Women - has this happened to you?

[Feelix]

I was wondering if woman who make the dietary switch deal with yeast infections as well?

I have tried to research it online, the most consistent train of thought is that my body is detoxing and its flushing the yeast out of the body. I honestly have no idea if this is even true.

Any ladies willing to share their experiences? you can PM if that is more comfortable.

[Anniesnan]

I've only had 2 yeast infections in my life - once after I had my appendix removed and was on hd antibiotics and the other time was after being on antibiotics for a resistant tooth infection.

I don't think there is anything in PP that would kill the "good" bacteria and cause a yeast infection.

[gitfiddle]

I don't think so either, Agnes. I'm diabetic, which makes a yeast infection easier to get. I had a few before PP, but none since. Yeast feeds on sugar, so when I cut it out I was in better balance.

Now, that said, I remember having some scaly patches of skin on my legs and the back of my shoulders every winter for years that I thought were excema. They'd go away in the summer. Just this spring, the doctor noticed them and said "how long has this tina something been on your legs?" Turns out it was a yeast infection. An anti-fungal cream took care of it. He said it was common among diabetics. Who knew?

Feelix, have you asked your doctor? I don't think it's PP.

[Mitra]

I've not heard of yeast infections happening as a result of eating low carb - in fact, I recently noticed that Life Without Bread (Lutz & Allen) says they often disappear when people start eating low carb. But everybody reacts differently, and any major change in diet is a bit of a shock to your system. I don't recall any mention of it in the PP books. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[Feelix]

I have a doctor's appointment planned. I was curious if anyone had had a response like it or if it's just my body doing crazy things.

[Bev-Ann]

I've had problems with recurrent yeast infections since going LC. Prior to that, I think I've had maybe 3 in my entire adult life and only after taking anit-biotics, which hasn't been the case lately.
My doctor says that some women are just more prone to them, but it doesn't have anything to do with LC (he checked me for diabetes and I'm not diabetic). I'm stumped and curious to see what your doctor has to say.

[Benay]

According to Atkins (he has a chapter on yeast infections) some people are prone to develop yeast infections from eating cheese. Since we low carbers practically live on cheese, it is not good news. He recommends eliminating cheese and other milk products as well as things like musrooms and vinegar in order to reduce the molds we bring into our systems. He suggested 4 to 6 weeks of eliminating these foods to help clear up the yeast infection before cautiously reintroducing them into the diet while monitoring their effects. He also has recommendations for supplements.

Since I have discovered that I have a serious yeast problem, I would appreciate knowing how you are coping with it and what your found helpful.

[Feelix]

Your cheese comment makes sense - I have increased my cheese intake - seems to be the one flavor and texture I can put on anything. :-) I have just started the Thin So Fast plan so I will cut my cheese intake. I think I can take it out of my diet completely if not spare usage. I will report how it's working FOR SURE. I would love to lose this fat and feel healthy.

Thanks for your feedback.

[laughingW]

I've never had one and I don't "live on" cheese. Maybe 2 ounces a week.

[Ammy]

I DO live on cheese, and I have never had one...

[Benay]

Isn't it wonderful that we are all so different and have different reactions to food. If I recall correctly, Atkins said that if you find you have a yeast infection on a controlled carb diet, look to the foods that support yeast and mould--and that includes all the sugars, vinegars, mushrooms, milk and milk products and nuts especially pistachios. Eliminate them for 4 to 6 weeks to see if the yeast infection clears up (using his recommended probiotic supplements) and then gradually adding them in again one at a time to see how you do. I don't believe he was saying that all people who eat cheese will get a yeast infection or that all yeast infections are caused by eating cheese. Anyway, its just a thought.

[Bev-Ann]

Cheese or any other food will NOT cause or prolong yeast infections. The fungus that your body over-produces is Candida Albicans. The fungi in cheese and other foods are things like Candida famata, Candida guillerimondii, Candida lusitaniae and Candida inconstans which are not the same at all. Some Candida strains are even canabalistic of albicans so are beneficial to eat. Telling people to avoid certain foods is the same as saying that cholesterol is going to cause heart disease. There's no proof of that either.
And I don't eat cheese, milk or any of the other so-called yeast-causing foods and yet I still have recurrent infections since going LC.

[Benay]

Hi Bev Ann, thanks for the feedback on the types of yeast in different foods. I know that Candida Albicans is the yeast infection I probably have and I did query about it on another thread that no one has answered. The search that I did on the net does provide elimination diets and suggests controlling certain foods, but it also says that not controlling Candida Albicans can lead to more serious problems. So what does one do? What do you do when you get a yeast infection? Mine is now over 6 weeks old and I would like to get some relief.