Factors That Encourage Yeast Overgrowth
Yeast overgrowth can be triggered by a number of things. These include a high-sugar, high trans-fat, low-fiber diet, impaired immunity, use of drugs like antibiotics, birth control pills, estrogen, and steroids like prednisone, and psychological stress.
Frequent use of antibiotics disrupts the normal balance between healthy bugs in the gut (lactobacillus, bifidobacter, E. coli) and other potentially dangerous bugs, including yeasts, bacteria and occasionally parasites. These bad bugs are usually present in small numbers in the digestive system. But when the good bugs are killed by antibiotics or not fed with adequate fiber or the bad guys are fueled with too much sugar, or the gut’s delicate ecosystem is damaged by too much stress, then yeasts and other noxious agents take over.
For many individuals it is the load of toxic heavy metals (mercury, lead etc) in the gut that encourages yeast overgrowth. Get a toxic metal evaluation – at least 2/3 of individuals have serious heavy metal toxicity.
Dietary Recommendations:
- Avoid all sugars including honey, fructose corn syrup. Replace sugar with Xylitol or Stevia.
- Omit all dried fruits (raisins, dates etc), pineapple, tropical fruits (including pineapple) melons and all fruit juices. Limit other fruits to one per day. Vegetable juice is perfectly fine
- Avoid all refined carbohydrates especially those made with yeast – such as bread, bagels, muffins – and all cereal and pasta made with white flour, white rice and corn.
- For most people consuming fewer grains will improve their health. But when used, by all means select whole grain sources – whole wheat, brown rice etc.
- Most root (starchy) vegetables, including potatoes, convert to sugar quite rapidly and should be avoided. Sweet potatoes (without the brown sugar) can be an exception. Peanuts and peanut butter are very often contaminated with mold and should be avoided.
- Choose lean, quality protein at each meal such as chicken/turkey breast (organic when available), lean beef (grass-fed beef is highly recommended), fish (wild, not farmed, Alaskan salmon, sardines, cod etc), eggs and whey protein. You want to increase the amount of omega 3 fatty acids found in cold water fish as above but also found in a limited amount in flaxseed, walnuts and pumpkin seeds.
- Limit or best to omit, all foods with Trans fats, hydrogenated vegetable oils, margarine and shortening. Cook with olive or coconut oil.
- Use 5 or more servings of vegetables daily which can include green drinks.
- Drink at least 2 quarts of pure water , add a couple of cups of green tea and no alcoholic beverages
- Good snacks are nuts, celery with almond butter, healthy protein bars and boiled eggs.
Supplement Considerations
• Oregano — Oil of oregano has many antibacterial and antifungal properties.
• Garlic — Fresh, crushed garlic is a potent antimicrobial and immune booster.
• Grapefruit seed extract — The phytochemicals in citrus seeds have been found to have potent antimicrobial properties.
• Berberine — This potent yellow plant extract comes from goldenseal and barberry
• Tannins — These are the astringent compounds found in tea and the bark of trees.
• Undecylenate — This chemical compound is a potent antifungal.
• Isatis tinctoria — This Chinese herb can be a useful adjunct to treating intestinal imbalances.
• Caprylic acid — This is another useful compound for treating yeast.
Probiotics – Take at least 10 to 20 billion live organisms a day of lactobacillus and bifidobacter species. A special “yeast against yeast” probiotic called saccharomyces boulardii (Florestor) can be very safe and effective in controlling yeast and often by itself – but don’t take any of the above supplements with it.
Charcoal and Fiber – You should also consider taking two to three activated charcoal capsules every four to six hours during the day or a soluble fiber supplement that contains guar gum, alginates, psyllium seed, or pectin to bind to yeast toxins and facilitate their natural release.
Symptoms of Yeast overgrowth
Although symptoms of yeast overgrowth are similar to those of many other conditions, you may have a yeast problem if you have these problems:
General Symptoms
Please Note: The overgrowth of yeast in the intestinal track will often lead to an increase of intestinal permeability which in turn leads to (among other things) food allergies or sensitivities. Many symptoms of Candidiasis are very similar to symptoms of food sensitivities. You may need to consider the very good possibility of a food sensitivity problem if the yeast problem is a chronic one. Check with your health care professional to determine the differences and appropriate therapeutic solutions
• Chronic fatigue
• Loss of energy
• General malaise
• Decreased libido
Gastrointestinal Symptom
• Thrush
• Bloating and gas
• Intestinal cramps
• Rectal itching
• Altered bowel function such as diarrhea or constipation
Genitourinary Symptoms
• Yeast infections
• Frequent bladder infections
• Interstitial cystitis (irritable bladder)
Hormonal Complaints
• Menstrual irregularities like pain, bleeding, etc.
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Thyroid dysfunction
Nervous System Complaints
• Depression
• Irritability
• Inability to concentrate
Immune System Complaints
• Allergies
• Chemical sensitivities
• Low immune function
Past History
• Chronic yeast infections
• Chronic antibiotic use for infections or acne
• Oral birth control pill usage
• Oral steroid hormone usage
Associated Conditions
• Sensitivity to foods, chemicals, or other allergens
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Craving for foods rich in carbohydrates or yeast
The above information is not intended as a substitute for your health care provider. It is not intended as a means to cure, treat, prevent, diagnose or mitigate any disease. For all medical problems you should consult your primary care provider. You can use this support information to support his/her evaluation and treatment as per their discretion