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What does “Pre-diabetes” mean?

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prediabetes

What is Pre-diabetes?

For many people, being told they are pre-diabetic can be hard to understand. Pre-diabetes is a condition that is hard to diagnose because there is no one set of criteria that works for everybody. Depending on several factors such as your past medical history, age, ethnicity, gender and family history, the symptoms you may be experiencing might be pre-diabetes, or they might indicate a different condition. It cannot be said often enough that if you suspect you have pre-diabetes, let your doctor know immediately. Early intervention can be the best way to avoid painful complications.

In the end, the goal of this diagnosis is to determine if some has the early signs of diabetes.

“Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have “prediabetes” — blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.  Doctors sometimes refer to prediabetes as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG), depending on what test was used when it was detected. This condition puts you at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.” – diabetes.org

What are the symptoms of Diabetes?

The most common symptoms of diabetes are also indicators of pre-diabetes. Someone who is pre-diabetic may have some, or all, of the below symptoms but to greater or lesser extents then someone diagnosed with a specific type of diabetes. The most common symptoms are:

  • Frequent Urination
  • Constant thirst or feeling very thirsty even when drinking enough fluids
  • Being hungry even when eating properly and regularly
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Blurry vision
  • Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
  • Weight loss – even though you are eating more
  • Tingling, pain, or numbness in the extremities

Not all of these symptoms mean that you are pre-diabetic or have diabetes, but if you experience any of them you should tell your doctor and get some blood work done if your doctor agrees that there is a chance.

What are the complications of Diabetes?

pre-diabetes

The complications of diabetes can be devastating, which is why early diagnosis of pre-diabetes is so important. The common grouping of complications can include vision and hearing loss, neuropathy, skin infections and hypertension. Depending on your ethnic group, these common complications may take on very serious possibilities. It is not uncommon for people with certain types of diabetes to become legally blind or develop skin ulcers that do not heal. Early diagnosis of pre-diabetes allows you to prevent the worst that could happen from becoming your reality.

If I have Pre-diabetes, will I get diabetes?

If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, it does not mean that you will absolutely develop diabetes. The pre-diabetic condition exists in a grey area of how insulin and blood sugar works within the body and while it can be taken as a sign of caution, it is not guarantee you will become diabetic. If your doctor thinks your pre-diabetes can be addressed with lifestyle changes, you may be able to change your health.

What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?

The most common forms of diabetes are type 1 and type 2, with type 2 being more prevalent. Type 1 is often called “juvenile onset diabetes” and children experience pre-diabetes in their early pre-teens or teens that then develops into diabetes. With type 2, the pre-diabetes appears much later in life with most instances being diagnosed as diabetic when the person is in their 40s. With type 1, the body is failing to produce insulin or producing too much. With type 2 diabetes, the body is not using its insulin effectively. There are several other types of diabetes, such as type 1.5, but the next most common is gestational diabetes.

What is Gestational Diabetes?

It is estimated that 5 to 10-percent of women who become pregnant experience pre-diabetes that develops into gestational diabetes. The American Diabetes Association places the highest risk of development at the 24th week of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes generally disappears after delivery, but there is no set time frame and there is a question as to whether the onset makes a woman more prone to developing pre-diabetes risk for other types.

What should I do if I am concerned?

If you are concerned that you have pre-diabetes, talk to your doctor. If your blood sugar level is elevated, there are many things you can do to attempt to bring it under control including medication, diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes. Depending on your race, gender, age and family history you may be more prone to Type 1 diabetes and experiencing pre-diabetic symptoms can let your doctor get you on the right treatment fast. If your doctor is worried that your pre-diabetes is indicating a risk of Type 2 Diabetes, you can make the life style changes necessary to prevent your pre-diabetes from creating a diabetic condition. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor immediately. Gestational diabetes can cause serious complications for you and your unborn baby that can be avoided for many women.

Ondeyia lost 52 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Ondeyia lost 52 pounds. Her weight loss struggle came to a head with a diagnosis of pre-diabetes. With healthy eating habits and lots of exercise, she’s not dieting. She’s building a new lifestyle. Check out her story.

ondeyia before and after

My weight has been a constant struggle throughout my life.  In the past, I tried Medical Weight Loss, Weight Watchers and Herbalife. All of these things work. However, if you don’t have it in your mind that exercising and eating right is a lifestyle, you will continue to battle with obesity. In July 2015, when I found out I was pre-diabetic, that was a life changer for me.

