In December of 2003, I developed a urinary tract infection for which my gynecologist prescribed antibiotics. I readily and rather eagerly agreed to this method of treatment. I completed my prescribed dosage and by late January of 2004 I was miserable. My health was in a downward spiral for no obvious reason. In two weeks I had gained 10 pounds, I was depressed, irritable, hungry all of the time, had insatiable cravings for sweets, my eyes burned and hurt most of the day, my vision began to blur, my joints (especially my wrists) hurt, I could not concentrate; the list went on and on. I did not understand what was happening to me.

For years my husband and I had been avid low carb dieters. According to Dr. Atkins one of the problems which might slow down or impede weight loss while on a low carb diet was a condition called “systemic yeast infection"...