What is Candida?
Candida is a type of yeast or fungus that naturally lives in and on the human body, particularly in areas like the mouth, gut, skin, and vagina. In healthy amounts, it’s harmless and part of your normal microbiome. But when it overgrows, it can cause a range of symptoms and health issues, often referred to as Candida overgrowth or Candidiasis.
What Causes Candida Overgrowth
- Certain medical conditions and diseases
- Weakened immune system
- Hormonal changes
- Pregnancy
- Poor diet
- Overuse of sugar
- Overuse of Alcohol
Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth
Digestive & Gut-Related
• Bloating, gas, and constipation after meals
• Sugar and carb cravings (Candida feeds on glucose)
• Frequent use of antacids or laxatives without lasting relief
• Symptoms resembling IBS or even contributing to leaky gut
Neurological & Cognitive
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• Mood swings, anxiety, or irritability
• Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
Skin & Mucosal
• Rashes in skin folds (e.g., under breasts, groin, armpits)
• Oral thrush: white patches on tongue or inner cheeks
• Vaginal yeast infections: itching, burning, discharge
• Nail infections or discoloration
Immune & Systemic
• Recurring sinus infections or chronic sinusitis
• Frequent UTIs or genital discomfort
• Sensitivity to chemicals or fragrances
• Histamine-like reactions or food intolerances
Dietary considerations for Candida Overgrowth
A candida friendly diet needs to eliminate the substances / foods that support the candida growth such as sugar, wheat, dairy, yeast, mouldy cheeses and alcohol. Aim for low carbohydrate of the complex variety. Focus on feeding and nourishing the body with nutrient dense foods that support the gut. Green vegetables and fruits such as berries that are low in fructose. Also, meats and fish if you eat these. Butter is generally tolerated but avoid too much dairy and if you do use dairy make it organic.
The dietary specifics for controlling candida are quite complex and the above is a brief overview. For more information that is tailored to your specific needs I can work with you to establish what you need.
Supplements and remedies that can help Candida Overgrowth
There are many different supplements and remedies that can be used to help this condition. I generally suggest a three-pronged approach when working with candida in terms of the remedies / supplements to take as follows:
- Detox with specific remedies to help kill the excessive candida, then,
2. Support the immune system so you are more robust, then,
3. Build the good gut bacteria and assist your body in digestion.
Remedies that can help kill off Candida and support the immune system include:
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Caprylic acid
- Vitamin C
- Cloves
I will often recommend combination remedies which contain a mix of the above.
- Colloidal silver -This is an excellent remedy that has a multitude of uses and is something I recommend when dealing with candida overgrowth. It can also be used topically in the mouth or on the skin wherever the candida problem is.
Remedies that help support digestion and replenishing gut bacteria include:
- Saccharomyces Boulardi – This is a complex yeast and helps to drive the candida out of the digestive tract. I have found this to be incredibly effective with stubborn candida issues.
- Probiotics – A broad spectrum probiotic helps to replenish the good gut bacteria in the digestive tract and will soothe the intestines.
- Digestive enzymes – A good broad spectrum digestive enzyme is often necessary to help the body deal with digestion. Often with cases of candida digestion is sluggish and then fermentation occurs in the gut which can often lead to candida issues. Enzymes help the body speed up digestion and make it more efficient.
I also suggest that clients support their Liver and Kidneys as these are two of the body’s main detox pathways. A really simple way to do this is by drinking a good herbal tea blend throughout the day.
If Urinary Tract Infections are a problem
If you are getting frequent UTI along with the candida, I suggest D – Mannose which is a simple sugar. However, it behaves quite different to sugar in the human body and can help UTI infections by rendering Ecoli (the main cause of UTI) unable to adhere to the uriniary tract. The D Mannose is then excreted via the Kidneys. Unlike antibiotics D Mannose does not kill bacteria it simply prevents them from causing issues. The trouble with taking antibiotics for UTI and Candida is that it kills all of the bacteria including the good bacteria in the gut. In fact, oftentimes candida overgrowth happens because of using antibiotics.
For further information or if you are struggling with Candida overgrowth or think you might be, please get in touch.