Sweet compulsion? What if it was an imbalance in your intestinal flora?

[Article updated on 19/09/2023]

There intestinal flora, also called microbiota, represents a set of microorganisms present in the intestines. They live in symbiosis with the human body, are non-pathogenic and contribute to the proper functioning of the body. However, it can happen that some, like candida albicans, have their population which increases and leads to many symptoms and imbalances including sweet compulsions!

We will see how this translates and how to act on it in order to rebalance your intestinal flora and stop the harmful effects on your weight!

What is candida albicans?

Candida albicans is a microscopic fungus that lives naturally, in the yeast state, in our intestinal microbiota.
But when it grows excessively, it becomes a parasitic mold and expands its territory. It then causes various digestive symptoms (bloating, transit disorders, etc.) or others (sweet cravings, fatigue, allergies, depression, aggressiveness).

With a risk, of course, of being overweight!

Normally, the bacteria of the intestinal flora control it, but in the event of prolonged stress, disturbed intestinal flora, repeated taking of antibiotics or other medications (anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids), they are weakened and leave the open field to candida albicans. Which takes its place and begins to line the intestinal mucosa and prevents the assimilation of certain minerals, including magnesium.
The intestinal mucosa becomes damaged and allows elements to pass that should not have entered the intestine, which causes food hypersensitivities (gluten, lactose, etc.) from which we did not suffer before. To develop, it likes to live in a sweet and acidic environment. A diet with an acid-base imbalance: too rich in animal proteins and too low in fruits and vegetables, promotes its development.

Candida albicans uses some of the sugars we consume for its own needs and which it greatly appreciates!
It lives mainly in the ascending colon, the place of bacterial digestion of sugars, so this causes compulsions for starchy foods or sweets, thus maintaining candida albicans, therefore our problem. This maintains a vicious circle of stress which also pushes us to eat sweets.

To be able to act, you must recognize the main symptoms of candidiasis

These are mainly digestive disorders which should alert you: systematic bloating, feeling of too full stomach after each meal, acid reflux, alternating diarrhea and constipation.

Often added are persistent fatigue, anal itching, allergies (runny nose, etc.) or skin reactions, aggressiveness, depression.

How to restore the balance of the intestinal flora?

Three objectives:

• remove candida albicans,
• preserve healthy yeasts,
• restore an overall balance of the intestinal ecosystem.

If we only treat the fungus without changing its environment, it will come back. The treatment can be long, from 6 months to 1 year.

Adapt your diet to reduce candida albicans!

The goal of these changes in your diet is to starve the fungus, and force it to find a balanced place within your micro biota; the best strategy is to create a healthy physiological environment. Regaining balance in your digestive system is a crucial step in the process of definitively eradicating candidiasis.

For this it is necessary, for three weeks to a month:

Limit fast carbs contained in processed foods (commercially prepared meals, pasteurized, refined products, but also all foods rich in preservatives, pesticides and other chemicals), refined sugar (especially white).

But sugar also hides under other names! So read labels carefully, and leave aside all foods containing the words: Sucrose, fructose, maltose, lactose, glucose, glycogen, mannitol, sorbitol, galactose, monosaccharide, or polysaccharides.
Be careful, sugar is the favorite food of candida albicans.

Try to limit your meat consumption because the antibiotic treatments undergone by animals are harmful to your intestinal flora as well, they weaken the digestive system and the intestinal flora, thus making room for the proliferation of candida albicans.

Reduce lactose consumption , sugar is the staple food of candida albicans. Alternate a meal where you consume plain dairy and a meal with a portion of hard cheese (Gruyère, Comté, Beaufort, etc.): yogurts, hard cheeses, vegetable milk (almond, rice, coconut, etc.) or low in lactose (light morning…). Avoid crème fraîche, ice cream and other industrial or artisanal preparations and pastries. These foods are both sweet and acidifying.

Also reduce the consumption of:

• of yeasts and ferments contained in all foods and preparations containing yeast, molds or ferments, such as bread, pizzas, soy sauce, tamari, fermented drinks, etc.
• cereals rich in gluten (wheat, rye, oats, barley, spelt, kamut) and corn, very rich in sugar.
• acidifying or overly sweet vegetables and fruits.

Favor alkalizing foods.

Avoid certain fruits like cherries and grapes because they are composed of sucrose and all citrus fruits, except lemon and grapefruit, because they increase the acidity of the digestive tract.

You can replace these foods with:

• plant-based milks: rice, almonds, coconut enriched with calcium… They will provide you with proteins, calcium and will be invaluable in cooking!
• avocados, grapefruit, apples, blueberries, strawberries, currants and of course the famous lemons (3 servings of approximately 100 g per day)!
• Non-starchy and alkalizing vegetables should be consumed in quantity. Be careful, however, to keep in mind the sugar content of fruits.
• Cereals without or low in gluten such as rice, buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth, tapioca, arrowroot, millet, sorghum, teff…corn, chestnut. You will find them in the form of flakes, flour, semolina or as is, and can explore new ways of cooking.
• legumes such as chickpeas, lentils (green or coral), azukis, beans (white, red, etc.). Combined with cereals, they constitute excellent sources of plant-based protein and are an ideal substitute for meat!
• Oilseeds: walnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, etc. They are an excellent source of protein, but also of calcium and potassium. And they are very filling!
• Source of protein, cooked eggs, fish, raised naturally and from natural fishing, will provide you with omega 3 and 6 essential for health.

Finally, drink lots of water! A good test: if your urine is clear (except when you wake up) it means you are drinking enough!

This anti-candidiasis diet will literally help you regain health, energy and good mood.
Then try to keep these main principles by reintroducing some sweet foods if you feel the need, but in moderation!

Don’t hesitate to take a course of marine magnesium for 3 weeks!

Some allies of nature to help you!

• Garlic, antifungal, 1 clove per day to swallow or take in capsules.
• Grapefruit seed extract, powerful natural antifungal, to be taken in capsules, 2 to 10 mg per day (for an adult, ask your pharmacist if you have no contraindications).
• Probiotics, to restore the intestinal flora so that the bifido-bacteria take over the candida. They must then contain lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and bifidobacterium Bb-12. In cures of 21 days per month, for a minimum of 3 to 6 months (sometimes longer).
• Drink at least 1/2 lemon juice every day
• Consume black radishes and artichokes regularly.

Pamper your intestinal flora, help it regain its balance and say goodbye to sugary compulsions and pounds that don’t belong to you!