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I learned about Candida overgrowth from Dr. William Crook in the early 90s. I worked with a medical doctor who treated patients who were very ill, and often, financially spent. We used Dr. Crook’s Candida Questionnaire (found on the following pages) for people who could not afford stool analysis.

Today, the prevalence of Candida overgrowth is even more severe than it was just two decades ago. The widespread presence of antibiotics in our food and water, and prescribed by doctors, is out of hand. In addition, the overuse of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for acid reflux is similarly out of control. These drugs are creating a Candida epidemic that Dr. Crook called a “silent epidemic” back in the 90s.

Today, conventional medicine still does not recognize Candida overgrowth as a valid health condition unless it presents as oral thrush. Thanks to the more progressive natural health practitioners and holistically minded doctors, the comprehensive stool analysis (CSA) is a great baseline test that shows you what is going on “on the inside.” (See the Recommended Testing section.)

Some people choose to take prescription antifungals for Candida overgrowth, which may be necessary in severe cases. One mistake these people often make, however, is falling back into their old diet and lifestyle habits. Unless you heal your leaky gut so that your friendly bacteria can adhere to the intestinal lining and re-establish, the Candida overgrowth will recur.

I recommend a natural antifungal Candida Cleanse be taken for a minimum of three months (even for people who are also taking a prescription antifungal). In addition, rebuilding the leaky gut with nutrients for the intestinal lining, re-establishing the beneficial gut bacteria with probiotics, and replacing nutrients by providing the body with digestive enzymes are all a

CANDIDA DIETpart of maintaining a healthy gut to avoid recurrence of Candida overgrowth. If followed correctly, this program of Candida elimination takes about a year. After the program, it is still necessary to watch your sugar intake.

Candida – the Unfriendly Yeast

Candida organisms are commensal (neutral) yeasts when present in small amounts in the digestive tract. When these potentially pathogenic yeasts begin to proliferate, creating an imbalance in the ratio of good to bad microflora (a condition known as dysbiosis), it can lead to a host of other health problems. (See the Candidiasis section.) When the gut flora is in balance, the beneficial microflora greatly outnumber the potentially pathogenic microflora, essentially keeping them in check.

Candida overgrowth in the gut releases toxins, increases inflammation and perforates the lining of the intestine, all of which lead to the development of leaky gut. Leaky gut, intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis all contribute to the development of each of the health conditions described in this book by allowing toxins and bacteria to enter into the bloodstream, creating systemic inflammation that spreads throughout the body. Bringing the gut back into balance is essential for maintaining optimal health. Eliminating Candida overgrowth is an important step in this process.

To determine whether Candida overgrowth is present, there are two options. The first option involves testing for gut imbalances, including Candida overgrowth, with a CSA. If it is not possible to do a CSA, the second option is to fill out the Candida questionnaire on the following pages to determine if you might have Candida overgrowth. This questionnaire is very effective at identifying people with Candida overgrowth. The first questionnaire is for adults, the second is for children.

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Section A – HistoryCircle the number next to the questions to which you answer “yes,” then add all the circled numbers, and write the total in the box at the bottom.

Have you taken tetracycline or other antibiotics for acne for 1 month or more? .................................................................. 50Have you, at any time in your life, taken other “broad spectrum” antibiotics for respiratory, urinary or other infections for 2 months or more, or for shorter periods, 4 or more times in a 1-year span?.......................... 50Have you taken a broad spectrum antibiotic drug —even a single dose?....................................................................................6Have you at any time in your life, been bothered by persistent prostatitis, vaginitis, or other problems a!ecting your reproductive organs? ..................................... 25Have you been pregnant...a) 2 or more times? .........................................................................5b) 1 time? ............................................................................................3Have you taken birth control pills for...a) more than 2 years? .................................................................. 15b) 6 months to 2 years? .................................................................8Have you taken prednisone, or other cortisone-type drugs by mouth or inhalationa) for more than 2 weeks? ......................................................... 15b) for 2 weeks or less? ....................................................................6Does exposure to perfumes, insecticides, fabric shop odors, or other chemicals provoke...a) moderate to severe symptoms? ......................................... 20b) mild symptoms? .........................................................................5Are your symptoms worse on damp, muggy days or in moldy places? ................................................................................ 20If you have ever had athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch or other chronic fungus infections of the skin or nails, have such infections been...a) severe or persistent? ............................................................... 20b) mild or moderate? .................................................................. 10Do you crave sugar? .................................................................... 10Do you crave breads? .................................................................. 10Do you crave alcoholic beverages?........................................ 10Does tobacco smoke really bother you? .............................. 10

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Yeast Questionnaire – ADULT

Total Score for Section B:Total Score for Section A:

Section B – Major SymptomsFor each symptom that is present, enter the appropriate number on the adjacent line:• If a symptom is occasional or mild, score 3 points If a symptom is frequent or moderately severe, score 6 points If a symptom is severe and/or disabling, score 9 points

Total the scores for this section, and record them in the box at the bottom of this section.

