This book is subtitled ‘The Non-Drug Approach to the Treatment of Candida Infection’ and that gives you an idea of what it mostly contains. The first four chapters – ‘Candida albicans and common health problems’, ‘Candida and your defense systems’, ‘How Candida gets out of hand’ and ‘Candida and its consequences to your health’ – describe in depth the background to the condition of Candida overgrowth. But most of the book is taken up with the in-depth later chapters, which detail Chaitow’s non-drug approach to controlling Candida.

The first four chapters include information on:
· The rise of interest in Candida related problems over the last twenty-odd years.
· What would suggest you might have a Candida problem.
· Testing for Candida.
· Why Candida problems occur.
· What can be done about them.
· What is Candida?
· Medications used against Candida.
· The varied problems Candida can cause.
Also included are Candida questionnaire/checklists which give you clues as to whether Candida is a factor in your current health status.
The longest chapter in the book is ‘Controlling Candida naturally: supplements, prebiotics, probiotics and herbal extracts’ – basically the alternatives to prescribed and over-the-counter medications. A wide variety of options are detailed and cautions and possible side effects are listed. For each remedy mentioned, Chaitow explains why and how that remedy works and gives thorough dosage instructions. A section on the Anti-fungal drugs available is also included.
The next chapter details Chaitow’s “anti-Candida diet” including what to cut out, what to add, suggestions of foods to eat and as always, the whys and hows of what is suggested. Included in this chapter is some information on suggested lifestyle changes.
Those two chapters are long and crammed with detail, so if you are thinking of implementing Chaitow’s suggestions then the next chapter ‘ Putting your anti-Candida programme together’ is invaluable. It includes advice on getting a diagnosis with symptom tracking and suggestions by experts to try. It also summarizes the book’s suggestions in a 10-point strategy.
I’m a big fan of Chaitow’s books and highly recommend this one. As with all his books, each chapter is backed up with a list of references from scientific literature and in my experience, this is most unusual in alternative health literature. Everything is explained thoroughly in easy to understand terms and the book is extremely well written and laid out, making it easy and enjoyable to read. Having had this book out on extended loan from the library, I’m now going to buy myself a copy so I can have it on my shelves while I follow its advice and also as a reference and loan to friends in the future.
‘Candida Albicans’ By Leon Chaitow
ISBN 0-00-715295-7
© 2007 by Lindsey Middlemiss, butyoudontlooksick.com