How to Kill Yeast Overgrowth

More microbes exist in your body than you probably care to know about, including candida -- a yeast-like fungus that can trigger infections of the vagina, intestines and mouth. Most of the time, it exists without incident but certain factors can contribute to an overgrowth, leading to infections. The idea that yeast overgrowth contributes to a wide range of unrelated problems like fatigue and depressed immunity is popular among many in the alternative medicine community, but alternative medicine expert Dr. Andrew Weil says this has not been proven scientifically. Regardless of your reasons for wanting to check yeast growth, certain measures might help, though not all have strong scientific backing behind them.

Instructions

• 1

  Reduce your intake of sugar, a major food source for yeast. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports research has shown lessening sugar consumption has been linked to fewer yeast infections.

• 2

  Cut back on other foods that might trigger yeast growth. Naturopathic physician Stephen C. Byrnes recommends reducing or eliminating intake of wheat, rye, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, vinegar, refined carbohydrates and starchy vegetables like potatoes and yams. He notes that you do not need to completely eliminate these foods forever but should slowly add them back in smaller amounts once you have brought the problem under control.

• 3

  Include probiotics in your diet through the use of food and/or supplements. These are the friendly bacteria that naturally reside in your intestines and they help control the growth of yeast and other potentially harmful microbes. Mayoclinic.com notes small studies have shown consuming probiotics in the form of yogurt and supplements have led to a reduction in vaginal yeast infections, though it also notes these studies did not have controls. You might particularly consider supplementation after taking a course of antibiotics, which kill the good bacteria along with the bad.

• 4

  Use herbs and other natural supplements that have antifungal properties. Byrnes and the University of Maryland Medical Center suggest garlic, caprylic acid, pau d' arco, echinacea, golden seal, barberry, Oregon grape root and olive leaf extract. You do not need to take all of these herbs; if you have an interest in using natural therapies, you should consult with a herbalist, naturopathic physician or other health care professional knowledgeable about alternative medicine for guidance on designing a supplement regimen.