Candida and The Human Microbiome 257it isn’t necessary. Anyone with ‘Candida’ made ill by eating fruit has a fruit
allergy, almost certainly. Those who feel unwell after eating sugars may
really have a degree of carbohydrate intolerance due to deficient enzymes.
In the appendix, there is a comprehensive review of yeast and
yeast-related food contacts that you should avoid, some of them strictly,
some of them as far as possible.
A Note About Mushrooms and Fungi
We all continue to learn and get smarter as we get older (I hope!)
So it is that I have learned the helpful anti-Candida, anti-mold, properties
of certain mushrooms and fungi.
I used to ban these foods routinely on an anti-Candida program,
based on their relationship with yeasts. In fact, biologically, they are not
closely related at all but come from a different classification “Kingdom”.
Moreover, mushrooms and fungi contain powerful immune
boosters called beta-glucans. Some of these are so strong, they have
been tapped and used for anti-cancer treatments. Mushrooms known to
have great immune-booster properties include shiitake (common in most
supermarkets), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Maitake (sometimes called “hen
of the woods”) and turkey-tail mushroom.
Rather than banning these foods, I now actively encourage patients
to eat them. Easting mushrooms brings variety and relief to a strict exclusion
regime and, I now believe, is very supportive to those battling so-called
“yeast syndrome”.
Antifungals
Next comes consideration of antifungal medications. Specific drugs
described here must be prescribed by a competent physician. Nystatin was
the one which started us out and is still going strong (N.Y. STATe INstitute
of Chemists). Even among allergics it is well tolerated. The usual doses are
in the range of 1,000,000 units = quarter of a teaspoon, four times daily.
Remember: Nystatin can act as a chelating agent (that is, it binds
to metals and blocks them) and so should not be taken with nutritional
supplements (it would remove zinc, magnesium etc.).
Alternatives include ketoconazole (Nizoral) tablets and fluconazole
(Diflucan) capsules. The latter is expensive but easy to take. A ‘one-shot’