability or depression.
- Gastrointestinal problems: gas, bloating, abdominal pain, gastritis, gastric ulcer, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, and spastic colon.
- Respiratory problems: frequent sore throat, mouth or canker sores, sinus infection, bronchial infections, chronic cough, and asthma.
- Cardiovascular problems: palpitations, rapid pulse rate. (Candida does not directly affect the heart but rather the hormones regulating the system).
- Genitourinary problems: yeast infections, urinary burning, frequent urination, lack of bladder control, bed-wetting, menstrual cramping, PMS.
- Musculoskeletal problems: muscle weakness, night leg pains, muscle stiffness (especially neck and shoulder), slow reaction time, poor coordination, poor motor skills, falling, tendency to drop things. (Yeast impairs cells from receiving nutrients and eliminating waste and also nerve/muscle sending patterns.)
- Skin infections: usually a rash, typically under the breasts, groin area, diaper rash, hives, etc.
- Central nervous system problems: headache, sinus headache, tension headache, migraines, low blood sugar headaches, and rapid blood sugar changes.
- High levels of stress hormones can cause anxiety, irritability, restlessness, panic attacks, sudden anger, sleep disturbances, poor short term memory, inability to concentrate, fuzzy thinking and confusion.
- Fatigue may be caused by impaired metabolism and impaired enzyme production.
- Weight gain may result from an overgrowth of yeast, which may cause cravings for sugar, interference with normal hunger, high insulin levels, low metabolism, low energy levels, and fatigue.
Candida Die-off Symptoms
During a Candida cleanse, some people may experience Candida die-off symptoms as they increase their intake of the supplement because the Candida has nothing to feed on any more. Also, because the food you are allergic to have built up in your system and they are no longer entering it, they begin to break down and find their way out of the body. Initially you may feel worse before you feel better, but do not be scared or put off by an increase in symptoms because it means that your body is getting rid of all the substances that have been causing the problem. These symptoms, if they occur, will usually occur in the second or third week. These die-off symptoms include:
- headaches
- nausea
- brain fog
- dizziness
- fatigue
- sugar cravings
- minor skin breakouts
- cold hands and feet
Good luck
We help you help yourself.
Foods to Avoid
- All sugars and sugar-contained food including:Table sugar, fructose, corn syrup, honey, molasses, maple sugar and date sugar.
- All white flour and white flour products.
- All yeast -containing pastries, breads, crackers, pastas, etc. Brewers yeast, B vitamins made from yeast, yeast breads, pastries, crackers, and pretzels that contain yeast.
- All cheese except ricotta, cottage and cream cheese.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages.
- Avoid all fruit juices, fruits (fresh, canned, or dried) until yeast is abated. Fresh lemon or lime may be used in water, or as a substitute for vinegar in salad dressings.
- All coffee and tea (even herbal).
- Old leftovers. If a food has been in the fridge for more than 3 days, do not eat it. Leftovers may be frozen.
- Obvious fungus foods: mushrooms, blue cheese, etc.
- Peanuts and peanut products: peanut butters.
- All processed meats: such as bacon, sausage, ham, hot dogs, luncheon meats, corned beef, and pastrami.
- All vinegar-soaked products or vinegar dressings: pickles, pickle relish, etc. Lemon juice may be substituted for vinegar in recipes.
- Artificially sweetened drinks and food products.
What you CAN eat on the Candida Diet
Meats
Chicken, turkey, all game birds, quail, duck, goose, pheasant, & Cornish hen.
Eggs
No more than 2 per week.
Fish
All fresh fish including salmon, water packed tuna, clam, shrimp, lobster & oysters
Nuts, Seeds & Unprocessed Oils
Almonds, Brazil, cashews, filberts, pecans & pumpkin seeds -avoid roasted and salted.
Cold Pressed Oils
Almond, avocado, linseed, safflower, butter, apricot, corn, walnut, sunflower, olive, & sesame oil.
Whole Grains
Including barley, corn millet, oats, brown rice, wheat, whole grain pasta, or vegetable pastas.
Cereals
Hot or cold - whole wheat, unsweetened cereals including Wheatena, grits, oat bran, puffed rice and puffed wheat, Zoom, oatmeal, Roman Meal, & cracked wheat.
Breads
Any whole grain, unsweetened bread without yeast - look in the refrigerator section of you health food store.
Crackers & Chips
Any whole grain, unsweetened cracker or chip (corn/potato/etc), including Koyo brand buckwheat rice cakes, Ryvita brand crackers in various flavors - read ingredients, Terra brand chips in various flavors - read ingredients.
Muffins & Biscuits
Any whole grain muffin, biscuit, tortilla, rice cakes - must be made with soda or baking powder - not yeast.
Legumes
All legumes such as lentils, peas, soybeans, dried beans i.e. pinto, navy, northern, kidney, etc.
Fresh Vegetables
All vegetable including (be adventurous!), asparagus, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, green peppers, greens, lettuce, turnip, spinach, onions, peas, parsley, fresh tomatoes, squash (summer, winter, butter and zucchini), red potatoes, radishes, okra parsnip, collards, scrubbed potatoes, yams, and avocados.
