Candida overgrowth is one of the most common conditions I saw in my clinic, especially among my autoimmune patients. I have literally seen thousands of patients with digestive issues, fatigue, brain fog, recurring fungal infections, skin problems, mood swings, and more, and Candida overgrowth caused all of them.
I have also seen the incredible transformations that they experience by finding total Candida support to combat overgrowth. I have witnessed the return of energy, vitality, and mental clarity, and seen chronic symptoms fade away.
What Is Candida Overgrowth?
You might be wondering, “What is Candida?” Candida is a fungus known as yeast that lives in your mouth and intestines in small amounts. Its job is to aid with digestion and nutrient absorption. Yeast is part of your body’s normal microflora — the microorganisms that live in a delicate balance in your mouth, throat, gut, vagina in women, and on your skin.
Ideally, your good bacteria, bad bacteria, and Candida (among other forms of yeast, viruses, and even mites) that make up your gut microbiome exist in a balanced state. In fact, I like to think of your microbiome as a rainforest, with many different species living together in harmony. When one species gets out of balance in your rainforest, everything gets out of control. When Candida outnumbers other microorganisms, it triggers overgrowth. Candidiasis, or yeast overgrowth, is very common and causes Candida overgrowth symptoms such as bloating, constipation, rashes, fungal infections, fatigue, brain fog, and mood swings.
What Causes Candida Overgrowth?
The healthy or ‘good’ bacteria in your gut typically keep your Candida levels in check. However, the yeast population can get out of hand if a round of antibiotics kills too many of the friendly bacteria or you have a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar (which feed the Candida.)
High alcohol intake, oral contraceptives, and a number of other factors including a high-stress lifestyle can also cause Candidiasis. Even a diet rich in fermented foods like Kombucha, sauerkraut, and pickles can feed Candida.
How Does Candida Overgrowth Spread?
Mucus naturally lines your gut to lubricate and protect it. However, Candidiasis can damage your gut cell wall, and also disrupts the mucus. Damaged mucus creates an opportunity for bacteria biofilms to attach to your cell wall, making them harder to control. Biofilms are groups of microorganisms that are protected by a layer of protective slime. Candida also has the unique ability to change shape in order to protect itself from harsh environments. It responds to a shift in temperature or acidity levels by transforming from a rounded yeast cell into an elongated hyphal cell.1 These elongated cells have the ability to permeate the gut lining, causing leaky gut.
Once in the bloodstream, Candida can invade other tissues. This means that Candida overgrowth can quickly transition from a gut problem to a full-body problem. As I mentioned above, Candida can colonize the skin, mouth, ears, thyroid, reproductive organs, or elsewhere.
9 Common Candida Overgrowth Symptoms
Because yeast overgrowth can become a full-body problem, you may experience Candida symptoms in many different forms nearly anywhere in the body.
1. Skin and Nail Fungal Infections
Skin and nail fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, ringworm, and toenail fungus: These conditions often signal an underlying condition such as Candidiasis. When pathogenic fungi such as Candida permeate your gut lining, they can travel through your bloodstream and colonize on your skin, toenails, and fingernails.
2. Fatigue and Chronic Conditions
Feeling tired, worn down, or suffering from chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia: Gut infections such as Candida overgrowth can suppress the immune system and interfere with energy levels. Furthermore, Candidiasis is often accompanied by nutrient deficiencies such as vitamin B6, essential fatty acids, and magnesium. In particular, magnesium deficiency can cause fatigue.
3. Digestive Issues
Digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea: The excess Candida can begin a fermentation process in your gut that produces its own swelling and belly bloat, much like when bread rises. This happens because good bacteria are depleted due to the overgrown Candida in your microbiome. When your gut bacteria is imbalanced you can experience digestive issues which include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, gas, cramps, and bloating. MagMove may help to regain regularity over your digestive tract and bowel movements. Bile Builder Complete helps regulate the colonization of bandida and formation of biofilms.
4. Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus, psoriasis, scleroderma, or multiple sclerosis: Candida overgrowth damages your gut lining, which allows for toxins, microbes, protein, and undigested food particles to escape into your bloodstream. Your immune system marks these foreign invaders as pathogens and attacks them. As the invaders continue escaping, your immune system goes into overdrive, sending more antibodies to battle the invaders and inducing more inflammation.
5. Brain Fog and Mood Disorders
Difficulty concentrating, poor memory, lack of focus, ADD, ADHD, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, or depression, and/or brain fog: Excess yeast coats the lining of your intestinal tract and suppresses your ability to make or secrete serotonin. Candidiasis also affects your brain and mood function by producing chemicals that are directly toxic to the brain such as canditoxin and acetaldehyde.
