Beras Merah Untuk Diet

Luckily, there are lots of natural sweeteners out there that are just fine for including in your Candida diet. In fact, many even have some health benefits!

Xylitol and stevia are already well-known natural sweeteners, with new ones such as monk fruit also on the rise. Let’s take a look at another new kid on the sweetener block: erythritol.

What is Erythritol?

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in certain fruits and some fermented foods. It can also be produced by fermenting glucose with yeast.

Erythritol’s selling point is that it’s 60-70 percent as sweet as table sugar – and yet it’s almost calorie-free. Best of all, it has none of the negative effects of sugar: it doesn’t affect blood sugar levels, doesn’t cause tooth decay, and doesn’t contribute to weight gain.

The reason for this is that the body cannot break erythritol down in the gut. This means you can’t obtain any calories from the erythritol that you eat. Most of the erythritol is simply passed out of the body as waste.

Erythritol is only partially absorbed into the bloodstream in the small intestine, with most being flushed out as urine. Because 90 percent of erythritol is absorbed into the bloodstream before it reaches the large intestine, it doesn’t tend to cause a laxative effect like other sugar alcohols. This is sometimes the case with xylitol and maltitol.

Erythritol is often used to sweeten products such as chewing gum, beverages and some baked goods. It’s also naturally present in grapes, pears, soy sauce and some wines.

Why is Erythritol Suitable On The Candida Diet?

Unlike artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols occur naturally in certain fruits and vegetables. Sugar alcohols contain neither sugar nor alcohol: they just have a similar chemical structure.

Sugar alcohols take much longer to be broken down into glucose than sugar, and don’t require a lot of insulin. This means they don’t cause a spike in blood sugar levels like sucrose. Even better, they provide a sweet taste without the sugar, which can be very helpful for those craving a ‘sweet treat’ while on the Candida Diet.

Benefits of Erythritol on the Candida Diet:

• Its Sugar-Free
  Because erythritol is a natural sweetener but contains no sugar, it doesn’t feed the yeast that contribute to Candida overgrowth. And it doesn’t promote tooth decay like sugar.
• It’s An Antioxidant
  Erythritol is also a proven antioxidant that can fight free radicals that cause cellular damage. It’s also been shown to protect blood vessels of diabetic rats against oxidative stress and prevent hardening of the arteries.
• It’s Naturally Fermented
  Erythritol can be made by fermenting the natural sugar found in corn. Look for a erythritol that is made from non-GMO corn.
• It’s Great For Baking
  Erythritol is heat stable up to 160 degrees C. This means those on the Candida Diet can still enjoy sweet baked goods!
• It Has A Low-Glycemic Index
  Because erythritol doesn’t raise plasma sugar or insulin levels in the way that sugar does, it’s a good option for those with diabetes.
• It’s Satiating
  Erythritol can slow down the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine. This has been found to improve satiety. One study showed that adults of a healthy weight felt more satisfied after eating a meal containing erythritol than those who had a meal containing sucrose.

How Does Erythritol Compare To Other Sugar Alcohols?

The most well-known sugar alcohols include xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol and erythritol. Of these, erythritol is hailed as the easiest to digest. This is because most of erythritol is absorbed in the small intestine. The amount that does reach the large intestine isn’t enough to have any significant gastrointestinal effects. This makes it a suitable option for those with a sensitive digestive system, particularly those with Candida overgrowth or other digestive complaints..

Other sugar alcohols (such as xylitol) are not so well-absorbed, which means they pass through the digestive system in large amounts without being broken down. Once they reach the colon, they are occasionally known to cause bloating, diarrhea, and digestive upset.

Those who prefer a less intense sweetener may choose erythritol over other natural sweeteners like stevia, as erythritol is not very sweet on its own. Like monk fruit, erythritol has no aftertaste. However, this means erythritol is often added to other foods and beverages or combined with other sweeteners. Unfortunately, some commercial products may include a blend of erythritol and artificial sweeteners – so it pays to read the nutritional information first!

How To Use Erythritol

Being a soluble sugar alcohol, erythritol melts in high heat and doesn’t caramelize. This means it’s not suitable for baked goods that require a chewy texture. In some recipes, it may be necessary to use erythritol alongside other ingredients such as butter to help to retain moisture.

Erythritol can also be used in place of powdered sugar (such as for cake frosting), by adding it to a blender or food processor and pulsing into a fine powder. To thicken the texture, simply add a starch (such as cornstarch or arrowroot starch) to one cup of powdered sweetener. Some recipes also suggest using a pinch of guar gum and blending together.