1. Fatigue or lethargy ..............................................................____2. Feeling of being “drained” ................................................____3. Poor memory .........................................................................____4. Feeling “spacey” or “unreal” ..............................................____5. Inability to make decisions ...............................................____6. Numbness, burning or tingling ......................................____7. Insomnia .................................................................................____8. Muscle aches .........................................................................____9. Muscle weakness or paralysis ..........................................____10Pain and/or swelling in joints ..........................................____11Abdominal pain ...................................................................____12Constipation ..........................................................................____13Diarrhea ..................................................................................____14Bloating, belching or intestinal gas ..............................____15Troublesome vaginal burning, itching or discharge.........................................................................____16. Prostatitis ..............................................................................____17. Impotence ............................................................................____18Loss of sexual desire or feeling .......................................____19Endometriosis or infertility ..............................................____20Cramps and/or other menstrual irregularities____21Premenstrual tension .........................................................____22Attacks of anxiety or crying .............................................____23Cold hands or feet and/or chilliness .............................____23Shaking or irritability when hungry..............................____

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Section C – Minor SymptomsFor each symptom that is present, enter the appropriate number on the adjacent line:• If a symptom is occasional or mild, score 3 points If a symptom is frequent or moderately severe, score 6 points If a symptom is severe and/or disabling, score 9 points Total the scores for this section, and record them in the box at the bottom of this section.1. Drowsy .....................................................................................____2. Irritable or jittery ..................................................................____3. Lack of coordination ...........................................................____4. Inability to concentrate .....................................................____5. Frequent mood swings ......................................................____6. Headaches ..............................................................................____7. Dizzy/loss of balance ..........................................................____8. Pressure above ears...feeling of head swelling ..........____9. Tendency to bruise easily ..................................................____10Chronic rashes or itching ..................................................____11Psoriasis or recurrent hives ..............................................____12Indigestion or heartburn ..................................................____13Food sensitivity or intolerance .......................................____14Mucus in stools .....................................................................____15Rectal itching ........................................................................____16Dry mouth or throat ...........................................................____17Rash or blisters in mouth ..................................................____18Bad breath ..............................................................................____19Foot, hair or body odor not relieved by washing ...........................................................................____20Nasal congestion or post-nasal drip .............................____21Nasal itching ..........................................................................____22Sore throat .............................................................................____23Laryngitis, loss of voice ......................................................____24Cough or recurrent bronchitis ........................................____25Pain or tightness in chest .................................................____26Wheezing or shortness of breath ..................................____27Urinary frequency, urgency or incontinence ............____

The total score will help you and your physician decide if your health problems are yeast-connected. A comprehensive history and physical examination are also important. In addition, laboratory studies, X-rays, and other types of tests may also be appropriate.

Scores for women will be higher, as seven items in this questionnaire apply exclusively to women, while only two apply exclusively to men.

If your total score for all three sections above was less than 60 for a woman or less than 40 for a man, then you are less likely to have a problem with candida. However, if you scored higher than this, then you may wish to consider lifestyle and dietary changes, as well as a detoxi"cation and cleansing program, all of which may help you feel healthy and more energetic.

Total Score for Section C:

Grand Total:

180 (women)140 (men)

120 (women)

90 (men)

60 (women) 40 (men)

below 60 (women) below 40 (men)

