If you’re of a certain age, you might remember that old Terry Noland bop, “There Was A Fungus Among Us.” It’s worth checking out for some unbeatable late 50s vibes if you don’t.
Well, that was the soundtrack running through my head as I sat down to write to you today. Because I’m raising a red flag about some old enemies quietly staging a comeback during the pandemic.
And that, you may have guessed, are fungal infections.
Fungi are spore-producing organisms that include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. There are around 100 of them that can make us sick.
Because of another old foe, some fungal infections were on the rise before the pandemic arrived. Antibiotic resistance had already led to a creeping increase in the number of these infections.
But the pandemic hit the fast-forward button on the fungal infection problem. And fungi are now poised to become the latest superbugs to threaten our health and lives.
Antibiotic resistance gives fungus the upper hand
Of course, I’ve been warning you about antibiotic resistance for years. The overuse of these miracle drugs… particularly in hospitals and other medical settings… has led to some germs gaining the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them.
With nothing standing in their way, these superbugs continue to grow and can become life-threatening. And fungi have always been among the bugs that could become resistant.
That’s why we were already seeing a rise in resistant fungal infections in hospitals and nursing homes before the pandemic.
But during the first year or so of the COVID-19 outbreak, there were few good options for treating the virus. So desperate doctors turned to antibiotics and steroids, sending the number of those resistant fungal infections skyrocketing.
One of the worst offenders is candida auris. For years, this yeast infection has been plaguing folks in hospitals and long-term care facilities. But now that it’s becoming resistant, candida is even more of a threat.
Besides avoiding overusing antibiotics when they’re not needed… such as for viral infections like colds… there are other things you can do to help you become less of a desirable target for fungal infections.
And if you do end up fighting a stubborn fungus anyway, there are steps you can take that could help you beat it.
Fight back against deadly fungal infections
If you have a chronic medical condition or are immunocompromised, you’re automatically at a higher risk than other folks for resistant fungal infections.
So your first line of defense is to take good care of your health. Be sure to always follow your doctor’s advice and don’t skip out on any treatments or regular maintenance care.
But regardless if you’re as healthy as a horse or already have some health complaints, there are some things you can do to help support a more robust immune system. And, of course, a healthy immune system could help you reduce your risk for an infection in the first place.
- If you smoke, quit.
- Make sure to move more and sit less.
- Get plenty of rejuvenating sleep.
- Reduce your stress levels (try “mindfulness,” trust me).
Diet is critical whether you’re trying to avoid a fungal infection or overcome one. Eat a healthy, lower-sugar, lower-carb diet with fewer processed foods.
Sugars… and the carbs that break down into them… are like fertilizers for yeasts such as candida. Plus, a sugar-heavy diet increases inflammation and suppresses your immune system.
Instead, eat more healthy fats (like omega-3-rich wild salmon and grass-fed beef) and whole plant foods, including veggies, fruits, nuts, and seeds.
If you’re fighting an active fungal infection cutting back on high lactose dairy, beans, grains, alcohol, and starchy vegetables, all of which break down into simple sugars, is a good idea too.
And don’t forget to top up those immune-supporting nutrients we tend to not get enough of in our diet, including probiotics, vitamin D, vitamin C, and zinc. And consider loading up on these other immune-supporting essentials too.
Fight back using these steps, and you might never need to say there’s a fungus among us again.
Latest posts by Alice Jacob (see all)
- Men THIS threat is BIGGER than prostate cancer - June 24, 2022
- THIS could be Parkinson’s EARLIEST warning sign - June 24, 2022
- Could coffee protect your liver AND kidneys? “Yes!” - June 23, 2022