I begin to use Herbalife to get me started. I cut out fatty and fried foods from my diet. I also cut out cheese and dairy items and minimized carbohydrates. I continue to overlook sweets or any beverage with sugar as a primary ingredient. Now, I eat only baked chicken, fish, turkey, veggies, fruit and whole grain foods.

I started off doing cardio on the treadmill, 20 to 30 minutes every 3 days. For the last 3 months, I’ve been weight training and doing a calisthenics workout with my personal trainer. I work out 3 or more times per week.

I started out on July 15, 2015 weighing 230 pounds and wearing a size 16/18. I now weigh 178 pounds and wear a size 10. Height: 5’6″.

I want to encourage anyone who’s trying to lose pounds and let them know it’s 100% mindset. This is my new lifestyle, not a diet! I would tell people to stay motivated by the journey and not just the outcome. You can’t always see it (the weight loss) for yourself. Weight fluctuates for many reasons. It is better to fall in love with the process and let everything else take care of itself.

Instagram: @Ondeyia

Sibyl lost 106 pounds

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Great Transformation: Sibyl lost 106 pounds. A cancer diagnosis sealed the deal for her in terms of committing to creating a healthier life. She was also borderline diabetic and weighed 363 pounds. Check out her story.

sibyl before and after

What was your motivation?
For years, I have been trying to lose weight and keep it off. A diagnosis of cancer sealed the deal for me. I have had to lose weight to live. Many people encouraged me to change my life over the years, but now it’s real for me. A year ago, I was a borderline diabetic with an A1c reading of 6.4. My latest results came back normal at 5.6!

How did you change your eating habits?
For the most part, I stopped eating meat, except for fish, but I occasionally have chicken. I have done stints as a Vegan but I’m not fully committed to a vegan lifestyle yet. I really cut my intake of fast foods. When I resist the urge to go to a drive-through and grab something, and I think about what I’m eating instead, there is a remarkable difference. I try hard not to drink my calories unintentionally. I know when I’m having something like a smoothie that those are calories spent purposefully.

My doctor put me on a 1500 calorie plan. I combined this with Weight Watchers, a program that has provided me the most success. I am also one of Dr. Ian Smith’s pioneers in the SHRED program which worked very well for me. I also had to increase my vegetable intake. Now I’m relying more on fresh fruit and things like hummus for snacks. It’s challenging everyday, but I have to remember how much better I feel being smaller and healthier.

What did your workout routines look like?
I try to work out at least three times a week, but I’m still recovering from cancer. I try to walk at least a mile each day. I will start weight training soon.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 363 pounds. Currently, I weigh between 257 and 260 pounds. My height is 5’8″. I was declared cancer free on June 1st! Glory be to God!

How long did your transformation take?
It started in July 2015. I’ve kept 80 pounds off for more than 8 months. I have another 60 or so pounds to go.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Don’t give up and don’t get discouraged. The weight didn’t come on overnight and it won’t come off overnight. Eat to live and don’t live to eat.

sibyl weight loss

Salle lost 66 pounds

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Weight Loss Journey: Salle lost 66 pounds. From childhood to adulthood, she faced negative comments and ridicule due to her weight. Facing a diagnosis of pre-diabetes and having grown tired of feeling like the fat friend, she began her weight release journey. Check out what she shared about how she did it.

salle before and after

My entire life, I have been overweight. I can’t remember a time when I weighed less than 250 pounds. As a child growing up, I always got talked about, ridiculed and I felt like I was the “stepchild”. Being a young person, I never understood the importance of living a healthy lifestyle or being at a healthy weight. Even when I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes, I still didn’t wake up to a need to be healthy. Also, I can’t remember a photo opportunity that I didn’t reject being apart of, or a photo that anybody else wanted me to be part of.

My first transitional period started in 2014 when I moved to Atlanta, Georgia. I told myself, on the day I started working out, that I was no longer going to be considered the fat girl of the group.

My workout journey started with walking. I know people say that walking does not make you lose a lot of weight, but the feeling it gave me was more than just a weight loss feeling. Walking gave me a freedom feeling. I was free to make my own decisions I was free to not be bothered by the mean comments and the opinions of others. I was free to know that I could make a positive change in my life.

My workout journey started with walking 2 miles per workout at my local park. Then I increased to 4 miles. After 3 months of walking, I got a gym membership. I went to the gym 4-5 days a week and committed to 2 hours of exercise a day. I mainly used either the treadmill or eliptical and did 30 min of weight training as part of my overall workout.

My eating habits also changed. I stopped eating pork and beef. I no longer drink any type of soda or juice. I focused mainly on lean chicken and fish and drank water every chance I got.

This journey has taken me two years, on and off. I have lost a total of 66 pounds. My starting weight was 282 pounds and my current weight is 216 pounds. My goal is 175 pounds. (height: 5’4″) Although I am not where I want to be at the moment, I know that the only thing that can stop me from losing the weight is me. I have restarted my journey in hopes of obtaining my goal weight. I am currently back to walking and hoping to start jogging soon.

No more hiding from pictures. No more crying at night. No more telling yourself that you can’t do it. No more self-pity. It is time for change. It took everything in me to post these before and after pictures, because I was afraid of what people might think of me. No longer will I live my life based off what other people think. This is my life and I’m taking it back.

Not only am I heavily involved in motivating and strengthening others, I eventually want to make it my life duty and career. I want to help others who feel like they can’t help themselves. I would love it if you guys could join in on my journey. It would give me the encouragement that I need, and in return I would provide you with the same encouragement. Please follow my journey on Snapchat: @mzsalle

salle weight loss story

Letina lost 64 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Letina lost 64 pounds. She’s faced the loss of her parents and was diagnosed with Gerd/Acid Reflux. She’d been working out for a while, but the diagnosis required her to focus on eating natural foods and that made the difference.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

Latina before and after

I have been on a journey. With the lost of my parents in the last year, it’s been hard. I weighed 242 pounds and now I weigh 178 pounds. I did this over the course of a year, thanks to acid reflux and healthy eating. Now, I’m on track.

In 2003, I was at my max weight of 275 pounds! I found out that I’d reached that weight at a job physical. That was it for me. I ordered workout videos and started working out. However, I was still eating whatever I wanted. Each year since, I’ve said that will be smaller than the year before. So, when I developed Acid reflux/Gerd 2013, I weighed 240 pounds (I’m 5’5″ tall).

In order to get better, I had to be better at my diet more than ever before! With no exercise, very healthy eating and by training my stomach to eat small portions, I’ve gotten down to 178 pounds. The food that I stopped eating was anything that didn’t come from direct God. (fruit, veggies, etc) I went to Sun Rise Health Food store for my  medical condition and my doctor’s advice helped me as well. She is awesome! My life revolves around smoothies. They are my lifesavers.

Now, I’m back to working out regularly. I joined a boot camp club for people who want to get in shape. I don’t have much to tone due to me working out for years, no matter what size I was. I work out 2 to 3 days a week. At boot camp, we do circuit workouts.

I hope my journey helps someone. Blessings to you.

Update: Diona lost 170 pounds

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Featured Weight Loss Success Story: Since we first featured Diona, she has lost an additional 31 pounds.  Today is a special day for this AKA Soror and we wanted to post an update of her progress so we asked her some questions about how she has maintained her weight loss and health gains.  Here is what she shared.

Diona weight loss story

“Hello! I’m excited for you to do an update to my story. I was hoping you could do it Wednesday (May 28), as it’s my birthday and my fifth year since my cancer diagnosis. Over the course of several years, I have lost 170 pounds total. My highest weight was 368 pounds and I’m currently 198 pounds.

I’ve maintained my weight loss by continuing to workout with my personal trainer 4 times per week and by making healthy choices. I’ve built a resistance to bad foods. Now, things I used to enjoy physically make me sick. I did hit a plateau. So, I stopped weight training for one month and did cardio only. I also cooked everything I ate for 60 days. I ate all organic and watched labels for sugar, corn syrup, etcetera. I even made salad dressing from scratch. This allowed me to lose an additional 31 pounds and go from a size 14 to a size 10.

Diona weight loss storyThe biggest struggle is still patience. It’s been one year since I started on this journey and I am still not happy. Instead of realizing how much I’ve done, I still see cellulite and side rolls.  My biggest victory is the number of people that have told me I’ve inspired them to change. It’s one thing to make positive changes in my own life, but when making yourself better inspires others to do better, that’s victorious.”

Check out more photos from her journey on Instagram: @winter_time_cold

Read our original post about her weight loss for more information on how she lost the weight.

