Low-yeast diets have a variety of health purposes, but they're most commonly used to help prevent or treat chronic candidiasis or recurrent yeast infections. Low-yeast and yeast-free diets often also limit certain other foods like sugar and dairy products. Although you may feel better and have lower yeast growth in your body while following a low-yeast diet, no conclusive scientific evidence supports the diet for curing chronic candidiasis or any other medical condition. Talk with your doctor before beginning any special or restrictive diet.
Description
A low-yeast diet eliminates or limits foods that contain yeast, such as alcohol, cheeses and peanuts, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The diet also limits your intake of dried fruits, as well as baked goods and processed foods containing baker's yeast. The theory behind a low-yeast or yeast-free diet is that certain foods like those containing yeast can promote the growth of Candida albicans, the fungus that causes yeast infections and persistent overgrowth of yeast in the gastrointestinal tract, which is called chronic candidiasis or yeast hypersensitivity syndrome. However, little medical research supports the use of a low-yeast or yeast-free diet in treating or preventing candidiasis, yeast infections or yeast hypersensitivity syndrome, notes the University of Michigan Health System.
Other Components
In addition to yeast-containing foods, a low-yeast diet also limits other foods like milk and dairy products, simple sugars and processed foods, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. The diets may also limit or eliminate mushrooms, tomato paste, fermented foods and other foods or beverages containing yeast or related fungi, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dairy, milk and sugars are excluded from a low-yeast diet because these substances promote the growth of the candida fungi. The diets sometimes add supplements of probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus to promote the growth of "friendly bacteria" in your digestive tract, which helps to inhibit the overgrowth of candida and other harmful bacteria and fungi. Some health care practitioners believe that avoiding certain medications such as corticosteroids, birth control pills and antibiotics can also prevent yeast overgrowth.
Benefits
In addition to potentially preventing or treating chronic candidiasis, yeast infections and yeast syndrome, a low-yeast diet might help to treat yeast allergies, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. A low-yeast or yeast-free diet like the "candida cleanse" diet could potentially reduce common ailments like headaches, fatigue and memory problems. Most conventional health care practitioners don't believe that a low-yeast or candida cleanse diet will actually treat any medical condition, but the diet usually helps ease various symptoms because it eliminates high-calorie, low-nutrient foods like sugar, white flour and processed foods, MayoClinic.com notes. Avoiding sugary and processed foods typically produces overall health improvements in most people, no matter whether they actually have overgrowth of candida yeast in their bodies.
Considerations
Avoiding overuse of antibiotics and following a healthy diet -- not necessarily a low-yeast diet -- typically helps in treating or preventing yeast infections. You can add more antifungal or fungicidal foods and spices to your diet such as garlic, cloves, sage, oregano and cinnamon to your diet to help prevent yeast infections, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Eating more whole grains that are rich in B-complex vitamins and nuts that are rich in essential fatty acids can also help in avoiding yeast infections. Sometimes, certain supplements such as probiotics, caprylic acid, pancreatic enzymes and betaine hydrochloric acid can help to stimulate digestive secretions and prevent the absorption of candida in your small intestines, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Discuss the benefits and the risks with your doctor before you begin taking any supplements or following a low-yeast diet.
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