Ms. Sruthi Mol. V
Integrative Dietician, Institute of Applied Dermatology, Kasaragod, Kerala
Mucormycosis is a very serious and
potentially fatal infection caused by exposure to mucor mold. Mucor is a
microbial genus of approximately 40 species of molds commonly found in soil,
plants, decaying fruits and vegetables, and manure.
India sees an increase in
mucormycosis cases, partly because many people grapple with SARS-CoV-2
infection. The COVID-19 pandemic created conditions for the infection to thrive
and spread. The immune system of residents is compromised by SARS-CoV-2,
allowing the black fungi to take hold.
The black fungus impacts the health
of people with co-morbidities, like diabetes and weakened immune systems. One
of the ways COVID-19 is being treated is through high-dose steroids to treat
inflammation. However, the drug can suppress the immune system, making it
easier for other pathogens to take advantage.
People who have diabetes have
weakened immune systems, making it easier for the fungi to cause infection.
Apart from this, diabetics are at a higher risk of mucormycosis since the fungi
love iron-rich, acidic environments, and diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition in
diabetics that cause the blood to become acidic.
The fungal infection commonly affects
the sinuses of nose and alveoli of lungs after inhaling fungal spores from the air. The fungi
can also enter the skin after a cut, burn, or skin injury.
Here explaining how to treat fungal
overgrowth through diet
- Include probiotics like curd, idli, and green peas.
- Include prebiotics like Apple, onion,
banana, Cabbage, Cauliflower, green leaves, oats, garlic, flaxseeds, tomato,
ginger, cinnamon.
- Include lean meats like fish,
chicken, egg avoid beef, mutton, and pork.
- Reduce sugar, refined carbohydrates
and fast foods, junk foods, bakery items.
- Avoid Natural sugars (examples: dried
fruit, fruit juice)
These diets also eliminate many other
foods such as alcohol, foods with mold, food additives, and caffeine. The idea
is to eliminate the food completely for a period of time with proper diet
recommendations with supplementation.
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