Yeast Infections

Ditching the Itch

Have itchy palms? Some would say that money is coming your way. A seven-year itch? Better have a heartfelt chat with your mate. An itch where . . . well, you'd rather not discuss it? Welcome to one of the most common of feminine struggles: woman versus the beast called yeast.

In fact, at some point during their childbearing years, three in four women will wonder what they did to deserve the itching, burning, odor and unpleasant discharge that accompany vaginal yeast infections. They'll also want to know exactly what they can do to stop it from ever happening again.

The Nature of the Yeast

Fortunately, there are steps women can take to prevent these itchy episodes. But first, it helps to understand why a yeast infection happens at all.

The most likely culprit behind this maddening malady is a generally mild-mannered fungus known as Candida albicans that lives in the vagina, mouth and intestines. Normally, candida is kept to its small, harmless colonies by the immune system and by Lactobacillus acidophilus, bacteria commonly found in the vagina that create an acidic environment that candida doesn't like. When something throws this ecosystem off balance, however, candida runs rampant, and yeast infections can result.

The most common offenders, things that upset this delicate ecosystem, include wet bathing suits, panty hose, skintight jeans and leotards. All of these things foster a warm, moist environment that candida loves. Women are also prone to yeast infections during pregnancy, just before they get their periods and during menopause. Candida also multiplies when women are taking antibiotics, because such medications often kill too many good bacteria, such as lactobacillus, along with the bad, leaving candida unchecked.

Be a Bad Host with Good Nutrition

Once candida has become a flaming yeast infection, doctors commonly recommend over-the-counter medications such as miconazole (Monistat) and clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin) or the new one-dose, prescription-only fluconazole (Diflucan), all of which can have you sitting comfortably again in less than a week. But since these medications won't kick candida out for good, and since yeast infection recurrence is common, doctors say you have to be a bad host if you want to stay yeast-free.

"Treating the vagina alone is often a waste of time and money," says William Crook, M.D., author of The Yeast Connection and the Woman and a physician in Jackson, Tennessee. "Although vaginal suppositories may help, we also need to concentrate on putting the right things in your body to take care of the source of the problem."

According to the experts, that means boosting your immunity through good diet and nutritional supplements such as vitamins A, C and E and the mineral zinc. Here's what they recommend.

Note: Although Candida albicans is the most common cause of vaginal infections, it isn't the only cause. So if you've never had a yeast infection before, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis before starting any treatment on your own.

Keep Yeast from Rising with Zinc

When it comes to fighting disease, the mineral zinc is often a heavyweight contender. It stimulates the production of T lymphocytes, the cells in your immune system that are responsible for cleaning up cells that have been invaded by infection. According to medical research, this makes zinc a prize-fighter against Candida albicans.

In fact, zinc supplements are likely beneficial even if your body's zinc levels are normal, according to a study done in India. Researchers there worked with laboratory animals that were not deficient in zinc. They gave these animals high-dose zinc supplements and found that they were significantly more resistant to infection from Candida albicans than those not supplemented with zinc.

"Zinc is essential in preventing infection," agrees Dr. Crook. "And though it's best to get your vitamins and minerals through a healthy diet, supplementation is probably a good idea, given how many essential nutrients our food loses by the time it's processed, packaged, shipped and bought."

To fight candida, Tori Hudson, M.D., professor at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, suggests taking the Daily Value of zinc, which is 15 milligrams. And to get more zinc through your diet, try cooked oysters. They contain about 76 milligrams of zinc per half-dozen.

Acidify with Vitamin C

When it comes to fighting Candida albicans, vitamin C does double duty.

First, research has shown that vitamin C boosts immunity by keeping disease-fighting white blood cells up and running, so the body is better able to stave off infections, especially opportunistic ones such as candida that take advantage of a weak immune system. As a bonus, vitamin C adds acidic zip to your vaginal environment. "Candida-fighting lactobacillus grows in acid," explains Roy M. Pitkin, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, Los Angeles. "So taking vitamin C may help, though it isn't likely to be completely effective by itself."

For optimum results, Dr. Hudson recommends 4,000 milligrams of vitamin C a day, divided into two 2,000-milligram doses and taken once in the morning and once in the evening for better absorption. This amount is considerably higher than the Daily Value, which is only 60 milligrams. Although such high amounts of vitamin C are considered safe, some people experience diarrhea from taking just 1,200 milligrams daily. If you want to try this higher dose to prevent yeast infections, discuss it with your doctor.

Think fruits and vegetables to boost the vitamin C in your diet. One cup of broccoli, orange juice or brussels sprouts provides about 100 milligrams.

Build Immunity with A and E

For women who are having ongoing battles with candida, Dr. Hudson recommends adding two more immunity-boosting nutrients to the mix: vitamins A and E.

"Vitamin A can be used either of two ways," says Dr. Hudson. Women can take vitamin A supplements of 25,000 international units a day, an amount that is five times the Daily Value and that should be taken only under medical supervision. This is especially important for women of childbearing age, since daily doses of 10,000 international units of vitamin A during early pregnancy have been linked to birth defects. It's for this reason that women who are pregnant should not use this therapy. If a woman prefers not to take such a high amount orally, she can insert the vitamin into the vagina instead.

"Inserting vitamin A stimulates the immune system right in the vagina," says Dr. Hudson. "You can simply insert a vitamin A gelatin capsule, although they are less potent than the vitamin A suppositories made by several companies."

As a final precautionary measure, she recommends taking 400 international units of vitamin E.

If you are a frequent victim of the yeast beast and would like to increase these nutrients in your diet, try cooking with vegetable oils and eating whole-grain cereals for more vitamin E, drinking fortified skim milk for a burst of vitamin A and upping your intake of bright orange and yellow vegetables to increase beta-carotene (a substance that turns to vitamin A in the body).