Last Update June 18th, 2018

Did you know that a PH imbalance in your body is actually a leading cause in vaginal thrush infections!

In this article we are going to break down
– exactly what a pH level is
– how it affects you and also show you
– how you can combat it immediately with supplements
– how your food choices are affecting your pH levels
– how you can tell if your pH level isn’t in balance
and in doing so end your vaginal thrush infections for good.

So, like, what is a pH level then?

The human body – mine, yours, that creepy neighbour who freaks you out when you take out the garbage – all of us, our bodies are made up mostly of water.
The water that makes us up can have either acid or alkaline properties. These properties are easily measured by a scale called…wait for it…pH.

pH levels vary throughout the body, varying from being slightly alkaline (such as your blood, with a pH level between 7.35 and 7.45), to very acidic (such as your stomach, which has a pH level of 3.5 or below). A healthy vagina has a general value of between 3.8 and 4.5 – so well into the acidic range. Why is it so acidic, you wonder? The good bacteria in your vagina produces lactic acid, which reduces the pH value. This acidity level makes it difficult for the candida fungus to proliferate in the presence of beneficial vaginal microorganisms. But more on that later!

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What does pH stand for?

pH stands for “potential Hydrogen” though that really isn’t important at this stage, you simply need to know what the measurements of pH mean!

The pH scale quickly explained!

Put simply, a low pH reading means there is a greater amount of acidity in your body. The higher the pH number, the higher the alkalinity.

The scale starts with 3.0 representing acidic, 9.0 representing alkaline (or base) and 7.0 being neutral and something you should aim to be. In the modern world that we live in today most females tend to sit in the 5.0 to 6.5 range. This range is too acidic.
As a general rule, women should be trying to maintain a 7.1pH and men a 7.3pH. If you’ve been playing along at home you will already have figured out that this is slightly alkaline (with 7.0 being neutral).

It is actually better to be slightly into the alkaline range than the acidic range, so that is why the recommended range is just above neutral.

What causes unhealthy pH levels?

The reason most of us are probably sporting an acidic readout is mainly due to our “modern” diets. The foods we consume tend to create an acidic pH. Grains, coffee, eggs and meats as well as processed foods such as sodas, cereals and pastries are all leading causes of an acidic readout. To put the power of this into perspective listen to this! It takes 25 glasses of water to balance out 1 can of soda. Yep 25 glasses just to get you back to neutral.

The foods that we should be consuming more of to ensure our pH levels remain balanced and promote alkalinity include:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Soy products such as miso, tofu, soy beans and tempeh
• Herbs and spices (but go easy on salt, mustard and nutmeg which don’t do your pH levels any favors!)
• Plants high in protein such as: beans (lentils, lima beans, navy beans etc), almonds
• Unsweetened milk and yoghurt
• Raw foods – by this we refer to raw fruit and vegetables – not raw meat.
• Alkaline water – this has a pH of 9-11 so.

Other causes unhealthy pH levels in the vagina 

While vaginal infections themselves cause the pH levels fo a vagina to rise, some of the triggers outside of diet mentioned above include:

• Menstruation. As blood is has a higher pH level than your vagina (remember, bloods general pH level is around 7.4, and a healthy vagina is between 3.4-4.5), the presence of blood during your period can cause your vaginal pH to be come elevated.
• Tampons. As these sanitary items retain the blood in the vagina, and we’ve now learnt that blood during your period can cause your pH levels to rise. This means that you’re more likely to disturb your vaginal pH balance if you use tampons.
• Sex. That’s right, your favourite bedtime activity is likely to increase your vaginal pH levels! Semen has a pH level of between 7.1 – 8, which can upset your vaginal ecosystem and trigger issues with your pH level.
• Cleansing or douching your vagina. You may think that douching your vagina with water or cleaning products will help your vaginal health, but it can actually be detrimental  and do more harm than good. Water has a pH level of 7, so douching your vagina even with water can trigger bacterial infections. Additionally, fragrances and perfumes can irritate the vagina and skin so are also not recommended.
• Pregnancy or menopause. During both of these periods of a woman’s life, hormones fluctuate throughout the body, and can cause elevated pH levels. While you can’t do much to stop your hormones from fluctuating during these times, there are plenty of pH supplements to help keep your levels balanced.

