October 2003 | Health Conscious
Beating the Yeast Explosion
by Bonnie C. Minsky
The most common complaint I see as a health practitioner and the most puzzling to the medical community is the overgrowth of the fungi — Candida albicans. It has become one of the most prominent health problems of this century. The average American is constantly fighting a battle to keep this unfriendly and opportunistic yeast in check.
Most physicians were taught in medical school that systemic (whole body) yeast infections only occur in immune system-depressed individuals, such as aids and cancer patients. Yet, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported as far back as 1985 that $2 million was allocated to study the increased prevalence of yeast among healthy individuals.
You can suspect a systemic yeast overgrowth, the yeast syndrome, if you can answer "yes" to three or more of the following complaints:
* You have taken antibiotics frequently or long-term for acne or recurrent infections
* You have or are taking birth control pills.
* You have or are taking cortisone drugs.
* You regularly have an unexplained fluid retention issue.
* You have premenstrual symptoms.
* You have chronic sinus, bronchial, ear, vaginal, prostate, or nail infections.
* You are overly sensitive to tobacco smoke, perfume, mold, or chemical dyes.
* You have unexplained and persistent digestive symptoms including heartburn, gas, bloating, or alternating diarrhea and constipation.
* You constantly feel tired, lethargic, drained, or depressed for no apparent reason.
* You have multiple food reactions that are not allergies.
* You have recurrent itchy rashes, skin bumps, athlete’s foot, "jock itch" or ringworm.
* You crave sweets and/or breads and/or alcohol.
* Your symptoms are worse on damp days or in moldy places.
A blood or stool test to clinically identify the yeast problem is available through preventive and nutritionally aware health practitioners’ offices. Most individuals find, however, that trying a yeast-free diet with dietary supplements for a few weeks is enough to convince them that the yeast syndrome is present.
There is no harm in trying the following yeast-fighting protocol for several weeks. If you initially feel worse the first six to nine days, then begin to improve dramatically, you probably suffer from the yeast syndrome. For best results, this protocol should be followed for six to eight weeks:
Take Dietary Supplements That Include:
* Multi-vitamin and mineral supplements that are yeast-free.
* Probiotics (the most thoroughly tested for fighting yeast is the dds-1 acidophilus strain)
* Magnesium (200-400 milligrams)
* Calcium (400-800 milligrams)
* Grapefruit seed extract or caprylic acid (do not begin to take until two weeks after starting the yeast-free food plan). These can be purchased at health food stores.
Follow a Yeast-Free Food Plan:**
Eat More of:
* organic meats, eggs, poultry
* fish
* all vegetables (except corn, pickles, sauerkraut)
* cold pressed oils (olive, sunflower, sesame)
* avocado (and guacamole)
* garlic, onions, chives, shallots
* fresh lemon juice
* anti-fungal tea (such as Pau d’arco or Calli)
Try to Avoid:
* refined sugar in all forms
* fruit juices
* dried fruits
* aged cheeses
* soft drinks
* alcohol
* cow’s milk and alternative milk products
* all breads and baked goods
* mushrooms
* any mold-containing fruit (even if the mold is only on the skin or on one piece of the fruit)
* all sugar substitutes (except Stevia)
* vinegar
* soy sauce
* all fermented foods
**All carbohydrates (fruits, high starch vegetables, grains, & simple sugars) are yeast-feeders if eaten alone. Never eat a carbohydrate alone. Each carbohydrate needs to be accompanied by a fat or protein to keep the yeast from feeding on the carbohydrate.
If you have followed the yeast-fighting protocol strictly for eight weeks with minimal results, an anti-fungal drug such as Nystatin, Nizoral, Diflucan, or Sporanox may need to be prescribed by your physician. With diligent adherence to the yeast-fighting program, many people experience a profound improvement in their physical, mental, and emotional health.
Disclaimer: This column is for information only and no part of its contents should be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, recommendation, or endorsement by Ms. Minsky.
Bonnie Minsky is a Licensed and Certified Nutrition Specialist, Public Health Educator and Certified menopause Educator with a private practice in Northbrook, IL. She can be reached at nutritionalconcepts.com.
Get More Info
For more information regarding the yeast syndrome, please refer to the following books:
The Yeast Connection by William Crook, M.D.
The Candidiasis Syndrome by Keith Sehnerk, M.D.
The Missing Diagnosis by Orian Truss, M.D.
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