Yeast infections are an all-too-common problem for millions of women. Data show nearly three-quarters of women will have at least one yeast infection during their lives, and as many as 30% have these itchy, uncomfortable infections regularly.
At Desert Star Institute for Family Planning, DeShawn Taylor, MD, MSc, FACOG, specializes in custom solutions for women suffering from chronic yeast infections, combining medical therapies with lifestyle changes focused on helping women maintain a healthy gut microbiome. In this post, learn how your diet could increase your risk of yeast infections and how a few simple changes can help reduce that risk and improve your overall wellness.
Yeasts are fungi, and we all have them — millions of them. Most yeast infections are caused by Candida yeasts found not only in your vagina, but on your skin, in your mouth, and in your gut, too.
Typically, these yeasts are found in low numbers — too low to cause any problems. Your immune system works to keep these (and other microorganisms in check. But sometimes, this system of checks and balances breaks down, and yeasts multiply rapidly, causing an infection.
Lots of factors can contribute to a yeast infection. Yeast populations can overcome a weakened immune system, or a recent illness might compromise normal defenses. Long-term use of antibiotics can affect your immunity against yeasts, too, and so can hormonal fluctuations, including fluctuations associated with pregnancy.
While researchers are still learning more about lifestyle factors that could play a role, some data indicate that diet could also play a role. In these instances, cutting back on certain foods gives your body the resources to reduce the risk of an overwhelming infection.
Like many of us, yeasts have a sweet tooth — they thrive in environments with high sugar levels. If you eat many sweet or high-carbohydrate foods, your blood sugar (glucose) levels rise, and you wind up providing those yeasts with the food they need to thrive and multiply.
In a healthy gut where your glucose levels are normalized by a nutrient-dense eating plan, occasional minor elevations in glucose are typically nothing to worry about. But if you continue to consume lots of carbs, that protection can break down, potentially leading to an increase in yeast populations and infections.
The link between glucose levels and yeast infections could explain why these infections are common among people with diabetes — much more common than among people who don’t have the disease.
Probiotics are foods that help support a healthy gut microbiome by providing additional microorganisms that support digestion. Foods like kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and yogurt contain live cultures of “good” bacteria that may help keep yeast populations in check.
Other foods, like garlic and onions, contain chemicals that act as natural antifungal agents. These foods, too, may help reduce the incidence of infection, but scientific evidence is lacking.
Adhering to a healthy eating plan rich in colorful fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins, and whole grains is a great way to support your immune system, which could help it fight off yeast infections more effectively. But to truly reduce your risk of yeast infections, it’s important to seek medical help, which includes treatment aimed at keeping yeast populations under control.
We can help you find a solution if you suffer from yeast infections. To learn more, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Taylor and the Desert Star Family Planning team in Phoenix, Arizona, today.