Extras for taste
Lemons and limes are great to spruce up a salad or other recipes -may use miso and soy sauce sparingly
Dairy
Unsweetened plain yogurt, buttermilk, cottage and ricotta cheese and unsweetened soymilk.
Candida Cookbooks
- The Yeast Connection Cookbook: A Guide to Good Nutrition and Better Health
: William G. Crook.
- Sugar Busters! Quick & Easy Cookbook
- Sugar Bust for Life!... With the Brennans: Cookbook and Companion Guide
Other Candida Related Books
- The Yeast Syndrome: How to Help Your Doctor Identify & Treat the Real Cause of Your Yeast-Related Illness
- The Yeast Connection Handbook
- The Yeast Connection: A Medical Breakthrough
- Sugar Busters! Shopper's Guide
Recipes
Homemade Tomato Sauce:
Great over whole grain or vegetable pastas!
2 leaves fresh basil
¼ cup loosely packed parsley leaves (about ¼ oz)
1 small onion (about 2 ounces) - peeled and cut into 8 pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 medium ripe tomatoes (about 18 ounces total) cored and quartered
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Process the fresh basil and parsley until finely chopped. Add the onion and chop. Transfer into saucepan with the oil and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
Process the tomatoes until coarsely chopped and add to saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and cook, partially covered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Process the mixture all together. Strain the sauce. Add salt, pepper and cook uncovered for 10 minutes more or until thick. Makes 1½ cups sauce.
A Fish Feast:
2 medium firm tomatoes (12 ounces total) 1 large onion (about 9 ounces), peeled
1 medium green pepper (about 5 ounces), cored and seeded
1 medium red pepper (about 5 ounces), cored and seeded
1 medium yellow pepper (about 5 ounces), cored and seeded
1 whole sea bass (about 2 pounds), scaled and gutted (May use other fish of choice)
½ teaspoon olive oil
1 large garlic clove, peeled and cut into slivers
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 bay leaf, crumbled
¼ teaspoon dried rosemary, salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Thickly slice the tomatoes. Reserve. Slice the onions - medium width. Reserve.
Cut the peppers lengthwise into 1-inch strips. Reserve
Make a diagonal slash on each side of the fish, about ¼ inch deep and 2 inches long. Oil the fish on both sides and stuff each slit with a few garlic slivers, butter pieces, a small piece of bay leaf, a pinch of rosemary, salt and pepper. Lightly salt and pepper the outside of the fish.
Fill the cavity of the fish with a few slices of tomato and onion, pepper strips, the remaining butter, bay leaf, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper.
Place the stuffed fish in a well-buttered roasting pan and stew the remaining vegetables around it. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake in the center of the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake 10 minutes more. Carefully turn the fish over and bake for 10 minutes longer. Makes 4 servings - about 6 ounces each.
Stir-Fried Vegetable Scramble:
2 tablespoons unrefined vegetable oil or butter 2 tablespoons chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped green pepper ½ cup fresh copped tomato
½ - 1 cup cooked vegetables
2-4 slightly beaten eggs
Heat skillet, add oil, onions and green peppers. Stir-fry until tender. Add tomato and other vegetables. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Add eggs and cook, stirring gently. Serve immediately.
Chicken Salad:
2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken
½ cup finely chopped celery
2 hard cooked, chopped eggs
1 medium onion, chopped
Moisten with sugar/honey-free mayonnaise, obtainable from your health food store. Serves 4.
Easy Chicken & Rice:
3 pounds frying chicken pieces
1 cup brown rice
2 cups water
½ teaspoon salt
1½ tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Optional - onions, celery, green pepper, nuts
Place rice, water, salt, butter and parsley in a 4-quart casserole dish. Stir and bring to a boil. Salt chicken and lay on top of rice. Lower heat to simmer; cover tightly and cook 45-60 minutes until water is absorbed and chicken is tender. Serves 4.
Best Barley Soup:
¼ cup hulled barley
1 cup carrots
½ cup celery
¼ cup onions, chopped
2 cups tomatoes, chopped
1 cup peas - fresh or frozen
Fresh parsley
Cook barley in 6 cups of water for 1 hour. Add remaining ingredients and cook until tender. Add parsley just before serving. Serves 4.
Wheat Biscuits:
2 cups whole-wheat flour
4 teaspoons baking powder Y2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup unrefined vegetable oil
¾ -1 cup water
Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. Mix together dry ingredients, add oil and mix well (important). Add enough water to make a soft dough that is not sticky. Mix just enough to moisten dry ingredients. With hands, pat out dough to ¾ inch thickness on floured board. Cut with glass, place on oiled baking sheet and bake 20 minutes (or until done) in a 450-degree oven. Makes 12 biscuits.
Corn Bread:
1¾ cups stone ground corn meal
1/3 cup whole wheat flower
3 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons cold-pressed vegetable oil
1½ cups water or milk
Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Combine dry ingredients, beat egg, add oil and water and blend all together. Bake in oiled 8-inch square pan at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Cut in 9 pieces.
