How to Get Rid of Candida Naturally: Proven Strategies for Lasting Relief

If you’re like 75% of women around the world, you’ve had your fair share of yeast infections (1). What many women don't realize is that these infections stem from candida overgrowth. While some people never experience symptoms, others have severe cases. Some are so bad it reduces their quality of life. More women want to know how to get rid of candida naturally. I’m here to tell you how. 

Before I begin, I want to stress the importance of receiving a proper diagnosis. This will help set the stage for effective treatments and lasting relief. In functional medicine, the body connects in intricate ways. When treating candida overgrowth, I recommend supporting a healthy immune system through detoxification. You’ll understand what I mean in a moment. First, let’s review some of the most common signs of candida overgrowth.

Recognizing the Signs of Candida Overgrowth

How do you know if you have candida overgrowth or something else? Candida can overgrow so much that it causes leaky gut. From there, it can travel through your bloodstream and wreak havoc on the rest of your body. I had the honor of talking with the man who discovered leaky gut on my podcast. Click here to listen to this fascinating episode with Dr. Alessio Fasano.

I’ve worked with thousands of patients over the years. Some have been in my clinic, and others have been remote. With that said, some of the most common signs of candida overgrowth I see include: 

1. Skin and nail infections: Athlete’s foot, ringworm, and toenail fungus are all signs of systemic candida.

2. Chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia: Candida overgrowth can suppress the immune system. This leads to vitamin deficiencies and low energy levels. Candida is often accompanied by low levels of vitamin B6 and magnesium. Magnesium deficiencies can lead to low energy levels.

3. Digestive issues: frequent bloating, constipation, or diarrhea suggest candida overgrowth in the gut. Candida can trigger its own fermentation process, which produces swelling and belly bloat

4. Autoimmune diseases: Those with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, or ulcerative colitis may also have an underlying candida problem. The same is true for lupus, psoriasis, scleroderma, and multiple sclerosis. Most autoimmune disorders trace back to a leaky gut. Candida overgrowth damages your gut lining. This allows toxins, microbes, protein, and undigested food particles to enter your bloodstream. Your immune system goes into overdrive trying to fight off these invaders. This produces an endless cycle of inflammation. If you want to hear empowering stories, tune in to this podcast episode. In it, Dr. Terry Wahls shares about the power of food in reversing her multiple sclerosis. 

5. Cognitive or mood imbalances: Candida can make it difficult to concentrate or remember. This is often called “brain fog”. One way this happens is by producing canditoxin and acetaldehyde. These toxic chemicals directly affect the brain. Biofilms may also prevent your gut from producing serotonin. Without this happy hormone, you may experience mood swings, anxiety, or depression. Tune into this insightful podcast interview with Heather White.  In this episode, we talk about the environment and some of the anxieties we face.

6. Skin issues: you may suffer from eczema, psoriasis, or hives. Or, you may deal with recurrent dandruff, or rashes. Candida may be the culprit. Once Candida enters your bloodstream, they can colonize your skin. This can result in skin irritations and inflammatory conditions.

7. Vaginal or urinary infections, vaginal itching, or rectal itching: Yeast infections are common. This is where there is candida overgrowth in the vaginal tissues. Urinary tract infections can also be a candida symptom, although it’s less common. Many people ask, "Is Candida a sexually transmitted disease?" While candida itself is not classified as an STD, it can be passed between partners through intimate contact, particularly if one person has an overgrowth.

8. Severe seasonal allergies: When your immune system detects environmental stressors, it responds with seasonal allergy symptoms. Runny nose, coughing, and itchy, watery eyes are common. If you have candida overgrowth, however, these can feel more severe.

9. Craving sugar and carbs: Candida feeds on carbohydrates. If you have candida overgrowth, you may crave sugar or refined carbohydrates.

Knowing how to get rid of candida naturally starts with a proper diagnosis. Have your functional medicine doctor test you. This ensures you're treating the right condition.

Once you have your diagnosis, it’s time to get to work. The first step in beating candida involves looking at what’s on your plate. 

The Anti-Candida Diet: Foods to Avoid and Include

Candida loves to feed on sugar. Refined carbohydrates and yeast-containing foods contain a lot of these sugars. To combat this, I recommend embracing an anti-candida diet or Candida cleanse detox. This includes eliminating all gluten, dairy, and sugar from your diet. Yes, this also means no refined carbohydrates or alcohol. 

Stay away from dried fruit, fruit juices, and fermented foods as well. They may seem healthy, but any sugar will keep the candida beast growing. We need to starve it out to restore balance to the gut.

Instead, incorporate more non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus. Beets, bean sprouts, and leafy greens are also good choices. Healthy fats such as walnuts and wild caught salmon are also beneficial. These help support healthy cellular repair and function. 

Herbs such as garlic, cloves, and cinnamon contain antimicrobial properties. These are excellent candida killers that also promote healthy inflammation levels. Coconut oil is a healthy fat that contains caprylic acid. Caprylic Acid is a medium chain fatty acid that discourages fungal overgrowth. 

