In order to treat a yeast infection properly, it is necessary to know the nature of the disease, and I definitely score on that front. Yeasts, I can inform you, are single-celled fungi. Like other fungi, they are adept at invading the tissues of a host organism, but usually only when that organism is weakened in some way. For instance living
grapes, still attached to the vine, may have a fine "bloom" of yeast coating them, but this does no harm to the developing fruit. Only when the natural defences of the grape have been weakened by it being detached from the vine, only then will the yeast get to work, invading, multiplying and fermenting.

Mentioning grape yeasts brings me naturally to a common misconception. The fact is, there are many species of yeast, not just one. The yeast which is used in brewing and baking is Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. This
is not a species which commonly attacks humans. It is almost exclusively vegetarian in its habits, which is what makes it so useful and economically important. Saccharomyces Cerevisiae can be infective, but only in extremely rare cases. If you have a yeast infection, I
will recommend that you avoid products such as beer which might
contain live yeast, but this is only as a precaution; just in case you
are one of the extremely few people who are susceptible. In the vast
majority of cases, Saccharomyces is not a threat and not a problem.
Note also that "yeast extracts" such as Marmite, although they are
made using Saccharomyces,  contain no live yeast whatsoever and
nothing on which live yeast can thrive. They are also a good source of
B vitamins. There is no need to give up yeast extracts when you are
suffering from a yeast infection.

Although the yeasts which usually attack humans are not the same as
those used in brewing and baking, they have a lot in common. All
yeasts thrive best in damp places where there is little circulation of
air. Oxygen is harmful to them, as are those substances which many
plants have developed in order to keep yeasts at bay.  This indicates
several natural ways in which to counter yeast infections: by keeping
the affected areas dry, by wearing loose garments which allow
circulation of air, by use of appropriate plants and plant extracts,
and by oxygen therapy. Since yeasts commonly attack only where there
is imbalance, e.g. after a debilitating illness, it also helps to
consume a balanced diet and to aim for a healthy lifestyle in general.
Just follow these simple steps, which are described in more detail in
the other articles on this site, and you should soon see the back of
me.

Candida Albicans,
Infective Agent.

Copyright (c) 2008 stop-yeast-infection.com.
 

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