Tomato Paste is no doubt an essential ingredient of most dishes and people make use of it generously. No doubt, at times one may run out of it and would have to make use of substitutes.

4 Tomato Paste Substitutes

There are several people who do look for tomato paste substitutes when they do want to change the flavor of their respective dish, avoid tomatoes for an allergy reason, or are simply lacking this particular ingredient at a crucial time. The production of tomato paste is indeed quite labor-intensive and is therefore usually store-bought. Made only from highly reduced tomatoes and salt, it is also used to add color and a succulent flavor to dishes and sometimes works as a thickening agent in sauces or soups.

So, what should one do if one finds oneself out of this ingredient? Well, rather than leaving it out entirely, one can recommend trying one of these excellent substitutes that do include tomato sauce or puree, canned or fresh tomatoes, red peppers, and butternut squash.

Tomato Sauce or Puree

There are a number of differences between tomato paste as well as tomato sauce/puree. One is that of consistency – tomato paste is thicker than both of these potential substitutes. The second point is the flavor – many tomato sauces come flavored with other herbs, whereas paste is only composed of tomatoes as well as salt.

However, as the base ingredient is much the same, tomato sauce or tomato paste can be an easy-to-find alternative to tomato paste, particularly in pasta dishes. One recommends doubling the quantity to achieve a similar flavor. If it is a key ingredient, one needs to reduce the liquid elsewhere in the recipe so the consistency is maintained.

Canned or Fresh Tomatoes

One can reduce canned or fresh tomatoes down to make a thicker, paste-like consistency that does offer similar flavors, although fresher and not as rich as the paste. Alternatively, one can try substituting for the canned tomatoes and also reducing the whole recipe for slightly longer than normal to remove any excess liquid.

Red Peppers

This happens to be a good substitute if one’s main concern is the color and thickness of a dish. Blend the roasted peppers in order to make a paste and then add this mixture to one’s recipe in place of tomato paste. This also happens to be a good alternative for those who do not like tomatoes or have an allergy. Add a dash of lemon or a little citric acid to compensate for the acidic flavor that will be missing from the red peppers.

Butternut Squash

Many people are indeed surprised by this, but another vegetable can act as a substitute. Roast one’s butternut squash before blending it to make a paste. This can be a good alternative to tomato paste in curries. It does offer the right kind of consistency, but not the red color. The flavor is different too, so one needs to be sure that one likes the earthy, buttery squash taste before adding this substitute. Like red peppers, one might want to add a dash of something citrus to provide a little more tanginess to one’s dish.

One can indeed try out several crunchy celery substitutes for one’s tasty dish and go on cooking. One need not worry if one runs out the celery.

Celery

Celery is also indeed found in nearly every cuisine across the world. It is crisp freshness and distinctive sharp flavor are indeed key ingredients in a lot of common foods, even if one does not realize it. Celery is rather ubiquitous around the world, along with onion and carrot, thus making it one of three ‘holy trinity’ vegetables that do make up mirepoix, the base ingredients of French cooking. Celery is eaten raw, pickled, sautéed, stewed, baked as well as pureed. It is primarily composed of water, but also does provide fiber in one’s diet, and can also improve the texture of several dishes.

6 Incredible Celery Substitutes

Bok choy is the best celery substitute one can add to one’s dish. One can also try celery root, fennel, parsnips, jicama, and green apple while preparing soups, stews, and salads.

Celery Root

The texture is indeed a major part of the enjoyment of eating, so if celery’s texture does bother one; one can try celery root instead. It is actually the root of celery’s cousin, ‘celeriac’ and is also available in the produce section of most grocery stores. It has the flavor of celery, but a texture that is more similar to turnips. It is great on its own when sautéed with butter; one can mash it for a unique side dish, or even make use of it in soups or broth.

Fennel

The stalks of fennel are a close celery substitute. Fennel does have an aroma of anise, which does mellow when cooked. Fennel seeds benefits does go great with fish as well as spring vegetables if one adds just a spritz of fresh lemon juice.

Parsnip

These root vegetables do look like white carrots and also taste like parsley. One can use them in stuffing, soup, or even salads for a great crunch and a sharp, but earthy flavor.

