Top Anti-fungal Foods

Fungal Infections are frequent in humans and can often be treated by home remedies. But severe infections may require medical intervention. Your weak immunity makes you vulnerable for fungal infection. Healthy and nutritious diet play a vital role in boosting your health and immunity. There are certain anti-fungal foods effective in inhibiting fungal growth. Expert naturopaths often suggest that by eating right food we can avoid certain yeast infections.

Anti-fungal Foods

1.Coconut oil

Coconut oil has recently gained popularity due to reputed health benefits like –controlling blood sugar levels, helps increasing good cholesterol, reduces stress and prevents liver disease. Researchers have established a role of coconut oil in reducing colonization of Candida albicans and yeast. Mouth yeast infection can be treated by swishing a spoon of coconut oil for about 5 – 10 minutes in the mouth, spit out the oil after the procedure. Similarly, you can apply coconut oil topically for skin and vaginal infection also. Ayurveda also propagates the use of coconut oil in treating fungal infections.

2.Onion

Onion is high in dietary fibers. They are a good source of vitamin C and folic acid and supports the immune system. Onion has zero fat content and is rich in antioxidants. One medium sized onion contains only 44 calories, making them your good friend during your weight loss journey. Quentin is a potent anti-inflammatory compound found in onion. According to research, essential onion oil is a potential fungicidal and inhibits the growth of Aspergillus, Penicillin, and Fusarium.

Allicin present in onion helps in fighting fungal infections. It flushes out excess fluid and reverses the effect of water retention due to Candida infection.

3.Garlic

Throughout history, various cultures have recognized the prophylactic and therapeutic health benefits of garlic. Garlic contains 33 sulfur compounds. It is an excellent source of selenium, calcium, copper, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, and vitamins A, B1, C also. Allicin present in garlic is widely recognized for its significant effect on prevention of atherosclerosis, lowering of blood pressure, reduction of serum cholesterol and inhibition of platelet aggregation. Recently, garlic has been recognized effective against various bacteria like Salmonella, E coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Anti fungal activity of garlic was established in 1936, by Schmidt and Marquardt. They demonstrated that many fungi were sensitive to Allicin found in garlic, like – Candida, Aspergillus and Torulopsis. It can also be used as the topical anti fungal agent.

Care should be taken while consuming raw forms of garlic in high quantity. Nausea and vomiting may be experienced as adverse effects by few. Garlic should be avoided while on anticoagulant therapy.

4.Ginger

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is one of the commonly used dietary condiments. It has always been recommended as an alternative and natural remedy for numerous ailments like – migraines, hypertension, colds, arthritis, and nausea. The various physiological and pharmacological properties of ginger are because of the presence of ketones especially gingerols. Ginger can be used in many forms like powdered or ground, dried, fresh, crystallized or pickled. Ginger is loaded with antioxidants and help in reducing oxidative stress. It also reduces pain, inflammation, rheumatism, and osteoarthritis.

5.Seaweed

Seaweed is a well-known home remedy for the treatment of hypothyroidism because of the good amount of iodine present in it; likewise, it is equally famous for its anti fungal properties.

6.Rutabaga

It is a root vegetable. It is a cross between turnip and cabbage. It is also known as neep or swede. It is abundant in vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, C, and folate. Likewise, it is a good source of minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and iron. It helps in strengthening immunity, metabolic aid rate, cures constipation and diarrhea, and helps in maintaining bone density. It is a super food and prevents fungal infection

Foods To Avoid If You Have Fungal Infection

There are certain foods which you should avoid if you suffer from chronic yeast infections like dairy products, barley, corn and rice syrup.
Certain foods that quickly convert into simple sugars like melons, fruit juices, white rice, dried fruits should also be avoided.
Always consult your doctor before self-treating, because only a qualified doctor can confirm the severity and source of infection. People with certain health conditions like allergies, pregnancy should exercise caution before using any home remedy.
Information and statements made in this article should be used for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor.