Written by guest blogger: Jill Anenberg Lawrence
As a woman, what's more embarrassing to buy than tampons? Nope it ain't condoms because you know fun’s on the way...just ask the red faced girl at CVS with a box of Monistat to deal with her red faced vajayjay. It is no fun coming up with excuses to pass on a hot date because you’ve got a hot downstairs neighbor. Sadly the only fun you're having is scratching yourself raw. I've delayed labeling it this long because it's worse to say than pink eye, but sadly similar symptoms. A yeast infection. There I said it. They are the worst! With gross stuff coming out, crazy itchy, & prevents any action aside from a rendezvous with Monistat, for your choice of 1, 3, or 7 days. Even after that whirlwind romance with the Mon, he doesn't even send you flowers, rude!
Ok, so why the heck does this happen and how can we prevent that unwanted visitor from knocking at your gut wall unsolicited? A few factors contribute to yeast overgrowth; medication, antibiotics, stress, acidic foods, and sugar. Your microbiome, a.k.a. gut flora has good and bad bacteria. You have trillions of little bugs living in your gut & the good number needs to out number the bad—kinda like the men you date. It’s important we feed the beneficial bacteria and starve out the ones that hurt us. Don’t feed the bad guys your goodies honey.
Foods that feed your gut—probiotics! They help you maintain a healthy balance of flora and improve digestion. In addition, probiotics support your immune system, mood, skin, and contribute to a healthy yeast balance.
Ok, so I’ve scared the yeast out of you, how the heck do you get probiotics in your body like stat? Eat fermented and cultured foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, sour pickles, miso, kimchi, tempeh, and even sourdough bread. Swap out soda for kombucha or coconut kefir. Your cha cha will thank you!
A very important component of probiotics is making sure you get a variety of strains. I encourage clients to eat an assortment of cultured and fermented foods but even more, always recommend supplementation to ensure you’re getting adequate levels of this amazing yeast killer.
My number one favorite is Udo’s Choice Super 8 Hi-Potency Probiotic (US/CA). It’s like hanging a “do not disturb” sign above your lady parts. Providing 42 billion cells to keep your body and little Missy healthy and clean. Super 8 blends eight strains, L. acidophilus being the highest, to maintain healthy flora while you’re home or traveling. Just because you leave town doesn’t mean that yeast infection won’t follow along for a vacation too! Flora’s strains are also designed to live through the acidic battle occurring in your stomach so they reach your intestines where the probiotic party really starts. Let me tell you, these strains get real slutty up in there and spread their love all over the place.
As with food products, read the ingredient label and most importantly the “other ingredients” that fill out the vitamin. I can always rely on Flora for containing the purest ingredients! You can do more harm than good with other brand's fillers such as food dyes, artificial sugar, and synthetic chemicals...all substances that contribute to yeast infections. Choosing a quality brand like Flora ensures they’ll take care of you and your most important body part! Well I think it’s pretty damn important, don’t you? Us girls run the world and make babies with it after all. Raising a glass of water to cheers you while I take my Super 8 Probiotic.
The only yeast in your life should be in your baked goods!
