Vaginal candidiasis

November 2005     View PDF     En español

Treating and preventing fungal infections naturally

There’s a strong connection between what you eat and the health of your immune system. Nevertheless, nutritional approaches to prevent and treat conditions like candidiasis are complicated and controversial. While there isn’t a magic recipe that prevents or treats yeast infections in everyone, following some basic guidelines may lower the risk of yeast becoming a problem for you.

Sugar, yeast, dairy, wheat, caffeine, nicotine and alcohol promote the growth of yeast. Nutritionists recommend ingesting as little as possible of these foods and products to decrease the risk and/or severity of yeast infections. Eating larger amounts of foods that may suppress the growth of yeast, like garlic or milk and yogurt that contain acidophilus, may help prevent yeast infections or provide extra treatment for infections that occur.

Food as prevention

• Decrease or avoid sugars (corn and maple syrup, glucose, fructose and sucrose). Sugars are food for Candida and help it grow.
• Decrease or avoid alcohol. Alcohol converts to sugar and helps Candida grow.
• Swallow large amounts of garlic. (Fresh is considered best—mince and put into empty gelatin capsules, up to six cloves a day.) Garlic is believed to have some natural anti-fungal properties. (Note: it is unknown if large amounts of garlic interfere with anti-HIV drugs, but some evidence exists that it may increase the risk of side effects from ritonavir [Norvir].)
• Drink milk or eat yogurt that contains acidophilus bacteria. Acidophilus is “friendly” bacteria that helps keep your body in balance.