It seems everywhere you turn, there’s a commercial or social media post about yeast issues. Yeast is a form of fungus. Candida albicans is the most common and most recognized fungal infection.
For some it can be a minor irritation, but for anyone with a compromised immune system, it can be deadly. There are even connections between candida and cancer.
We often have customers coming to our store with questions about IBS or constipation. When we ask if they’re taking a probiotic, they often say ‘No, but I eat yogurt.”
Unfortunately, what they’re eating is commercial yogurt loaded with sugar, which simply feeds the yeast overgrowth. Is all this marketing of commercial probiotic foods and TV ad supplements giving people a false sense of security? Don’t worry, I’m not pointing fingers, I have my own yeast issues!
I make my own kefir and take a good probiotic supplement (when I remember to take it!) so I didn’t think I had any yeast issues. Not so. Recent testing from my doctor revealed I have “moderate” amounts of yeast in my system.
This is why it’s important to take yeast issues seriously. Even when you think you’re doing all the right things to keep yeast at bay, it can still be there, wreaking havoc on your health. It’s a stealth little bugger! I’m sure the four months I spent on antibiotics for Lyme disease didn’t help me either.
Millions of people have yeast issues
Millions of people suffer from fungal infections (yeast) of one form or another, so understanding and dealing with it should be a priority. Yeast problems can be a threat to your health & quality of life.
We all have yeast in our bodies. When your body is functioning properly, the little microbes stay in balance and don’t misbehave. But for many, due to the triggers listed above, they become wild and unruly! If you’ve ever had a vaginal yeast infection, athlete’s foot, or jock itch – then you’ve had a fungal infection.
For the millions of people who suffer from yeast issues, it can mean a poor quality of life and/or possibly misdiagnoses of other health conditions.
If you’ve been wondering if you have a yeast problem, you’ll want to read this article on 7 Common Types of Candida Patients by Eric Bakker, ND. Do you see yourself in any of the patients he lists? Dr. Bakker is a candida expert and offers an online test to help you determine if you might have a yeast issue. There are many other yeast/candida websites you can research as well.
6 symptoms of yeast overgrowth
If you haven’t been feeling well and aren’t getting answers from your doctor, could yeast be the problem? In an article from Dr. Oz, Yeast: The Hidden Cause of Your Exhaustion, he lists five general symptoms of yeast overgrowth:
- Chronic fatigue
- Loss of energy
- General malaise
- Decreased libido
- Inability to concentrate
- Irritability
You may think these symptoms describe everyone, but given our highly processed diets and over-use of medications, it makes sense. Countless people are chronically ill, going from doctor to doctor, drug to drug and don’t really know what’s wrong. If this is you, find a practitioner who will get to the cause of your illness and not just treat your symptoms. It’s that important!
Yeast can be anywhere in the body!
All parts of your body can be affected by yeast. This Life Extension article describes candida albicans as a very opportunistic pathogen and can affect the following:
- Skin (cutaneous fungal infections) – this can be your finger nails, external ear canals
- Urogenital tract – “Also known as vulvovaginal candidiasis (vvc) or “yeast infection” (Powell 2010), this fungal infection represents the second most common cause of vaginitis in the US…”
- Mouth & throat – These infections (oral candidiasis) are very widespread and can be caused by dentures, dry mouth, immunosuppresive drugs & antibiotics. The most commonly recognized infection is thrush.
- Systemic infection – A more rare and very serious fungal infection usually found in people with very compromised immune systems. It’s diagnosed with blood culturing.
- Intestinal tract – An overgrowth of candida in the intestinal tract will show up as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and allergies. It can lead to more serious health problems.
- Fungal Sinusitis – This is also found in people with compromised immune systems and is an overgrowth of fungus in the nasal cavity.
What’s causing your yeast overgrowth?
There are multiple things that contribute to yeast overgrowth, but the biggest contributors are:
Our sugar/carbohydrate heavy Standard American Diets (SAD)
The average American eats over 150 lbs. of sugar a year and most of what we eat is dead, highly processed food that spikes our insulin.
Overuse of antibiotics
This one is a no-brainer. Antibiotics destroy healthy bacteria right along with the bad bacteria causing yeast overgrowth in all ages and all sexes!
Hormonal changes & pregnancy
If you are pregnant or taking birth control pills, you will have elevated levels of estrogen. Anything that gets your hormones out of balance can lead to a yeast infection or overgrowth.
Prescription medications
The following medications promote yeast overgrowth:
- Birth control pills, estrogens (HRTs), and steroids like prednisone. This also includes birth control devices like vaginal sponges, diaphragms and intrauterine devices.
- Â Corticosteroids (used for arthritis, asthma, allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases like lupus and IBS) This includes oral and inhaled corticosteroids.
- TNF inhibitors – Tumor necrosis factor medications are anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat Rheumatoid arthritis, Chrohn’s and psoriasis. A yeast overgrowth can also contribute to joint pain
(You can find a more comprehensive listing from the CDC here.)