Almost certainlyyeast connected

Probably yeast connected

Possibly yeast connected

Probably no yeast connected

IF YOUR SCORE IS

YOUR SYMPTOMS ARE

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1. During the two years before your child was born, were you bothered by recurrent vaginitis, menstrual irregularities, premenstrual tension, fatigue, headache, depression, digestive disorders of “feeling bad all over?” ............................................................................................................................................................................... 302. Was your child bothered by thrush? (Score 10 if mild, score 20 if severe or persistent) ............................................10/203. Was your child bothered by frequent diaper rashes in infancy? (Score 10 if mild, 20 if severe or persistent) ................................................................................................................................10/204. During infancy, was your child bothered by colic and irritability lasting over 3 months? (Score 10 if mild, 20 if moderate or severe) ................................................................................................................................10/205. Are his/her symptoms worse on damp days or in damp or moldy places? .......................................................................... 206. Has your child been bothered by recurrent or persistent “athlete’s foot” or chronic fungus infections of his skin or nails? ............................................................................................................................ 307. Has your child been bothered by recurrent hives, eczema or other skin problems? ........................................................ 108. Has your child received: (a) 4 or more courses of antibiotic drugs during the past year? Or has he received continuous “prophylactic” courses of antibiotic drugs? ...................................................................................................................................... 80 (b) 8 or more courses of “broad-spectrum” antibiotics during the past 3 years? ................................................................ 509. Has your child experienced recurrent ear problems? ................................................................................................................... 1010. Has your child had tubes inserted in his ears? ................................................................................................................................ 1011. Has your child been labeled “hyperactive?” (Score 10 if mild, 20 if moderate or severe) ..........................................10/2012. Is your child bothered by learning problems (even though his early developmental history was normal)? ................................................................................................... 1013. Does your child have a short attention span? ................................................................................................................................. 1014. Is your child persistently irritable, unhappy and hard to please? ............................................................................................. 1015. Has your child been bothered by persistent or recurrent digestive problems, including constipation, diarrhea, bloating or excessive gas? (Score 10 if mild, 20 if moderate, 30 if severe) ............................................ 10/20/3016. Has he/she been bothered by persistent nasal congestion, cough and/or wheezing? ....................................................1017. Is your child unusually tired or unhappy or depressed? (Score 10 if mild, 20 if servere) ........................................... 10/2018. Has your child been bothered by recurrent headaches, abdominal pain or muscle aches? (Score 10 if mild, 20 if severe) ..........................................................................................................................................................10/2019. Does your child crave sweets? ...............................................................................................................................................................1020. Does exposure to perfume, insecticides, gas or other chemicals provoke moderate to severe symptoms? ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 3021. Does tobacco smoke really bother him? ........................................................................................................................................... 2022. Do you feel that your child isn’t well, yet diagnostic tests and studies haven’t revealed the cause? ...........................10

Yeast Questionnaire – CHILDCircle appropriate point score for questions you answer “yes.” Total your score and record it at the end of the questionnaire.

Yeasts possibly play a role in causing health problems in children with scores of 60 or more.Yeasts probably play a role in causing health problems in children with scores of 100 or more.Yeasts almost certainly play a role in causing health problems in children with scores of 140 or more.

TOTAL SCORE:

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CANDIDA DIET

Candida need sugar to survive, obtaining it from the simple carbohydrates and sugars present in food that passes through the digestive tract. In order to eliminate Candida, these foods must be avoided for a period of at least three months. In addition, if any food allergies or sensitivities are present, those foods should also be avoided.

The Candida Diet features an abundance of fresh organic vegetables, whole grains, and lean organic easy-to-digest "sh and poultry. Among the vegetables, the diet emphasizes those low in starch (primarily leafy greens), though the starchy vegetables (lima beans, peas, potatoes, etc.) may be eaten in small amounts.

There is no set rule about duration of this diet, though it should be followed for at least three months. The severity of the Candida overgrowth and how much “cheating” is done will also dictate how long an individual stays on the diet. Generally speaking, when symptoms have subsided, foods may be slowly added back, starting with fruits, then grains, and "nally, dairy products if desired. Add foods back one at a time. If old symptoms return, or gas and bloating occur with a reintroduced food, it may be necessary to eliminate that food inde"nitely, for this is a sign that the body has a sensitivity to it, or that the yeast has been reactivated. Use of a food diary is helpful for this stage.

Once the Candida Diet has been established, you may want to do an anti-Candida cleanse that includes antifungal herbal formulas. See the Candida Cleanse for more information. To support the gut during this process, it is important to replace the bene"cial bacteria with probiotics.

The following recommendations outline which foods can be eaten and which foods should be avoided. Finally, recipes for a sample day on the Candida Diet are included.

FOODS TO ENJOY

Breakfast foods:

Yeast-free, gluten-free breads made from brown rice flour, buckwheat flour, millet flour, potato starch, etc.

Fruit choices – granny smith apples, grapefruit, berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries)

Butter (preferably organic), ghee (clari"ed butter)

Eggs (organic are best)

Whole-cooked gluten-free grains as cereal (millet, buckwheat, kamut, etc.)

Turkey bacon or turkey sausage

Snacks:

If dairy tolerant, plain, organic yogurt, unsweetened ke"r (contains very little milk sugar, usually safe)

Pumpkin or sun#ower seeds

Nut butters, like almond butter (raw, should be refrigerated)

Celery sticks, broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, any green vegetables

Brown rice cakes

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Vegetables:

Non-starchy vegetables, raw or steamed – EAT PLENTY!