 

Dominique lost 32 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Dominque lost 32 pounds.  If you’ve been dealing with weight loss issues since your childhood and teen years, I think you will really connect with what she has shared about her journey:

dominique weight loss

“On September 18, 2013 I went to the doctor and dreaded to hear that my blood pressure was high. It’s something I’ve heard time & time again and this was from my OBGYN doctor. She recommended that I see my primary doctor for risk of high blood pressure. I left there feeling BLAH! and weighing in at 218 lbs. Later that day, I told myself that I refuse to be on any medication because I was overweight. There’s a long list of health problems in my family due to being overweight and I refuse to follow that trait. My heaviest weight that I can remember was 225lbs. I know I’ve weighed more before but because I stayed away from the scale I’ll never know. But past pictures tell it all.

I’ve always been a yo-yo dieter, so I know the ends & outs of what it takes to lose weight. Problem is I’ve always done it for the wrong reason, and most of all, never for myself. I was always chubby growing up. In high school, I was always the “big” one. My senior year I went on the Scarsdale Diet and lost 40lbs-45lbs right before my graduation. I was at my smallest around 160 lbs and a size 8 in clothes. I had my ups & downs in life. Stress & depression & my emotional roller coaster caused a major weight gain. Jan 2013, I went on yet another weight loss venture because I knew I was going on our family trip to Disney World in August. I got down to 204lbs. I didn’t go on this trip and I gained all the weight I lost back. By mid August of 2013, I weighed in at 223lbs.

After my doctors visit on Sept 18, 2013 I prayed to God that he lead me to good health. I started with detoxing, clean eating and light exercise. Over the next couple of months I incorporated more exercise. I had a few slip ups but that goes along with the journey. Weight loss is definitely not easy. As of today, I am down to 190 pounds, which is 32 pounds lost from August 2013.

My weight has gone up and down all my life but this time I’m doing it for ME! I have no one in my ear telling me to lose weight. I have no travel plans or an event coming up. Quite frankly, “I’m tired of being fat, unhealthy, & unfit”. My ultimate goal is to be 150lbs, healthy, & physically fit by my 30th Birthday this December. I’m taking it slow and steady with no eating restrictions. This is a lifestyle change, not a quick “fix it” temporary diet. With the guidance of Weight Watchers, I’m knocking down my goals one pound at a time. I GOT THIS!!

To those on a weight loss journey YOU CAN DO IT! I’m living proof that it can be done. With consistency, patience, and faith you’ll be able to meet your goals. Just find what’ll work for you, stay positive, and surround yourself with supportive people.

To follow my weight loss journey check me out on IG @fab_fitb4_30 or twitter @chubbydivanique“

Venisa lost 100 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Venisa lost 100 pounds after the wakeup call of being diagnosed with many serious medical issues.  She decided to take her health back and change her life.  Now she is helping and inspiring others…like us.  Here is her story:

Venisa weight loss

I am writing to tell my story of how I lost my 100lbs in about a year and a half.  I didn’t realize that  I was obese especially after suffering a pulmonary embolism in 2009. I was at the 305 lb mark but had no idea as I didn’t get on scales. I was at the my ob/gyn in May/June 2012.  I was told that I had miscarried, had HPV, endometriosis and was a bit heavy for my height of 5’7 and that I should try Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. (She was trying to be nice and put things politely.) I then find a new physician (due to new medical insurance) that tells me I also need to lose weight and that the blood work showed that I had high cholesterol, was borderline diabetic and that I also suffer from Thalessemia Minor. It was a bit of a wake up call.

I started walking only a couple blocks at first (as I was winded from walking too far, and then it became that I was walking miles without realizing it. I would walk during my lunch hour and then when I got home after work. I had also stopped eating many processed excluding certain salad dressings, spaghetti sauces, brown rice and whole grain pastas. I cut back on the junk food. I would allow myself treats twice a week, like frozen yogurt or a piece of dark chocolate or skittles. My doctor taught me that if I deprive my body of what it wants, it will think it’s starving and the weight won’t go anywhere. Within the first 2 months, I had lost 35 pounds. I stayed on track and had 1 cheat meal a week which consisted of eating out and having mexican food or bbq. Within the first year, I was down about 75-80lbs just from watching what I was eating and walking.