Stress overload
Too much stress causes the stress hormone cortisol to be released into your system. Too much cortisol can suppress your immune system and raise your blood sugar. Elevated blood sugar feeds the yeast and leads to overgrowth.
Alcohol consumption
This one might be hard to swallow (pun intended) but alcohol destroys healthy bacteria in your gut and since it contains sugars, it feeds the bad bacteria. Beer can be especially problematic because it contains the sugar maltose which those candida critters especially love.
Diabetes – this is the result of poor blood sugar control and if you’re diabetic – you could very well have yeast issues.
Other things can lead to yeast overgrowth like amalgam fillings, parasites and chronic constipation, but that’s enough for now!
Seven Natural ways to combat yeast
If you’re feeling discouraged don’t be. You can beat candida! Heck, I have to beat candida! It won’t be easy, but it can be done. There are some amazing testimonies on the web of people who have beat the yeast beast! So let’s explore our options.
- Cut the carbs and sugar. You’ll have to get very good at reading labels. Any ingredient ending in “-ose” is a sugar. Foods like breads, potatoes & ice cream feed the bad bacteria.
- Take a good probiotic or eat fermented foods. We have a great assortment of professional grade probiotics. Lactobacillus may help keep your candida under control. A good cultured sauerkraut, kefir or fermented vegetables will help nourish the good bacteria in your gut.
- Lactofferin – This protein is naturally found in bodily fluids and is the primary germ fighting compound in breast milk. It is a great defense against candida.
- Resveratrol – This powerful antioxidant has demonstrated strong anti-fungal properties and we all should be taking it for it’s anti-aging benefits, too!
- Garlic & thyme – Known for its antimicrobial properties, garlic fights yeast. You can eat 1-2 cloves of raw garlic every day or take a garlic supplement. Thyme has many antioxidant properties and is antibacterial. Did you know it’s one of the active ingredients in Listerine®?
- Goldenseal – Used often to fight inflammation and infection, goldenseal is a potent anti-fungal.
- Tea tree oil – This should only be used for topical fungal infections, Do not ingest! Tee tree has anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties and research has shown that it can inhibit the growth of candida.
There are many other candida fighting herbs and oils, but these seven should give you a good start. Wish me luck as I wage my own war on candida! If you’ve been successful in beating yeast – share your story below!
 Resources and References
momsAWARE_Antifungal_Diet_Comparison_Chart
Medications that Weaken Your Immune System and Fungal Infections
http://www.cdc.gov/fungal/infections/immune-system.html
Hello,
I have also battled the same symptoms but not sure when the problem began but just knew when it became out of control. When I did my own research and found answers on my own, I began seeing the reasons behind the problem. Mercury fillings cause many health issues including fungal infections. After realizing my problem would not go away after using antifungals and changing my entire diet, I knew my few mercury fillings needed to be removed. I researched further and found it extremely important to find a dentist who specializes in mercury removal. I did not want to get mercury in my blood stream while they were being removed because then it would be extremely difficult to detox the mercury from my body. I wanted to only have to detox the mercury from the fillings I had in my mouth. I found an inexpensive detox that I only needed to take for a month and my symptoms went away. The product Detox-ND by Premier Research Labs provided me with an avenue to be free from mercury in my system. And this product can be used again, down the road, to make sure mercury doesn’t remain in my body, considering the mercury found in foods and drinks.
To address the foods that possess mercury, I will begin with saying high fructose corn syrup contains mercury therefore reading labels is extremely important. A lot of products contain high fructose corn syrup: soft drinks, some peanut butter brands, some cereal brands, some ketchup brands, some barbecue brands, other sauce brands used for meats and vegetables, bread brands, ice cream brands, powder drink brands, candy brands, as well as other things. Reading labels should be a way of life because you are the only one who can take control of your health.
Even though mercury removal is an excellent way to rid of fungal infections as well as other health issues it isn’t the only one way to continue being free of fungal infections. Sugar is the one important product to stop consuming when trying to be free of fungal infections. There is a book called Alkalize or Die by Dr. Theodore A. Baroody which also explains more in detail about the foods we eat and the harmful things we consume. Not only does this book explain harmful consumption of certain foods, Dr. Baroody also explains the difference between Acidic and Alkaline food. When battling certain illnesses, diseases, or fungal infections foods on the alkaline side will help to rid of the complications and overcome them. I cook with olive oil being that olive oil is very alkaline as well as healthy. I eat organic vegetables to stay clear of chemicals used in commercial vegetables. I do find myself buying some un-organic vegetables when certain organic vegetables are too high. Some alkaline vegetables to consider are: cabbage, asparagus, broccoli, green peppers, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cucumbers, leeks, leaf lettuce (all varieties), ginger, zucchini, kale, okra, and eggplant. Fresh spices, grains, fresh lemon juice are alkaline forming. Focus on the things you can eat and not on what you can not eat to make the experience more positive.
