How Does a Yeast Cleanse Work?

Understanding Yeast

Yeast, also known as Candida albicans, exists naturally, in the intestines, and assists with digestion. The problems arise when yeast grows out of control, creating a condition called candidaisis.
There are several possible causes for candidaisis including antibiotics, stress, diabetes and some birth control methods.
Beneficial bacteria, in the intestines, keep yeast in check. Antibiotics destroy these beneficial bacteria, allowing yeast to flourish.
Stress weakens the immune system and causes an increase in cortisol levels. Cortisol signals the body to release more sugar, from the liver, into the blood. The yeast feeds on this sugar and the weakened immune system is unable to keep it in check.
Diabetes is an excess of blood sugar, as with the stress response, the yeast feeds on this excess sugar and grows faster than the beneficial bacteria can keep it in check.
Treating candidaisis varies by person and depends on the severity of the condition. For some, small dietary changes may be enough, others may require a full yeast cleanse which has several steps that must be followed for the best result.

Colon Cleanse

The colon cleanse must be performed before any other steps in the yeast cleanse process. Yeast starts out in the intestinal tract and, in a normal system, yeast lives and reproduces there. In a system with candidaisis, the yeast will overgrow the colon and enter the blood stream. The purpose of the colon cleanse is to completely flush the colon, removing as much yeast as possible, preventing more yeast from entering the blood stream, and creating a clean slate on which to rebuild intestinal flora. Starting the yeast diet while the colon is still full of yeast is not sufficient enough to properly remove the yeast. There are several different colon cleansing methods; some (like herbal supplements) take several weeks while others (like colonics) only take a few minutes.

Candida Diet

A yeast cleanse diet is designed to starve the yeast by removing its primary food supply--sugar--and reducing the risk of consuming fungus-containing foods. The standard yeast cleanse diet lasts for three to five months and forbids several foods including: fruits, all sugars (including honey), white starches, alcohol, dairy (especially pasteurized dairy), corn and peanut oil, peanut butter, deep fried foods and refined table salt. Dieters also need to avoid processed food, any foods not prepared by themselves, foods that they currently eat regularly and coffee.
Dieters are allowed to eat meats, a small amount of whole grains, kefir and other sugar-free probiotics, rice and almond milk (in moderation), leafy vegetables, legumes, fish, and small amounts of oil (EV Olive, coconut, flaxseed, fish, borage, ghee and almond).
The yeast cleanse diet may require several cycles and many have difficulty adhering to the diet due to its many restrictions.

Antifungal Supplements

Antifungal supplements actually attack and kill the yeast in the gut and are used in conjunction with the colon cleanse diet. The purpose of the antifungal is to weaken or kill any remaining yeast in the gut and throughout the body. Oil of oregano, Oregon grape, garlic and caprylic acid all have antifungal properties.

Probiotic Supplements

Probiotic supplements repopulate the gut with beneficial flora. Because stomach acid destroys bacteria, it is important to use specially coated supplements. The enteric coating on probiotic supplements allows the bacteria to reach the intestines intact whereas the bacteria from dietary sources, may not survive the stomach. L. Acidophilus, L. Casei, L. Bulgaricus, L. Bifidum and L. Thermophilus are all available in supplement form.