Gas, bloating, brain fog, constipation, stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vaginal yeast infections, recurrent UTIs, oral thrush, skin or nail fungal infections, joint pain, low mood, and sugar cravings can all be symptoms associated with candida overgrowth. With the candida diet and a targeted dietary protocol, you could get relief from many of these symptoms.

What is Candida?

Candida is a naturally occurring yeast found in the GI tract. It aids in the digestion and absorption of nutrients. But when it’s overproduced, it can lead to candida overgrowth. This creates a biofilm on the intestinal lining that can contribute to the symptoms you’re experiencing.

What Causes Candida Overgrowth?

Candida is kept in balance by the other bacteria in the GI tract. There must be more beneficial bacteria than pathogenic bacteria in the microbiome to have a healthy, happy system. Candida can quickly grow out of control.

Candida overgrowth can be fueled by:

• high-carb foods/sugar
• fermented foods
• medications/birth control pills
• excess alcohol
• chronic stress
• antibiotics
• NSAIDs

Testing for a Candida Overgrowth

There are a few different tests that can help determine if Candida is the underlying culprit and/or contributing to what you’re experiencing.

• The Organic Acids Test (OAT) is the gold standard for Candida testing. In addition to candida, it also looks at bacteria, mold, vitamin and mineral levels, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter levels, and oxalates.
• The IgG Food Sensitivity Test not only analyzes antibodies produced by foods that may cause inflammation, but also considers whether Candida albicans is present. When the immune system is upregulated by candida and/or food sensitivities, leaky gut is more likely to occur.
• A Comprehensive Stool Analysis examines the balance of gut bacteria (pathogenic and beneficial) and yeast, and detects the presence of parasites. It can also indicate if inflammation is present by measuring the level of secretory IgA, the GI tract’s first line of defense in the mucosal lining.

Candida Co-Infections

I often find that Candida is not a solo actor. There are usually a few other conditions or issues that are contributors. These other conditions could include Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), mold toxicity, or other microbiome imbalances. Almost all clients with candida have a leaky gut. As the immune system is upregulated due to stress on the body from the candida overgrowth, the intestinal lining can become compromised.

Leaky gut allows undigested food particles, toxins, and bacteria to leak into the bloodstream, triggering an immune response. Stress also takes a big toll on the immune system. Healing the gut is imperative for gaining control of the candida overgrowth!

Eliminating Candida

To support your body and the elimination of candida, a cleanse is recommended to reset and rebalance your gut flora. A candida cleanse includes 3 main steps.

Starve

• Eliminate sugar, alcohol, and fermented foods
• Minimize starchy carbs, sugars, and sweets

Kill

• Plant enzymes and herbs are used to break down the biofilm created by the Candida
• A Herxheimer reaction (die-off symptoms) will be experienced as the biofilm is broken down and trapped toxins are released back into the body, and the immune system is triggered
• Yeast also releases acetaldehyde (alcohol) as it dies off, so you may have increased brain fog/feel drunk as Candida is killed off

Restore

• Spore-forming probiotics are used to restore the gut microbiome
• S. Boulardii is a fungal strain that competes for space with Candida

Candida Nutritional Support

Killing and restoring can be the easiest steps to implement. However, the starve step should not be skipped over! Closely following dietary guidelines is imperative to not fuel the regrowth of candida. Sugar to candida is like throwing gasoline on a fire. Here are the foods to include, avoid, and eat in moderation.

• Foods to Include (Not Inclusive)
  • Coconut
  • Garlic
  • ACV
  • Cruciferous Veggies
  • Leafy Greens
  • Ginger
  • Cloves
  • Cinnamon
  • Lemon,
  • Grass-Fed Meat
  • Wild-Caught Seafood
  • Free-Range Poultry and Eggs
  • Non-Starchy Veggies
  • Nuts And Seeds
  • Berries
• Foods to Avoid (Not Inclusive):
  • Gluten
  • Fermented Foods
  • Alcohol
  • Mushrooms
  • Nutritional Yeast
  • Sugar (in any form)
• Foods to Include (In Moderation)
  • Fruits
  • Legumes
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Parsnips
  • Acorn Squash
  • Butternut Squash
  • Spaghetti Squash
  • Carrots
  • Grains

Eliminating Candida is typically not a fast process. But your patience will pay off as you start to feel the symptoms resolve! 

Ready to tackle your candida symptoms? Learn more about the nutrition coaching I offer here.