Some individuals suffer with yeast infections more than others.  For people who have suffered from candida,  you may already be familiar with the term Herxheimer Reaction, more commonly referred to as candida die off.  This is the reaction our body has when yeasts that are found in our system begin to “die off”, which produces more toxins than our body can eliminate effectively.

What Causes Candida Die Off?

People that have an overgrowth of yeast in their bodies (Candida Related Complex) will have a yeast population in the intestines.  Once the yeast has reached a certain level, it can begin to cause negative symptoms.

Candida die off often occurs when taking an antifungal.  The yeast in the body is killed off more quickly with the antifungal, and the body becomes overwhelmed with toxins being released.  The medical name “Herxheimer Response” is named after the brother who discovered this phenomenon in 1895.

The reaction will present itself as an over-reaction of symptoms that are being treated.  The yeast, when dying off, will release a high level of toxins.  The symptoms can be flu-like, and quite severe for some people.

If you are taking an anti-fungal, talk to your doctor about cutting back on the dose and increasing it slower.  This will allow your body to keep up with the candida die off.

Symptoms of candida die off include “foggy brain” and decreased ability to concentrate, tightness in the ches and heart palpitations, fatigue, joint/muscle pain, headache, sore throat, possibly anxiety and mood changes.  There may also be a craving for alcohol, or the feeling of being drunk (since yeast actually puts off alcohol).  Each person will experience different reactions, and this is not an exhaustive list.

You  need to detoxify your body if you are experiencing candida die off.  This will work over time to clean the breeding ground where the yeast like to breed.  This particular de-toxing method takes time to do, but by following this program faithfully you can find relief.  Keep in mind that when you are killing the candida, you may feel worse before you feel better.

DIETARY CHANGES

Even if you begin an anti-fungal treatment, eating foods that trigger yeast will make your treatment plan ineffective.  You need to eat food which provide your body with nourishment and support the immune system.  You will also eliminate foods that cause an imbalance in the intestinal system.

Everyone will respond differently when eliminating foods from their diet.  Here’s an outline of dietary changes you may need to make.

Eat more plants in the raw state.  Salads, uncooked vegetables, fruits, nuts and healthy fats, such as avocados, are all options.  These foods will also provide natural waters for your body, which will help your body cleanse itself of any toxins.

If you aren’t inclined to eating raw vegetables, consider investing in a juicer.  You will put all the vegetables in, and all the non-digestible parts of the plant are taken out.  This leaves you with a liquid salad that is easily digested.

Eat dark greens, such as spinach, parley and collards for the cleaning qualities.  Add them to soups, purees or into your regular foods for  additional benefits.

Another important dietary change to make in order to reduce the yeast production in your body is to go on a low carbohydrate diet.  The most important ones to eliminate are the refined carbs.  Once you have eliminated refined carbs, it’s essential that you don’t start eating them again.  Replace them instead with whole grains.

The fringe health benefits with these dietary changes may be a strong motivator.  It will encourage weight loss, decrease the chances of diabetes, and make you heart healthier.

Virgin coconut oil is another item you will want to add to your pantry.  This is a natural anti-fungal, and will work to kill the yeast in your body naturally.  Add a small bit over steamed vegetables, or stir it into a soup or stew.  If you eat it on an empty stomach, however, you will feel sick to your stomach since it will immediately go after the yeast.

Avoid alcohol when going through candida die off.  When drinking alcohol, or even other sweetened drinks, the yeast production increases.

When eliminating foods from your diet, keep a food journal.  This will help you monitor what is working for you.  Write down what steps you have taken, and the results of how you feel.  This will give you a genuine feel of what works.

Don’t get frustrated if you do feel worse before you get better.  Candida die off causes a negative reaction in the body as it adjusts to the cleansing process.

When going through a candida die off regime, you will also want to take other precautions to maximize success.  Avoid anti-biotics, as they will kill both the good and bad bacteria, which causes yeast to multiply.  Douching frequently will also kill the good bacteria, making you more susceptible to an infection.  Don’t wear tight clothing that restricts air flow, and avoid scented detergents, bubble baths and oils.

Just because you have suffered with yeast infections doesn’t mean that you can’t eliminate them.  It does take time, persistence and effort on your part.  By working on a detox program that can cleanse the yeast from your body, you can find relief.