Yeast infections are caused by fungus, often from the Candida family. Candida infects those who have compromised immunity and an imbalance of microorganisms that keep fungi in check. Under beneficial conditions, Candida proliferates on moist membranes within the mouth, intestinal tract and vagina. Garlic is an antimicrobial used to fight Candida, but some prefer odorless capsules instead of raw garlic. Uncontrolled yeast infections can spread to your vital organs and become life-threatening if your immune system is weak, so consult your doctor if you suspect a problem.
Yeast Infections
Virtually all people have fungus inside of them, but a healthy immune system keeps them from over-growing and causing infections. The most common species to cause yeast infections is Candida albicans, which can appear as yeast or fungal forms, as cited in "Fungal Infection: Diagnosis and Management." Initially, Candida appears in yeast-form, which looks like a thin layer of white or yellowish cheese coating the mucous membrane. The yeast-form causes irritation, inflammation and itchiness and emits a sweet, but foul odor. Soon thereafter, some of the yeast-forms change into fungal-forms, which are able to burrow into your tissue and release toxic chemicals that cause more inflammation and pain. Yeast infections of the mouth and vagina are called candidiasis, but also known as oral thrush and vaginal thrush, respectively. Women who take contraceptive pills, antibiotics, steroids or who consume a diet high in refined sugars are most at risk of vaginal candidiasis, according to "Chronic Candidiasis."
Antimicrobial Properties of Garlic
Garlic has been used as a blood purifier and general health tonic by various cultures for thousands of years. The main medicinal component of garlic that displays strong antimicrobial properties is allicin, which can kill many potential pathogens including fungi, according to "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition." Unlike conventional anti-fungal drug therapy, allicin is able to selectively preserve the "good" bacteria within your gut that is needed for healthy immunity and digestion. Allicin destroys both the yeast and fungal forms of Candida.
Benefits of Garlic Capsules
Raw garlic can be used directly for yeast infections either by eating it or adding it to vaginal douches, although you would have to deal with the strong odor. Further, raw garlic can temporarily irritate mucous membranes, especially ones already inflamed by a yeast infection. Fortunately, the anti-fungal benefits of garlic can be had from consuming non-odorous capsules. Capsules are digested and release allicin into your blood, which eventually reaches the yeast infection. According to "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition," garlic capsules may take longer to attack the yeast infection, but they have none of the unpleasant side effects of eating garlic cloves or ingesting garlic oil. Further, most brands of garlic capsules claim the odor cannot be detected even after belching.
Cautions
Although garlic is an effective antimicrobial, it may not be wise to eat it often. According to "Nutritional Sciences," people who consume large amounts of raw garlic develop altered brain waves, slower reactions times, reduced cognitive function, more headaches and more depressive episodes. For these reasons, military pilots are told not to consume garlic within 24 hours of flying. It is not known if garlic capsules produce any of the same effects.
References
- "Fungal Infection: Diagnosis and Management, 3rd Edition"; Richardson and Warnock; 2003
- "Chronic Candidiasis: Your Natural Guide to Healing with Diet, Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, Exercise, and Other Natural Methods"; Michael T. Murray; 1997
- "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition"; George Gropper; 2000
- "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition"; Martha Stipanuk; 2006
- "Nutritional Sciences"; Michelle McGuire; 2007
