There are several medical conditions in which an alternative diet may help alleviate symptoms. Individuals with Celiac Disease find relief by following a gluten-free diet, those suffering from diabetes follow a consistent carbohydrate diet and someone that is lactose intolerant avoids dairy. A yeast-free diet is thought to facilitate in reducing the symptoms of anyone experiencing Candida overgrowth.
What are Yeast and Candida?
Yeast is a fungus that converts carbohydrates to alcohols and carbon dioxide. Candida is a family of yeasts found in human tissues that are kept under control by beneficial bacteria found along the intestinal tract. When the beneficial bacteria are reduced, most frequently by the use of antibiotics, Candida can rapidly overgrow and cause several conditions such as thrush and skin or vaginal yeast infections. The symptoms of Candida overgrowth include digestive irregularities, mental fogginess, and countless skin issues.
What to Avoid on a Yeast-Free Diet
For those individuals that are following a recommended yeast-free diet, it is much more than simply avoiding yeast itself. It is recommended to avoid items that may promote the growth of Candida, such as fermented foods. This means that vinegar, some cheeses, cultured dairy products and baked goods where yeast is used as the leavening agent are all restricted. Fermented foods are also believed by some to trigger allergies to other types of fungi. Yeast-free grains include items made from corn, rice, oats, and dense wheat products such as pasta. It is not necessary to avoid gluten while following a yeast-free diet as yeast and gluten are not similar. Gluten is a protein found in some grains that helps them to keep their shape by providing a glue-like texture.
Several diets that are severely restrictive recommend eliminating dairy products as well. People that suffer from gut issues are sometimes sensitive or intolerant to dairy and do not realize it. Once it is avoided, symptoms may subside.
The Yeast-Free Diet isn't for Everyone
Much like the fad of gluten-free diets that are not medically indicated, a yeast-free diet is not necessary for everyone. Severely restrictive diets may help a person feel well overall simply because of the foods that are eliminated. Once processed, packaged and unhealthy foods are off limits the only choice left is to eat healthily. A yeast-free diet basically entails consuming non-starchy vegetables, lean meats, fruit, and water, while eliminating most processed and high sugar foods and increasing physical activity. This is also referred to a well-balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
At this time there is no evidence-based research that supports the use of a yeast-free diet, but restricting consumption to only healthy, nutrient-dense foods may alleviate many symptoms thought to be associated with a variety of medical issues for any individual. Eliminating processed foods that are high in calories but provide very little nutritional benefit and increasing the intake of healthy, wholesome foods can help make anyone feel good and improve energy, brain function, and sleep patterns. For this reason, many diets cleanses and programs become so popular. In reality, many people find it hard to switch gears from one way of eating to the complete opposite and find may themselves reverting back to old habits. Registered Dietitians recommend consuming a balanced diet and eating all foods in healthy moderation. As with several medical conditions, diet alone may help alleviate symptoms but will no fix the initial cause, which may require testing and treatment with medication. Visiting a specialist is recommended to determine any food sensitivities, intolerances or allergies.
For more questions, reach out to a CHI Health Nutritionist.