Different parts of the body, different pH levels.

Each area of the body needs its on pH levelled environment. For example, the stomach needs a higher pH to help break down the meals we stuff our faces with as a high acidity level will do exactly that. The small intestine on the other hand has its own recommended pH level as does the large intestine! A body in complete pH balance will regulate all of these different areas all by its lonesome. Our bodies are pretty smart after all!
What we need to focus on here is “whole body pH” and not the pH levels of individual organs. After all, when your whole body pH is showing slightly alkaline then all the systems of the body will have a MUCH better time of functioning as they should!

Ok, got it, but how do I change the pH level in my body?

There are many ways to change your body’s pH level, and here at Thrush Crusader we’re gonna talk you through the best natural and medical solutions so you can find what is right for you.

The first and most natural way to change your body’s pH is through your diet choices…the food you consume. Eating vegetables (cooked) is the BEST way to maintain a healthy pH range in your body. Second to cooked veggies is fruit. An ideal diet for conquering your pH level would be something like 3 servings of cooked veg with a little fruit. This would result in a healthy pH level and therefore a healthy, happy body.

This is really, really hard to do in today’s society. We are so busy that it becomes very tiring, stressful and hard to continually have our diets at the forefront of our minds. So to help us all out there are supplements which are wonderful at filling in the gaps in our diet.

So…What are the best supplements to adjust pH levels for thrush?

1. Nutra Cura – Perfect Balance Complex for women – Vaginal Health Dietary Suppliment

A powerful but gentle supplement that cleanses, restores and strengthens your vaginal health agains candida .

This easy to swallow capsule offers what they call a yeast management support system that treats bacterial vaginosis. Through promoting healthy intestinal function and bladder support, it reduces the likelihood of yeast overgrowth and thus promotes a healthy urinary tract and yeast balance. Full of natural ingredients, you don’t have to worry about nasty chemicals or artificial ingredients in your system when taking this supplement.

What we love about this product is that it treats so many things! It contains a probiotic called Lactobacillus Acidophilus which strengthens your immune system, and helps reduce vaginal discharge, odor and itching. What’s more- it’s researched backed which means that you don’t have to take our word for it! Made in USA in an FDA registered laboratory and GMP certified facility, it’s covered by NutraCura’s 100% total satisfaction guarantee. This is awesome because it means they really back their product, shouldering the risk. Simply request a refund if you are not happy. No silly questions and no hassle.

Amazon review –   (5 / 5) 
“I’d started experiencing changes as I’m coming into peri-menopause, and one is that my vaginal flora seemed to change, and things weren’t, well, the same as before! I tried a few different options, including boric acid, ACV, and probiotics, but this is what has worked the best, and it was in only a couple of days’ time that it took effect. I take it with Mercola probiotics, and everything is back to my “normal” after quite a few months of struggling with the changes. Definitely worth every penny!”

Amazon review –   (5 / 5)
“I don’t exaggerate when I say my results were almost instant. I expected to wait at least a month before relief, but these dissolvable capsules disperse the ingredients into your system and begin working quickly. A perk is that it has been a few days and my embarrassing odor has disappeared almost completely. Now I smell natural like rain on wood or fresh soil. It’s hard to describe but it definitely isn’t an offensive smell. I have never had symptoms like itching or dryness so I don’t know how it will impact those areas if at all, but the ingredients are almost identical to the balance complex for women and that has 1,000+ reviews and is nearly 15 dollars more expensive. Luckily, it’s equally as effective and perfectly healthy. I take two capsules a day as directed, one in the morning and one at night because the ingredients are very aromatic. I noticed zero irritation and I marvel at how long I’ve suffered before this cure. I will recommend this to every female I know bold enough to express their discomfort and seek relief!”

2. Balance Complex – All-Natural Complete Female Wellness Supplement

The benefit of this product over others is it’s “Yeast Management Support”. this is there to help you overcome vaginal itching, vaginal discharge, and bacteria buildup in your vagina. It supports a healthy intestinal function and helps embarrassing yeast overgrowth. And the best part is, it does all of this with an ALL-NATURAL supplement.

