Zinc: A Surprising Treatment for Vaginal Yeast Infections

New research funded by Wellcome and led by the University of Exeter's MRC Centre for Medical Mycology has found that zinc could potentially be used as a treatment for vaginal yeast infections. The study discovered that Candida albicans, the yeast responsible for most yeast infections, produces a molecule called Pra1 that triggers inflammation. By blocking the production of Pra1 through the application of low levels of zinc, researchers were able to prevent inflammation and alleviate symptoms. A small clinical trial involving women who experienced recurrent infections showed promising results, with five out of six participants not experiencing reinfection over a three-month period. Larger trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of zinc treatments for vaginal yeast infections.