Jicama

Jicama’s texture is indeed very crisp such as a green apple, but the flavor is fresh, not sweet, and it is also very juicy, so it can be a great alternative if one does want to use celery. Jicama is best when eaten raw, so one can use it to replace celery in slaw, spring rolls, or in crudité. It does work like cucumber in most meals, which is another see

Green Apple

For a bright and tart flavor, try green apples in place of celery. They can also be enjoyed raw, cooked, or juiced in place of celery where a little sweetness is rather desired.

Bok Choy

Bok Choy is the perfect stir-fry ingredient one can try in place of celery. Chop the white base just as one would do with celery and then flash cook to keep the great crunch.

It is worth trying celery substitutes and prepares a sumptuous meal for one’s guests. Try it out and see for one.

One needs to consume an adequate amount of potassium-rich foods daily. Potassium is indeed an essential nutrient that is used to maintain fluid as well as electrolyte balance in the body.

Potassium happens to be the third most abundant mineral in one’s body and a required mineral for the function of several organs, including the heart, kidneys, brain as well as muscular tissues. It also does play an important role in keeping the body hydrated and also works with sodium to support cellular function with one’s body’s sodium-potassium pump.

Symptoms of low potassium are highly undesirable and can also include severe headaches, dehydration, heart palpitations and swelling of glands as well as tissues. Potassium from natural food sources, such as the list of potassium-rich foods below, is considered to be very safe as well as very healthy.

Top 10 Foods High in Potassium

1. Avocado

Avocado is definitely one of the favorite potassium-rich foods. One needs to focus on the effects and benefits of avocado consumption on metabolic disease risk factors. Avocado is a healthy diet as well as an increased nutrient intake and a decreased likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome.

2. Acorn Squash

Acorn squash is a vegetable source of potassium that really is popular as it contains high levels of antioxidants. This type of antioxidant is well-known for helping to prevent and fight various types of cancer, including skin, breast, lung and prostate cancer.

3. Spinach

Spinach a potassium-rich food and contains plant chloroplast glycoglycerolipids, which are believed to act as cancer-fighting agents

4. Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes – Ways to include sweet potatoes in the diet are potassium-rich foods that contain a higher density of nutrients as compared to white potatoes. Sweet potatoes also happen to be high in beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin B6. Plus, sweet potatoes have been shown in scientific animal research to exhibit anti-ulcer activity and are indeed likely helpful in the successful treatment of peptic ulcers.

5. Wild-Caught Salmon

In addition to potassium as well as other vitamins, minerals, and protein, wild-caught salmon is no doubt loaded with health-promoting omega-3 fatty acids. The benefits of these essential fatty acids do include decreasing the risk of heart disease as well as stroke while also helping reduce symptoms of depression, high blood pressure, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, joint pain and chronic skin ailments like eczema.

6. Dried Apricots

Dried apricots do provide a quick and easy way to add potassium to one’s diet. Epidemiological studies have actually shown that people who do consume dried apricot and other dried fruits tend to have healthier overall diets with more nutrients as well as lower body weight. In moderation, dried fruit can indeed be healthy, and is a potassium-rich snack choice.

7. Pomegranate

Pomegranate seeds and their juice are indeed awesome fruit sources of potassium. They are also loaded with fiber, vitamin C and vitamin K, among other nutrients. It is also a top aphrodisiac food due to its ability to reduce cortisol levels in one’s body. Pomegranate juice is a healthy fruit juice in the world.

8. Coconut Water

Coconut water is potassium riches it contains electrolytes and is not high in sugar or calories. Coconut water has in fact been used in emergency situations as an IV hydration fluid.

9. White Beans

Beans contain a significant dose of potassium per serving and are rich in fiber. White beans do help lower one’s risk of diabetes and heart disease. High-fiber diets also do encourage a healthy waistline.

10. Banana

Bananas are known to be a good source of potassium. Yet they are relatively high in sugar and carbohydrates. It is recommended as a quick source of energy after a workout. It is nutrient-rich recovery food to help repair muscle and balance water retention. Exercising, especially an intense workout is one of the major ways that one’s potassium levels can get drained so it is good to consume potassium-rich foods like bananas. Scientific research has also shown that bananas are rich in dopamine, a major mood-enhancing hormone.

What are electrolytes? Electrolytes are indeed certain nutrients (or chemicals) that happen to be present in one’s body that have many important functions — from regulating one’s heartbeat to allowing one’s muscles to contract so one can move.

The major electrolytes found within the body do include calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphate, and chloride. As these crucial nutrients do help stimulate nerves throughout one’s body and balance fluid levels, an electrolyte imbalance can indeed cause a variety of serious negative symptoms, including some that are potentially deadly.