Shiitake mushrooms

Vegetables juices (only green juices with lemon or granny smith apples to taste)

Red skinned potatoes (not brown) in moderation

Whole grains:

Gluten-free grains – millet, quinoa, wild rice, brown rice, amaranth, buckwheat, arrowroot, sorghum, te!, #ax, nut #ours (corn and soy if not sensitive)

Yeast-free grain cereals that are unsweetened

Quinoa or rice pasta

Dairy substitutions:

Rice milk, almond milk, hemp milk

Rice, almond cheeses

If dairy tolerant, goat milk, goat cheeses, goat ke"r

Proteins:

Lean meats – beef, chicken, turkey, bu!alo, lamb (organic is best, grass fed when available)

All "sh – deep sea white "sh, salmon and sardines are particularly bene"cial

Beans – sprout your beans before cooking them

Nuts – avoid peanuts and pistachios, soak nuts in water

Condiments:

Liquid amino acids in place of soy sauce

Cold-pressed olive oil, #ax oils, coconut oil

Raw apple cider vinegar

All spices (as tolerated) – garlic, tumeric, ginger, sea salt, etc.

Beverages:

Drink at least $ your weight in ounces of water daily, lemon or lime may be added

Herbal teas (chamomile, peppermint, pau d’arco, etc)

Green tea is a great co!ee substitute

Sparkling or soda water

Vegetable juices (see vegetables above)

Sweeteners:

Lo han and stevia are extraordinarily sweet natural sugar substitutes

FOODS TO AVOID

Sugars and arti!cial sweeteners:

Table sugar, honey, fructose, molasses, maple syrup, corn syrup, etc., and any foods containing these

Limit grains:

During the "rst week or two, all grains should be eliminated.

Gluten-free grains many be added after that

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Fruits and fruit juices:

Most fruits and fruit juices have a high sugar content

Yeast-containing foods:

Most breads, rolls and crackers

Beer and wine

Sauerkraut, vinegars (found in many foods – check the label), soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, pickles, relish, green olives, dry roasted nuts

Mushrooms and cheese:

Contain mold or yeast

Peanuts and peanut-containing products:

Have high a#atoxin content, a carcinogenic mold

Most dairy products:

See exceptions under “Foods to Enjoy”

Pickled, smoked or dried meat, "sh, poultry

If extremely sensitive, avoid or limit co!ee, tea, pepper, many spices, tobacco, which tend to acquire mold or yeast in drying process. These brands and more can be found online or at

your local health food store. Store clerks can also help you "nd yeast- free foods.

YEAST"FREE AND/OR GLUTEN"FREE BRANDS

Food for Life Glutino

Bob’s Red MillBreads from Anna

Chebe breadEner-G

Paci!c BakeryKinnikinnick Foods

Smart SnacksArrowhead Mills

KinnikinnickPamela’s Products

Mary’s Gone CrackersQuinoa Corp

Ian’sUdi’s

Preparing your own meals will help ensure that you’re eating the right foods.

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Chicken Quinoa Saladserves four

1 chicken breast%⁄& cup of cooked quinoa2 cups of spinach2 medium tomatoes$ a cucumber1 avocado2 shallots1 garlic cloveJuice of $ lemon

Lamb Coconut Curryserves two

500 mg minced lamb4 medium tomatoes, chopped1 medium onion1 can coconut milk2 cloves garlic1 tablespoon coconut oil1 chili pepper (seeds removed)$ teaspoon cayenne pepper$ teaspoon turmeric powder

$ teaspoon curry powderSalt to taste

Chop up the onions, garlic and chili pepper - you can use your food processor to save time. Add them to a frying pan with the lamb and a tablespoon of coconut oil for 5 minutes. Then add all the other ingredients, and simply leave it to simmer for 30 minutes on a low heat.Serve with wild or brown rice (optional).

Breakfast Recipe

Lunch Recipe

Snack Recipe

Dinner Recipe

Vegetable Quicheserves two

1 bell pepper2 red onions$ zucchini3 eggs1 clove garlicPine nuts (a handful)Fresh basil leaves (a handful)3 Tbsp olive oilGreen salad leavesPreheat oven to 180C.

Chop vegetables and panfry with 1 $ tbsp olive oil on medium heat for 3-4 minutes, then add to a well oiled ovenproof dish.

Add basil, garlic, pine nuts and eggs to the food processor. Now pour over the vegetables and bake for 25 minutes or until "rm in the centre. Serve with green salad.

thecandidadiet.com

thecandidadiet.com

thecandidadiet.com

2 tablespoons olive oilSalt and pepper to taste

Cook the quinoa as directed. Chop up chicken, pan-fry until cooked, about 5 minutes. Now chop up the veggies, toss everything in a bowl and serve.

Delicious Guacamoleserves four

2 avocados1 tomato$ onion1 clove garlic, gratedLemon/lime juice, fresh

This is a quick and easy 10-minute recipe that will impress houseguests and is all-natural and healthy for your skin. Just chop and mash up all the ingredients in a bowl, then throw a couple of sprigs of cilantro on top for presentation.

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