How to Become Alkaline And Eliminate MSG And Candida?

Candida is a yeast infection affecting a large number of the population, it is however, one of the most under-diagnosed problems as it cannot be detected through normal antibody blood tests. Candida albicans, the organism responsible for the infection, is a common organism found in our bodies. Lactobacillus, a friendly bacteria, feeds on albicans keeping their numbers low and, therefore, keeps the body healthy.

When the body has taken in too much alcohol, drugs, antibiotics, birth control pills, cortisone medication and chemotherapy, this may result in the multiplication of the albicans to a level where it may cause infection as the lactobacillus are destroyed and killed and this results in an overgrowth.  

Symptoms of candida vary from person to person and range from mild to severe, constant fatigue, recurring vaginal infections, poor digestion, depression or anxiety, foggy brain, and sugar cravings.  

Acidic conditions are ideal breeding grounds for yeast and fungi and in order to help the body fight fungi infection such as Candida, the pH level should be more alkaline. 

To bring back the level of candida albicans and lactobacillus to a healthy level, it is important to eliminate alcohol, sugar, and carbohydrates from the diet to starve the candida albicans, causing the yeast infection. Probiotic supplements and antifungal herbs may also be taken to help fight the overgrowth.

Decreasing processed and sugary food from the diet will help the body to get rid of the infection and instead eat more of gluten-free grains and pastas, almonds, walnuts, low-glycemic choices of fruits such as grapefruit, apples, tomatoes, grapes and vegetables such as garlic, cabbage, cucumbers, broccoli, spinach and carrots. Simple carbohydrates such as potatoes, white bread and pasta are sugar in disguise and as with most diets, moderation is key. Decreasing the amount of sugary and processed food from the diet will help the body heal and repair naturally. 

To become more alkaline, the intake of acidic food should be controlled. Acidic foods include pasta, whole grains, fish and dairy products. These may be considered healthy and need not be completely eliminated to attain the desired pH balance of the body, rather it should be controlled.

On the other hand, a diet consisting mostly of food with higher alkaline levels will help the body reach the desired pH balance. Foods with the highest alkaline levels include apples, avocados, broccoli, lettuce, lemons and limes to name a few. pH-balanced beverages include mineral water, green tea, fresh fruit and vegetable juices. Soft drinks, processed fruit drinks, and sugar laden drinks should be avoided. To boost the bodies’ alkalinity, there are a number of green drinks that may be bought from health stores that are made from wheat grass, barley grass, and chlorophyll. These usually come in powder form to be made into a drink, consumed one to two times a day.

The pH balance may be monitored through pH testing strips, usually done first thing in the morning, and checked regularly to monitor progress.

Being highly acidic can cause a number of health risks such as bone loss. A balanced pH level keeps the body healthy. 

Monosodium Glutamate is widely used to preserve and enhance the flavour of food. It is derived from Kombu, a seaweed. Although natural, it does not mean that it’s harmless. Commonly used in processed meat, frozen food, canned food and restaurant food, some people experience negative side effects after consuming food with MSG. The common side effects are flushing, headache and swelling of the hands and feet. These symptoms subside quite quickly and are not a serious condition. If the symptoms persist for more than 48 hours however, it could be a sign of other serious medical conditions and to seek medical help is necessary.  

There are long term side effects diagnosed and successfully treated as MSG disorder and it includes Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), behavioural and physical problems with children. To rid the body of MSG, consume water (in ounces) at least half of your body weight (in pounds). This will stimulate the kidneys to process faster and flush the MSG from the body. Avoiding the intake of sodium is also essential as sodium causes the body to retain water which will prevent the body from flushing out the MSG from the system. 

Completely eliminating MSG from the diet may not be as easy. Manufacturers sometimes hide this ingredient as part of “natural flavourings,” hydrolyzed protein, yeast extract, plant protein extract, sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate and when food packaging is labelled “No MSG Added” it does not follow that it is MSG-free, it may simply mean that the manufacturer did not use additional MSG.