Our colon is populated by bacteria which assist in the final stage of digestion and in manufacturing of some vitamin B. 80% of the bacteria are friendly bacteria. The remaining 20% are Yeast organisms ( “bad bacteria”) known as Candida Albicans.

Yeast are single cell organisms related to the mould and fungi and are neither vegetal or animal. It feed on sugar and dietary yeast ( from bread, alcohol, fermented products, vegemite) promote it’s growth.

Yeast growth is regulated by a healthy immune system and the friendly bacteria in our gut. When this two regulating factors are disturbed the “bad bacteria” starts to proliferate. One of the factors that can “wipe out” good bacteria from the gut are broad spectrum antibiotics ( like the one for ear, nose and throat).

Antifungal drugs work by attacking the cell membrane and splitting it open, thus destroying the organelles inside. But yeast can live in a cell wall deficient form and as soon as the drug is discontinued they revert back to normal and start growing again.

Foods that contain yeast

Bakery products – bread, cakes, biscuits, all foods dressed in breadcrumbs

Cereals – malted cereals, malted dairy foods for children

Dairy products- all cheeses and cheese spreads, buttermilk, milk enriched with vitamins

Fungi – all mushrooms and sauces containing mushrooms

Yeast extract – vegemite, marmite, oxo etc.

Meat products – hamburgers, sausages

ents – salad dressing, pickles, ketchup , mayonnaise, soy sauce etc.

Vitamins – all B– vitamin preparations are likely to be derived from yeast

Sugar foods – all foods that contain sugar

Someone who has a Yeast infection should:

• Check all the labels for hidden sugar and yeast
• Avoid monosodium glutamate
• Avoid fruits in the first few weeks
• Avoid milk at the beginning except live yogurt which contain good bacteria
• Avoid red meat and prefer fish and white meat
• Eat foods with a high fibre content
• Eat foods in rotation, so one food is eaten every day
• Avoid foods that contain sugar for at least one month
• Avoid yeast containing foods