One can obtain electrolytes through eating different foods and drinking certain fluids, while one loses them partially through exercise, sweating, going to the bathroom as while urinating. Poor diet and less or too much exercise is not good and being sick are some possible causes for an electrolyte imbalance.

Electrolytes do include:

Calcium: helping with muscle contractions, nerve signaling, blood clotting, cell division, and forming/maintaining bones and teeth

Potassium: helps keep one’s blood pressure levels stable, regulating heart contractions, helping with muscle functions

Magnesium: This is required for muscle contractions, proper heart rhythms, nerve functioning, bone-building as well as strength, reducing anxiety, digestion, and also keeping a stable protein-fluid balance

Sodium: This helps maintain fluid balance, needed for muscle contractions, and helps with nerve signaling

Chloride: maintains fluid balance

How Electrolytes Work and the Causes of an Imbalance?

Electrolytes are found within bodily fluids, including urine, blood, and sweat. Electrolytes are indeed given their name because they literally have an “electric charge.” They do separate into positively and negatively charged ions when they are dissolved in water.

The reason this is important is because of how nerve reactions to take place. One’s nerves signal to one another by a process of chemical exchanges dependent on oppositely charged ions, both outside and inside of one’s cells.

An electrolyte imbalance can be caused by a number of different factors, including short-term illnesses, medications, dehydration as well as underlying chronic disorders. Some of the common causes of electrolyte imbalance are due to fluid loss, which can also stem from situations including:

Being sick with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, sweating or high fevers that can¬ indeed all produce fluid loss or dehydration

• A poor diet that happens to be low in essential nutrients from whole foods
• Trouble absorbing nutrients from food (malabsorption) due to intestinal or digestive issues
• Hormonal imbalances and endocrine disorders
• Taking certain medications including those for treating cancer, heart disease or hormonal disorders
• Taking antibiotics, over-the-counter diuretics or medications, or corticosteroid hormones
• Kidney disease or damage (since the kidneys play a critical role in regulating chloride in your blood and “flushing out” potassium, magnesium, and sodium)
• Chemotherapy treatments, which can cause side effects of low blood calcium or calcium deficiency, changes in blood potassium levels, and other electrolyte deficiencies

Being on the keto diet, where even if you’re drinking a lot of water, you will lose a lot of water weight and also flush essential electrolytes out of our system, including magnesium, potassium or sodium. Adding bone broth is a great way to replenish these naturally, in addition to getting other nutrients and amino acids.

Signs and Symptoms of an Electrolyte Imbalance

Because electrolytes have so many different roles within one’s body, an imbalance normally does cause noticeable changes in how one feels pretty quickly. Depending on the type of electrolyte imbalance one experience, a number of symptoms can also occur including:

• Muscle aches, spasms, twitches, and weakness
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Frequent headaches
• Feely very thirsty
• Fever
• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeats
• Digestive issues like cramps, constipation or diarrhea
• Confusion and trouble concentrating
• Bone disorders
• Changes in appetite or body weight
• Joint pain
• Blood pressure changes
• Fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome)
• Numbness and pain in joints
• Dizziness, especially when standing up suddenly

To diagnose an electrolyte imbalance, one’s doctor can perform a few different tests to determine one’s electrolyte levels. Most likely one’s health care provider will discuss one’s medical history with one, any reoccurring symptoms one does experience, and take a urine and blood test to identify any abnormalities.

It is also sometimes necessary to have an EKG test, ultrasound or X-rays of your kidneys in order to look for severe electrolyte imbalances that can put one at risk for heart complications.

One’s doctor will look for any noticeable changes in optimal electrolyte levels, including very high or low potassium, magnesium or sodium levels. These are rather fairly easy to spot since the body does work very hard to keep electrolyte concentrations within a narrow range.

When does one have to approach a doctor for electrolyte imbalance?

If one can identify with the descriptions of electrolyte imbalance symptoms below, it is best to consult a health care provider

Common signs of electrolyte imbalance:

Changes in Heartbeat:

When potassium does rise to very high levels, a condition called hyperkalemia does develop. This does interfere with the normal signals sent from nerves to muscles, which can result in muscles becoming weak, tingly or numb. At the same time, high potassium can impact one’s heartbeat and cause rapid rhythms that make one feel anxious. Also, one of the main effects of high calcium levels is on the cardiovascular system and electrical transmission pathways of the heart, so very high calcium levels are of course another common cause of heartbeat changes.