NOTE: Sugar alcohols such as erythritol and xylitol don’t react with yeast, so they won’t help bread rise.

Where To Find Erythritol

It’s best to buy erythritol from a reputable health food store. Be sure to check that the erythritol product you’re buying is 100 percent pure: many companies add fillers or other ingredients to erythritol products to make it more palatable or to improve the texture. Some commercial products may even add artificial sweeteners such as aspartame. Check the ingredients first!

For more information on how switching to a low-sugar diet can improve your gut health and restore your energy levels, check out the Ultimate Candida Diet program. I co-wrote it with Dr Eric Wood, and designed it as a simple 5-step plan to get back to perfect health.

Although fairly new to the Western market, monk fruit extract has been used as both a sweetener and medicine for centuries. Also known as luo han guo, monk fruit is named for the monks who grew it in southern Chinese mountains hundreds of years ago. It’s part of the gourd family and grows on a vine, but doesn’t usually grow wild.

Monk fruit extract contains some incredible compounds that are 300-400 times sweeter than cane sugar. But, and here’s the real kicker, it’s virtually calorie-free. That means it won’t affect blood sugar levels, and it won’t rot your teeth.

Because monk fruit has a rather short shelf life after being harvested – and an unpleasant rotten taste – it’s rarely eaten fresh. Monk fruit sweetener, on the other hand, is very pleasant and lacks the aftertaste that some other natural sweeteners have.

Why Monk Fruit Is Suitable For The Candida Diet

Monk fruit’s sweet taste is not actually from its sugars but from its antioxidant content! These antioxidants – known as mogrosides – aren’t metabolized by the body in the same way as natural sugar, so they’re not used for energy. The trace amounts of natural sugars in monk fruit – fructose, glucose and other components – are insignificant as a calorie source. This basically means you get the benefits of a sweet taste but in a form that the body doesn’t recognize as calories.

More importantly, the lack of sugars in monk fruit means there’s nothing to feed a Candida overgrowth or indeed any other form of gut dysbiosis. This makes monk fruit a fantastic sugar-free option for satisfying those sugar cravings.

There’s yet another reason for using monk fruit as your anti-Candida sweetener – it’s a proven antimicrobial. Similarly to xylitol, monk fruit has been shown to harbor special properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth. These are the type of bacteria that can cause tooth decay and periodontal disease. There is also some evidence that monk fruit may be effective in treating some forms of candida overgrowth such as oral thrush.

Benefits of Monk Fruit

Monk fruit isn’t just a tasty sugar-free sweetener. Here are some other benefits that you should be aware of.

• It’s An Antioxidant
  Monk fruit harbors an array of health properties that can boost your body’s free-radical fighting powers. In fact, some cultures refer to it as the ‘longevity fruit’, due to its efficacy as an antioxidant. Studies have shown that mogrosides can significantly block harmful reactive oxygen species and prevent DNA oxidative damage. Being both a calorie-free sweetener AND an antioxidant makes monk fruit something of a superfood!
• It Relieves Heat-Aggravated Conditions
  Monk fruit’s anti-inflammatory properties make it a popular remedy in traditional medicine to relieve the body of heat-related conditions. Chinese herbalists will make tea from boiled monk fruit to help cool the body from ailments such as fever or sunburn.
• It Can Help Manage Diabetes
  As an antihyperglycemic, monk fruit has been shown to help reduce blood glucose levels in the body. It’s also believed that its antioxidant compounds can help pancreatic cells function more efficiently, improving insulin secretion. Better insulin secretion is a major part of improving diabetic patients’ health, and monk fruit has even shown results in reducing kidney damage and other diabetes-related issues.
• It Can Clear The Respiratory Tract
  Monk fruit’s expectorant properties make it useful for respiratory ills such as coughs and colds. It’s used to clear away the inflammation to relieve sore throat, and break up phlegm in the throat and lungs. In Chinese medicine, monk fruit’s indications are referred to as “phlegm-fire cough”, sore throat, tonsillitis, acute gastritis, and constipation.

How Does Monk Fruit Compare To Xylitol, Stevia and Erythritol?

When it comes to natural sweeteners, we’re spoiled for choice these days. Xylitol, stevia, and erythritol all have their benefits and uses.

