Yeast infections, especially vaginal yeast infections in women, are a common health complaint. According to the KidsHealth website, vaginal yeast infections, also known as candidiasis, are caused by the overgrowth of a yeast, or a fungus, called Candida albicans. Before using nutritional approaches such as dietary changes and nutritional supplementation to help treat yeast infections, meet with your primary care provider to discuss the merits and drawbacks of these natural health measures.
Yeast Infection Information
About 75 percent of adult women have experienced at least one vaginal yeast infection at some point in their lifetimes, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Certain risk factors may boost your likelihood of developing a yeast infection, including pregnancy, diabetes and medications such as antibiotics and corticosteroids. Stress and other conditions that affect your immune system may allow the yeast normally present in your vagina to rapidly multiply. Vaginal burning or itching is the most common symptom associated with this health problem.
Dietary Recommendations
Dietary strategies have long been used in managing yeast infections. According to naturopathic physician Joseph E. Pizzorno Jr., author of "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," you should avoid consuming refined sugar if you are battling a yeast infection, and other sweet substances--maple syrup, fruit juice, honey--should be avoided, too. Other foods that should be avoided include milk and dairy products and mold and yeast-containing foods. Certain food allergies may also be common in people with yeast infections.
Helpful Nutritional Supplements
Many nutritional supplements have been used in treating yeast infections, although not all supplements traditionally used in treating yeast infections may be backed by extensive clinical research evidence. According to Phyllis A. Balch, a certified nutritional consultant and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," helpful nutritional supplements for this condition include vitamin K, vitamin C, colloidal silver, coenzymes A and Q10, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, quercetin, and acidophilus. Garlic, oregano, thyme and peppermint are natural anti-fungal nutritional supplements that may also be helpful in treating this condition.
Considerations
If you develop the characteristic signs and symptoms associated with a yeast infection, schedule a visit with your primary care provider to be properly diagnosed and treated. Nutritional therapies, especially nutritional supplements, may cause powerful effects within your body. Nutritional supplements should always be treated with the same level of respect and caution given to other, more conventional treatment methods, such as prescription drugs. Avoid self-treating your yeast infection using nutritional therapies until you have discussed these treatments with your doctor.
References
- Kids Health: Vaginal Yeast Infections
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Candidiasis
- "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph Pizzorno; 2002
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