Anxiety and Trouble Sleeping:

Most of us know how hard it is to fall and stay asleep when one has muscle spasms, a fast heartbeat or night sweats. Despite feeling like one is tired, low magnesium levels and high potassium can cause trouble getting good rest because of ongoing pains and mental disturbances.

Muscle Spasms:

When dehydration does occur or potassium and magnesium levels fall abruptly, muscle weakness and spasms are usually the initial signs. Very low potassium levels (hypokalemia) can indeed cause cramps and constipation. Low calcium levels (hypocalcemia) also does cause muscle spasms, cramps, abdominal muscle pain, and convulsions.

Digestive Issues:

The muscles within one’s digestive tract need to contract properly in order to help one to go to the bathroom. So either high or low levels of electrolytes can also result in diarrhea, constipation, cramping or hemorrhoids. Nausea is also sometimes caused by very low sodium levels (called hyponatremia). This same condition can indeed be followed by headaches, disorientation, and respiratory problems when it is left unresolved.

Bone Pains:

Very high calcium levels (called hypercalcemia) can indeed result in bone fractures, painful kidney stones, vomiting, and constipation. The same condition can also make one feel tired and weak, with trouble concentrating.

Confusion, Dizziness, and Irritability:

When one’s sodium levels rise too drastically (called hypernatremia), one can become dizzy and weak. When this worsens, it is possible to become even more delirious and even experience a seizure or coma.

How to Solve an Electrolyte Imbalance

1. Adjusting one’s diet

One must avoid poor diet. Junk food is not good. One must eat plenty of vegetables and fruits that provide potassium and magnesium such as leafy greens, cruciferous veggies like broccoli or cabbage, starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes or squash, bananas, as well as avocados. One must have a diet rich in potassium. Low potassium levels can lead to blood pressure problems or magnesium deficiency can contribute to anxiety, restlessness and muscle cramps.

In order to prevent dehydration and restore electrolytes, one must have foods such as:

• Coconut water
• Celery
• Cucumber
• Watermelon
• Kiwi
• Bell peppers
• Citrus fruit
• Carrots
• Cultured dairy (amasai/kefir/yogurt)
• Pineapple

2. Monitor Your Sodium Intake

While consuming packaged or processed foods, one needs to check the sodium levels. Sodium is an electrolyte that does play an important role in one’s body’s ability to retain or release water. In case one’s diet is very high in sodium, more water is excreted by the kidneys, and this can cause complications with balancing other electrolytes.

By monitoring how much sodium one consumes one can keep such symptoms at bay that include bloating, lethargy, dehydration, weakness, irritability and muscle twitching. Drinking water and eating mostly whole foods does help.

3. Drink Enough Water (but Not Too Much)

Electrolyte imbalances can indeed develop when the amount of water in one’s body changes, either causing dehydration (not enough water compared to certainly elevated electrolytes) or over-hydration (too much water). Drinking enough water, without over-diluting one’s cells, helps stop levels of sodium and potassium from rising too high or too low.

If one goes in for vigorous exercise (especially in warm/hot weather that increases sweat production), one must replenish with plenty of water and electrolytes. In case one has been sick (including with a fever that causes vomiting or diarrhea), one must keep in mind that one loses fluids and should increase one’s intake. If not, then there is the risk of developing dehydration symptoms, kidney stones, bladder infections, urinary tract stones and potentially even heart failure. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding also need additional fluids (about 10–13 cups every day) in order to stay hydrated. Growing teenagers also need to be well hydrated and older people.

4. Check Your Medications

Antibiotics, diuretics, hormonal pills, blood pressure medications, and cancer treatments can all impact one’s electrolyte levels. The most serious forms of electrolyte imbalances usually appear in cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy. Their symptoms can be very serious when not properly managed and does include high blood calcium levels or other imbalances that develop when cancer cells die off.

Laxatives or diuretics also change potassium and sodium levels within the blood and urine. If one has started a new medication or supplement and notice changes in one’s mood, energy, heartbeat and sleep, one need to consult the doctor about possibly changing one’s dose to minimize electrolyte imbalance risks.

5. Refuel after Exercise

Fluids and electrolytes (usually in the form of extra sodium) are indeed commonly consumed by athletes during or after training. One needs to be hydrated during a prolonged period of time. One needs to drink extra water.