Kuna hali kadhaa za kitiba ambazo mlo wa badala waweza kusaidia kupunguza dalili. Watu wenye ugonjwa wa celiac hupata kitulizo kwa kufuata lishe isiyo na gluten, wale wanaosumbuliwa na ugonjwa wa kisukari hufuata lishe ya wanga na mtu ambaye hawezi kuvumilia lactose huepuka maziwa. Chakula kisicho na chachu hufikiriwa kuwa kinaweza kupunguza dalili za mtu yeyote anayepatwa na ukuzi wa kupita kiasi wa Candida. Ni nini chachu na Candida? Chachu ni kuvu linalobadilisha wanga kuwa pombe na kaboni dioksidi. Candida ni aina ya kuvu zinazopatikana katika tishu za binadamu ambazo huhifadhiwa chini ya udhibiti na bakteria zenye manufaa zinazopatikana kwenye mfumo wa matumbo. Wakati bakteria muhimu hupunguzwa, mara nyingi kwa kutumia viuavijasumu, Candida inaweza kukua haraka na kusababisha hali kadhaa kama vile thrush na ngozi au maambukizo ya kuvu ya mkojo. Dalili za ukuzi wa kupita kiasi wa Candida zinatia ndani kasoro za kumeng'enya chakula, kukosa utambuzi wa akili, na matatizo mengi ya ngozi. Kuepuka juu ya mlo wa unga: Kwa wale watu ambao ni kufuata mapendekezo ya mlo wa unga, ni zaidi ya kuepuka unga yenyewe. Inashauriwa kuepuka vitu vinavyoweza kuchochea ukuzi wa Candida, kama vile vyakula vilivyokaushwa. Hii inamaanisha kwamba siki, baadhi ya jibini, bidhaa za maziwa zilizopandwa na bidhaa zilizopikwa ambapo chachu hutumiwa kama wakala wa chachu zote zimepunguzwa. Pia, watu fulani huamini kwamba vyakula vilivyochemshwa husababisha mzio wa aina nyingine za kuvu. Mbegu zisizo na chachu zinatia ndani bidhaa zilizotengenezwa kwa mahindi, mchele, shayiri, na bidhaa za ngano zenye unene mwingi kama vile pasta. Si lazima kuepuka gluten wakati wa kufuata mlo usio na chachu kwani chachu na gluten si sawa. Gluten ni protini inayopatikana katika nafaka ambazo husaidia kuhifadhi umbo lake kwa kutoa muundo unaofanana na gundi. Vyakula kadhaa vyenye vizuizi vikali hupendekeza kuondoa pia bidhaa za maziwa. Watu wanaosumbuliwa na matatizo ya matumbo nyakati nyingine huwa na hisi au hawawezi kuvumilia maziwa na hawajui hivyo. Mara tu inapopuuzwa, dalili zaweza kupungua. Chakula cha bila chachu si cha kila mtu - kama vile mlo wa bila gluteni ambao haujulikani na matibabu, chakula bila chachu si muhimu kwa kila mtu. Chakula chenye vizuizi vikali chaweza kumsaidia mtu ahisi vizuri kwa ujumla kwa sababu tu ya vyakula vinavyoondolewa. Baada ya chakula cha kusindika, kilichofungwa, na kisicho na afya kuwa nje ya mipaka, chaguo pekee iliyobaki ni kula vizuri. Chakula kisicho na chachu kinahusisha kula mboga zisizo na wanga, nyama isiyo na mafuta, matunda, na maji, huku ukiondoa vyakula vingi vilivyotengenezwa na vyenye sukari nyingi na kuongeza utendaji wa kimwili. Hii pia inahusu chakula chenye usawaziko na mtindo wa maisha wenye afya. Kwa sasa hakuna utafiti unaounga mkono matumizi ya lishe isiyo na chachu, lakini kupunguza matumizi ya vyakula vyenye virutubisho vya afya inaweza kupunguza dalili nyingi zinazohusiana na matatizo mbalimbali ya matibabu kwa mtu yeyote. Kuondoa vyakula vilivyotengenezwa vyenye kalori nyingi lakini vina faida ndogo sana ya lishe na kuongeza ulaji wa vyakula vyenye afya, vinavyofaa, vinaweza kusaidia mtu yeyote kujisikia vizuri na kuboresha nishati, utendaji wa ubongo, na mifumo ya usingizi. Kwa sababu hiyo, mipango mingi ya lishe na ya kusafisha inakuwa maarufu sana. Kwa kweli, watu wengi huona ni vigumu kubadili tabia zao za kula na huenda wakaanza tena kuwa na mazoea yao ya zamani. Wataalamu wa lishe waliosajiliwa hupendekeza kula chakula chenye usawaziko na kula vyakula vyote kwa kiasi. Kama ilivyo na hali kadhaa za matibabu, lishe peke yake inaweza kusaidia kupunguza dalili lakini haitashughulikia sababu ya awali, ambayo inaweza kuhitaji upimaji na matibabu ya dawa. Inashauriwa kumtembelea mtaalamu ili kuamua uwezekano wa kuwa na hisi ya chakula, kutovumilia au mzio. Kwa maswali zaidi, wasiliana na Mtaalamu wa Lishe wa CHI.