What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Can Certain Vitamins Help Prevent Yeast Infections?
There is no doubt yeast infections are unpleasant. The severity of symptoms like itching, burning, redness, swelling, pain and vaginal discharge can vary based on each individual case. Some yeast infections can be mild, whereas others are barely tolerable. With an estimated 75 percent of women experiencing a yeast infection in their lifetime, it’s smart to think ahead about vitamins to prevent the problem. Although there are other factors to a yeast infection besides your vitamin intake, incorporating these vitamins into your diet can help prevent and reduce yeast infection symptoms. Consult your physician before taking any type of dietary supplement.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is most helpful in the treatment of a yeast infection. If you’re already experiencing yeast infection symptoms, vitamin E can help you to reduce the swelling and irritation you may experience. Mustard greens, spinach, sunflower seeds, turnips and almonds are all rich in vitamin E.
Vitamin B-3
Vitamin C & Yeast Infection
Learn More
A recent study by the University of Montreal discovered that vitamin B-3 is helpful in treating and preventing fungal infections 1. Yeast infections occur when there is an overgrowth of the bacteria Candida within the vagina. The study found that a specific enzyme, Hst3, is crucial to the growth of Candida and vitamin B-3 helps to reduce the growth of this enzyme.
Vitamin C
When your immune system is weak, you are more likely to experience a yeast infection. Think of it like any other infection: When your body doesn’t have the strength to fight the Candida, bacteria will continue to grow. Regular intake of vitamin C can help you to keep your immune system strong and healthy. Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits and lemons are high in vitamin C. Other sources include:
- tomatoes
- figs
- grapes
- mangos
- bananas
- avocados
- When your immune system is weak, you are more likely to experience a yeast infection.
- Think of it like any other infection: When your body doesn’t have the strength to fight the Candida, bacteria will continue to grow.
Vitamin A
Candida & Vitamin B-12
Learn More
Vitamin A plays many roles in your body. It aids in the development of your teeth, skeletal structure and soft tissue. Vitamin A helps to maintain your reproductive system, and like vitamin C, vitamin A helps to keep your immune system running strong. To incorporate more vitamin A into your daily routine, begin by including vitamin A-rich foods into your diet.
- Vitamin A plays many roles in your body.
- To incorporate more vitamin A into your daily routine, begin by including vitamin A-rich foods into your diet.
Related Articles
References
- ScienceDaily.com; Vitamin B3 as a Novel Approach to Treat Fungal Infections; August 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Candidiasis
- Linus Pauling Institute; Nutrition and Immunity, Part 1; Victoria J. Drake; June 2010
- InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Vaginal yeast infection (thrush): Overview. 2019 Jun 19.Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK543220/
- Jeanmonod R, Jeanmonod D. Vaginal Candidiasis (Vulvovaginal Candidiasis) [Updated 2020 Feb 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459317/
- InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Oral thrush: Overview. 2012 Apr 26 [Updated 2019 Aug 15].Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK367586/
- Aguin TJ, Sobel JD. Vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnancy. Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2015 Jun;17(6):462. doi: 10.1007/s11908-015-0462-0.
- Chew SY, Than LT. Vulvovaginal candidosis: contemporary challenges and the future of prophylactic and therapeutic approaches. Mycoses. 2016 May;59(5):262-73. doi: 10.1111/myc.12455.
- Planned Parenthood. What is a yeast infection?
- InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Vaginal yeast infection (thrush): Overview. 2019 Jun 19.
- Singh A, Verma R, Murari A, Agrawal A. Oral candidiasis: An overview. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2014;18(Suppl 1):S81–S85. doi:10.4103/0973-029X.141325
- Jeanmonod R, Jeanmonod D. Vaginal Candidiasis (Vulvovaginal Candidiasis) [Updated 2020 Feb 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-.
- InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Oral thrush: Overview. 2012 Apr 26 [Updated 2019 Aug 15].
- Blostein F, Levin-sparenberg E, Wagner J, Foxman B. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Ann Epidemiol. 2017;27(9):575-582.e3. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.08.010
- Aguin TJ, Sobel JD. Vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnancy. Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2015;17(6):462. doi:10.1007/s11908-015-0462-0
- Rajalakshmi R, Kalaivani S. Prevalence of asymptomatic infections in sexually transmitted diseases attendees diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis. Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2016;37(2):139–142. doi:10.4103/0253-7184.192121
- Ringdahl EN. Treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Am Fam Physician. 2000;61(11):3306-12, 3317.
- Aguin TJ, Sobel JD. Vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnancy. Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2015 Jun;17(6):462. doi: 10.1007/s11908-015-0462-0.
- Blostein F, Levin-Sparenberg E, Wagner J, Foxman B. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Ann Epidemiol. 2017 Sep;27(9):575-582.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.08.010.
- Chew SY, Than LT. Vulvovaginal candidosis: contemporary challenges and the future of prophylactic and therapeutic approaches. Mycoses. 2016 May;59(5):262-73. doi: 10.1111/myc.12455.
- Roberts CL, Algert CS, Rickard KL, Morris JM. Treatment of vaginal candidiasis for the prevention of preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev. 2015 Mar 21;4:31. doi: 10.1186/s13643-015-0018-2.
- Xie HY, Feng D, Wei DM, Mei L, Chen H, Wang X, Fang F. Probiotics for vulvovaginal candidiasis in non-pregnant women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Nov 23;11:CD010496. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010496.pub2.
Writer Bio
Lisa Simonson first began her professional writing career in 2008 with a company in Dallas, Texas. Her previous work has been featured in both local and national health-care publications. Simonson received her Bachelor of Arts in English literature with a minor certification in mass communications from the University of Minnesota.