Stop Yeast Infections Naturally

Many women have visited doctor after doctor with assorted health complaints, such as repeated sinus infections, sore throats that linger, sleep problems, achy joints, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), allergies, gastritis and a general feeling of malaise. Yet, the doctors find nothing medically wrong. A naturopathic physician, on the other hand, may find a chronic yeast infection, specifically, atypical mucocutaneous candidiasis.

WHAT IS YEAST (AS MOST WOMEN KNOW IT)?

Every woman knows about vaginal yeast infections. They are so common that women can self-diagnose and purchase the treatments over the counter. However, these treatments usually are only temporary fixes. The problem is that all too often, even after treatment, the infections recurs. Why? The infection goes deeper, to tissues not often affected by the medication, and may require a whole other approach.

WHAT IS CHRONIC YEAST?

Yeast naturally occurs in our intestine and other parts of the digestive tract and the body. Some “gut flora” are friendly-some are not. Normally, if your immune system is in good working order, the friendly ones will keep the “unfriendly ones” (like candida albicans) in check.
However, when your immune system is challenged, it can allow a sudden overgrowth of the yeast, contributing to all sorts of problems. These range from lethargy to frequent sinus, ear and throat infection… fungal infections, such as athletes foot…to persistent digestive disorders, such as heartburn. Chronic yeast can even lead to depression or sleep disorders. These assorted problems are exactly what the naturophathic physicians identify as the “symptoms associated with chronic candidiasis”.

According to our consultant Andrew L. Rubman, ND, approximately 75% of the population has C. albicans living in the mucous membranes of their bowels, but it doesn’t necessary overtax their immune system. The problem occurs when yeast in the bowel begins to overrun its environmental restrains, and due to its numbers or penetration into the membrane, it impacts normal function.

HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE IT?

Juergen Buche, ND, a retired Canadian naturopath, says he is inclined to suspect that yeast can be making you sick if you’ve …
• Taken antibiotics recently for sinusitis, bronchitis, urinary tract or ear infections.
• Taken cortisone or prednisone.
• Taken birth control pills.
• Had symptoms that flare up on rainy days or in moldy places… or when you eat or drink foods that promote yeast growth, such as those made with sugar or white flour.

There is also a blood test called the monoclonal antibody assay that looks for two types of elevated antibodies created when Candida insults immunity. Dr. Rubman says he finds that in his clinical practice, it often only confirms the obvious. He is confident of the diagnosis and knows the course of action for treatment when a patient presents with the above symptoms, has been taking antibiotics, follows a diet that promotes yeast overgrowth or when other specific pathologies have been ruled out.

HOW DO YOU TREAT IT?
The important thing to understand is that you can’t completely kill off yeast, but you can create an environment that makes it more difficult for yeast to multiply. And the way to do that is through nutrition.

First and foremost, says Dr. Rubman, eliminate simple sugars, dairy proteins and gluten from your diet. Harsh, but if you’re feeling miserable and nothing else has helped, you may want to give this a try.
• Eliminating dairy means not just milk and cheese, but also yogurt and ice cream. Butter is OK.
• When eliminating gluten, eliminate wheat first because it is the most irritating. However, other grains, such as rye and barley, also contain gluten.

The good news: Sprouted grains are OK.

• Don’t drink while you eat-drinking dilutes stomach acid. Eating without drinking encourages better digestion and improved liver and pancreatic function. Complete digestion of your food reduces the “feeding” of Candida living in the large intestine.
• Chew your food thoroughly.
• Don’t graze. Eat a maximum of four meals a day. The stomach is designed to function better with a few fuller meals rather than many small ones.
• Avoid junk food. Good nutrition, plus eliminating offending foods, will eventually get yeast under control.
• Eat meat, fish, chicken, fruits and vegetables. Our bodies are designed to handle a variety of foods, as evidenced by the variety in the size and shape if teeth.
In about two three weeks, says Dr. Rubman, you should notice a difference in the way you’re feeling-improved bowel regularity, minimal gas and overall health improvement.

Dr. Rubman also believes that some other interventions are beneficial in treating chronic yeast infections…
• Glucomannan, which improves liver and intestinal/digestive function, can be bought at a health-food store. Take one capsule 30 minutes before meal, with a full glass of water.
• Vitamin B-50 complex- twice a day.
• Hydroxycobalamine, a B-12 supplement. Take 1milligram of this water-soluble B-12. It is available in liquid form or in liquid form or in a small lozenge.

References:
Andrew L. Rubman, ND, associate professor of clinical medicine, I.W. Lane College of Integrated Medicine, Winter Park, FL, and medical director, Southbury Clinic for Traditional Medicines, Southbury, CT.