Hello Taylor,
First know that antibiotics only feed the candida due to changes in your gut flora. Let's start with the ZPak which it is what is called a "big gun," or broad spectrum antibiotic, meaning it is given usually when they don't exactly know what the infection is. If you doctor prescribed you to take it please follow those instructions. However if your symptoms continue to persist I would recommend you seek a medical professional. However, there are things you can do to right now to take control over this infection. One way is your diet and by avoiding sugars, alcohol and grains. Instead focus on consuming the following:
1. Non-starchy vegetables
Fungus overgrowths eat what you eat. Plant foods like kale, spinach, Swiss chard, and bok choy offer a lot of nutrients without overfeeding the overgrowth.Green leafy vegetable are also rich in folate, which as I mentioned in What You Need To Know About The Gene Mutation That Affects 40 Percent Of The World is needed for people with MTHFR gene mutations who are extra-sensitive to candida overgrowth.Some people do better with steaming or sautéing non-starchy vegetables, which is more gentle on the gut.
2. Clean meats
Grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, and organ meat (like liver) are rich in bioavailable fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamins A, D, and K2, all of which are needed for immune and microbiome health.
3. Healthy fats
Coconut, olive, and avocado oil are all healing to the gut. A variety of saturated and monounsaturated fats have an anti-inflammatory effect on the gut lining. Coconut oil in particular is rich in caprylic acid, which has been shown to inhibit candida overgrowth.
4. Cultured foods
Fermented foods, like kimchi, sauerkraut, and coconut or grass-fed kefir, will help reinoculate a stressed-out microbiome with beneficial bacteria.I recommend eating these in moderation at the beginning of your healing and slowly increasing intake, as they can cause a flare-up of symptoms from the die-off of the yeast overgrowth.
5. Healing herbs and spices
Herbs like oregano, ginger, and pau d'arco have all been shown to have antimicrobial effects. You can choose to use them in recipes, teas, or in supplement form.
6. Healthy sweeteners
Non-sugary sweeteners like raw green stevia and xylitol are better alternatives to sugar, which can be harmful to the gut. But even these should be used sparingly.
7. Tea
Tannins found in black tea have been shown to help kill off candida. Calming teas, like ginger, can help soothe the delicate gut lining.
8. Bone broth
This ancient healing food is making a modern comeback — and for good reason. This is probably the strongest gut medicine for most people. The collagen in the broth are building blocks to a healthy gut lining. Because it contains no sugar, it can also help starve down fungal overgrowths and turn down inflammation.