It is now March 2014 and I weigh in around 200-205 depending on my weight lifting or cardio. I now go by my measurements as I lose inches faster than weight now that I lift heavier weights. I have run 3-5ks, 1-10k and will do A.M. training for a 1/2 marathon this August/September. I have a membership at 24hr fitness and take their body pump classes, as well as turbo kick to switch up my routine. Our bodies get used to the workouts after 6 weeks so if we stick to the same regime, we’ll plateau with our weight loss. I have done a weight loss challenge with my friends and family to help motivate them to lose the weight and exercise and give them my knowledge. I’m even helping my mom who has a bad back and shoulder to lose her weight and control her diabetes. I’m even contemplating going back to school to become a certified personal trainer.

Our health is the one thing we have. Just because our history didn’t know what the future would bring, we can still educate ourselves. Read labels, do research, and do your best. I didn’t lose my weight overnight and I’m still pushing forward to lose this remaining weight. Believe in yourself and you can do anything. Mind over matter is how I’ll always see it. I also have a great support system, my doctors, my mom, and my friends.

Venisa

Venisa before and after

What is Lupus: The Basics

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“African-American women are three times more likely to get lupus than white women. African-American women tend to develop lupus at a younger age and have more severe symptoms than white women.” – womenshealth.gov

Note: Let me just note at the beginning of this article that there is much to learn about Lupus and the research has not bore out all of the answers about how people develop the disease and how it affect the body.  What I want to present is an overview of what is known, but I acknowledge that every person’s experience is not the same.

nurseI believe that Lupus is something we should ALL know about in the Black Community. Lupus occurs when the body’s immune system becomes hyperactive and begins to attack normal tissue as if it were an infection to be destroyed. While anyone can be diagnosed with lupus at any time, young black women are more than three times as likely as whites to develop the disease. To put that in perspective, this means that 1 in 250 black women between the ages of 15 and 44 are could develop a form of this painful disease. Fortunately, there have been great strides made in the treatment of lupus and while there is no cure, with proper medication you can live a satisfying and full life.

Common symptoms

While the rate of diagnosis for young black women is high, the awful truth is that the path to a correct diagnosis of lupus can be a long and difficult journey. The common symptoms of lupus are easily mistaken for other diseases, like cancer or MS, especially if they are just showing up. It isn’t until there is a history of symptoms present that a doctor may even suspect lupus. This can be very troubling and causes a lot of confusion. The most common symptoms can include;

  • Rash or color splotches on the nose and cheeks that are red in color
  • Swollen, painful joints
  • Unexplained fever
  • Breathing causes unexplained, sharp chest pains
  • Hair loss
  • Extremities such as fingers and toes turn purple with cold
  • Similar purple discoloration in extremities when under stress
  • Unusual sun sensitivity
  • Low blood cell count

[More info on symptoms]

While all of these symptoms taken together would seem like it would be easy to make a diagnosis, the truth is that most people with lupus appear healthy and the symptoms are intermittent at first. Lupus can often be experienced in waves, with a period of high symptoms followed by a period when there are none present. One clue that researchers are beginning to track down is that while these symptoms could be attributable to other diseases, most are unusual in young black women. There is a strong chance that lupus is inherited so doctors will ask about family history (inheriting lupus is suspected but not absolutely proven).

Three different types of lupus

Generally, there are three different types of lupus, not all of which share the same grouping of symptoms but may display all of them too. The first is the most severe; systemic lupus erythematosus is a form of lupus that affects the joints of the body and different parts of the body including the skin. The second type, discoid lupus, is limited to the skin and the last type, drug-induced lupus, is exactly what it sounds like a form of allergic reaction to a medication you are taking.

How lupus is treated

The good news is that drug-induced lupus will likely disappear once you stop taking the medicine, but some symptoms could be on going. For most people, it is a matter of simply finding a replacement medicine if you have a chronic condition that the medication that caused the induced lupus is treating. This can take some trial and error. It can also be complicated if you are on multiple medications as you will have to figure out which one is causing the lupus. Do not stop taking any medication on your own if you think it is causing your lupus, stopping medication of any type should only be done with a doctor’s approval and supervision. For lupus that affects the skin, there are many ointments and creams that are now available that can help to relieve the rashes and other symptoms associated with discoid lupus. Treating systemic lupus is more involved as you will have to work with your physician to find a pain relief medication that can also reduce any swelling without causing any disruptive side effects in your life. Treatment varies from individual to individual, so these scenarios may not be the case for all people.  If you suspect that you are suffering from lupus, TALK to a DOCTOR (I’m not a medical professional.  This article is based only on my personal research…not medical expertise)!

