Break the Yeast Cycle

March 22, 2011
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Award-winning nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author.

stk63585corSay goodbye to cravings, bloating, and possible thyroid problems.

Yeast is definitely nobody’s BFF. But it can be with us for life—which is why I was so happy to finally read an article about yeast overgrowth on the front page of the Lifestyle section in the Spokesman Review. Yeast is finally getting the respect it deserves. And it’s about time because I believe nearly 50 million of us suffer from that subclinical fungus among us.

Yeast plays a very insidious role in weight gain—and can contribute to nearly 30 pounds of flab in some cases. Why? It’s because yeast is an overlooked factor in low thyroid function. The fungus protein binds to the thyroid hormone, making it unavailable. Not only does it interfere with the thyroid, but when it overgrows, it can create insatiable cravings and bloating—most prevalent among women who have a history of antibiotics use, have been on estrogen therapy (including birth control pills), have had children, and/or have consumed high-sugar/high carb diets. As many as one in three women may have an overgrowth of Candida.

You just can’t escape yeast anymore. The yeast is everywhere, coexisting with all the other microorganisms that fill the microscopic spaces of the world. But when Candia grows out of control you can end up with many seemingly disconnected symptoms, including intense fatigue, sinus pain, migraines, headaches, joint problems, dry, itchy skin, and urinary infections.

While you can’t totally eliminate Candida, your probiotic defenses work with your immune system to keep these potential troublemakers in the minority. As the natural balance of microorganisms in our bodies breaks down, however—under pressure from pollutants, toxins, heavy metals, and the overall stress of everyday life—we can experience the discomforts of candidiasis overgrowth.

The Stealth Invader
Yeast is like a super villain with a secret identity. When yeast cells are under control, these single, mild-mannered elliptical cells reside on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract and peacefully coexist with the other denizens of intestines.

But give them a chance to multiply and take a majority position, and their mild manners fade and they quickly overwhelm the body’s defensive mechanisms. In this attack mode, single cells of Candida join and work in unison to form long threads called hyphae. These root-like structures drill into the walls of the intestines and also bore into macrophages, the immune cells that normally kill Candida. This process funnels fungus, toxins, and other debris (such as undigested fragments of protein) directly into blood vessels and other organs.

Do you have risk factors for yeast overgrowth?
While the following diagnostic survey doesn’t provide a definitive answer about the presence of Candida overgrowth, I have found it helpful in identifying Candida’s potential role in several health problems in adults. The survey was originally put together by the late William Crook, M.D., a Jackson, Tennessee, allergist, lecturer, and author of several books. He was also a personal friend and associate of mine whose 1980’s blockbuster The Yeast Connection put yeast on the map.

• Have you taken repeated or prolonged courses of antibiotics?
• Have you been bothered by recurrent vaginal, prostate, or urinary infections?
• Do you feel “sick all over,” yet the cause has not been found?
• Are you bothered by hormone disturbances, including PMS, menstrual irregularities, sexual dysfunction, sugar cravings, low body temperature, or fatigue?
• Are you unusually sensitive to tobacco smoke, perfumes and colognes, and chemical odors?
• Are you bothered by memory or concentration problems? Do you sometimes feel spaced out or in a brain fog?
• Have you taken prolonged courses of prednisone or other steroids, or have you taken birth control pills for more than three years?
• Do some foods disagree with you or trigger your symptoms?
• Do you suffer with constipation, diarrhea, bloating, or abdominal pain?
• Does your skin itch, tingle, or burn; or is it unusually dry; or are you bothered by rashes?
• Do you have regular headaches or migraines?

Saying “yes” to even one question on this quick quiz, could make you a Candida candidate. Besides cleaning up your diet with the recommendations in Fat Flush or The Gut Flush Plan, you should also check out Y-C Cleanse. It is a clinically proven homeopathic formula for the safe and effective treatment of Candida and related yeast overgrowth that I recommend to all my friends and clients. It can be used for both acute symptoms and maintenance. It also helps fight sugar cravings—a great addition to any diet.

I use it every day—just in case.

