Nonprescription agents such as herbs, vitamins and minerals, are effective alternatives for many women with yeast-related problems who prefer not to use prescription antifungals or who cannot use them for a variety of medical reasons.
Clearly if you have maintained good health with the help of natural remedies, you're doing fine. But people who are doing fine are not likely to be reading this blog, so we'll look at the most powerful natural substances to help eradicate yeast, strengthen your immune system and help you regain your health. Here are some of the best:
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| Curing Yeast Infections |
PROBIOTICS
Probiotics are a group of friendly bacteria that help us stay well. They include Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidum bacterium. These bacteria, which are found in natural yogurt, can help keep yeast from overgrowing in the digestive tract.
Although probiotics are not powerful agents for knocking out yeast, they do help.
Probiotics are available in a variety of forms, including yogurt and other foods, capsules, tablets, beverages and powders.
Consumerlab.com, the independent, product-testing facility, says, "Ideally the product should contain bacteria that research shows can survive passage through the stomach or it should be enteric-coated. Products in tablets should also be able to properly disintegrate so as to release the probiotic bacteria and not pass through the body intact."
The key to using probiotics is to find the right product to help restore the natural balance. Experts tell me the ideal product will have three qualities:
- It will have an adequate number of live organisms
- The organisms must be bile resistant
- The organisms must be able to adhere to the gastrointestinal lining.
Consumerlab tested the following products and found them to contain at least 1 billion live bacteria at the time you would consume them:
- Puritan's Pride Inspired By Nature Milk-Free Acidophilus
- Pilgrim's Pride Inspired By Nature Potent Acidophilus with Pectin
- Vitamin World Naturally Inspired Milk Free Acidophilus.
OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT
Although I've had no experience in using olive leaf extract, I've received favorable reports from people who have called and/or written me.
I was also impressed by the information in Dr. Morton Walker's 1997 book Olive Leaf Extract that suggests the antifungal, antiviral and antiparasitic nature of olive leaf extract can be very helpful as part of a treatment regimen for candidiasis.
He wrote:
Based on my research, I am convinced that olive leaf extract is destined to become the most useful, wide spectrum, antimicrobial herbal ingredient of the 21st century.
It is made from the leaves of olive trees and contains plant pharmaceuticals, including a phenolic compound called oleo oleuropin, a potent antimicrobial that inhibits the growth of many types of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi and yeast, and helps improve immune system function.
Here's a testimonial from a woman who wrote to me a few years ago:
I was troubled with multiple symptoms, some of which were back and neck pain, flu, flu-like symptoms, swollen glands, sinus and digestive problems. I was subsequently diagnosed with fibromyalgia (chronic fatigue syndrome), and the physicians recommended Prozac-type antidepressants and anti-inflammatory drugs, but I refused them.
On a treatment program that included olive leaf extract, three tablets four times a day, plus vitamin and mineral supplements, my overall health has greatly improved and so has my energy and disposition ...
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| Curing Yeast Infections |
I've found some information that indicates olive leaf extract may cause die-off, so if you feel worse for a few days after you begin taking it, take comfort in knowing it's working! Even at very high dosages, there have been no reports of side effects from using olive leaf extract.
You may have to experiment to determine the correct dosage for you, but most people get good results with one to four capsules taken six hours apart, for a total of four to 12 a day. To find out more, you can check out Curing Yeast Infections.