How did I get lupus?

No one knows for sure why lupus develops. It is heavily suspected that genes play a role as there is suggestion that lupus can be inherited. However, there isn’t enough evidence to prove that hypothesis so no scientist can explain why one person in a family would develop lupus and two other complete generations not have any symptomology. One benefit from all the research and attention lupus is receiving is it marks a turn in the nature of scientific investigation that is focused on and inclusive of minority health issues. Lupus may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for many who will benefit from the new approach to addressing disorders and disease within minority population that had been missing from health research for too long.

For more information check out this fact sheet from The Lupus Foundation of America –  Lupus.org 

Candida Symptoms and How to Cleanse It from the Body

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candidaCandida, the medical term for yeast overgrowth, can occur anywhere on the body – both internally and externally. Rather than something you catch, Candida (yeast) is present in the body at all times. In fact, it plays a vital role in bodily functions, aids in digestion and keeps certain types of bacteria from overpopulating. Most of the time, yeast causes very little problems – you don’t even know it’s there. However, when yeast multiplies, you will know it.

Candida can also affect weight loss and weight gain.

“How does yeast overgrowth prevent weight loss? If yeast causes cravings for sugary, starchy foods, these empty calories get stored as fat. Yeast releases toxins, so the more yeast inside, the more toxins released. These toxins can affect many systems in the body, including those that aid in weight loss.

Lowered metabolism can be a result of yeast toxins on the thyroid. You may become bloated and retain fluid. The toxins released from yeast can create hormonal imbalances that affect your ability to lose weight. Yeast toxins may increase cortisol levels and belly fat if the toxins put enough stress on your body.” – Source

Talk to your doctor for a diagnosis.  Find out their recommendations for how you can help your body to eliminate candida and what medicines are available.  Here is some general info:

Candida Symptoms

As mentioned before, yeast infections can occur just about anywhere including the skin, genitals, throat, mouth, gastrointestinal tract and even the blood. Symptoms vary according to where the infection is located, but generally include:

  • Redness or irritation at the location
  • Itching
  • Pain and soreness in the affected area

As long as they remain localized, yeast infections only cause local discomfort. If they enter the bloodstream, however, they can be responsible for a host of symptoms and secondary illnesses including:

  • Digestive issues
  • Skin and nail fungus
  • Fatigue
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Mood swings, depression and anxiety
  • Allergies
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Recurrent vaginal and urinary tract infections

Candida Treatment: Medical Options

Local yeast infections are normally treated with creams, powders or oral medications. For common infections such as vaginal yeast infections, athletes foot and diaper rash, you can purchase antifungal creams and powders at any drug or department store. For infections of the mouth (thrush) or more severe infections, your doctor may prescribe the appropriate medications. Sometimes, it’s necessary to take anti-fungal medications orally over the course of several days.

Candida Treatment: Treating and Preventing Yeast Overgrowth with Nutrition

Recurring infections, especially those of the gut and bloodstream, call for a change in diet. When the infections just keep coming back or when they never go away, it’s usually due to a food allergy or an abundance of certain types of foods in the digestive system, which kills off the healthy bacteria your body needs to reduce and maintain normal levels of yeast in your body. The following nutritional tips will help you stop yeast overgrowth:

  1. Follow a low carbohydrate diet. Yeast feeds off of simple carbohydrates, so try your best to eliminate these from your diet. Simple carbohydrates include breads, alcohol and virtually anything made with flour.
  2. Say no to sugar. This is one of the most important things you can do to deal with candida.  Candy, cake, pie, ice cream, soda – you name it – all contain some kind of sugar. Again, sugar is a simple carbohydrate. Eliminate all sugary foods from your diet.  This includes diet products with fake sugars.
  3. Cut back, but don’t eliminate complex carbohydrates. Eating one cup a day of complex carbohydrates can help eliminate yeast from your system.  You don’t want to cut out all carb because you need the fiber, but you need to cut back and give you body a chance to repopulate good bacteria and starve the yeast. Complex carbohydrates include grains, beans, fruit, pasta, potatoes and whole-grain breads.
  4. Eliminate foods that contain yeast. This includes all fermented foods or those that have natural mold, including cheese, dried fruit and beverages.

It’s a the best idea to treat any yeast infection medically and follow up with a change in diet. A combination of medical treatment and diet change will not only treat any current yeast infections, it may prevent future ones from occurring.