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Alternative treatments for candida

If your vulva becomes red and irritated and you have a white, cottage cheese-like discharge, it is a sign of vaginal candida. For most women a candida infection automatically means a course of antifungal pessaries or creams. These items treat the symptoms but can become ineffective with prolonged use. A better way to tackle candida is to treat its cause. Any chronic infection suggests a poorly functioning immune system. Many things can affect your immunity including overuse of medications, particularly antibiotics and previous use of the birth control pill.

It can also be affected by stress or a diet, including foods that you are allergic to or which are high in toxins. A depressed immune system leads to beneficial bacteria being destroyed. These bacteria normally keep opportunistic yeasts like candida in check.

During pregnancy, changes in your body can also lead to problems with candida. Fungal infections (candida, thrush or yeast infections) can become chronic during pregnancy, aggravated by hormonal changes that alter the acid/alkali balance of your vagina.

Left unchecked, candida can lead to other problems. Streptococcus type B, a chronic bacterial infection, is often found in women who have problems with candida. An intestine infested with candida may be more vulnerable to colonisation by this aggressive bacteria which increases risk of miscarriage and pre-term birth.

The good news is, by changing your diet and lifestyle you can restore balance in your body.

Dietary changes
Candida thrives on sugar and it loves an acidic environment. If you are prone to candida infections, it is important that you reduce sugary foods and refined carbohydrates in your diet, avoid products containing yeast, fermented foods and cured and smoked foods. Eat whole foods with plenty of immune boosting, fungi-busting garlic, onions and olive oil. Kale, turnip and cabbage are also thought to inhibit fungal growth. Choose wholegrain cereal products, cold pressed oils, and unprocessed meat and fish. Apart from dietary changes, make sure you are getting enough vitamins A, B complex and C as well as the minerals zinc, iron and magnesium.

If taking antibiotics is unavoidable, make sure you also take pro-biotics in the form of acidophilous and bifidobacteria to help counter their harmful effect on the body’s “friendly” bacteria. This will reduce the chances of opportunistic fungi taking hold again.

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