These are all great options for your Candida diet, or in fact any low-sugar eating plan. However, unlike some sugar alcohols, monk fruit doesn’t cause gastrointestinal issues such as bloating and diarrhea. It also doesn’t have the intensely sweet after-taste that some people dislike about stevia.

If you’ve tried these other sweeteners and found that they’re not for you, monk fruit may be the answer.

What To Look For When Buying Monk Fruit Extract

Monk fruit extract or sweetener can be purchased online or in health food stores. Note that the sweetness depends on the concentration of the extract and the number of mogrosides it contains. These mogrosides are ranked from 1-5 in terms of their sweetness. Number 5 is the sweetest, and conveys the most health benefits.

Of course, certain manufacturers may modify the sweetness of a product by adding other ingredients.  When purchasing monk fruit sweeteners, check the ingredients listing for additives. Some commercial products may blend monk fruit with dextrose, molasses and/or sugar alcohols to balance the sweetness. Check the label and be aware of what you’re purchasing.

How To Use Monk Fruit

As an extract, monk fruit can be added to beverages, baking and desserts. Only a very small amount is required, as the sweetness is so powerful!

Dried monk fruit may also be available at Asian supermarkets, and be used in soups and teas. Make a monk fruit tea by simmering around 9-15g of dried monk fruit in boiling water.

Making monk fruit extract involves harvesting the fresh fruit and infusing it with the juice in a hot water infusion. It is then filtered and dried, and the extract is ground to a powder.

Does Monk Fruit Sweetener Make Sense For Your Diet?

Natural sweeteners such as monk fruit provide the sweet taste that we all crave, yet they have virtually no effect on your blood sugar. It’s no secret that most of us consume far too much sugar – and that this is contributing to a huge increase in gut disorders like Candida overgrowth, obesity, and diabetes.

Monk fruit is a healthy, natural alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. Some people may find it even better than sugar alcohols, which can cause occasional digestive problems. The only tricky part is finding it: monk fruit extract is not yet as readily available as other sweeteners such as stevia, xylitol and erythritol.

If you’re not sure how to eat on the Candida diet, don’t worry! Dr Eric Wood and I have put together a comprehensive guide to the dietary and lifestyle changes that you need to make to restore your gut health and energy levels. Check it out here.

Unfortunately, these toxins can have a catastrophic effect on your body. Everyday toxins accumulate in the body over time, building up to dangerous levels. They’re absorbed by your cells, muscles, and soft tissues. Eventually, they weaken your entire immune system.

Research has shown that chemical pollutants can suppress normal immune function, increasing your susceptibility to infections and diseases. Considering 70 percent of your immune system is in your gut, this increases your susceptibility to pathogenic bacteria, fungi and yeast – such as Candida overgrowth.

The good news is that there are three ways to detoxify your body naturally: diet, supplements, and daily habits. Make these techniques a regular part of your daily lifestyle and you’ll be on your way to a toxin-free, healthier you!

Natural Detoxification Through Diet

Here are some simple, detoxifying changes that you can make to your diet today.

Increase your water intake

Water helps flush toxins out of your body in the form of sweat, tears, and urine. Choose pure, filtered water from a safe source.

Cut the sugar

Sugar not only increases calorific intake, but can cause inflammation and feed candida. Artificial sweeteners are no better – they’re also toxins!

Eat organic

Many commercially-produced fruits and vegetables contain dangerous pesticides and chemicals, while meats contain antibiotics and hormones. Organic food has more nutrients and fewer pesticides.

Cut processed foods

These often contain preservatives and artificial flavorings that are not only toxic, but increase your appetite.

Add fermented foods and drinks to your diet

These are an excellent source of probiotics which help fight pathogens and yeast. Probiotics also strengthen the immune system, and improve digestion and detoxification.

Sauerkraut is a good source of calcium glucarate, a powerful detoxifier. Research has shown that calcium glucarate helps prevent cancer of the breast and colon.

Natural Liver Detoxification

The liver is the largest organ in the body. It’s also the organ primarily responsible for detoxification: flushing out the various toxins we encounter in our diet, lifestyle and environment. Every one of our body systems is dependent on the liver for ‘cleaning’ the blood of impurities.

The more toxins we ingest, imbibe, and encounter, the greater the burden on the liver. Signs of an overloaded liver include fatigue, headaches, digestive issues, skin problems, and weakened immune function.

A number of supplements can support liver function, including:

Milk thistle

This herb is famous for its active ingredient, silymarin. Silymarin is an important antioxidant and nature’s very own liver nurse. It supports and protects the liver by optimising liver function and detoxification as well as repairing damage done to liver cells caused by disease, alcohol and drugs.