This all natural supplement also supports menopause and PMS relief and is absolutely focussed on yeast balance support by restoring and maintaining vaginal acidity, or as we have already discussed…pH levels!

By balancing the pH level and getting it into the optimal position (a neutral 7.0 or slightly above) you will benefit with no more female odor, smell or vaginal discharge.

Ingredients of the Balance Complex female hygiene supplement include Oregano Extract (1.75% volatile oils), Caprylic Acid (magnesium caprylate), Protease , L.Acidophilus, Cellulase , Aloe Vera Gel, Arabinogalactan (FiberAid) , Anise Seed , Reishi Mushroom, Black Walnut Hulls, Wormwood (artemisia).

Amazon review – Kimberly W. Larson  (5 / 5) 
“I have tried many products to help create a healthy balance. This product is the best I have experienced. It creates the results I was looking without any side effects. I use it to support a healthy balance with my digestion track and manage candidal issues. I very please and I look forward to continuing this supplement.”

 Amazon review – Amazon customer  (4 / 5) 
“This review may be lengthy, but hopefully helpful. So, long story short, I have battled bv for about a decade now, with some points being more severe than others. After years of prescriptions that led to needing more prescriptions to combat reactions to the initial treatment (bv treatment causing yeast infections), I finally found something that worked… then for no good reason, it stopped being manufactured and I went 2 more years searching for something to help. In the meantime, something really odd happened; I still had all of the symptoms for bv but my cultures started to come back negative, meaning I couldn’t even get prescriptions for (albeit crappy) treatment options any more. I tried the probiotics recommended, but they made my symptoms worse. Then I stumbled across these and figured had nothing else to lose. Well, I must say that I will be sticking to these! My excessive discharge is now under control and I can have sex again! It was a terrible ordeal before and I couldn’t imagine being single and trying to explain my situation while dating, luckily hubby has been here since the problem began all those years ago, but I was still insecure about even doing it with him. The discharge was literally ruining my life! So, this is definitely a BIG help and I am thrilled to have found it! I will add that considering the price tag, I stopped taking them daily and started taking the 2 pills 2-3x per week to see if daily use was necessary and have not experienced any regression in results. To save money, I recommend figuring out your “number”, if you will, so that you don’t have to purchase so frequently. Happy customer, highly recommended if you suffer from bv symptoms. Get your sex life back, ladies!”

3. RepHresh Pro-B Probiotic Feminine Supplement, 30-Count Capsules

RepHresh Pro-B Probiotic is a simple but super effective tablet based probiotic that balances yeast & bacteria to maintain feminine health.

It has been clinically tested and was developed by doctors and unlike some other tablet based probiotics, RepHresh only insist you take 1 capsule per day orally as opposed to some other brands who suggest up to 4!
This means your pack lasts longer and does a whole lot more good per tablet.

It works by providing healthy probiotic lactobacillus. This is a supplement that effectively balances bacteria, yeast and pH levels to maintain your health.

1 capsule a day will help keep your vaginal pH levels in a normal and healthy range.

Amazon review – Lachica   (5 / 5) 
“I freak’n love this stuff. I must admit, when I first brought it, I was skeptical. But I figured what the heck, I have nothing to lose but thirty bucks. It could be my vibrant imagination, but I noticed a difference within two days. A BIG DIFFERENCE!!! Ladies…you know what I mean. Well worth the investment.”

Amazon review – Kelly M.   (5 / 5) 
I have suffered from horrible yeast and bacterial infections for the past five years. I have tried everything out there that is on the market and have taken every antibiotic available. Nothing has compared to these pills. I noticed a difference after about 5 days of taking these. I feel normal again and that is something I haven’t felt in years. The only reason I gave it four stars is because of the cost, but they are well worth it for eliminating my pain and suffering! I would definitely recommend this product if you suffer from frequent infections!

EXTRA! A completely natural supplement that is super healthy and yum!

