It’s also important to avoid chemical exposures in your home, office and your environment. In many cases, antifungal medications prescribed by your physician will be an essential element in your success.

It’s important not to attempt to self-treat chronic health conditions. Find a caring, knowledgeable physician to work with you to develop a care plan that’s perfect for you and your situation.

If you and your health care professional decide that supplements would be helpful for you, remember, herbs and supplements typically work very gradually in the body. We recommend taking herbs and supplements for at least three months before you decide whether or not it is working for you. During that time, pay close attention to signals your body sends you. These signals are often from your intuition and may be very subtle, but very important to notice. Any changes in energy, appetite, sleep, taste, smell, hearing, eyesight? Keep detailed notes so you will notice how your body responds. And, discuss any supplements you plan to take with your physician before you start since some medications interact with certain herbs and supplements and alter their effectiveness.

The right combination of supplements helps to re-establish and maintain a healthy balance of naturally occurring microorganisms throughout your system. It also helps strengthen your immune system and helps maintain general good health. To address yeast related health conditions, make sure your supplements are yeast-free, sugar-free, and color-free.

The Yeast Connection and Women's Health recommends a combination of the following types of supplements:

• Probiotics. These supplements contain friendly bacteria that help you keep a natural, healthy balance of microorganisms in your digestive tract. There are many different forms and brands of probiotics available in foods and pills and capsules. However, to be effective, they need to be able to bypass the harsh stomach acid and deliver at least 1 billion live organisms to the intestines.
• Digestive Enzymes. These supplements provide a combination of digestive enzymes to help maintain a natural, healthy digestion. Among their many benefits, this supplement helps you comfortably digest problem foods like broccoli, cauliflower, beans, fruit, and milk.
• Herbs and nutrients to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans. In addition to prescription antifungal medications, a variety of herbs and nutrients can help support a healthy balance of intestinal bacteria, reining in yeast growth. Some ingredients to look for : caprylic acid, pau D’Arco, oregano oil,black walnut, grapefruit seed extract, garlic, beta carotene, and biotin.
• Vitamins and minerals. Taking a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement helps supply your body with the nutrients it needs to help you regain our health.

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