If sufficient water is not actually present in one’s body, dehydration and deficits can cause cardiovascular complications (changes to heartbeats), muscle cramping, fatigue, dizziness, and confusion. Both water and sodium need to be replaced after workouts for normal water levels in one’s body.

6. Consider Supplementing

On account of high-stress levels, genetic factors or existing medical conditions, some people can also be chronically deficient in some electrolytes. Magnesium and potassium are two electrolytes that many people do tend to be low in. Taking magnesium supplements daily can indeed help replenish stores and also prevent magnesium deficiency that is responsible for symptoms such as anxiety, trouble sleeping or muscle cramps. Potassium and magnesium are usually present in multi-vitamins and high-quality; food-based vitamins do help.

What Is Candida?

Candida can indeed be very serious. Candida albicans happens to be the most common type of yeast infection found in the mouth, intestinal tract and vagina (vaginal/genital candidiasis), and it may also affect the skin and other mucous membranes. If the immune system is functioning optimally, this type of yeast infection is rarely serious. However, in case the immune system is not functioning properly, the candida infection can rather spread to other areas of the body, including the blood and membranes around one’s heart or brain, thus causing serious candida symptoms. This is usually referred to as invasive candidiasis.

Candida happens to be a fungus that does aid with nutrient absorption and digestion when in proper levels in one’s body. When it overproduces, typical candida symptoms may also appear. In the digestive tract, if left unchecked, it does break down the walls of the intestinal lining and also penetrates into the bloodstream. This does release byproduct toxins and other toxins from one’s system, causing the leaky gut syndrome.

When one’s body’s natural pH balance is upset, the candida yeasts can also grow out of control, creating a systemic problem as well as unpleasant candida symptoms. Good healthy bacteria and a properly functioning immune system are indeed essential when fighting this stubborn infection.

Candida overgrowth syndrome, or COS, is the term much used when candida has grown out of control in one’s body. Make no mistake: This is a chronic health condition. In addition to candida symptoms, individuals who have never experienced a serious yeast infection can find they have also developed new sensitivities, allergies or intolerances to a variety of foods. These foods include dairy, eggs, corn as well as gluten.

What Causes Candida Infections?

There are indeed many possible causes of candida, including a diet high in sugar, refined carbohydrates and alcohol that help feed candida.

1.Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics

Sometimes, antibiotics are required to fight a stubborn infection to kill the offending bacteria in one’s system. The problem with antibiotics and with overusing them (often creating antibiotic resistance) is that they do not just kill the bad bacteria; they also kill the good ones, too.

The good bacteria in one’s system are responsible for digestion and keeping candida under control. After a long course (or multiple courses over a short period), antibiotics can also rather make one’s body a literal breeding ground for candida.

2. Birth Control Pills

Unlike antibiotics, birth control pills do not directly cause a yeast infection or candida overgrowth syndrome. However, when a woman does consume a diet high in refined sugars and has had a course of antibiotics, birth control pills can adversely affect her body, leading to a candida infection.

Some women find that birth control pills seem to instigate yeast infections — and even long after the initial infection is gone, once they start taking the birth control pills again, candida can take the required root.

3. Oral Corticosteroids

Individuals who do treat their asthma with corticosteroid inhalants are at an increased risk of developing candida in the mouth, leading to systemic candida overgrowth. It is imperative that individuals making use of corticosteroid inhalers for asthma follow the directions for swishing the mouth out after each use. If oral candidiasis is indeed detected, it can also be treated with the gargling of coconut oil and a drop or two of essential clove oil.

4. Cancer Treatments

Candidiasis can also become invasive in cancer patients and present a serious complication. Chemotherapy and radiation can both work to kill cancerous cells and tumors; however, they also kill off the healthy bacteria that does naturally fight candida.

5. Diabetes

In Type 1 diabetic or a Type 2 diabetic, sugar levels in the mouth and other mucous membranes are by tradition higher than in an individual without diabetes. Since candida is a type of yeast and sugar does feed yeast, it is understandable that those with diabetes are at a greater risk for developing candida overgrowth syndrome.

6. Weakened Immune System

Any individual with a weakened immune system is, in fact, more likely to develop candida. This includes infants, small children, the elderly, those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, and other inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.

