Candida 101: Causes, Symptoms and Supplements

This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Charles Penick, MD 

What is Candida?

“Candida” is a word that means “clear and white, like pure quartz.” It is a type of yeast that occurs naturally in the body. It is found primarily in the mouth, throat, intestines, vagina, and skin. Candida is essential to good health: it plays a role in absorbing nutrients and protecting the intestinal tract from infections. While it has benefits, candida overgrowth can cause many health problems.

Candida Overgrowth Symptoms

The human body needs candida, but too much can be hazardous to a person’s health. This excessive growth of candida can cause candidiasis, which is a fungal infection. Here are a few symptoms of candida overgrowth and where they can appear in the body:

1. Contribute to Feelings of Tiredness and Fatigue

While candida overgrowth may not directly cause nutrient deficiencies, studies indicate oral candidiasis can be related to malnutrition that can worsen the condition. Also, the mucosal lesions may impact energy intake, which could have a snowball effect and make it worse. [1] Deficiencies in iron, zinc, folate, vitamins B12 and C all contribute to decreased energy and fatigue.

2. Recurring yeast infections.

Also known as vaginal candidiasis, yeast infections are the second most common type of vaginal infection after bacterial vaginal infections. They occur when candidiasis overgrowth occurs in the vagina. Symptoms can include itching, painful intercourse, redness, swelling, and a thick, white discharge. According to the CDC, approximately 1.4 million outpatient treatments occur in the United States annually. [2]

3. Digestive Issues.

The gut is home to trillions of bacteria and plays a crucial role in gut health. Some uses of bacteria include the following:

• Helps strengthen the immune system
• Processes bile acids
• Draws energy and nutrients from food
• Produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate

If harmful bacteria outnumber good bacteria in the gut, health issues arise. Studies are ongoing as to the extent harmful bacteria affect the gut. Research on candida overgrowth discovered the following:

Small intestinal fungal overgrowth. Also known as SIFO, this condition is identified as many fungal organisms in the small intestine associated with gastrointestinal symptoms. Studies indicate candidiasis can cause GI symptoms in patients receiving antibiotics, steroids, or those who are immunocompromised or have a weak immune system. Common symptoms included gas, nausea, diarrhea, belching, bloating and indigestion. [3]

Diarrhea. Common symptoms of diarrhea include loose, watery stools and abdominal cramps. Common causes of diarrhea include lactose intolerance, medications, viruses, and bacteria. Candida caused diarrhea in some clinical studies as well. [4]

4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Intestinal disorders that cause inflammation in the digestive tract are known as Inflammatory bowel disease. Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, diarrhea, blood in the stool, bloating, and others. A study on 126 individuals with IBD found that 84% of the patients had C. albicans in the gastrointestinal tract. [5]

5.Fungal infections.

Candidiasis is one of the most common fungal infections caused by C. albicans. Candida overgrowth often causes athlete’s foot, ringworm, and toenail fungus.

Best Foods To Eat For Candida

The gut plays a vital role in a person’s health, and an excessive amount of candida may lead to a variety of health problems, as described above. As a result, the foods consumed might help decrease the risk of candida overgrowth. Here are the top foods to eat to help keep candida levels in check:

• Herbs and spices: Cinnamon, dill, turmeric, oregano, rosemary, black pepper, paprika, thyme.
• Low mold nuts and seeds: almonds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed,
• Healthy fats: Olives, unrefined coconut oil, extra-virgin olive oil, sesame oil.
• Protein: Eggs, chicken, eggs, turkey
• Beverages (non-caffeinated): Filtered water, almond milk, coconut milk (without additives), herbal teas
• Dairy products: Butter, plain yogurt, kefir
• Sweeteners: Xylitol, stevia, erythritol
• Other: Apple cider vinegar, black seed oil

Note: foods should be organic and GMO-free.

Worst Foods to Eat For Candida

Avoid the following when attempting to reduce candida overgrowth:

• Sugar and sugary snacks
• Fructose
• High glycemic fruits
• Sauces and syrups
• Soda
• Yeast (White Bread, pasta, cakes, biscuits, etc.)
• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
• Fruit juice

Top Candida Products

In addition to eating the proper foods, there are many supplements available to treat candidiasis as well:

Klaire Labs - Candida Complex - 90 capsules

Klaire Labs - Candida Complex is designed to help restore and maintain a healthy and balanced gastrointestinal microbiota. This product contains the fatty acid calcium undecylenate, which helps prevent Candida albicans from converting into the harmful invasive fungal form.

Systemic Formulas: #404 - BIND - Toxin Elimination

Systemic Formulas: #404 - BIND - Toxin Elimination is a powerful carbon that binds to toxins and helps prevent retoxification by removing them from the body. In addition to binding to candida, the product offers the following benefits:

• Does not interfere with the absorption of nutrients
• Decreases the risk of bloating
• Promotes healthy enzyme reactions
• Can reduce the body’s toxic exposure by up to 60%
• Contains probiotics, which can assist with leaky gut

DesBio - Candida Plus - 1 oz tincture

Candida Plus temporarily relieves symptoms associated with candida. These can include the following:

• Drowsiness
• Lethargy
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Sleep disruption
• Food sensitivities
• Mucus congestion
• Nausea

This product comes in liquid form, allowing it to be quickly absorbed and used by the body.

DesBio - Candida Albicans Series Therapy - 10 vials

Candida Albicans Series Therapy provides a structured, methodical approach to dealing with candida overgrowth. For maximum effectiveness, adults take one vial orally every third day. Vial #2 is taken three days later, which is followed up with taking each succeeding vial in three-day intervals.

In addition to these products, many others are available to treat candida well. Click HERE to see more products on Amazon.

Conclusion

Candida is a yeast that plays an essential role in maintaining good health. Unfortunately, too much candida can lead to a myriad of health problems. (This overgrowth of candida is also known as candidiasis). In some instances, a person may not know their feelings of fatigue or digestive issues are caused by candida overgrowth in the gut. As a result, getting a proper diagnosis is critical.

To decrease the risk of having candidiasis, eating foods that help maintain healthy bacteria levels daily is advised.

 

Medical Disclaimer: This article is based upon the opinions of Revelation Health. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Revelation Health and associates. This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Charles Penick, MD for accuracy of the information provided, but Revelation Health encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

References:

[1] Elena Paillaud, Isabelle Merlier, Catherine Dupeyron (et al). Oral Candidiasis And Nutritional Deficiencies In Elderly Hospitalised Patients. Br J Nutr. 2004 Nov;92(5):861-7. doi: 10.1079/bjn20041264. PMID: 15533276. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15533276/

[2] Vaginal Candidiasis.https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/genital/index.html#

[3] Askin Erdogan, Satish S C Rao.Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2015 Apr;17(4):16. doi: 10.1007/s11894-015-0436-2. PMID: 25786900. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25786900/

[4] J Levine, R K Dykoski, E N Janoff. Candida-Associated Diarrhea: A Syndrome In Search Of Credibility.  Clin Infect Dis. 1995 Oct;21(4):881-6. doi: 10.1093/clinids/21.4.881. PMID: 8645834. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8645834/

[5] Danuta Trojanowska, Malgorzata Zwolinska-Wcislo, Marianna Tokarczyk (et al).The Role Of Candida In Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Estimation Of Transmission Of C. Albicans Fungi In Gastrointestinal Tract Based On Genetic Affinity Between Strains.  Med Sci Monit. 2010 Oct;16(10):CR451-7. [PMID: 20885347].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20885347/