Foods That Kill Candida

Candida albicans, more commonly known as candida, is a type of yeast that naturally occurs in the body -- but it can be harmful and cause bacterial buildup and infection if it is present in large amounts. The yeast is responsible for conditions like thrush and yeast infections, and there are certain foods that can help kill excess amounts of candida in the body and restore health. Does this Spark an idea?

Garlic

Garlic, especially when eaten raw, fights off bacteria and fungi, according to research conducted by J. A. Shuford, J. M. Steckelberg, and R. Patel. Garlic cloves are high in allicin, an antifungal and antimicrobial agent, and can be crushed and mixed with juice or water to make consumption easier, although some people eat the clove whole. Allowing the garlic to sit for a few minutes before adding it to a beverage helps release the allicin. Garlic is also available in supplement form, but if you're using the supplements to treat candida, check to see that the daily allicin content is at least 11 mg so that you can effectively get rid of excess amounts of candida in your body. Garlic is also very useful for maintaining cardiovascular health and keeping LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, from being oxidized in the body.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar, in its pure and unpasteurized form, helps kill harmful candida, which makes it useful for relieving yeast infections. Women can use apple cider vinegar and purified water as a douche, or drink 2 or 3 tsp. of the vinegar to flush toxins from the body. Apple cider vinegar can also be added to bathwater to treat symptoms of excess candida like itchy skin. The vinegar also has a number of beneficial enzymes that aid in digestion -- so taking it internally can help the body eliminate waste faster. Individuals who don't prefer the taste of apple cider vinegar by itself can create a refreshing drink using fresh ginger root which also helps to fight candida and lower blood sugar, water and a natural sweetener. The drink should be consumed before a meal to kill the candida already present in the intestines.

Coconut

Caprylic acid, a substance that is found in coconuts, has been proven to be effective in removing unwanted yeast from the body. According to Dr. William Cook, M.D., author of "The Yeast Connection," many patients with a yeast infection who don't respond well to antifungal medications can be treated with caprylic acid. Coconut oil also contains lauric acid, which is a medium-chain fatty acid that can kill internal fungi and bacteria. Eating fresh coconut that has not been processed or prepared with sugar is beneficial for treating candida, but virgin coconut oil is more potent and isn't processed in a way that would add unnecessary fat to the product. Taking 2 or 3 tbsp. of the oil every day can kill candida and boost metabolism, which could lead to weight loss for some individuals.