Because of the way that problematic organisms can gain access to various areas of the body, yeast infections can cause a wide range of symptoms. The Henry Spink Foundation lists 47 common symptoms that relate to the candida species, a type of yeast commonly implicated as the culprit in such situations. Particularly common symptoms include itching, concentration problems, persistent fatigue and carbohydrate cravings. Some foods stand out for their ability in helping to prevent such infections and the symptoms that result.
Coconut Oil
Around 60 percent of the edible parts of the coconut come in the form of oil, reports Dr. Bruce Fife. In his book, "The Coconut Oil Miracle," the physician explains how coconut oil represents the richest source of medium-chain fats known. These medium-chain fats have excellent antimicrobial effects and have proved as effective as prescription agents against a range of candida species. Fife highlights caprylic acid, one of such fats, as the most potent antifungal agent and describes how its special shape allows it to diffuse into the membrane wall of fungal cells before dissolving them. Studies conducted in 2007 in Nigeria, published in the "Journal of Medicinal Food," showed that the medium-chain fats found in coconut oil killed a wide variety of candida fungi. Most health shops sell both coconut oil and caprylic acid supplements.
Garlic
Used traditionally for thousands of years to ward of illnesses and infection, garlic still remains a useful addition to any anti-yeast program. A study conducted in 2005 at the Mayo Clinic looked into the effectiveness of garlic on candida, a troublesome yeast. The academics, led by Dr Jennifer Shuford, found that the extract of fresh garlic successfully killed the organisms. Garlic contains a wide variety of sulfur compounds, such as allicin and s-allyl-cysteine, although most supplement come standardized for their allicin compounds. Fresh garlic appears the most potent choice to counter infections.
Grapefruit Seeds
Grapefruit seed extract caught the attention of the medical world in the 1970s, following the pioneering work of Dr. Jacob Harich, an immunologist and Einstein laureate. Harich has investigated the constituents of the seeds after seeing a number of primal populations used the crushed seeds as a disinfectant. Global Healing Center notes how the extract is effective against more than 100 different strains of fungi, a result attributed to research that appeared in "The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" in 2002.
References
- New York Times: After 4,000 Years, Medical Science Considers Garlic
- Pubmed.gov; "In vitro antimicrobial properties of coconut oil on Candida species in Ibadan, Nigeria."; Dr Ogbulu et al; 2007
- Global Healing Center: The Benefits of Grapefruit Seed Extract
- Pubmed.gov: "The effectiveness of processed grapefruit-seed extract as an antibacterial agent"; Dr Reagor Lee: 2002
- Pubmed.gov: "Effects of Fresh Garlic Extract on Candida albicans Biofilms": Dr Jennifer Shuford et al: 2005.
