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| October Raspberries, photograph. © Ruth Zachary |
Yeast and fungal
infections can affect many parts of the body; the vagina, the bowels, the skin,
and in other parts of the body. Three of every four women will have at least
one yeast infection before menopause, according to Robert A Schulman, MD, in
his comprehensive book, Solve It With
Supplements. (Rodale Books)
We have known for a long
time, too much sugar causes diabetes.. My grandmother found a diet for my
grandfather that removed his diabetic symptoms, over 100 years ago. Other conditions
are slow to be connected to carbohydrates. The link between sugar and yeast
infections is rarely mentioned, and is not mentioned in
Schulman’s book.
Dr. Oz recently did
discuss this link on his daily program. Yeast thrives on sugar and
carbohydrates in the diet. A high glycemic diet is known to cause inflammation.
Yeast infections often cause inflammation. Yeast and Inflammation may or may
not be linked to each other.
Antibiotics given for a
yeast infection, can cause it to virtually explode in one’s system. Antibiotics
can destroy the natural flora in the digestive tract, that counteracts yeast.
Schulman, explains vaginal
fungi, Candida albicans can cause
outbreaks, when there are hormonal changes in the body. Usually a sexual
partner is not responsible for a recurrent yeast infection. He says to avoid
bubble baths, wear clean cotton underwear and to avoid tight fitting clothing.
Precautions include taking
Lactobacillus acidophilus, in the
diet – (8 oz. of yogurt)or as a supplement, or taking boron, garlic (with anti
fungal properties), Lavender, or tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a proven
germicide, and will inhibit 11 different bacteria, according to Schulman. See
his book for details.
Yeast in the system may be
a secondary, sometime problem, but it may also be a major malady on its own. A
person can be allergic to yeast, even as it multiplies in different parts of
the body. A blood test can reveal a yeast allergy or sensitivity.
Yeast infections in the
body may go away on their own. Even if we try to avoid starchy or sweet foods,
it is hard to realize the full extent of sugar and carbs we are consuming every
day. Even if we look at the ingredients on canned goods, boxes, cereals, and
condiments, the chemical names are a mystery, hard to identify by only looking
at the names, which are unfamiliar. Processed foods are filled with high
glycemic ingredients and various kinds of sweeteners and sugars, starches,
flour, (as well as gluten which has other impacts).
If you have an autoimmune
disease, and inflammation is part of your problem, it is critical to know how
to avoid these ingredients in your diet.
The food industry is
invested in selling these products. They tell you sugars, grains and starches
are staples and are healthy. In regulated amounts this is probably true, but
the volume of such products consumed in this country is not healthy. In
addition, the amount of exercise we don’t do contributes to obesity and
diabetes. Physical labor is not part of a person’s life style and occupation,
to the degree that it was 100 years ago.
How to reverse yeast in
the system? Learn to identify and avoid the sugars and carbohydrates that
contribute. Some people think fruits and berries, a source of natural sugars must also be withdrawn from the diet. I am still researching that subject.
Another thing that will
probably help is to take a probiotic, containing the natural living cultures to
restore your intestinal health, and which will put the various cultures that
live in the gut, including yeast into balance. Natural immunity to disease is
dependent upon a healthy intestinal tract. 90% of a healthy immune system depends
upon the intestines.
Next time: Lists of
sugars, starches, high glycemic foods and additives.
Images and Writing are the Copy right © of Ruth Zachary
Images and Writing are the Copy right © of Ruth Zachary
