Candida Overgrowth: When Yeast Takes Over
Candida is a yeast that naturally lives in your gut. Problems arise when it overgrows, disrupting your microbiome and causing symptoms throughout the body.
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What Is Candida Overgrowth?
Candida albicans is a yeast that's part of your normal gut flora. In a healthy gut, it's kept in check by beneficial bacteria. But when balance is disrupted, candida can proliferate and even become invasive.
Sugar Cravings
Candida feeds on sugar. Intense cravings are often the yeast "demanding" its food source.
Brain Fog
Candida produces acetaldehyde, a neurotoxin that impairs cognitive function.
Fatigue
The immune response to overgrowth plus toxic byproducts drain your energy.
Systemic Effects
Candida can contribute to leaky gut, spreading inflammation throughout the body.
Common Symptoms
What Causes Candida Overgrowth?
Antibiotic Use
Antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria that keep candida in check
High-Sugar Diet
Candida thrives on sugar and refined carbs
Weakened Immunity
Chronic stress, poor sleep, illness impair control
Hormonal Changes
High estrogen promotes candida growth
Other Medications
Steroids, acid blockers, immunosuppressants
Chronic Stress
Impairs immune function and gut health
Testing Note
Candida can be tricky to diagnose. Stool tests may miss it, and blood antibody tests can be hard to interpret. A comprehensive stool analysis with culture or organic acids test (OAT) showing candida markers is often most helpful.
The Anti-Candida Protocol
Starve the Yeast
Eliminate sugar, refined carbs, alcohol, and high-glycemic foods that feed candida. This is the foundation — without it, other interventions will be less effective.
Kill the Overgrowth
Natural antifungals help eliminate excess candida:
Restore Good Bacteria
High-quality probiotics (especially Saccharomyces boulardii) to recolonize the gut. S. boulardii is particularly effective because it's a beneficial yeast that competes with candida.
Heal the Gut Lining
L-glutamine, zinc, and collagen to repair damage caused by overgrowth. Candida can damage the intestinal lining, contributing to leaky gut.
Support Detox
Candida die-off releases toxins. Support liver and lymphatic drainage with binders (activated charcoal, bentonite clay) and liver support herbs.
The Candida Diet
Foods to Avoid
Foods to Emphasize
Die-Off Reactions
When candida dies, it releases toxins that can temporarily worsen symptoms — this is called a Herxheimer reaction or "die-off."
Common Die-Off Symptoms:
Go slowly and support detoxification. These reactions are temporary and indicate the treatment is working.
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