Could YOUR Diet Be Causing Toenail Fungus?

Our body parts are all interconnected and if one part of the body is overwhelmed it can cause your body to not perform optimally.

Many treatments for nail fungus do not cure the underlying cause of your fungus.

If you treat only the external part of your infection then it will resurface months later.

Many prescriptions and topical ointments do not identify the root cause of your fungus, leaving you confused and hopeless.

See, I was like that not too long ago. I had fungus for about 5+ years before I started doing something about it.

At first, I targeted the external but ended up not seeing lasting results until I made significant lifestyle changes.

In this article, I am going to show you the exact steps to take to change your lifestyle choices that will destroy fungus. My mom and I both followed these easy incremental changes to our lives to treat our fungus in a few months.

Treating Nail Fungus Holistically with Diet

One of the most overlooked causes for your nail fungal infection is your diet.

Addressing your diet is the first step into curing your infection.

There are three main guidelines to follow for this diet.

The Three Dietary Guidelines for Eliminating Fungi

1. Reducing and eliminating the sugar that is supplying the yeast and bad bacteria.
2. Implementing fiber, healthy fats, and good sources of protein.
3. Introducing powerful foods that promote and replace the flora/good bacteria in the gut.

Cutting off the supply chain of sugar that fuels yeast

The first step you will want to take in treating your nail fungal infection is imitating natural ways to fight candida.

You’ll need to make some small incremental changes in your diet and adopt a candida diet.

The biggest part of treating a candida overgrowth is to eliminate the sugar that feeds it. The two main “fuel sources” of yeast and candida virus in your digestive tract is conventional grain products and sugars.

One of the most common yeasts that grows inside the human body is candida albicans.

Normally in healthy bodies, other bacteria and immune cells keep this yeast under control and maintain homeostasis. In some people, candida can become rampant and cause infections in certain areas.

Candida can show up through the skin where it can cause reactions and infections. Other areas that an infection could sprout is on the mouth region, vagina, and anus.

How can you prevent the triggering of candida in the first place?

This overgrowth can develop from a tremendous amount of reasons, including poor digestion, antibiotic use, low immune system function, excessively high sugar and grain diet, hormonal changes, and stress.

These can all orchestrate an acidic environment that encourages yeast growth and the presence of candida.

A lot of people get prescriptions for pills or anti-fungal creams or medications. Unfortunately, these treat the symptoms and not the underlying cause which is the acidic environment that allows candida to thrive.

Once candida has taken control, the bacteria and yeast will thrive off of sugar molecules entering the digestive tract via the food you’re consuming.

Thus, it is imperative for the elimination of the underlying cause which is probably deriving from your diet (or lifestyle choices).

Ultimately, these types of changes in your diet will restore your body’s pH balance, boost the presence of good bacteria in your stomach, and improve immune function.

It can be difficult overcome any type of yeast infection or toenail fungal infection without curbing your sugar additions and going nearly sugar-free and grain-free.

Replenishing the healthy bacteria and flora in your stomach

After cutting off the sugar source that is feeding your fungus, you will want to implement healthy bacteria and replenish the flora in your gut.

The next step is to change your diet and begin consuming fermented foods and other probiotic foods.

The main superfoods that will assist in recuperating your levels of healthy bacteria which includes various fermented foods such as kimchi or sauerkraut.

Other recommended foods are fermented vegetables and other probiotic foods or supplements.

Kombucha is an easy way to get more probiotics into your system. One great brand of kombucha is GTS which also has a line of kefir (I have no affiliation with GTS, I just think they have superior products and taste great).

Kefir benefits enhance your immune function and restore gut health by building up your body’s defense mechanisms.

Another way to incorporate probiotics into your diet is in supplementation form. We will go over in-depth what to look for in a probiotic supplement.

Eat more fiber, protein, and quality fats

Lastly, begin eating more fiber and healthy protein sources. Fiber typically passes through our digestive tract without being absorbed by digestive enzymes and acids within the stomach.

This happens because the structure of fiber and our inability to absorb it. When it passes, it takes toxins, waste, fat, and cholesterol particles that can gather in the gut.

In addition to fiber, I also recommend increasing the amount of grass fed meats, organic cage-free eggs, and wild-caught fish.

The goal is to consume enough protein while simultaneously reducing toxins in your diet.

The last thing to induce into your diet is healthy fats such as coconut oil. One of the great things about coconut oil is that it contains caprylic acid and lauric acid.

Caprylic acid has antibacterial and antimicrobial fatty acids that aid in killing off candida.

Next, we will cover foods to eat more of to help you get rid of the fungus that is plaguing your system.

10 Foods That Eliminate Candida and Toe Fungus

1. Fermented Foods (Sauerkraut and Kimchi)

   Fermented foods such as kimchi, kefir, and sauerkraut are the key to getting healthy bacteria and replenishing the flora in your gut. This is because they contain microflora that help protect the intestines. Regularly consuming these types of foods will help improve the immune system and make it inhospitable for candida to reside in the body.

