Excess yeast in your body can affect several areas of your body, leading to conditions such as urinary tract infections, yeast infections in women, athlete's foot and jock itch in men. Reducing yeast in your body may help prevent these medical problems. You can do this by following a yeast-free diet that reduces, or eliminates, yeast overgrowth.
Yeast Overgrowth
A balance exists in your body between yeast and good bacteria. Good bacteria is essential for a healthy body. It feeds on the yeast, also known as Candida albicans, keeping it in check to prevent infections from occurring. Antibiotics, one method of treating infections such as yeast or urinary tract, are also a cause of yeast overgrowth. Although these medications destroy the bad bacteria, they also destroy the good. If there is not enough good bacteria to fight off the yeast, yeast overgrowth results.
Signs of Yeast Overgrowth
Before implementing the yeast-free diet, you must recognize the symptoms of yeast overgrowth. Itching and discharge in the vaginal area of women is indicative of yeast infections. Constipation and bloating can signal an overgrowth in your digestive tract. TheYeastDiet.com explains these symptoms can cause you to feel full, even if you haven't eaten enough calories. This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, headaches and low energy because your body is not receiving the nutrients it requires.
Importance of Yeast-Free Diet
The primary source of nutrition for yeast is sugar. Yeast thrives on this substance; the more sugar, the greater amount of yeast in your body. To eliminate yeast, you must eliminate foods containing sugar, or that breaks down into sugar. These include fermented foods, alcohol and dairy products. Foods containing yeast or mold, such as cheese, are also off limits.
The Diet
Although the yeast-free diet is extremely restrictive, TheYeastDiet.com recommends adhering to it for three to six weeks. Essentially it is a "back to basics" diet, eliminating all processed food. An example of acceptable foods includes green leafy vegetables in any amount you want. You receive your protein from all types of meat: beef, pork, fish, poultry and shellfish. You can enjoy whole-grains such as rice, millet, buckwheat, couscous, oatmeal and whole-wheat pasta. Unprocessed seeds and nuts are acceptable, as are any variety of beans.
Restricted Foods
The list of restricted foods is plentiful and surprising. Many foods you believe are healthy for you actually contribute to yeast overgrowth, and are not allowed while following a yeast-free diet. These include all breads, rolls and cookies, alcoholic beverages due to their sugar content, any fermented foods such as sauerkraut and foods containing vinegar such as mayonnaise, salad dressings, mustard, pickles and barbecue sauce. All foods containing mold are off limits, and include any type of cheese, mushrooms and malt. It may surprise you to discover that peanuts and pistachios, canned tomatoes, soy sauce, smoked or cured meats and prepackaged teas contain mold and cannot be consumed. All sugar-filled foods are a no-no, and fruits like grapes, raisins, figs and citrus fruits fall in this category. You can eat some starchy foods, such as corn, potatoes and broccoli, but only three to four times per week.
Side Effects and Considerations
Initially, you may experience some side effects as the Candida leaves your body. This occurs in the first few weeks as the elimination process takes place. The toxins from the yeast enter your vaginal and intestinal tracts as it exits your body. Common side effects include fatigue, weakness and irritability. Before putting yourself through this, consider that very little medical evidence is available to prove the existence of yeast overgrowth. Brent A. Bauer, internist for Mayo Clinic explains that no clinical trials support the efficacy of yeast-free diets, also known as Candida cleanses.
Member Comments