There are other things to consider when desiring to live free of fungal infections and overcome them. Foods with natural sugar content will need to be avoided until one is free of fungal infections like carrots, corn, fruits, milk, yellow squash. and organic honey. They may be alkaline but anything that helps bacteria to thrive will not free you of fungal infections. Orgran, Gluten Free Pancake Mix Buckwheat, 13.2 oz is a good substitute for bread. Make sure the pancake mix is free of wheat for this will work against you in your battle to beat fungal infections. Butter will also work against you in your battle to overcome fungal infections. A good substitute for rice is Quinoa which is alkaline as well as amaranth and millet. Rice, barley, corn meal, oats, rye, spelt, wheat, beans, breads, cereals, cream of wheat, crackers, pastas, popcorn, sunflower, meats of every kind, coffee, cheese, eggs, tobacco products, antibiotics including prescribed antifungals, and alcohol are acid forming and will work against you in your battle to overcome fungal infections. Good things to focus on, again, are what you can consume like herbal tea, garlic, herbs, spices, unsweetened organic yogurt, unsweetened organic kefir, and avocados as well as other things I have already listed in previously. I eat eggs sparingly as well as an organic meatless & soy-free, sugar-free product by Quorn which makes Chik’n Tenders and Grounds found in the frozen section of my Kroger (In Organic Section).
Continuing on the path of being free of fungal infections, do not forget to include methods which help you on your journey other than food. Drink plenty of filtered water at least 2 quarts daily to remain hydrated and wash away bacteria. It takes 3 months to be hydrated drinking 2 quarts of water daily, so do your best to maintain drinking fresh water by keeping water with you. I find reverse osmosis to be really good and obtaining my system from Lowes is less expensive than other methods. If you prefer another method I recommend Zero water which can be found online at their website or amazon and ebay. Antifungals are extremely helpful as well as lacto-fermented food. I find using three different antifungals every four days helps a lot as well as incorporating sauerkraut into my diet as a condiment makes a huge difference especially due to the lacto-fermentation in sauerkraut helps encourage beneficial flora in your gut. Incorporating unsweetened organic kefir and unsweetened organic yogurt into my diet is also beneficial (2 oz of each through the day once or more).
Some antifungals that really work: Allicidin and Propolis Immune by Premier Research Labs (dosage 3 times daily for four days), CandElim by Get Healthy Again (GetHealthyAgainStore.com; dosage 3 times daily for four days – 5 drops under tongue and hold for 1 minute starting out for a week increasing to 10 drops 3 times daily if able. If the increased dosage is too much return to original dosage or less). Other supplements you can consider by Premier Research Labs: Nucleo Immune by supports beneficial intestinal flora and boosts the immune system (follow dosage & use daily until finished bottle), Olive Leaf Immune will help in battle against fungal infections (I use combined with Allicidin during the four days of using Allicidin 3 times daily), Noni will help in battle against fungal infections (I use combined with Allicidin during the four days of using Allicidin 3 times daily). When using Olive Leaf and Noni I swapped them out and did not use at the same time. Coconut oil by Premier Research Labs can be used as a mouth wash and will also eliminate fungal infection in mouth used 3 times daily (all you need is a little). Can swallow 1 tablespoon once daily of coconut oil. If needing other methods: Apple Cider Vinegar 3 times daily as a rinse in mouth (dilute as needed) & sea salt (diluted in water) 3 times daily as a rinse in mouth are other ways to help combat fungal infection in mouth. Can use either one or both or all three.
I did research finding PH imbalance is also an environment that bacteria and fungal infections thrive. I found my PH acidic after purchasing PH strips. I balanced my PH using Premier Research Labs Products: D3 Serum once daily in morning first and Coral Legend Powder 2 oz. 1 tsp. mixed in Pure Aloe Juice 2 times daily (Best results using in morning and right before bed on empty stomach) – Aloe Pro by Premier Research Labs (2 Tablespoons) for 3 months (Sometimes takes 1 month or 2 months only – use PH strips to see in morning. If maintaining PH balance in morning for 2 weeks start reading PH at night and maintain PH balance for 2 weeks at night. When you have achieved both then feel free to end the use of the products. Always good to keep using the products even after maintaining PH balance reducing Coral Legend Powder intake to 1/4 tsp. twice daily mixed in Aloe Juice). My PH is balanced now and made a huge difference in my battle against fungal infection in combination with antifungals and diet.
Phenomenal testimony, April! You have done a remarkable job getting yourself well and explaining the many things affecting yeast overgrowth and health in general. How I wish American dentistry would wake up to the hazards of amalgam fillings. Eating fermented foods is important and helpful in maintaining healthy intestinal/systemic yeast. And managing pH levels is essential not only for fighting fungal infections but so many other health concerns as well. Thanks also for the endorsement of the Premier Research products – they are outstanding. We’re proud to carry the Premier Research brand and anyone interested in using them can contact us for a consultation with our certified nutritionist. Thanks again for your comments. We wish you continued good health! Mary
Sometime commercial are worst yogurt is good probiotic but when load of sugar it can feed all the yeast become more expand.. I used had yeast infection problem and still learn how to beat them and want to spread the incorrect information about yeast and candida… thanks for this great article