There are two types of inflammation – acute inflammation and chronic inflammation. Acute inflammation is usually short-term and is a result of an injury (like a sprained knee or ankle) or illness ( like a sore throat). This type of inflammation can usually be relived through medicine.
Chronic, or internal, inflammation is not so easy to identify because you typically don’t feel immediate pain. This type of inflammation is a result of your body determining there is a foreign object that it can’t figure out how to get rid of. Your white blood cells “swell”, trying to rid the body of the foreign object. Other symptoms may include weight gain or looking “puffy”, stomach bloating and/or gas, and general aches and pains.
Candida, or yeast, lives in your GI tract. A small amount is okay and won’t impact your digestion; however, if you have an overgrowth of candida, your gut can become inflamed.
Food to Avoid To Help Reduce Internal Inflammation
- Sugar (all forms including honey and maple syrup, with the exception of Stevia and Xylitol)
- Alcohol (triple distilled vodka is okay; just make sure you don’t mix it with anything sugary)
- Refined carbohydrates such as gluten-free bread, cereal, and other high-sugar foods
- Grains such as rice
- Beans
- Starchy vegetables such as yellow or white potatoes, yams, parsnips, or beets
- Yeast
- Peanuts (high in mold, which can irritate your stomach)
- All processed and boxed foods
- Deli meats
- Any condiments with added sugar, such as ketchup
- Soda, including diet soda
A Sampling of Foods to Help Clean Your GI Track of Candida and Yeast Overgrowth
- Garlic
- Coconut oil
- Oregano
- Unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
- Cloves
- Ginger root
- Onion
- Fruit (bananas, strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)
- Brassica vegetables including broccoli, broccoli rabe, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, turnips, and kale
- Bone broth
- Ginger
- Tumeric
- Fatty fishes with Omega-3
- Nuts
- Avocado
- Organic or grass-fed chicken or beef
- Chia seeds
- Cinnamon
- Flaxseed
- Artichoke
- Asparagus
- Cucumber
- Zucchini
When I am experiencing a flare-up, there are certain foods I avoid until I feel my GI track is back under control. Candida and yeast thrive off of these foods, so avoiding them for a few weeks will help you clean out your system of these toxins.
Remember to consult your doctor or nutritionist if you have any questions about chronic inflammation or any other health concerns.