Candida Symptoms

Candida yeast overgrowth can indeed be difficult for a physician to diagnose. Possible methods of testing include stool testing, serum testing, candida DNA test, stool PCR testing as well as microbial organic acids testing. This type of systemic yeast infection presents different ways in different people. Below are nine of the candida symptoms to watch for if one is concerned one has candida, or candida overgrowth syndrome.

1. Chronic Fatigue

Fatigue or exhaustion cannot be got rid of, regardless of the number of hours one sleeps. One may suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. The disease is characterized by fatigue that does last a minimum of six months and is often accompanied by other candida symptoms, including headaches, joint pain, difficulties with memory and concentration as well as a sore throat.

Often one of the candida symptoms is chronic fatigue. While a candida infection is not the only cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, many physicians believe it heightens the risk of CFS.

2. Mood Disorders

One of the reasons why it is difficult to diagnose candida is because so many of the candida symptoms are common to other conditions, including mood disorders. Individuals with Candida overgrowth may also experience dramatic mood swings, anxiety, irritability, depression, and even panic attacks.

3. Recurring Vaginal and Urinary Tract Infections

When an individual does experience recurring urinary tract infection or vagina, candida may perhaps be at the root of the problem. It is important to realize that candida can be sexually transmitted, and partners can spread it back and forth. Women can reduce the risk by avoiding tight-fitting underwear or pantyhose and avoid hot baths during an active infection.

4. Oral Thrush

Oral thrush happens to be a yeast infection that is caused by the same strain of candida that does affect other mucous membranes, including the vagina. It is most often caused by the use of prednisone or other oral corticosteroids. Left untreated, it may spread through one’s body, including the digestive tract, lungs, and liver as well as heart valves.

Oral candida is communicable. Newborns can rather get thrush during birth; children can suffer from it from sharing toys with other children, and adults can pass it on back and forth through the saliva.

5. Sinus Infections

As with many of these other candida symptoms, sinus infections are quite common these days, and it can be rather difficult to pinpoint the root of the cause. Candida does affect the sinuses and can also, in fact, result in a persistent cough, post-nasal drip, and an increase in congestion, seasonal allergies, and also general flu-like symptoms

6. Intestinal Distress

Ongoing intestinal distress happens to be very uncomfortable candida symptom. Persistent flatulence, burping, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, and stomach cramps may indeed be caused by a lack of healthy bacteria in one’s digestive tract.

When yeast overtakes the intestines, healthy bacteria are undermanned, and cannot fight off the infection alone. When the bacteria in your gut are out of balance, it’s known as dysbiosis. Many individuals experience dramatic relief of chronic intestinal distress when effectively treating a candida infection.

7. Brain Fog

Along with mood changes as well as chronic fatigue, brain fog is often overlooked as one of the candida symptoms. However, candida overgrowth can rather cause a lack of focus, poor physical coordination, and difficulty in concentrating on tasks and poor memory.

8. Skin and Nail Fungal Infections

Athlete’s foot and fungal infections in the toenail are common yeast infections, which stem from the same strain of candida. Continued infections may also be a sign that one has a systemic candida infection.

9. Hormonal Imbalance

A hormonal imbalance is also a candida symptom that does present in many other health conditions. One needs to be aware that an infection can cause early menopause, PMS, a low sex drive, migraines, endometriosis, water retention, mood swings and an inability to lose unwanted pounds.

Treatment 1: The Candida Cleanse

The candida cleanse does help to rid the body of excess candida through the flushing of the digestive tract, and the introduction of healthy candida fighters found in fermented vegetables as well as kefir.

One has two options for a cleanse: liquids-only cleanse or a gentler cleanse with food. One can go in for a most thorough gut

reboot: starting with step one cleanses and then moving on to step two cleanse.

Option One: Liquids-Only Candida Cleanse (Duration 1–2 Days)

Start by preparing a vegetable broth from organic onions, garlic, celery, kale, sea salt, and pure water. Let it simmer and strain.

Discard the vegetables and then refrigerate the broth.

Throughout the day, sip on the warm broth; it is also imperative that one drinks lots of water to help one’s body expel all the toxins in one’s system. While this is not actually a long-term cleanse, it can be repeated as needed every few weeks.

Option Two: Steamed Vegetables (Duration 3–5 Days)

By avoiding grains, sugars, fruits, starches, and alcohol from one’s diet for three to five days, one can make great headway in one’s fight against candida overgrowth.