Apple cider vinegar and olive oil are other great foods to incorporate. Research shows apple cider vinegar contains antimicrobial properties. One study found it effectively prohibited candida growth (2).

When it comes to knowing how to get rid of candida naturally, an anti-candida diet is the first place to start. Not only can food help kill candida, but it may also impact your risk for neurologic diseases. Check out how food affects Alzheimer’s in my podcast episode with Dr. David Perlmutter. 

Along with the right foods, let’s explore how antifungal herbs fight candida.

Natural Antifungal Agents to Combat Candida

I will always believe food is medicine. Unfortunately, today’s world plagues us with toxins from our common household products, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe. It’s a lot for our immune system to keep up with. A compromised immune system leaves you more susceptible to candida infection. Incorporating natural antifungals can help your body fight candida overgrowth more effectively.

You can find some of these amazing natural antifungals at your local health food store. Garlic is one such herb. Fresh garlic contains allicin, a sulfur-containing compound. Studies show allicin acts as a shield against candida. It prevents the candida from sticking to the intestinal wall (3). 

Oregano oil is another powerful antifungal. If you want to know how to get rid of candida naturally, this needs to be in your pantry! Oregano is a Mediterranean herb that is also famous for enhancing culinary dishes. This herb contains carvacrol and thymol, antioxidants that assist with optimal immune function. Research found that carvacrol can disrupt candida’s cellular structure and prevent growth (4).

Along with these candida-fighting herbs, I recommend taking enzymes that break down candida. That way, your body has an easier time getting rid of it. The best supplement I’ve found so far has been Candifense®. It’s formulated with six vegetarian-based enzymes to support a healthy balance of gut bacteria. I also recommend taking Caprylic Acid, as it’s one of the strongest candida-killers out there. To further support digestion and bile production—which plays a crucial role in detoxification, I recommend Bile Builder Complete. This formula helps break down fats, improves nutrient absorption, and supports liver health. A well-functioning liver is essential for eliminating toxins, including those released by dying candida.

Restoring Gut Health with Probiotics

Remember that your gut has a delicate balance of gut bacteria. When candida overgrows, it takes over and crowds out the good guys. As you get rid of candida, it’s important to replenish the gut with good bacteria. This helps restore the natural balance. 

Using a high-potency probiotic is key to making this possible. I recommend my multi-strain Probiotic 100 Billion to help restore your gut flora. Taking one capsule before a meal repopulates your microbiome. It's one of the last but most important steps as you learn how to get rid of candida naturally.

Biofilms and Candida Overgrowth

What makes candida so hard to get rid of is that it produces biofilms. This sticky substance acts as a protective mechanism. It hides the candida from your immune system. It can even change shapes due to temperature or pH changes in the body. Candida can change from a round yeast cell to an elongated hyphal cell (5). Elongated cells can permeate the gut lining, leading to leaky gut. 

Biofilms are one reason Candida is a tricky microbe to beat. This is where having a Biofilm Disruptor can help. This powerful blend consists of apple cider vinegar, goldenseal, and rosemary. These herbs work together with an enzyme blend to break down harmful biofilms. It also fights bloating that can occur from the candida releasing toxins. Removing biofilms allows your immune system to effectively get rid of candida. This is vital when exploring how to get rid of candida naturally.

Comprehensive Support: Candida Support Protocol

I know how frustrating stubborn or recurrent candida can be. That’s why I created a holistic solution that addresses both the gut and immune system. I designed the Candida Support Protocol as a one-stop shop for getting rid of candida for good. 

This bundle features your first line of defense with Caprylic Acid and Candifense®. As the candida dies off, Charcoal Binder Complete helps trap and escort toxins out of the body. Then, you follow up with gut-supporting probiotics and Leaky Gut Revive®. In addition, you get cellular repair with my Paleo Protein powder. 

Having the right products is only one piece of the puzzle. When you get my Candida Support Protocol, you also receive helpful resources. These guide you through which supplements to take when, as well as a progress tracker. You also get exclusive access to some of my favorite recipes and shopping lists!

Take Back Your Health™ Today

No matter how long you’ve been dealing with candida, you can get rid of it. I’ve seen it countless times. In fact, I’ve worked with thousands of people to fix digestive issues, itchy skin, brain fog, and fatigue. Most of the time, there’s an underlying candida issue that’s the culprit. I’ve also helped thousands of people reverse their autoimmune conditions. Learn more about how to heal autoimmunity in this podcast episode with Dr. Sara Gottfried.

Conventional methods for candida only work short-term. If you want to know how to get rid of candida naturally, all it takes is a few lifestyle adjustments. Start by receiving a proper diagnosis. From there, you and your functional medicine doctor can create a winning strategy to tackle candida from A to Z.

If you prefer natural approaches, start with your diet. Swap out sugars and refined carbohydrates for nonstarchy vegetables and antifungal herbs. Along with that, add supplements designed to target candida and their nasty biofilms. The Candida Support Protocol takes all the guesswork out with a simple, straightforward approach. With it, you too can take back your health™.