6. Skin Issues
Skin issues including eczema, psoriasis, hives, and rashes: Once Candida cells escape into your bloodstream, they can colonize on your skin and result in skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis, and rashes. In fact, researchers have taken skin cultures of eczema patients and more often than not, they found yeast in the samples.
7. Vaginal and Urinary Tract Infections
Vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, rectal itching, or vaginal itching: An overgrowth of Candida can lead to Candidiasis of the vagina, also known as a yeast infection. Yeast infections are extremely common. It is estimated that 75% of all women will get at least one vaginal yeast infection in their lifetime, and half of those will have at least one recurrence. Although it is much less common, urinary tract infections can also be a Candida symptom.
8. Seasonal Allergies and Itchy Ears
Severe seasonal allergies or itchy ears: Seasonal allergy symptoms are caused by your immune system responding to something in the environment, such as pollen in the air. However, the reason your responses to these environmental allergens are heightened is often that your immune system is on high alert due to gut infections such as Candida overgrowth.
9. Sugar and Carb Cravings
Strong sugar and refined carbohydrate cravings: Because yeast feeds on carbohydrates, once you have a yeast overgrowth, the Candida will cause you to crave sugar, leading to a vicious cycle that is hard to break.
The Candida Overgrowth & Autoimmune Connection
Once Candida has penetrated your intestinal lining and caused your gut to become leaky, it opens the floodgates. Undigested food particles, toxins, viruses, and bacteria can pass through your intestinal wall and into your bloodstream. This triggers an inflammatory response from your immune system in an attempt to fight off these foreign “invaders.”
As your gut remains leaky, your immune system continues sending out wave after wave of inflammation, and soon gets stressed, weakened, confused, and begins firing less accurately. When this happens, your immune system can mistakenly target your own body’s tissues. Over time, this can lead to the development of a full-blown autoimmune disease.
The Candida Overgrowth & Estrogen Dominance Connection
Estrogen dominance also plays a factor in Candida overgrowth. Research shows that exposing Candida albicans to estrogen increases its virulence. Women who take birth control or traditional hormone therapy often have higher estrogen levels and become more susceptible to yeast infections.
For both HRT and birth control users, you can try my Adrenal Support for relieving menopausal symptoms and supporting a healthy menstrual cycle without causing high estrogen levels. However, do not use this supplement as a birth control method.
Common Misconceptions About Candida Overgrowth
There is a lot of misinformation about Candida overgrowth, which can make it difficult for people to find the right treatment. Let us clear up some of the most common myths:
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Myth: Only Women Get Candida Overgrowth
While vaginal yeast infections are more common in women, Candida overgrowth can affect anyone, regardless of gender. Men, children, and even infants can experience symptoms such as digestive issues, skin infections, and fatigue. -
Myth: All Yeast Is Bad
Candida is a natural part of your microbiome, and small amounts are harmless. The problem arises when it grows out of control due to imbalances in your gut. -
Myth: Antifungal Medications Are the Only Solution
While antifungals can be effective, there are other options that do not require medications. A functional approach that includes diet, probiotics, and lifestyle changes is often more sustainable and effective in the long term. -
Myth: Candida Overgrowth Is Easy to Diagnose
Candida symptoms can overlap with many other conditions, making it difficult to diagnose without proper testing. Working with a knowledgeable healthcare provider is key to getting an accurate diagnosis.
How Do You Test For Candida Overgrowth?
IgG, IgA, and IgM Candida Antibodies
Blood tests check for IgG, IgA, and IgM Candida antibodies in your blood, and they can be performed at most any lab. High antibody levels indicate Candida overgrowth and show that your immune system is reacting to it.
Remember, Candida has the ability to suppress the immune system, so it is important to ask your doctor to test your total IgG, IgA, and IgM levels along with the Candida antibodies. Low levels of total IgG, IgA, or IgM can cause your test results to show a false negative.2
This can mean you have Candida overgrowth. Yet, since your immune system is affected, you are unable to produce a response and your blood test comes back negative. I saw so many patients with suppressed immune systems and found that blood tests can often be negative even when stool or urine tests are positive.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Often, I saw clues on a CBC that let me know that yeast overgrowth is present. Candidiasis often causes a low white blood cell count (WBC). This condition often presents with high neutrophils and low lymphocytes.3 These are non-specific to Candida, yet I can tell you I saw this pattern very frequently in patients at my clinic with Candida overgrowth.
Stool Testing
I personally found this to be the most accurate test available for Candida overgrowth. This will check for Candidiasis in your colon or lower intestines. However, you need to make sure that your doctor orders a comprehensive stool test rather than the standard stool test. With the stool test, the lab directly analyzes your stool for levels of Candida. The lab can usually determine the species of yeast as well as which treatment will be effective.
Urine Organix Dysbiosis Test
This test detects D-Arabinitol, a waste product of Candida overgrowth.4 An elevated test means an overgrowth of yeast. This test will determine if there is Candida overgrowth in your upper gut or small intestines.
