Yeasts are single-cell living organisms that are neither animal nor vegetable. They live on the surfaces of all living things, including fruits, vegetables, grains and your skin, they’re a part of the “microflora,” which contributes in various ways to the health of its host.

Yeast is a king of fungus. Mildew, mold, mushrooms, monilia and candida are all names that are used to describe different types of yeast. One family of yeasts, Candida albicans, normally lives on the inner warm creases and crevices of your digestive tract and vagina. Yeast-related health problems are especially apt to trouble you if you’ve taken repeated or prolonged courses of amoxicillin, ampicillin, Ceclor, Keflex, the tetracyclines and/or other broad-spectrum antibiotics at any time in your life. Sugars and other simple carbohydrates promotes yeast overgrowth. Other factors causing that growth are steroids, birth control pills, pregnancy, hormonal changes associated with the normal menstrual cycle, genital irritations and abrasions, re-infection from your sexual partner, and diabetes. Yeast infection in your genital area also may be related to wearing jockey shorts or nylon underwear.

Candida albicans normally lives in your body, especially in your intestines and vagina. When your immune system is strong, candida yeasts cause no problems. But, when you take broad-spectrum antibiotics, these drugs knock out friendly germs while they’re knocking out enemies.

Candida can greatly effect the digestive tract, inhibiting proper assimilation of essential amino acids and other nutrients. What follows? A weakened immune system. Yeast can slip through weakened areas in the gut lining, or can be spread from the anus into the sexual organs and from those areas into the blood and other body tissues. The yeast - and dampness - creating foods are those which are cold in temperature, too sweet or salty, mucus-producing and stale or rancid. Too much raw food additionally weakens digestion, evidenced by loose or watery stools. Other yeast-inducing products are certain kinds of ferments, yeasted breads, alcoholic beverages, most intoxicants, and any other food in excessive amounts. Simple food combining is required for effective yeast control. Attached are methods in which you might be helped with your yeast disorder.

Read, study, gain all the knowledge you can - and then take action! Discipline, organization and commitment are essential to win the war against Candida albicans. But the nice thing is that you can win!