One of the most important things you need to keep doing to fight Candida is to keep things moving! If fecal matter remains in the colon too long it becomes the perfect breeding ground for intestinal pathogens like Candida albicans. Slow transit time can ultimately lead to inflammation, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and poor digestion.
Eliminating constipation is sometimes as easy as taking an over-the-counter supplement, but that is not always a good long term solution. A better method to improve your digestion is to eat lots of dietary fiber. If constipation is still a problem, then taking a natural fiber supplement is a safe and effective way to reduce transit time through your gut.
If you are following the Candida diet, you have probably found the list of foods to eat by now. This is a shorter version of the more comprehensive list that Dr Eric Wood and I have included in the Ultimate Candida Diet program. As you can see from this list, vegetables should form a large part of your diet while you are fighting a Candida overgrowth.
The health benefits of eating fiber-rich vegetables are very well known. They reduce your chance of getting cancer, help you to maintain a healthy weight, and can improve your heart health. If you are suffering from poor digestive health, the fiber that they contain can bulk up your stools and promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria. In fact, a diet rich in vegetables is good news whether you are suffering from constipation or diarrhea.
There are some other high-fiber foods that are regularly recommended for constipation, but which might not be suitable for a Candida diet. Examples include high sugar fruits, which can feed a Candida overgrowth, and glutenous grains, which can irritate the gut lining and potentially lead to a leaky gut. This means that, especially at the start of your recovery from Candida, you might need a little help to boost your dietary fiber intake. That help can come in the form of fiber supplements. Let’s take a look at a couple of examples.
Choosing A Fiber Supplement
Finding a good fiber supplement is a great way to start your Candida treatment. You can use it just during the cleanse, or throughout your treatment if you feel like you need it. It can help you to avoid constipation, improve your gut health, and speed up your recovery from Candida. Here are a couple of different options for your fiber supplement.
Fiber-3 Organic Powder
This is an excellent fiber supplement manufactured by NOW Foods. It contains three different organic ingredients – Golden Flax Seed Meal, Organic Gum Acacia, and Organic Inulin. These ingredients are more gentle on your gut than other fiber supplements, and they contain a healthy combination of soluble and insoluble fiber. You can find it here.
Fiber-3 is particularly helpful for Candida sufferers because it contains organic inulin. This is a prebiotic that can promote the regrowth of your intestinal bacteria. Combined with a good probiotic, inulin can help to restore a healthy balance to your gut.
Psyllium Husk
Psyllium comes from the plantain plant (not related to the banana-like plantain), and was originally used in Persia and India. The Psyllium husk is a great source of water-soluble fiber that expands to several times its original size when mixed with water. It quickly transforms from powder form into a gooey substance called mucilage.
This mucilage moves through your colon, bulking up and softening your stool. As it does so, it improves your transit time and eliminates the breeding ground for pathogens like Candida. It might even help to loosen some of the Candida biofilms that line your intestinal walls.
Overall, psyllium is an effective and healthy way to promote regular bowel movements, without the cramps that laxatives can cause. However, if you suffer from IBS or a similar digestive condition, you may find that psyllium causes irritation.
Make sure that you find a psyllium brand that contains 100% pure Psyllium Husk powder. Here is a good example.
How Do You Take Fiber Supplements?
Most fiber supplements come in either a powder form or capsules. If you take your supplement in powder form, be sure to stir it into a glass of water and drink quickly. Otherwise it will absorb the water and become a thick gel. Although the first few doses can cause some bloating (as the fiber supplement expands inside you), after a while your body will adjust. Full instructions should be on the packet.
As for fiber supplement capsules, they are usually taken before meals. Again, read the instructions carefully and follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Who Should Not Take Fiber Supplements?
Fiber supplements are generally very safe, but you should always take care to read the label and do your research before starting to take one. For example, there are a very small number of people who have severe allergies to psyllium, and it can cause irritation in those who IBS or similar conditions. It is best to consult your doctor, especially if you’ve had any kind of intestinal or bowel surgery.
For more information on choosing a detox supplement and reducing your Candida symptoms, take a look at our Ultimate Candida Diet treatment program. It contains everything you need to design a Candida treatment plan that works for you.
