The Path
of Yeast Resistance:
Natural Solutions for Overcoming Yeast Infections
Experts estimate that three of four women are
afflicted with yeast infections at least once during their lives,
and half of all women endure them on a recurrent basis. The solution
to yeast overgrowth, however, does not have to be complicated.
Small revisions in your diet and lifestyle can increase your
body’s ability to resist this condition.
 Yeast overgrowth
refers to an imbalance in the body’s healthy flora or beneficial
bacteria. Our bodies play host to trillions of microscopic bacteria
and other microbes, and the majority of these live in the digestive
tract.Yeast thrive in the alkaline portions of our digestive
system, and one of these microscopic organisms is called Candida
albicans. In a healthy digestive system, Candida lives in a ratio
of approximately one Candida cell for every million bacteria.
When the number of yeast cells grows out of the 1:1,000,000 ratio,
a person is said to have a yeast (or flora) imbalance.
Your body’s
immune system and the beneficial bacteria that live in your intestinal
tract are designed to keep Candida and other pathogens harmlessly
in check. There are two main types of beneficial bacteria or
probiotics found in our digestive system: Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria.
The more we have of these probiotics, the less space and food
are available for harmful bacteria and yeast. Due to many factors,
yeast can proliferate and cause health issues.
While many conventional
doctors typically treat yeast infections with anti-fungal medications,
they are often only effective in the short term, as yeast will
likely grow back if the underlying condition(s) that led to the
overgrowth is not altered. The majority of natural health practitioners
agree that the best way to boost your chances of avoiding yeast
overgrowth is to alter your diet and use supplements that support
your body in its anti-Candida efforts. Dr. Nichols notes that
taking probiotic supplements that contain beneficial bacteria
such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli is crucial to helping
the body rid itself of Candida. “Probiotics help restore
optimal digestive health,” he says. “One of the first
things you need to do is bring back beneficial bacteria.”
Eliminating
sugar and foods with added sugar also helps your body fight back
against yeast infections. Because candida thrives on sugar, the
immune system may be weakened when you consume too many simple
carbohydrates. Those in an acute stage of Candida may also benefit
from avoiding alcoholic beverages, cheeses, dried fruits and
peanuts. Taking the right enzymes between meals can help break
down Candida by attacking its cell walls.
As yeast overgrowth
is often a sign that your immune system needs help, using a daily
vitamin or whole food multi-nutrient product with B vitamins
and other immune-supporting micronutrients may prove beneficial.
Supplementary antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc
and selenium, may also help support immune function. When managing
Candida, your initial one-month to three-month anti-fungal program
(depending on the extent of your infection) should include an
herbal cleanse, along with enzymes and probiotics to promote
a healthy intestinal environment. After that initial period,
you can discontinue the anti-fungal herbs, but continue taking
the enzymes and nutrient supplements to support a healthy balance
of yeast in your system. |
