Low Iron Levels and Yeast Infections: Can Iron Deficiency Cause Yeast Infections in Women?
The question of whether or not there is a connection between low iron status and candidiasis, particularly in women, is quite complex. But here, in plain language, you will find the answer and what actions to take.
Yeast infections are more common in people whose diets are often low in iron. They are also very common in women during heavy menstruation when iron levels in the body drop considerably. So there seems to be a link between iron deficiency and yeast infections…
Yeast infections are caused by a yeast-like fungus called Candida albicans, which is normally kept in check by the good bacteria in your body. Only when it grows out of control does it become an infection.
So this ‘balance’ between good bacteria and bad bacteria is important. But there are several things that can upset this balance. Two of them are a weakened immune system and depletion of friendly bacteria…
1. Iron deficiency and your immune system
One of the things that can affect your immune system is anemia that occurs as a result of iron deficiency. Therefore, low iron, which leads to anemia, can compromise your immune system and upset the delicate balance. This can trigger an overgrowth of Candida that leads to a yeast infection.
2. Bacteria and Iron Deficiency
Under healthy conditions, with optimal iron levels, your beneficial bacteria work effectively. But so can Candida, except that Candida needs ‘free’ iron to invade your body’s cells. And, in a healthy body, a protein called ‘Lactoferrin’ binds to iron, thus preventing Candida from growing.
However, people with anemia have low levels of lactoferrin. And because they are low in iron, their beneficial bacteria are also less effective. The balance is then further upset, allowing Candida to grow and spread.
So if you suffer from low iron levels and have a yeast infection, the two could be related. For your overall health, however, you need to get your iron back to optimal levels. And the best way is through diet…
Great sources of iron are; liver (especially), red meat, fish, poultry, eggs, whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, peas, beans, potatoes, rice, and nuts. But make sure the foods you eat don’t contain sugar, because sugar is a Candida staple.
You can also consider taking iron supplements, but you should check with your doctor before doing so. Another help is vitamin C, which helps absorb iron. But again, talk to your doctor first to make sure everything you do is appropriate for you, including your diet.
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