The active ingredients in milk thistle act like your liver’s own personal gatekeeper. It binds to the outside of the liver cell and when toxins enter the body, it fends them off by blocking entry to the liver cell.

Silymarin also takes care of toxins that have already found their way into the cell, seeking them out and neutralising them. Neutralised toxins are then either removed from the bloodstream or converted into water-soluble forms which can be sent out of the body as harmless waste (through the bowels, in your urine or in sweat).

Clinical studies have shown that these mechanisms help to maintain liver health and significantly reduce the risk of long-term liver damage.

Molybdenum

Molybdenum is a mineral naturally present in many foods. It’s especially important to the liver in flushing out toxins.

Molybdenum is required for helping the body make several detoxification enzymes, including aldehyde dehydrogenase and aldehyde oxidase. These enzymes work to neutralize acetaldehyde, a harmful metabolic byproduct of alcohol, yeast and fungi.

Candida overgrowth often leads to an excess of this neurotoxin, causing it to build up in the blood, liver and other tissues. This seriously burdens the immune system.

Molybdenum also helps the body synthesize enzymes that oxidize the sulfites in preservatives, as well as neutralizing toxins involved in protein metabolism. In addition molybdenum is involved with expelling excess copper from the body and preventing dental cavities caused by minerals stored in tooth enamel.

Most importantly, molybdenum also helps rid the body of toxins that accumulate when Candida yeast cells die. The die-off process (or Herxheimer reaction) can deplete molybdenum stores very quickly, so it’s important to replace them during your detoxification.

Pantethine

A derivative of vitamin B5, pantethine is vital for healthy detoxification. Pantethine also benefits Candida sufferers by supporting healthy metabolism, particularly when it comes to breaking down acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is a nasty chemical that affects your metabolic, endocrine, neurological and immune systems. It’s produced by the Candida yeast during your Candida infestation, and it is also released by yeast cells during die-off.

Pantethine helps to flush this poison from the body by working with other bodily functions that make co-enzyme A, a nutrient required for metabolic function. Acetyl Coenzyme A is the active form of pantothenic acid, and it is formed when coenzyme A combines with the acetate in your cells.

Regular intake of pantethine can lower overall acetaldehyde levels in the body. A study in Japan showed that the pantethine prevented a rise in blood acetaldehyde in people who had ingested alcohol. 

Natural Detoxification Habits

Go Chemical-Free

Reduce the toxic load on your body by switching to organic, natural personal care and household products. Natural alternatives to chemical-laden products are now widely available and better for the environment, too!

Another great tip is to make sure that you air out your house regularly. Try to open a few doors and windows on a regular basis. That fresh air will help to eliminate the VOCs that are off-gassed by carpets, furniture and paint.

Reduce stress

You can’t avoid all of them, but you can learn to manage them more effectively. Daily exercise such as jogging or yoga is a good start, as is mind-body exercises such as deep breathing. Stress can directly affect your digestive system.

Exercise

Exercise activates your lymphatic system and increases the level of oxygen in your bloodstream. This helps to optimize immune function, reduce the Candida colonies in your gut and boost digestive transit time.

Sauna

Sauna treatments increase body temperature, which restricts the survival of viruses and other pathogens. Saunas can also help to increase blood circulation, which oxygenates your cells and assists the removal of toxins from your bloodstream. Not only that, a sauna will open your pores and keep your skin’s elimination pathway running smoothly. Sweating helps to remove toxins and can help to relieve some of the symptoms associated with Candida.

Skin Brushing

This helps to clear away toxic metabolites by stimulating the lymphatic system. Firm but gentle brush strokes across the skin will boost blood circulation, allowing for faster elimination of toxins. Use a brush with natural bristles and start from your feet. Use slow, gentle, circular movements and move up your body, brushing towards your heart.

Detox Yourself Of Candida – Everyday

Detoxification is one of the most important elements of a successful anti-Candida program. With all the toxins we face in everyday life, our body’s natural detoxification pathways can sometimes fall short. That’s why it’s hugely important to give our liver, skin and blood a helping hand!

Reducing the toxic load on your body is a start, but there are real benefits in supplementing body with quality nutrients through diet and supplements. And anyway, who doesn’t love a good sauna?

For more tips on reducing your toxic load, beating Candida, and recovering your health, check out our Ultimate Candida Diet program.