| Exercising Your Options with a Yeast-free Diet |
23 March 2008 |
Tinea - the Yeast Infection That's a Bad Sport
If you or your partner suffer from recurring bouts of tinea - either on the feet or the body it may be worthwhile trying a yeast-free diet for a while.
Yeast is one of the great equalizers; it attacks anybody. Babies, teenagers, adults and the elderly are all fair game for a yeast or fungal infection. (See the Symptoms Matrix to check out your symptoms Symptoms Matrix).
Our usual reaction is to medicate, and this is always good for immediate relief. But additional therapy is advisable especially for recurring infections. Of course you should refer to your doctor for advice. Further info Yeast Sensitivity
An often overlooked but frequently effective therapy is diet. Although it may seem restrictive, many people find lasting relief after only 2-3 weeks of minimal yeast.
Looking critically at what you eat every day may be surprising. If you do suffer from recurring bouts of tinea or Candida, a diet that is high in yeast-bearing foods, sugars and refined flours is only adding to the problem.
Why not give your body a welcome break and a real chance for recovery by eating yeast-free for 2 - 3 weeks? See Eating Yeast-free
There are numerous fungal and yeast-like infections: several types of tinea are common including ringworm, and then there is vaginitis and nappy rash.
These all breed in humid environments. That is: warm, moist places that receive little aeration. Many of us have experienced genital infections (candida), jock itch, athlete's foot and ringworm (tinea). In children and babies nappy rash is often candida.
Naturally take the normal preventative measures to avoid infections:
- Don't share shoes or clothing
- After showering dry carefully between the toes and in skin folds
- Wear clean underwear every day
- Wear thongs in communal showers and pool areas
- Check that pets are not infected (especially cats)
There are also the curative measures you can use: anti-fungal creams and oral medications. Many of these don't need a prescription and when combined with a revised diet bring great relief.
Yeast Is Easy to Understand
Even though yeast infections are responsible for so much human discomfort, they are easily understood. There are only few simple things to remember.
1. Yeasts are opportunistic. They take advantage when there is the slightest window of opportunity to breed and bloom - wherever they notice your defences are down.
2. If your immune system is weakened temporarily, say you have just completed a long course of antibiotics, or are physically run down, or stressed then your defences are down.
3. Control yeast by spoiling its ability to breed. a) Diet therapy: See Yeast Sensitivity. Minimise sugars and the foods that convert easily to sugars, (refined flours). Instead use sugar substitutes and whole grains. Avoid foods that carry yeasts and fungi; bread, yeast concentrates like Vegemite, and dried fruits like sultanas and apricots. Eat fresh wherever possible.
b) Ventilate: Ensure your body is open to the air: wear loose clothing, go barefoot and let babies play without a nappy. Exercise in loose cotton clothing, and towel down intermittently. As always, consult your doctor or healthcare professional before taking medications, or undertaking diet therapy.
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More information
Yeast Sensitivity
Eating Yeast Free
Symptoms Matrix
Author: Deborah Manners B.Sc.(Hons) Dip.Ed. is not a medical or healthcare professional. Ms Manners has multiple food intolerances and presents information from the point of view of the consumer.
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Date modified: 23 March 2008
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