How Do You Treat Candida Overgrowth?
Treating Candida overgrowth does not just involve stopping the growth. It also means restoring the friendly bacteria that usually keep them in check. The final step is repairing your gut so that the Candida overgrowth can no longer enter your bloodstream. I accomplish this with a simple three-wave attack I describe in detail in my Candida Support Protocol. Here are the steps I use to combat Candida overgrowth:
Step 1:
First, starve the Candida by removing the foods that feed it from your diet. This means cutting all sugar and alcohol and limiting carbohydrates such as fruit, starchy vegetables, grains, and legumes.
In addition to removing toxic and inflammatory foods, an anti-Candida diet focuses on increasing your intake of foods known to minimize the growth of Candida albicans. Foods such as coconut oil, garlic, cloves, cinnamon, and wild-caught salmon are great anti-Candida diet foods.
Step 2:
Next, you’ll want to attack the bacteria by taking Candida cleanse pills that help break down the cell wall of yeast cells. Candifense® supports microbe balance in the GI tract and discourages the growth of yeast while Caprylic Acid helps penetrate intestinal mucosal cells to exert the effect of yeast. Both Candifense® and Caprylic Acid are excellent at helping to break down the walls of Candida cells.
Step 3:
Finally, you will repopulate your gut with good bacteria using a high-potency probiotic to keep Candida under control. While battling Candida overgrowth, I recommend a probiotic supplement containing 100 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) to restore your gut’s healthy microbial balance.
How Long Does It Take to Overcome Candida Overgrowth?
One of the most common questions people have is, “How long will it take to get rid of Candida overgrowth?” The answer depends on several factors, including the severity of your symptoms, how long you have had the overgrowth, and how well you stick to your treatment plan.4
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Mild Cases: If you catch Candida overgrowth early and make consistent dietary and lifestyle changes, you may start to see improvements within a few weeks.
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Moderate to Severe Cases: For more advanced cases, you may need several months to fully restore balance. This includes not only killing off the excess yeast but also repairing your gut lining and repopulating your microbiome with good bacteria.
Patience and consistency are key. Stick to your anti-Candida protocol, and do not get discouraged if progress feels slow. Healing your gut is a journey, but the results are worth it.
How To Prevent Candida Overgrowth
Preventing Candida overgrowth is just as important as treating it. By making a few lifestyle and dietary changes, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing a Candida infection. Here are some practical steps to keep Candida in check:5
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Limit Sugar and Refined Carbohydrates: Since Candida thrives on sugar, reducing your intake of sugary foods, refined carbs, and processed foods can help. These changes help prevent fungal overgrowth. Opt for whole, unprocessed foods instead.
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Incorporate Antifungal Foods: Regularly include antifungal foods like garlic, coconut oil, and oregano in your diet. These foods naturally combat Candida yeast and support a healthy gut microbiome.
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Avoid Overuse of Antibiotics: Antibiotics can wipe out the good bacteria in your gut, creating an environment where Candida can flourish. Only use antibiotics when absolutely necessary.
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Manage Stress: Chronic stress weakens your immune system, which increases your risk for infections, such as Candida overgrowth. Incorporate stress-reducing practices such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises into your daily routine.
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Support Your Gut Health: A healthy gut is your first line of defense against Candida. Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods, stay hydrated, and consider taking a high-quality probiotic to maintain a balanced microbiome.
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Practice Good Hygiene: For women, avoid using scented feminine products and opt for breathable cotton underwear to prevent vaginal Candida infections. For everyone, good hygiene helps prevent fungal skin infections.
Get Help With Your Candida Overgrowth
You do not have to do it alone! I have helped thousands of people all over the world take back control of their health. My Candida Support Protocol includes the diet and supplements that can eliminate Candida overgrowth, and help you take back your life!
Candida Overgrowth FAQs
What is Candida?
Candida is a form of yeast that lives in your mouth and intestines in small amounts. Its job is to aid with digestion and nutrient absorption. When Candida is overproduced, it breaks down the walls of the intestine and penetrates the bloodstream, causing leaky gut syndrome.
How do you know if you have Candida overgrowth?
If you experience symptoms such as recurring fungal infections, skin problems, digestive issues, or mood swings, there is a good chance you have Candida overgrowth.
What foods cause Candida overgrowth?
Candida feeds off of sugar, refined carbohydrates, and yeast-containing foods. For this reason, I recommend removing all gluten, sugar, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, dried fruit, fruit juices, and fermented foods from your diet.
What foods fight Candida overgrowth?
Some foods that help your body combat yeast overgrowth are coconut oil, garlic, apple cider vinegar, cruciferous vegetables, ginger, olive oil, cloves, and cinnamon.
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