We have all heard of the agony that chronic yeast infections cause, a long-term issue far more common than many realize. Such infections result from an overgrowth of yeast, which is naturally present in your body. Candida is normally kept in check by a healthy immune system, but there are certain conditions that can cause it to overgrow and create an infection. Most likely caused by antibiotics, low immunity, stress and even hormones are the root cause of recurring yeast infections. Symptoms sometimes are itching and burning, this in turn affects day-to-day activities. What a lot of people don’t realize though, is that diet contributes to managing those infections an awful lot! So, by being selective with what you eat, you may be able to minimize the risk of having it become a chronic issue and help improve your overall health.
Gut health is one of the most important areas to address while dealing with chronic yeast infections. Our gut microbiome consists of an enormous number, I would say trillions of microorganisms that live within our digestive tract and are involved in the regulation of metabolism, digestion, immunity as well as with psychological behaviors. The gut biome works to keep your bacteria and yeast levels in a healthy balance which helps prevent infections. This imbalance can open the door to an overgrowth of yeast, particularly in those who are prone to chronic infections. A healthy gut is important, so diet is one of the best ways to reach there. Foods high in fiber, probiotics and prebiotics can help maintain this yeast to a normalized extent.
Failure to manage yeast infections naturally through diet is partly due to not avoiding certain foods. Yeast feeds on sugar and it is a preferential source of food for yeast overgrowth. This likely makes sugar one of the main causes that treatment fails, and it is our primary culprit that promotes yeast overgrowth. Simply cutting back on sugary snacks, processed foods and hidden sugars in lots of everyday products can really help. Sugary refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and pasta or sugared cereals can also help to feed the yeast overgrowth since all are broken down into sugars (different forms of sugar) by your body. Alcohol can also be richer in sugar and it has the capacity to suppress our immune system, both of which are perfect conditions for yeast growth. And even though some fermented foods are gut-friendly in general, they can make yeast infections worse for certain people.
Small changes in your diet can help you deal with yeast infections much more effectively. Eating whole, unprocessed foods and limiting sugar & refined carbs will also help balance the gut as well as promote general health.
Key Nutrients and Foods That Combat Yeast Infections
To minimize yeast infections naturally, nutrition plays a key role in terms of incorporating foods that help your body combat an overgrowth of yeasts. Probiotics are mostly essential. They are beneficial bacteria that keep gut microbiome in balance and prevent yeast (like Candida) from becoming overgrown. Yogurt, kefir and fermented vegetables are probiotic-rich foods that can restore gut bacteria to their natural levels. Including these foods in your diet can be a healthy way to help manage and lower the frequency of yeast infections.
Garlic and coconut oil are also two other natural antifungals that can be very effective in treating yeast infections. Allicin, the compound in garlic that carries strong antifungal properties. This is why these foods should be included when eating for a yeast-free lifestyle. Another powerhouse when it comes to antifungal foods, which is coconut oil that contains two of the most potent natural antifungal compounds are lauric acid and caprylic acid. First, we will discuss MCTs which are compounds that assist to kill yeast cells and can be a useful dietary aid in keeping your body equipped with what it needs. Moreover, eating immune-boosting vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Zinc and Selenium can strengthen your natural defenses and lower the chances for yeast overgrowth and put it in control.
Also, I would recommend numerous herbs and spices which come in handy when attempting to eradicate the yeast infection. Such as oregano, thyme and rosemary; herbs that have antifungal properties. These are easy to use in everyday cooking. You can get both flavor AND antioxidants, tonics and more. At the same time, cinnamon and turmeric also have robust effects in creating a yeast-resistive environment within your system. Subtle and stealthy by nature, they can be thrown into smoothies, teas or cooked foods for that extra bit of antifungal protection. However, I would recommend for you a good recipe idea that would be to make salad dressing that included oregano, garlic and coconut oil, this will give you three antifungal properties in one mouthwatering meal!
Reducing sugar, as yeast thrives on sugars is a excellent step to managing candida. Normally, a rapid sugar intake can impact the yeast and you can experience persistent infections. Although it may be challenging to reduce sugar, there is a way to easily do this. Find natural sweeteners. The first step is to remove all the sugars that lots of people opt for. And start using natural ones like Stevia or honey. They have minimal blood sugar effects and do not… “feed yeast” in the same manner that regular sugars do. Giving your body tools through proper diet and essential nutrients, herbs and strategies can help you naturally fight yeast infections.
Personalizing Your Yeast Infection Diet: Tips for Success
One of the most important aspects to get you healing is that while managing yeast infections, your diet has to be personalized. There are some general guidelines, but you have to understand that individuals are different and each one reacts differently to food so creating a tailored plan for yourself will be best. Begin a detailed food journal recording what you are eating to keep track of your daily intake and thus monitor reactions from the body. Eliminating all of those types of foods can help you find out what your trigger is, I mean, if it is sugar or gluten, that could be making your symptoms worse. Listen carefully to your body and be tolerant of the changes in its eating habits. Once you know what those are, you can customize a plan that suits your needs the best.
It may be also helpful to work with a healthcare provider, so that you are not under or over-eating. A registered dietitian or nutritionist in particular, can help you write a yeast-fighting meal plan that meets your needs. They have the knowledge on which foods are dense in nutrients that bring equilibrium to your system and they may even recommend you take certain supplements that can boost more of a fighting chance for it. Professional advice will also help prevent you from going on very restrictive diets that may harm your body on the long run.
The anti-yeast diet works the best if combined with certain lifestyle changes. A key player that many people tend to forget when trying to manage a yeast infection, is stress. Weakened immune system and the environment can lead to chronic stress, where yeast is doing great. By doing stress-reducing activities like drinking soothing healthy drinks, yoga, meditation or just having some down time can really help. You must inculcate these habits into your daily schedule to keep a Healthy lifestyle.
Another must in managing your yeast infection is getting proper rest. During sleep your body repairs and reinforces the immune response. If a person has poor quality sleep, it can lower the immune system and yeast infections could remain. Get 7 to 8 hours of rest full sleep as a minimum so your body can fully recover.
Exercise also helps to maintain proper body balance & control yeast proliferation. Exercise helps to increase circulation, strengthen the immune system and relieve stress, all of which support a reduction in yeast infections. Whether it is walking, swimming or yoga, get something you enjoy and repeat.
Dietary changes take time to show effects but believe me, if you stay consistent and patient; the benefit goes beyond yeast infection control. By where you make gradual, healthful changes to your lifestyle so that in addition to keeping yeast infections at bay, you have an overall better well-being. So if you need any motivation or need to find a supportive community where you can ask some questions, then yes please feel free to share your journey with all of us.
Thank you for reading my article about “Chronic Yeast Infection Diet” and I would love to receive your comments down below, in case of any.