Mostly, eat fresh, organic vegetables that have been steamed. For this cleanse stage, keep away from any starchy vegetables such as carrots, radishes, beets, sweet potatoes, and white potatoes, which may contribute to sugar levels and feed the candida. Continue to drink plenty of pure water, a minimum of 72 ounces per day, to help flush the candida and byproducts from one’s system.

During this time — no more than once a day — one can eat salads made from leafy greens (like romaine) or bitter greens (like chard) and topped with just a bit of coconut oil and apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice).

During either of the candida cleanses above, one can use bentonite clay to help surround the toxins and efficiently remove them from your system.

Treatment 2: The Candida Diet

This is a diet is not simply meant to discourage candida as it is also meant to rid one’s body of candida.

• The first step of the diet is to boost one’s immune system through the elimination of sugar, alcohol and refined carbohydrates. These items are indeed contributing to the growth of the candida in one’s system.
• Step two is to replace these foods with organic vegetables that do include carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, and asparagus.

According to ancient Chinese medicine, warm starchy vegetables support the spleen in clearing candida from the body. The regular candida diet includes warming fall vegetables that do nourish the spleen, such as sweet potatoes, yams, peas, mung beans, lentils, kidney beans, adzuki beans, carrots, beets, corn, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, acorn squash, zucchini, yellow squash, rutabaga, and pumpkin. These should be the main sources of carbs that do satisfy one’s cravings for sweets as well.

What about grains? Some grains like quinoa, barley, teff, sorghum and amaranth and starch like corn can also help to dry the overly damp gut, so one serving a day (no more!) of those grains can work for most people with candida.

Keep fruit intake low as well as natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey.

3. Add cultured dairy, preferably goat milk kefir, as healthy probiotic foods can be effective in getting rid of the candida in one’s system. Probiotics like kimchi and sauerkraut are also good additions to one’s diet, as well as unsweetened cranberry juice, as they create an acidic environment that makes it difficult for candida to grow.

Fermented vegetables do contain microflora that helps to protect the intestines. Regular consumption of fermented foods can also help improve the immune system, making the body less hospitable for candida. Begin with a half cup per day of sauerkraut, kimchi or other fermented vegetables as part of a new eating plan dedicated to bringing your body back into a healthy balance.

The candida diet does help to provide beneficial bacteria, regulate appetite, and reduce your cravings for refined carbohydrates and sugars.

Treatment 3: Supplements, Essential Oils, and Coconut Oil

Research shows that C. albicans, the strain of candida that does lead to systemic candida overgrowth is often resistant to both fluconazole and itraconazole, the antifungal medicines most often prescribed for candida.

1. Coconut oil can effectively fight candida due to its antimicrobial properties. The combination of lauric acid and caprylic acid found in coconut oil kills off harmful candida through both ingestion and topical application.

2. Milk thistle supplements do help to cleanse one’s liver from prescription medications (steroids, birth control, antibiotics, as well as others), environmental pollution, heavy metals, and the remnants from both chemotherapies as well as radiation.

Some prescription medications and cancer treatments can also lead to candida overgrowth. Milk thistle, along with the candida diet, can help one’s body to recover and create an environment where candida ceases to thrive.

3. Vitamin C does help to boost adrenal glands and also helps to restore one’s immune system.

4. Clove oil, oregano oil, and myrrh oil help to get rid of a variety of parasites and fungi, including candida, in the body. Lavender oil also prevents the growth of candida and is effective at preventing the spread of the infection.

Add a couple of drops of clove oil or lavender oil and mix it with coconut oil and use it during one’s cleanse, you can help to kill off the offending candida. As these essential oils are rather powerful, they should only be taken internally for 10 days or less.

Also, for oral thrush, make use of three drops of clove oil with one tablespoon of coconut oil and swish in the mouth for 20 minutes.

Do not give clove oil internally to children under 2 years of age. If one is pregnant or nursing, check with one’s natural health care provider before taking clove oil internally.

In case one is spending time along rivers or lakes in the southern or northeastern parts of the U.S., one needs to watch out for poison sumac. Poison sumac is considered a much rarer plant as compared to poison ivy (but it is more poisonous). So depending on where one lives, one probably has much less of a risk of coming into contact with it frequently. Sumac shrubs are rather bigger and taller than poison ivy and poison oak plants, which grow as winding vines or short shrubs.

