The Truth About Candida
Candida or fungal overgrowth is very common. In this article I will explore the signs and symptoms, root cause factors, testing and treatment options.
Do I have Candida?
This is a question I hear in my practice all the time and I am sure you are wondering the same. Here are some of the common signs and symptoms:
Bloating
Fatigue
Brain fog
Mental fatigue
Cravings for carbohydrates (or when you don’t feel neutral towards them)
Toe nail fungus
White tongue
Vaginal or jock itch
You might have fungal overgrowth also if you had:
Multiple rounds of antibiotics and/or steroids
Taken hormonal birth control
Diet high in carbohydrates
Frequent alcohol use
Taken antiacid medications on a regular basis
Where Candida comes from?
Candida is a member of the human microbiome and most people have it in different parts of the body. It is held in check by the ecosystem or the balance of the bacteria part of the microbiome as well as by the immune system. When the ecosystem goes out of balance, candida can become opportunistic. Another words, it can start overgrowing and creating problems in the host’s health. This brings me to a very important underlaying root cause: dysbiosis or disbalance of the microbiome. And this can be in few parts of the body:
In the mouth - from improper oral hygiene and usage of conventional toothpaste and mouth wash.
In the gut - from many factors including stress, diet high in processed foods, sugar, alcohol, toxicity in the body.
On the skin - from harmful chemicals in cosmetics.
In the vagina - from dushing, use of harsh cleaning soap.
When there is the right environment and unopposed conditions, the candida fungi anchor themselves to tissues making them hard to clear. This triggers the immune system causing inflammation. They form the so called biofilms - a fence around themselves protecting them from bacteria, the immune system, change of pH caused by antifungal medications.
Can Candida cause fatigue and brain fog?
The short answer is yes. Candida produces a chemical called acetaldehyde which is toxic to the brain (and other organs). The metabolism or the clearing of this chemical require large amounts of B vitamins and Iron - both crucial for energy production. Candida often can lead to a secondary nutrient deficiency leading to fatigue and brain fog. Acetaldehyde can also cause intestinal permeability or leaky gut which is linked to a leaky brain barrier opening the brain to all sorts of toxic chemicals.
There is also a connection between anxiety, depression and candida because of the same mechanism.
By the way, acetaldehyde is a byproduct of alcohol and so, consuming it can make matters worse.
Testing for Candida
There are few options for candida testing but they are all unreliable in a sense that there is a high chance of false negative or positive. Here are the most common tests:
Stool test
Antibodies in blood
D-arabinitol organic acid
Because candida is hard to detect on a test, I use them as a addon tool to clinical diagnosis involving a detailed patient history and symptoms questionnaire.
Candida treatment options
Diet can be very effective, especially when combined with the other treatments below.
The anti-candida diet consists of reducing carbohydrates as low as possible. Candida feeds on sugar so the purpose of removing it from the diet is to remove their food so the rest of the interventions can work effectively.
Some people can’t sleep well on a low carb diet or they don’t feel well overall. This is because the body needs to get used to it. It can also mean that the person has unhealthy metabolism. This is one of the reasons why I always start with balancing the patient’s metabolism so they can handle the treatment. And last but not least, sugar and carbs are addictive and the brain needs some support and time to get over it.
Probiotics are another effective intervention.
A combination between Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces Boulardii are clinically proven to help balance the microbiome and support the immune system so they can handle the candida “invasion”.
Antimicrobial herbs can be also effective in reducing the candida overgrowth.
Oregano, garlic, cinnamon and many more are used in clinical practice. The length or the protocol and the dosage are crucial for a positive outcome. Tailoring the treatment to the individual and combining herbs with the appropriate anti-candida diet version and probiotics are very effective when treating fungal overgrowth.
When candida leaves the body…
As candida starts to die, it can cause the so called die-off symptoms:
Headaches
Fever
Joint pain
Fatigue
Worse gut symptoms
They can be very unpleasant and many people who treat themselves, give up and stop whatever they are taking.
Die-off symptoms are normal and they will go away after 4-5 days. When the fungal spores die they release toxic chemicals that overwhelm the liver and other organs causing the undesired symptoms. To navigate them, work with a practitioner who has experience with candida.
Can candida come back?
Candida is very hard to eradicate and in most cases this is not necessary because do you remember, it is part of the healthy microbiome. So the question becomes how do we maintain a healthy microbiome and immune system to keep candida at bay. A microbiome friendly diet, removing toxins and processed foods, a balanced, health-promoting lifestyle are all a must. Having the right environment in the body is more important than kill protocols and medications.
This, in my opinion is the main reason why candida is so prominent and problematic today. So going back to the basics can go a long way in candida prevention and helping it live in symbiosis with its host.
Most common questions about Candida
What are the most common candida species?
Candida Albicans, Auris, Glabrata
Can candida cause UTIs?
Yes, Candida Albicans is the most common cause of fungal urinary tract infections.
Can candida be transmitted?
Candida spp. are transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. Common modes of transmission include person-to-person contact, sexual contact, and contact with contaminated objects or surfaces.
Are candida cleanses safe?
They can be if under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner. Choose wisely what you will put into your body as many of the herbals and foods can not be appropriate for you.
Can candida cause constipation?
A classic gut symptoms with Candida is constipation.
Can candida cause weight gain?
Yes, candida causes gut dysbiosis that can cause your metabolism to slow down. Also candida overgrowth disrupts the detoxification processes causing weight gain and difficulty to loose body fat.