Umeboshi Paste Pickled Plum Puree

This is a firm favourite or ours! Umeboshi plum paste. It is available in some health food stores or can be grabbed on amazon here.

This is to be used when you feel your body is becoming too acidic! That means your pH levels are below 7.0.

To use it is simple, just take one teaspoon of it every day for a week. After your first week cut back your dosage to one teaspoon every few days, this is just for maintenance. Feel free to chase it with a little bit of water or adding it to another dish.

It works because of it’s super strength alkalising powers in the pickled fruits. It is quite sour to the taste (hence why most choose to chase it with water) but it will bring your pH levels into a good balance range very quickly. It is best used for quick fixes. Unopened, it can last for years. But once opened, best to consume within 3-4 months

A little more info to help you balance your body’s pH levels.

Breathe…it helps, seriously!
One little known fact which can have a LOT of impact on balancing your pH levels is to…breathe. Yep, seriously, breathe! Not just any old breathing though. It needs to be deep, measured breaths where you really focus on bringing the breath right down into your body. It’s calming nature does wonders to a persons pH level and you should practice deep breathing whenever you have a spare few minutes. It is also a fact that exercise is a great encouragement of deep breathing.

A bit more on food choices and pH levels.

One of the most neutral products out tree to consume are dairy products. This means they won’’t push the scale one way or the other.
Unlike dairy products, certain foods are better at alkalising. What we’ve done is provide a chart that shows which foods form more acids and which alkalise better.

The evils of sugar, alcohol, and other foods that affect your vaginal health

Sugar

Did you know that if your body’s pH level is reading too acidic (lover than 7.0) than your body will send you brain signals that it needs more sugar.
This is the basis for sugar cravings. It must be known that thrush thrives on sugar, so this can become a very debilitating and harmful circle. Don’t give into sugar cravings or try to balance your pH levels with sugar. Instead utilise the supplements in this article to do the balancing for you.
Once you have balanced your pH level back to neutral or slightly alkaline then you will notice your cravings decrease significantly or even disappear altogether.

Alcohol

Consuming alcohol can dehydrate your body, which can make it more difficult for your vagina to produce adequate levels of lubrication. While it may not lead directly to thrust, it will certainly make life a bit more uncomfortable ‘down there’ and should be avoided if you’re currently undergoing treatment.

Onions, asparagus, garlic and curry

Aside from giving you bad breath, onions, asparagus and garlic (and even curry!) can also give your vagina a bad odor! Eating these foods in large quantities can change the makeup of the bacterial flora in your vagina, causing a strong odor to be emitted that can take up to a week to go away once you stop eating those foods. Yikes!

Fried foods

How you can tell if your body’s pH level is not in balance.

Sometimes the signs that your pH level is out of wack are obvious such as a burning sensation when urinating or an acidic taste in your mouth, but most of the times it is very hard to tell!

The best idea is to get some pH testing strips. They are very common and easily found in chemists, drug stores or on amazon.

Here are the pH strips we recommend –HealthyWiser Ph Test Strips. They are also the number 1 most recommended strip on amazon.

Here’s a quick rundown of how to complete an acid test (or pH level test).

Saliva : Note – Do this before you brush your teeth in the morning. Fill your mouth with saliva and swallow. Do this twice. Then, spit onto your pH test strip. The reason you swallow twice before spitting is to ensure a clean saliva sample. Make sure to measure your saliva pH in the same way later on in the day. Make sure that both tests are at least 2 hours after your last meal.

Urine : Simply collect a small sample of your urine into a clean glass container. Proceed to dip the pH strip into the container.

Then match the pH strip to the associated color on the pH pack. This will determine your pH level.

I forgot…What’s a normal pH level again?

You want the pH of your saliva to be resting in a range of about 7-7.4. This will mean your body is happy and healthy. If measuring your urine then aim for a reading of 6.5-7. The difference between saliva and urine ranges is because your urine will naturally tend to be more acidic as it is eliminating waste accumulated in your body.

So now you know how important a healthy pH level is to helping you cure your vaginal thrush condition!
Remember to measure your levels daily if you are not in a healthy range otherwise once per week is enough.

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