A rash caused by poison sumac is on account of contact with oil found in the plant called urushiol. This is, of course, the same “poisonous” oil found in poison ivy and oak.

What is the time span for a poison sumac rash to develop? After one has contact with urushiol, a red rash will typically form on one’s skin within 24 to 72 hours. The rash can also appear anywhere on one’s body where the plant’s oils have touched, most commonly one’s hands, feet or legs. If one does develop a poison sumac skin rash, in order to soothe the skin one can apply a cool compress to the skin, making use of calamine lotion and essential oils. This will help in the healing process.

What Is Poison Sumac?

Poison sumac (species name Toxicodendron vernix) is a toxic plant that does cause a skin rash upon contact. The plant is related to poison ivy as well as poison oak plants, which is why all these three plants can cause similar skin rashes.

What does a poison sumac tree look like?

Poison sumac trees are small woody shrubs that can indeed grow up to about 9 meters tall (or over 29 feet). They can also be found growing in wet or marshy areas, such as all along the east coast of the United States, especially the Northeast or the Deep South. Poison sumac thrives only in very wet habitats, so it is mostly found growing along rivers, lakes, streams or canals.

Poison sumac plants have red stems as well as bright green leaves, sometimes which have a small leaflet (an extra little leaf) growing on the side. Red stems branch off of the main trunk of the plant. Sumac berries can also indeed grow in bunches near the plant’s main branches. Sumac berries are usually green during the summer and also yellow-white during the winter.

Poison Sumac Reaction Signs & Symptoms

The most noticeable symptom linked with contacting a poison sumac tree or shrub is developing a red, itchy skin rash.

Signs and symptoms:

• Developing patches or streaks of red raised blisters.
• Itchiness cum skin dryness.
• Redness, tingling, heat or swelling of one’s skin.
• After several days, blisters developing that fill with fluid and can sometimes ooze. These may form scabs as they heal and can sometimes leave behind scarring or discoloration.
• Changes in skin color, such as blisters forming that have a yellow or orange tint.
• Increased sensitivity to the sun, heat or cold.

How long will a poison sumac rash last? Most people tend to have an active rash for about one to three weeks. Within a week of spotting the first signs of a rash, one can expect the rash to “peak” and be at its worst. One might experience redness, swollen skin, itchiness, blistering or scabbing for up to three weeks. The rash itself is not contagious and the rash does not usually spread for more than a week unless one comes into contact with urushiol again.

Causes & Risk Factors for Developing a Poison Sumac Rash

Poison sumac rashes are generally triggered by urushiol oil, which is, unfortunately, very resilient oil that can remain active for months when it does spread to fabrics or household equipment. The most common way to get a poison sumac rash is to directly touch the plant. A reaction can indeed be triggered within minutes, often without one even realizing it.

Risk factors:

• Spending time outdoors in wet, marshy areas, especially if much of one’s skin is exposed.
• Working in agriculture and/or forestry.
• Being an “outdoor enthusiast,” such as camping or hiking along trails.
• Having eczema treatment, allergies or sensitive skin (usually fair, easily sunburned as well as prone to rashes).
• Having family members who are rather allergic to the plant or who have had reactions in the past.
• Having a history of strong allergies or weakened immune system due to other medical conditions, such as autoimmune disorders.

Many different surfaces, materials, and tools can harbor urushiol oil long after it has left a poisonous plant. Things around one’s home that might contain small amounts of urushiol, which is still enough to cause an allergic reaction upon contact, include: Gardening equipment, like gloves or shovels or garden hoses, cotton clothing, hats, shoes, socks or other clothing, pet fur furniture, doorknobs sports equipment

Conventional Treatments for Poison Sumac Reactions

Mild or moderate rash due to poison sumac does not require immediate medical attention. One needs to consult a doctor in case the rash becomes very severe, swollen or appears close to one’s eyes.

Doctors will at time prescribe antihistamine medications or even steroids to patients with severe skin rashes in order to control the immune system’s reaction. Certain medications can also help control swelling and itching and might make the rash disappear early. In case one is severely allergic to poison sumac then a corticosteroid shot, such as prednisone or triamcinolone, or creams containing hydrocortisone or other antihistamine ingredients, may be prescribed.

Can one suffer from poison sumac more than once? Yes. Making use of prescribed medication may not cure it as the rash can appear later again in case one comes into contact with urushiol again. It is common to get a rash from poison ivy, oak or sumac more than once.