Yeast Overgrowth Suggestions

There are three steps needed to bring yeast overgrowth (also known as Candida) under control. First, dietary modification is absolutely essential. Second, antifungal agents must be used to eradicate excessive yeast and change the body's internal environment to make it unfriendly for yeast growth. Third, normal intestinal flora needs to be reestablished.

Step 1: Dietary Therapy

Yeast grows in the presence of sugars. All simple carbohydrates and many fruits must be eliminated from the diet for 4-6 weeks. Concentrate on eating healthy forms of protein and colorful vegetables. Specific suggestions regarding foods you can eat and foods you need to avoid will be sent along with your order.

Helpful Hints:

Eat protein with every meal. This is a MUST because you want to keep your blood sugar stable. Wild swings in blood sugar will lead to hunger and the temptation to eat foods you want to avoid right now.
Enjoy lots of colorful vegetables!
Find wonderful (healthy and tasty) recipes to make. Don't disappoint your tastebuds!
Plan menus and purchase only those things that are on your list. Eat a good meal before you shop. This will help reduce temptation.

Step 2: Antifungal Suppplements

Antifungal herbs are the best place to begin when working to reduce yeast overgrowth. One of the best antifungals is Pau D'Arco, a tree indigenous to the rainforests of South America. Because it grows in a damp environment that is very conducive to mold and fungus, Pau D'Arco trees have developed compounds in their bark that inhibit the growth of mold and fungus.

Pau D'Arco is a highly effective herb for inhibiting the growth of yeast in the body and can be taken as a tea or in convenient capsule form. Using the purest source of herbs is essential in reducing a yeast overgrowth. Pau D'Arco tea that comes in a tea bag from the store isn't nearly as effective as Nature's Sunshine Pau D'Arco tea in bulk form (which is actually shredded Pau D'Arco bark) and the Nature's Sunshine Pau D'Arco Capsules that I carry. Many other herb manufacturers do not have the quality control necessary to ensure the purity and efficacy of their products.

Silver Shield is a gentle and effective product that quickly reduces the Candida population on nipples, in baby's diaper area, and internally for nursing moms. Silver Shield is especially helpful for a yeast overgrowth that occurs after birth or after antibiotic use in mother and baby. Many of my clients have enthusiastically shared their relief at how quickly Silver Shield has eliminated painful yeast on the nipples.

You can spray a gentle mist of Silver Shield on sensitive nipples or on baby's yeast diaper rash. Mom can also take Silver Shield orally to help reduce painful nipple and ductal irritation caused by Candida. Silver Shield is tasteless.

Make sure you are having at least one bowel movement every day. When you are clearing your body of excess Candida, it is important to eliminate the toxins from the body as soon as possible. Everybody's Fiber promotes regularity and helps prevent the buildup of toxins in the body. Everybody's Fiber is an excellent way to keep regular and avoid the nausea and fatigue that can accompany a yeast die-off.

Step 3: Add Probiotics

It is important to restore the body's good bacteria with probiotics (friendly intestinal bacteria) while reducing the population of Candida. The beneficial bacteria found in probiotics are "friendly" microorganisms that naturally inhabit the intestines aiding digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as enhancing immune function and protecting against harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi (like yeast).

My favorite probiotic for rapidly building up the beneficial bacteria in the intestines is Probiotic Eleven (a blend of 11 different beneficial bacteria). I always recommend Probiotic Eleven for mothers who have recently taken antibiotics or who are just starting on a candida reduction program.

In addition to the dietary changes and supplements listed above, the following comfort measures and protocols are important for nursing mothers and babies.

Nursing Mother Care:

For painful, sore nipples resulting from a yeast overgrowth, apply Diaper Rash Relief (an antifungal ointment) to your nipples before every feeding. After nursing or pumping, spray the nipples with Silver Shield and let it dry. Then apply Diaper Rash Relief again. Many mothers have found that Diaper Rash Relief combined with Silver Shield are very effective at eliminating nipple pain experienced during a yeast overgrowth. Use of Diaper Rash Relief and Silver Shield on the nipples is safe and effective and does not need to be washed off prior to breastfeeding. Diaper Rash Relief provides soothing relief from the pain associated with nipple yeast.

If you are using a breast pump, wash the pump parts, baby bottles, bottle nipples and pacifiers in hot, soapy water after each use. Boil all items that come into contact with your breastmilk or the baby's mouth in water for 20 minutes each day. Adding 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the water used for boiling alters the pH of the water, making it a less friendly environment for the yeast to thrive.

Baby Care:

Breastmilk contains lauric acid and lactoferrin (which are both antifungals) and will help reduce thrush in baby's mouth. Unfortunately, the thrush we are seeing today is more resistant and is harder to eradicate than the thrush we were seeing 15-20 years ago. If your baby has thrush, a yeast diaper rash, or if you are still experiencing nipple pain that won't go away, your baby may need be Pau D'Arco Extract and Acidophilus.

Pau D'Arco Extract (which is a liquid) can be applied to the bottom of your baby's feet. It is absorbed within minutes through the soles of the feet and does not need to be administered orally. Pau D'Arco Extract has the remarkable ability to quickly reduce signs and symptoms of a yeast overgrowth in babies and young children.

Babies who have a yeast overgrowth need to increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in their intestines (just like you do). Some beneficial bacteria will be passed along through your breastmilk when you take Probiotic Eleven. Babies who have received antibiotics or who have resistant thrush will need the additional support of Acidophilus. The advantage of Acidophilus is that it tastes much better than other probiotics on the market and it is in a form that is well tolerated by babies. It can easily be mixed with solid foods if the baby is older.

If your baby has a yeast diaper rash, spraying Silver Shield onto the diaper area at every diaper change is an easy way to rapidly heal this tender area. Also, application of Diaper Rash Relief is very helpful for any type of diaper rash.

To summarize:

Change your diet to nutrient-dense foods that will help maintain steady blood sugar levels.
Take Pau D'Arco to reduce the internal population of Candida in the body.
Use Silver Shield orally and topically to reduce Candida overgrowth in the body and ease the burning pain of sore nipples or diaper rash.
Take Probiotic Eleven to replenish the good bacteria in your intestines. If your baby has thrush or a yeast diaper rash, he may need Pau D'Arco Extract (to decrease the population of yeast) and Acidophilus (to replenish the good bacteria in his intestines).
Use Diaper Rash Relief to soothe your baby's bottom for any type of diaper rash.
Make sure you are having at least one bowel movement every day. When you are detoxing from Candida, it is important to eliminate the toxins from the body as soon as possible. Everybody's Fiber can act as a very gentle bulk laxative.
Keep a positive attitude. Getting rid of resistant yeast is very challenging and may take some time!

Revised January 2010.

Disclaimer: The information given above is not meant to replace the care provided by your health care provider. The suggestions given here are meant to complement the treatment and advice you have received from your health care provider.

Janet Talmadge, BA, IBCLC
Lactation Innovation, Naperville, IL

Web site: lactationinnovation.com

(630) 357-0028

Changing the world, one healthy breastfed baby at a time!