Questions about Yeast

[shari_dawn]

I have a couple questions I hope someone can answer for me....

1. What is the yeast diet and can it be done in conjunction with the atkins
2. What is the spit test
3. Can Acidophilous help with yeast/hurt the diet
4. When people speak of yeast problems are they just talking about women's yeast infections or a build up of yeast within your digestive track?


any additional information would be much appreciated!! Thanks!!!

[julirama723]

1. There are actually quite a few versions of the anti-yeast diet. In DANDR, Dr. Atkins has his own version of a yeast-cleanse program, and a couple more commonly used plans are KISS and the Gold Standard. There are also 4 programs in Dr. Crook's book, The Yeast Connection, varying in levels of severity or stringency. The thing they all have in common is eliminating sugars, yeast, fermented and aged foods, molds and fungus. These things encourage yeast growth and must be eliminated. Every anti-candida plan I've seen is very Atkins-friendly. Carbs are what FEED yeast!

2. The spit test is a common way to check for a yeast overgrowth. In the morning before you've consumed any food or beverage and before you've brushed your teeth, fill a glass of water and spit some saliva into the glass. NORMAL spit will just remain in a puddle, but spit of an individual with a yeast overgrowth will begin to sink, chunks will fall to the bottom, and tentacles can form.

3. Acidophilus is crucial. Acidophilus is GOOD bacteria, an enemy of yeast. When our yeast gets out of control, it overtakes the probiotics in our body, so by taking a probiotic supplement (like acidophilus) it helps us regain that balance again. Along with probiotics it's important to take anti-fungals to kill the yeast. (Once the yeast are overpowered, the bacteria can take over as the dominant species again.)

4. Both. There are many symptoms that signal an overgrowth of yeast. For me it was lethargy, itchy skin, no weight loss, bloating, gas, and a few other things. I've never even had a vaginal yeast infection.

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Check out the stickies in the Candida forum. There are some great links there and lots of information.

[shari_dawn]

are there over the counter oral anti-fungals?? I was at the drug store today looking for them but could not find one. I got the acidophilous and took that and got the stuff to test for a yeast infection and it read I should have one but I have no vaginal symptoms. Thats what made me think I had something going on in my digestive tract. I was addicted to and ate a lot of candy and I know sugars feed yeast. (baking 101) Plus I was on amoxicillan for two weeks for a possible infection following a root canal. I think that amoxicillan is what screwed me up. Eating vinegar is not an issue really... I don't drink it. But I do enjoy cheeses daily. I guess cheeses can contribute since its dairy. Thanks so much for your help.... YOU LOOK GREAT!

[julirama723]

Cheese is a no-no, as is anything with vinegar, anything fermented, anything with sugars (no fruit, no dairy, no grains), etc. No alcohol. No starchy veggies. Basically, think induction MINUS all dairy products. (Butter IS allowed.)

Usually a course of antibiotics is enough to upset the balance. Mine was from stress.

OTC anti-fungals: oil of oregano, garlic oil to name two. There are MANY!

Check out www.yeastconnection.com it's a good site...

[sallyseachange]

Very informative posts Julie... tks!

[shari_dawn]

Okay heres a follow up.... I've cut cheese, and vinegar from my induction. begun taking Oil of Oregano as a natural antifungal and begun taking a probiotic. I've already noticed a difference... maybe its just all in my head. But it seems like my upper abdomen has gone down just in a matter of a day or so. I also noticed I'm not as hungry yesterday and today. I'm thinking about giving the cheese/vinegar up through my induction in order to give my system time to kick any bad yeasties in there. Thanks for all the great information!!

[julirama723]

Shari, that's great that you've noticed a positive difference already! Within days, my bloating had disappeared and I'd lost a couple of pounds. It really does work!