The Yeast Connection

Dr. William G. Crook discovered a connection between yeast (candida albicans) and over all health many years ago. Through his medical practice he has treated many people for systemic yeast infections and seen dramatic improvement in various health conditions. Dr. Crook believes there is a connection between yeast and chronic fatigue, migraines, PMS, achy joints, etc.

It would be easy to dismiss The Yeast Connection for various reasons. Skeptics will claim that you can't blame one particular thing for such a large array of problems. And yet people do seem to be suffering from food related problems such as in celiac disease, food allergies or diabetes. The book is badly outdated and contains silly cartoon-like drawings which also tend to hinder credibility.

Dr. Crook does state several things which I found interesting and even liked.

1. Modern medicine tends to focus on specific disease identification and treatment. In other words, if you complain about heart burn a doctor will likely prescribe an antacid. Instead, Dr. Crook says we need to evaluate the whole person. People are medically complex and each part of us is integrated with the other. Doctors need to spend more time with patients to evaluate what is really going on. You may have heartburn and a doctor may prescribe antacid but the better question is why does the person have heartburn.*

2. With the exception of the an anti-fungal medication, Dr. Crook's suggestions are largely nutrition based. We need to be eating healthier, better foods and reduce our toxic environments.

3. Yeast is not the sole reason individuals may be suffering from certain problems. It may be a contributing factor, but not the only. Patients should be treated for the problems they have in coordination with an improved diet, supplementation and possibly anti-fungal medications.

4. Much more research is needed to understand candida albicans and how it can affect health. As of 1986, I wonder what, if any, further research has been done.

The book is sorely outdated. It should really be updated with the latest research out there. It also needs to be completely reorganized and structured with the elimination of the cartoon-like drawings. Photographs and more professional looking illustrations would greatly help. I read this book as part of a personal study on celiac disease, wheat, and endometriosis. Thrush is a common symptom of celiac disease and gluten intolerance and so this book may provide some insight into possible treatments. The diet suggestions go right along with common diet suggestions for celiac disease.**

*With the passage of Obamacare this is likely to not change, IMO.

**I do not have celiac disease but I may have gluten intolerance.