 The Path of Yeast Resistance:
Why Maintaining a healthy Bacterial Balance is the Key to Overcoming Annoying
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 lifestyle, supplements and diet can increase
your body’s ability to resist this condition.
When we talk about yeast overgrowth, whether it be a systemic yeast issue leading
to diaper rash or athlete’s foot, or a digestive tract issue causing ailments
such as thrush, what we are referring to is an imbalance of our body’s healthy
flora or beneficial bacteria. Whether we’d like to believe it or not, our bodies
play host to trillions of microscopic bacteria and other microbes. The majority
of these live in the digestive tract, but they are found in all orifices, from
the sinus to the belly button. Yeast thrive in the alkaline portions of our
digestive system, and they are present in just about everyone. In a healthy body
they live in small numbers, typically in the small intestine, but are also found
in our mucous membranes. One of these microscopic yeast organisms is called
Candida albicans, and it has gained notoriety as of late. 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 flora or yeast imbalance.
Yeast Overgrowth
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: Lactobacillus is the primary probiotic of the small
intestine, and Bifidobacterium is the primary probiotic in the large intestine.
The more we have of these probiotics, the less space and food is available for
harmful bacteria and yeast.
 Due to many factors, yeast can proliferate and cause health issues. Many times
the problem can be traced back to the things we put in our body or expose
ourselves to, including a stressful lifestyle. Some of the common causes of
flora imbalance are repeated antibiotic use, birth control pills and cortisone
drugs, and the overconsumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates. Many women
experience a flora imbalance during PMS or pregnancy due to fluctuations in
hormone levels.
According to Trent Nichols, MD, an internist, nutritionist and gastroenterologist
who practices at the Center for Nutrition and Digestive Disorders in Hanover,
Pennsylvania, “There are lots of reasons people get Candida [overgrowth]:
Antibiotic overuse can cause an imbalance of flora, flora dysbiosis, when you
start getting a lot of pathological microorganisms. Also when your immunity is
down or you have a viral infection you are more likely to have Candida
[overgrowth].” It just makes sense that a round of antibiotics, which kills off
beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract, can create an environment that
allows Candida to thrive: With little or no bacteria to compete with, yeasts and
fungi take the opportunity to reproduce and fill in the abandoned ecological
niche.
Dr. Nichols, author of the book Optimal Digestive Health, points out, “The
mercury from amalgam fillings is [also] suspect.” It is believed that the
presence of this heavy metal in dental fillings is lethal to the friendly
bacteria that help keep Candida under control. So individuals with mercury
fillings are encouraged to evaluate this risk. Dr. Nichols notes that hormone
supplementation as well as the use of prednisone (a steroid) and other
medications that suppress immunity can also increase your risk of developing a
yeast infection.
Toxin Release
When the fungal levels in our bodies increase, we may experience symptoms such as
nail fungus, vaginal yeast overgrowth, itchy skin, gas,
bloating, and sugar and
carbohydrate cravings. Sufferers often describe a feeling of being worn out and
fatigued. This is because when yeast overgrows in the body, it consumes the
foods we eat for its own fuel and growth. As Candida overgrows, also it releases
toxic substances that make you feel run down and can make your thoughts seem
foggy. The multiplying colonies of yeast release acids that may render your
internal environment more acidic. This increase in acidity often allows other
harmful microorganisms to survive in the intestines, releasing more toxins and
in turn compromising the body’s health even further.
Candida also produces beta alanine, a compound that interferes with the kidneys’
reabsorption of the amino acid taurine. Interference with taurine metabolism can
lead to lowered levels of magnesium and potassium, crucial electrolytes that
maintain circulation and blood pressure. Tampering with the taurine supply can
also disrupt the liver’s detoxification functions. The end result: your immunity
drops, leaving you more vulnerable to secondary infections. You may also suffer
vaginitis, gas and bloating, heartburn, decreased libido and a host of other
problems associated with fungal invasion. Although a simple case of thrush in
the mouth seems harmless, this same organism, if allowed to grow uncontrollably,
can even threaten the life of someone with a compromised immune system.
 Managing Your Microbial Populations
Most experts agree that diagnosing yeast overgrowth is best performed by a
medical professional who can thoroughly analyze your medical history. A series
of questions focusing on yeast-related problems is usually part of this process.
Conventional doctors treat yeast infections with anti-fungal medicines such as
Nizoral, Nystatin and Diflucan. According to Florida-based gastroenterologist Leonard Smith, “Allopathic medicine
does a great job with anti-fungals on the seriously ill. However, when patients
have low-grade recurrent Candida infections, they are treated with appropriate
anti-fungal agents, but then they are offered nothing else to prevent
recurrence.” While these anti-fungal drugs can effectively kill the Candida
organism, unless you alter the conditions that resulted in the overgrowth, the
yeast will usually come right back. In addition, when you take these drugs, the
body may eliminate them before they reach the colon, allowing Candida in the
lower part of your digestive tract to survive.
Bring Back the Good Bacteria
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, containing beneficial bacteria
that maintain the health of the digestive tract, 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. Candida thrives on sugar and the immune system may be
weakened when you consume too many simple carbohydrates. According to Jonathan
Kalman, ND, who practices in San Diego, “A refined diet makes Candida worse.”
You have to be careful not to eat too many sweets.”
Adds Dr. Nichols, “On an anti-Candida diet, you should stick to low-glycemic
vegetables (vegetables low in sugar). Limit your fruits, use fewer sweeteners
and fruit juices.” Dr. Kalman also warns that when you are “in an acute stage of
Candida, you should avoid alcoholic beverages, cheeses, dried fruits and
peanuts.” Taking enzymes between meals can help break down Candida by attacking
its cell walls. On an empty stomach right before bed, take a supplement that
contains protease, cellulase, hemicellulase, lysozyme, amylase, lipase,
invertase, malt diastase and lactase. Taking plant-based enzyme supplements
before and after your meals supports your digestive system. These include
protease, lipase, cellulase and amylase. If your stomach acid is low, your
supplement should include hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Herbs that ease digestion such as marshmallow and ginger should also be taken
with meals. Using a supplement containing fish, flax and borage oils with lipase
(an enzyme that aids fat absorption) can boost the body’s defenses against yeast
and other invasions. Fish oil and other beneficial fats have been shown to help
the body balance inflammation. To help the digestive tract regenerate, take
L-glutamine with N-acetyl D-glucosamine (NAG) and gamma oryzanol once or twice a
day between meals. Fiber supplements that combine flax, along with
fructooligosaccharide (which provides nutrition for beneficial intestinal
flora), also help the intestines repair themselves.
Immune Boosters
Yeast overgrowth is often a sign that your immune system needs help.
Consequently, using a daily vitamin or whole food multinutrient product that
supplies B vitamins and other micronutrients supports immunity. In addition,
supplementary antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc and selenium,
also support immune function.
When managing Candida, your initial onemonth 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.
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