2. Green Drinks and Veggies

   Green juices and leafy green vegetables help alkalize the body, which fights against the acidic nature of yeast overgrowth. In addition, it provides the body with the nutrients with what it needs to beat fungus. Also, greens contain no sugars and high amounts of magnesium that naturally detoxes the body, chlorophyll to cleanse the body, B vitamins that energize the body, iron to give the body support, and vitamin C to rebuild the immune system.

3. Turmeric (Curcumin)

   Turmeric is one of the most important anti-inflammatory remedies. Turmeric is commonly known for its use in cooking. It also has mild anti fungal properties and has the ability to disable the growth and spread of Candida in your digestive tract. It is also antibacterial and antiviral which makes it a great addition to any diet. If you are not fond of the taste you can opt to take turmeric in supplement form.

4. Lemon (or Lime)

   The consumption of lemon or lime juice stimulate the peristaltic action of your colon. This means that it literally aids in the squeezing of the muscles together, moving waste along so it can be moved out of the body. Thus, increasing the efficiency of your digestive tract. In addition, they are great for alkalizing the body and bringing it back into balance which will optimize its functionality.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

   Acids and enzymes present in apple cider vinegar help kill and get rid of the excess yeast residing in your body.

6. Garlic

   Garlic is known for its powerful anti fungal properties which attacks candida and also maintain healthy micro biomes in the digestive tract. Garlic can also boost the function of the lymphatic system, helping it to rid the body of waste more efficiently. It also helps destroy harmful bacteria while leaving the healthy bacteria to prosper.

7. Unsweetened Cranberry Juice

   An unsweetened cranberry juice without any added sugars can help correct the pH levels of urine, helping to prevent the overgrowth of fungi and yeast.

8. Bone Broth

   Bone broth contains glutamine which helps to rebuild the lining of the gut, protecting it from yeast overgrowth, and repairing damage. It also is  a rich source of collagen, which supports the foundation of the gut lining. Also, it is sugar-free so it will not supply the fungus and yeast with sugar.

9. Algae

   Algae is recognized as one of the world’s best superfoods due to its high level of nutrients. It has the highest food source for natural chlorophyll, which is a powerful detoxifier. It is essential for helping cleanse your bowels. The best source of algae is fresh blue-green algae like spirulina. The best way to add this into your diet is in powder form.

10. Cinnamon

    Cinnamon is often attributed to sweet foods but it is actually a potent anti fungal. Studies show that cinnamon helps stabilize blood sugar and prevent spikes. This makes it useful for those with diabetes.

The Next Step

One of the best ways to incorporate the vital nutrients you need in your diet is in the form of juicing or smoothies. Smoothies can also help you loose weight, improve your sleep, health, and more.

I was skeptical at first until my mom started seeing results using these exact steps above to treat her toe fungus. She began incorporating these essential oils, smoothies, and exercise into her life and the results were staggering.

She began using essential oils, then started taking supplements, and finally began a smoothie diet and added some of the foods that fight of candida into her diet.

Not getting enough greens and vegetables into your diet?

Get Smoothie Diet Recipes Today

Supplements and Essential Oils For Toenail Fungus

Best Essential Oils

The best oils to fight candida:

• oregano oil
• cinnamon oil
• lavender oil

These three will all assist in the eradication of a variety of fungi, even candida, in the body. Lavender oil also disables the growth of candida and is effective at preventing the spread of the infection.

Mixing a few drops of lavender oil with coconut oil during your cleanse can help to kill off the candida. Since essential oils are powerful, they should only be taken internally for 10 days or less.

Oregano oil is amazing for toenail fungus since it contains carvacrol which a great anti-fungal. It is best to just apply oregano oil onto your toenail fungal infection. I cover how to exactly use these essential oils in this article.

Supplements for Toe Fungus/Candida

As mentioned before, probiotics are important to get into your body to aid in eliminating the thriving candida and fungus. The best way to incorporate probiotics is in the form of supplementation.

• Probiotics 
  • 50 billion units daily
  • At least 15 strains
  • The more strains and units the better. Use 50 billion and 15 strains as a guideline to help your body reduce the presence of yeast and fungi.
    
• Vitamin C
  • 1000 miligrams, 2-3 times daily
  • Boosts immune function preventing further infections and fighting off current ones.
    
• Biotin
  • Assists in growth of hair, skin, and nails.
• Grapefruit seed extract
  • 200 milligrams, 2-3 grams
  • Contains specific properties to fight candida and fungus.
• Garlic
  • 2 caps or cloves daily
  • Has anti-fungal properties to get rid of fungus and boost the immune system.

Other Lifestyle Changes

Once you implement some changes to your diet, the next thing to look at is exercise.

Exercising can be great for your body, lower blood pressure, and increase blood flow. Better blood flow and circulation can increase how fast your toe nails will grow which in turn can help get rid of your fungus.

If you are treating your nails, the faster they are replaced, the quicker you can have healthier new nails.

Benefits of Exercise

• Lower blood pressure
• Reduce risk of diabetes
• Improved blood sugar levels
• Improved immune system