A largely female problem, candida or thrush can make your life a misery yet you all have the bacteria living inside you and thus the propensity to get it. Thrush has the misfortune to be falsely associated with a cavalier attitude towards sex and many women suffer in private, too embarrassed to seek help for fear of being judged. Embark on our 31 Day Raw Food Diet eBook health journey that will change your health and candida condition! Embarking on the learning adventure of a new healthy diet is the important first step towards understanding your body's health and nutritional requirements to prevent candida. For less than a price of a meal out, YOU can have our 31 day diet e-book, and be well on your way to CREATING your life and body to exactly what you have always wanted.

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How do we Get Candida?

Normally the good bacteria in our body prevents this bad bacteria from growing out of control but when our immune system is low the bacteria becomes virulent and mutates into a fungal infection, on the rampage around the body. It affects the vagina in up to 50% of women in the developed world but can also affect the mouth, digestive tract and the skin. Symptoms are a thick white discharge from the vagina possibly accompanied by itching and pain when passing urine. In the digestive tract it can cause sickness, bloating and flatulence, diarrhoea and constipation sometimes with itching in the anus. Elsewhere it can cause skin rashes, aches and pains, sore throat, dizziness, headaches and tiredness.

There are two main causes of candida. The main one seems to be triggered by taking antibiotics. Pregnancy can also trigger it as a result of the changes in hormone levels. Another cause can be a flare up of the immune system possibly caused by Aids or metabolic problems like diabetes. The other main cause, especially in women, is the oral contraceptive pill and immuno suppressive or progestogen drugs.

What can we do about Candida?

There are lots of things you can do to get rid of thrush. Firstly wear loose cotton clothing and if possible avoid underwear. Certainly, avoid using perfumed products such as soaps and shower gels.

Although it's probably the last thing you feel like doing, especially if you’re not wearing underwear, is to take regular exercise but not too strenuous.

How can Raw Foods Help?

It is more about using the raw foods in a douche down below rather than eating them on this occasion although you can do both of course.

Vinegar

• Acid douche (weak solution of fresh lemon juice or vinegar (1 tbsp.) and 10 fluid ounces of water)
• Vinegar is acidic and helps restore the PH balance to help the bacteria fight the yeast infection

Tea Tree Oil

• Inserted into the vagina on a tampon or on a panty liner or sanitary towel

Garlic

• Garlic inhibits the growth of the fungi in the body.
• Peel a clove of garlic, wrap it in muslin and insert it gently into the vagina, leave it in overnight (you may want to sleep on your own!)

Saturated fats and essential oils

• Omega-3 oils
• Flax-seed and borage oils (1 tbsp. flax seeds or its oil twice daily – used as salad-dressing.
• Avocado
• Nuts
• Olives and olive oil

At the same time reduce foods that the bad bacteria want to feed on:

Sugars

• Fructose, fruit juices, honey, molasses
• All sugar-sweetened foods and snacks, sweets, fruit-juice.

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer from thrush or candida the diet you should switch to will not only get rid of your discomfort but could leave you pounds lighter and much healthier, especially if you manage to fit in some exercise as well.

By TTS Cofounder Botanical Chef Omid Jaffari