In this short series of posts ‘ME/CFS Simple Strategies’ trainer and former sufferer of ME/CFS and fibromyalgia Simon Pimenta explores strategies for people with ME/CFS looking at:
1. Diet
2. Supplements
3. Rest
4. Exercise
5. Stress
1. ME/CFS & Diet
Please re-read the caveats in the first article!
As stated in the first article, diet is a big topic and often advise is conflicting.
The first article on diet focussed on the Stone Age Diet. You can read that article here
The second article on diet explored Glycemic Index and how GI relates to how foods affect your blood sugar. You can read that article here
Diet Part 3: Candida Albicans And Yeast Infection
This post is not meant to be comprehensive, but more a ‘taster’. Please see the Resources section for further reading.
Candida albicans is one of a number of yeasts in the body.
Some practitioners believe that a gut infection occurs when there is an overgrowth of this yeast, according to some health practitioners.
There is controversy about this and it is not widely accepted by the Health Service, in the UK at least.
Nor is the idea that candida can contribute to the development of leaky gut syndrome.
Yet ME/CFS expert Dr Teitelbaum advocates that everyone with a diagnosis should be treated for candida, and Dr Myhill talks about yeast issues, candida and fermentation of the gut.
I was diagnosed with this condition in the late 1990s by a medical doctor with degrees in nutrition and immunology.
Other Doctors seemed not to believe that it may be contributing to my health issues.
One Doctor said “If you had Candida albicans, you would be hospitalised.”
I found this statement puzzling, as it implied that the Medical Profession didn’t consider that there could be a spectrum of severity, from mild to severe, and wouldn’t pay any attention to the condition until it was extremely debilitating.
When I looked into the condition further- reading books by Leon Chaitow and Gill Jacobs (see resources below), this diagnosis made sense.
It explained why:
- my whole body would feel weak and the muscles felt ‘spongy’ after drinking alcohol (which I gave up before I went off sick with ME/CFS) or eating sugary foods like cake
- my whole body felt toxic
- I got frequent ear infections
- I got fungal conditions (e.g. athlete’s foot)
I followed an ‘anti-candida’ diet, which made a difference to the above symptoms. However, I didn’t get completely well.
Candida Symptoms
Nutritionist Patrick Holford says that:
1. This yeast can multiply, migrate and release toxins, resulting in numerous symptoms including:
Extreme fatigue
Hormone dysfunction
Joint and muscle pain
Thrush
Infections
Skin complaints
Other practitioners say it can cause brain fog
2. The release of toxins can lead to other symptoms.
3. A number of factors may combine to create this overgrowth of candida:
Diet
Eating refined sugar and other refined carbohydrates
Medication
Use of antibiotics kill off ‘good’ bacteria in the gut
Steroids and hormone treatments may suppress immune function
Breast Feeding
Not being breast fed may create an imbalance of bacteria
Stress
Some suggest that stress may suppress immune function
Beating Candida
The Anti- Candida approach consists of changes to diet and the addition of supplements:
1. Reducing Sugar
The goal is to cut off the sugar supply, which feeds the growth of the candida.
Following the low GI diet achieves this.
2. Reducing Yeast And Mould
3. Reduce Stimulants
Tea and coffee
Caffeine activates the sympathetic nervous system
NB There is some evidence that tea actually boosts immune function.
4. Taking Supplements
Check out Patrick Holford (link below) for more information on this.
What To Eat And Avoid
The Anti- Candida chart below will help you at a glance make food choices that reduce sugar intake.
Points To Consider
Changing to an anti-candida diet can cause ‘die off’: As the candida dies, it releases even more toxins.
This can result in a feeling of toxicity and may include symptoms as aching muscles, fuzzy head, depression, anxiety, nausea and diarrhoea.
Where the Candida has colonised, there can be a flare-up of old symptoms.
Treating candida comprehensively by following a programme, or under the supervision of a naturopath, Doctor or other qualified practitioner may be advisable.
Food For Thought
Would following the anti-candida diet be beneficial to your wellbeing?
Resources
Check out these resources of more information:
Candida Albicans, Leon Chaitow
Beat Candida Through Diet, Gill Jacobs
Patrick Holford article on beating candida
thecandidadiet.com provides free information on foods to eat and avoid.
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SIMON PIMENTA is a hypnotherapist, coach and trainer working with people to boost resilience and performance, and minimise stress.
After working in a demanding job as the Director of a Housing Trust, he went off sick and remained unable to work for the next 8 years.
He discovered a pioneering approach to resolving health issues and got back his health, and now trains others using these same techniques.