Here’s real life feedback about Y-C Cleanse:

“At age 45 I have suffered with Candida for years. Six weeks ago I tried UNI KEY’s Y-C Cleanse and literally within 3 days I felt the veil of Candida lifting from my body. I have never felt such amazing results with any of the prescribed remedies that I have tried. Each day I feel better. The foggy thinking is gone, my muscle fatigue has improved by 60%, I no longer have headaches or irritability, and my energy level is improving! Life is more joyous again and I have even returned to my ballet classes 3 days a week. I am amazed by the immediate progress that I have made on this product. I honestly feel like a new woman!” – Laura Lee M., Aptos, CA

“Y-C Cleanse really works and works quickly! I periodically have yeast problems because of prescribed medication I take, so I have to try to keep it under control. I have used various supplements over the years, but few have been very effective. Y-C Cleanse has been the best I have come across in a couple decades. I highly recommend it!” – Kimberly E., Paradise Valley, AZ

“Y-C Cleanse is the only product I have found that worked for me to get rid of Candida. I had brain fog and was just plain tired. I tried so many things before—nothing works like Y-C Cleanse!” – Donna W., Whitehall, MT

Related Articles and Podcasts

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books including The Fat Flush Plan series and her latest book, Radical Metabolism. She’s been rewriting the rules of nutrition for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of diet, detox and women’s health issues. 

For a FREE daily dose of tips and strategies for maintaining healthy weight, conquering insomnia, and much more…check out my Radical Health Tips.

I’d like to meet and greet you on my Facebook groups, so won’t you check us out at the Radical Metabolism RevolutionFat Flush Nation, or my Inner Circle!

14 Comments

  1. victoria c.

    Thank You for posting this important topic and sharing this with your readers. I have for 13 years been struggling with an overgrowth of intestinal yeast and know how difficult it is to get in balance and under control. This imbalance happened to my system after a round of anti-viral and steroid medication to combat Bell’s Palsy. I get it under control only to find 10 months later that I’m consuming too much sugar, in the form of wine, cheese, desserts, and just going out and enjoying myself. Yeast loves excess sugar and carbohydrates and yes, it leads to bloating and a sluggish system if an overgrowth is present. In my case, I’ve found once an overgrowth takes hold, constant monitoring needs to take place and a restricted diet needs to be followed to have prolonged success. I do a yearly system cleans similar to Max Gerson’s vegetable juicing diet. I am successful for a year or two and then slowly seem to make my back again into a bloated sluggish puff ball. I also find that in addition to a restricted diet, aerobic exercise really helps get yeast in balance in the system. Looking forward to trying out your Y-C Cleanse.

    Reply
  2. Elizabeth Good

    Sounds amazing. What do you recommend for extreme sensitivity along with huge herximer reactions, in terms of amounts to take & also how to clear the toxins?

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth Good

    Can this powder be used on an anti-yeast regime, or is it too carb-y? I am very taken with this excellent post, & would like to try to product, but do not want to be messing up my own results! If you can address the post above, also, that would be great. Am loving my products that I have from Uni-Key!

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth Good

    Oops I meant that post for the one about Shakedown smoothies. Can’t figure out how to delete a post on this forum!

    Reply
  5. Liz Purcell

    I have been using the Y-C Cleanse and thing it is helping, but I read that yeast can become resistant. Should the Y-C Cleanse be alternated with other protocols? Can the Y-C Cleance be used for maintenance, or routinely as described, or will this encourage resistance?

    Reply
  6. Sierra

    Liz, I know people who have been using Y-C Cleanse for years for maintenance and they swear by it! You can also do periodic yeast cleanses to keep yourself in check!

    Reply
  7. Mary

    I am curious. While taking Y-C Cleanse, No fruit for 2 weeks? How do you have your smoothies? All the other things mentioned to avoid are already on the FFP.

    Reply
  8. Sierra

    Mary- for that reason, we recommend doing the Y-C Cleanse yeast protocol and the Smoothie Shakedown Separately for the first two weeks.

    Reply
  9. Kendra

    I just received my Y-C Cleanse. It says to take 30 minutes before breakfast. Does that mean on a completely empty stomach? Or may I have a cup of coffee with organic cream before taking the Y-C Cleanse? Also, what about taking it at the same time as a probiotic? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      Hi Kendra, it’s best to take Y-C Cleanse on an empty stomach and wait 30 min before having even coffee. Take the Flora-Key either on an empty stomach in the middle of the day or you can have it in a smoothie.

      Reply
  10. Kelly

    I am currently on Biocidin and sacchomyces B. I just ordered Y-C. Can I take the Y-C along with my other products? I have been dealing with this issue for 16 years! I was on antibiotics for acne for 10 years and then Accutane:( Constant bloating and unable to digest anything.

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      Kelly, yes you can take Y-C Cleanse with your other products. Just take it according to the directions on the bottle. It is also possible to double the dose by repeating it again in the afternoon.

      Reply
    • Team ALG

      Kendra, yes you can take Y-C Cleanse with your other products.

      Reply
  11. Team ALG

    Hi Kendra, it’s best to take Y-C Cleanse on an empty stomach and wait 30 min before having even coffee. Take the Flora-Key either on an empty stomach in the middle of the day or you can have it in a smoothie.

    Reply

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