Those following an anti-candida diet know all to well the importance of getting enough high quality animal protein into the diet.  Although plant foods can be great, their protein is typically bound to nutrient inhibitors making them hard for the body to assimilate.

As a result, plant foods are not the best choice when it comes to fulfilling protein requirements in the body.  However, high quality animal foods are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that can help assist in regeneration and repair in the body.  It’s for this reason that high quality animal foods are essential for those dealing with candida overgrowth.

In fact, both bone broths and gelatinous cuts of meat are both a rich source of collagen.  Research has shown that collagen can help seal the gut the lining by improving the epithelial barrier and improving the tight junctions in gut making it less permeable (1).

Luckily, we’ve covered the best animal foods to include into your anti-candida diet.  These animal foods listed below can help improve the health and integrity of the gut and can be extremely beneficial for those dealing with candida overgrowth.

Lastly, it’s important to understand that animal foods do not contain sugar which is the main fuel source of this pathogenic fungus.  As a result, they’re naturally candida friendly!

Top 5 Foods for Candida Overgrowth

1. Liver

By far one of the best foods to be consuming if you suffer from candida overgrowth, animal liver is a powerhouse of highly bioavailable vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.  Liver it quite literally the most nutrient dense food in the world.

It wasn’t by chance that all Native cultures and tribes around the world always prized the liver.  In fact, it was often reserved for the hunters due to its ability to restore strength and promote vigor in the body.

High quality animal liver is a rich source of D3, K2, cholesterol, B12, copper, zinc, and vitamin A.  These nutrients can help build the body and can assist in regeneration.  It’s so nutrient dense that many will consume liver in order to combat B12 deficiency in the body.  Those dealing with candida overgrowth are oftentimes deficient in several different key vitamins and minerals due to absorption issues in the intestines.

Liver is so nutrient dense that researchers have begun to look into the possibility of fortifying food products with it in third world countries in order to prevent nutrient deficiencies in young children (2).

Also, liver is one of the highest sources of copper in the world.  This is great for those dealing with candida overgrowth because research has confirmed that copper has potent anti-fungal properties (3).  Thankfully, unlike synthetic isolated mineral supplements, liver contains the perfect ratio between zinc and copper. This helps in absorption and maintaining the delicate balance between these two antagonist minerals.

As always, quality is of the utmost importance.  Only consume liver from animals that have not been given anti-biotics or steroids and have been raised organically.

2. Gelatinous Cuts of Meat

As mentioned before, gelatinous cuts of meat are a rich source of the protein collagen.  This protein is essential for improving gut function, sealing the intestinal lining, and making the intestines less permeable.

Gut permeability, or “leaky gut,” is very common among those dealing with candida overgrowth in the body (4).  In fact, it’s been shown that when the gut is more permeable, food allergies and food sensitives can often result (5).  Those dealing with candida overgrowth may have found that they’ve developed several different “phantom” food sensitives over the years. 

Luckily, gelatinous cuts of meat such as oxtail, lamb leg, shank, and ribs are an excellent source of this regenerative protein.  Unfortunately, most do not consume enough collagen daily due to the modern diet.  Also, modern societies obsession with consuming “lean” cuts of meat is another reason why the average individual does obtain enough collagen in his/her diet.

For best results, gelatinous cuts of meat should be cooked slowly, covered, and in a bed of water.  We’ve found that a minimum of three hours, or until tender, works best.  As an added bonus, the residue and drippings (gelatin) that is left over is also very nutritive towards the intestines.  This gelatin can be stored in the refrigerator for later use.  Simply add small amount to hot water and let dissolve for a refreshing drink, or eat it by the spoonful!

3. Bone Broth

There is no denying the amazing benefits that come from consuming bone broth daily.  This superfood has been used for centuries and can be perfect for anyone dealing with high amounts of intestinal inflammation.  Interestingly, bone broth can also be used to hydrate the body since it’s naturally high in electrolytes.

In fact, many Natives would frequently consume bone broth with their meals in order to facilitate digestion and increase their digestive powers.  This is because bone broth naturally increases gastric juices and can be the perfect digestive aid to consume after meals.

Bone Broth is naturally high in several different animal based amino acids which can help improve the health of the intestines.  In particular, bone broth is a rich source of the amino acid glycine.  Studies have shown that glycine can have a positive effect on the health of the gut and is naturally has stress reducing properties (6)(7).

That being said, it’s important that you always use bones from organic grass-fed animals.  Also, for best result, bones should be simmered for at least 3 hours in order to draw out the beneficial minerals and amino acids from the bones.

4. Tallow

If available, organic tallow from cows grazing on green grass is an amazing superfood.  For those unaware, tallow is made from cooking down suet from grass fed animals.  This is often called the “rendering process” and the end result is a delicious and healthy fat that is full of vitamins and minerals.

Tallow is great for all your cooking needs and can be used in place of butter.  Although grass-fed butter can be good, we’ve found that the majority of individuals dealing with candida overgrowth tend to be sensitive to all forms of dairy products.  However, tallow is typically much more well tolerated.

Interestingly, research has shown that a combination of both beef tallow and coconut oil has an inhibitory effect against the growth of candida (8).

Furthermore, animal fats can be excellent for those dealing with high amounts of intestinal inflammation and poor gut function.  They naturally help to seal the gut lining and help to combat intestinal issues such as gut permeability.  Consuming healthy animal fats such as tallow regularly is a great strategy for improving the health of the gut.

As always, make sure to always choose a high quality tallow.  It’s important to understand that fat is where animals will store most of their toxins.  As a result, the source in which the tallow is coming from is very important.

5. Grass-Fed Beef

Grass-fed beef is one the best animal foods someone with candida overgrowth can consume.  This is because it’s a rich source of important vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that can help initiate repair in the body.  However, don’t expect to get the same benefits from grain-fed conventional beef.

Research has shown the grass-fed beef has a more favorable fatty acid profile than compared to grain-fed beef (9).  This simply means that grass-fed beef will contain more of the anti-inflammatory omega 3’s such as DHA and EPA which are so beneficial for both those with candida overgrowth and those seeking optimal health.

Furthermore, grass-fed beef is one of the best sources of bioavailable zinc in the world.  For those unaware, zinc is critical for maintaining the health of the immune system and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.  In fact, research has shown that a zinc deficiency promotes the growth of a hyperactive candida yeast (10).  As a result, being deficient in this key mineral can allow fungal pathogens such as candida to overgrow in the body.

Grass-fed beef is also an excellent source of protein.  A 4 oz serving of grass-fed beef typically contains around 25 grams of protein. Also, unlike plant protein, the protein found in beef is not bound to nutrient inhibitors and is easily absorbed by the body.