Let’s talk about candida. Is it real? Is it just a fad? And is it as bad as everyone makes it out to be? If you’ve ever wanted to do know about this infamous yeast, you’ve come to the right place! Just take note that this is all general information- I am neither treating or diagnosing a possible overgrowth of candida. If you suspect that you do, please consult a qualified medical practitioner. With that out of the way, let’s get into the ins and outs of candida!

Has someone ever told you they had Candida, and needed to go on a “detox” or “cleanse” because of it? Many people today fall victim to alternative health marketers selling anti-Candida kits without ever knowing what Candida even is, and if they actually have a problem to begin with.

The truth of the matter is that all of us have Candida. Candida is a type of fungus known as yeast and can be found in our mouths, gut, skin, and reproductive regions. In fact, yeasts like candida can be found everywhere, including the air; their favorite environment is one that is dark, warm, and moist. Yeasts are also edible in certain forms and are commonly found in bread, wine, beer, cheese, and fermented drinks like kombucha.

Fungi like yeasts fall into one of two categories: Primary Pathogens, and Opportunistic Pathogens. Primary Pathogens are the ones we need to stay away from; they can inflict a lot of damage. Whereas Opportunistic Pathogens are only bad depending on the circumstance, like their environment.

In the body, Candida is an Opportunistic Fungus that normally lives in balance alongside our inner ecosystem of beneficial bacteria. So, the only time we should be worried about Candida is when it starts to break the balance by overgrowing and competing with our bacteria for resources. This overgrowth is referred to as Candidiasis, which is the overgrowth of the strain Candida albicans.

There are several things that help to prevent an infection of Candida, such as lactic acid-producing bacteria, probiotics, and maintaining a low pH in the gut and vagina. In regard to pH, the reason we want it to remain low and acidic in those areas is because of Candida’s ability to become pathogenic once it’s in an alkaline environment with a high pH. Once that happens, it starts to grow and process more sugars and byproducts called mycotoxins, which are capable of damaging bodily tissues and making us sick. These mycotoxins also interfere with the way our cells communicate, throwing our body off and potentially setting the stage for autoimmune conditions. One other product of Candida growth is yet another toxic-like substance called acetaldehyde. If you’ve ever gotten a hangover before, you can thank acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde comes with a hefty list of side effects, including a deficiency in Vitamin B1, brain fog, irritability, depression, sugar cravings, and a constant feeling of being “hung over”.

A major cause of Candida overgrowth is antibiotics. Antibiotics are meant to kill all bacteria- good and bad- but have no effect on yeasts like Candida. So, imagine our powerful warrior bugs suddenly being wiped out, leaving an open field for opportunistic yeasts to settle into and make their home.
But there are still other factors to consider, which include:

• Birth control pills
• Chemotherapy
• Alcoholism
• Poor immunity
• A high-sugar diet
• Inflammation

And even stress. Before you write that off as unlikely, consider the following. With stress comes excess cortisol, which our body breaks down as sugar, the preferred source of fuel for Candida and yeasts. During stressful times we are also inclined to eat sweet, sugary comfort foods, which adds more fuel to the fire. Whether it’s through diet or stress, Candida will gobble up sugar regardless of the source.

High estrogen levels also can lead to an overgrowth of Candida. The more estrogen that is stored in the body, the greater the likelihood of an overgrowth. (This is why yeast infections are a common hindrance during pregnancy.)

So how do you know you’re dealing with a real Candida infection? Here are some signs and symptoms to look out for:

• Chronic sinus infections
• Upper respiratory infections
• Oral thrush (which is a very thick, white coating on the tongue; like a fuzzy shag carpet- this is most often seen in those with AIDS or are currently battling cancer and undergoing chemotherapy)
• Vaginal yeast infections (ladies, think itching and seeing a heavy, white cottage-cheese-like discharge)
• Hypoglycemia
• Intense sugar cravings
• PMS
• Acne
• Joint pain
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• IBS
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Diarrhea or Constipation

As you can see, that’s quite a list of symptoms. At first glance, you might assume that you’re a likely candidate for Candida. However, before you attempt to self-diagnose, you should always check with a doctor first. Do keep in mind though that while there are several tests to measure the levels of Candida in your body, they’re not always reliable. Take them with a grain of salt, since many of them have been proven to create false negatives. With that being said, here are the three tests that your doctor can run:

The first is a Comprehensive Stool Test. A sample of your stool will be sent to a lab and analyzed for any Candida overgrowths. A side benefit from these tests is that they’re always improving, and can give you a bigger picture of the other bacteria you have in your gut.

The second is a Candida Anti-Bodies Test. This is a special blood test that looks at your immune system’s response and checks for any rises in Candida antibodies; high counts might suggest there is an overgrowth.
The third and final one is a Urine (Acid) Test. The organic acids in your urine will be analyzed for any byproducts of Candida- the higher the amount, the greater the possibility of an overgrowth.

Now, what causes Candida to become pathogenic? Several things. It’s not very simple, and more than one factor may cause an overgrowth. But the main one has to do with our friendly bacteria in the gut. Anytime they’re thrown out of balance, the opportunistic yeasts like Candida see an opportunity to grow their population (hence the term opportunistic!).

Getting rid of Candida is no easy task. Those health food store kits may not even be enough. Picture Candida like a giant monster from a science-fiction movie. Sometimes, you need heavy artillery to take it down. Candida is resistant to bile, and a variety of pH and oxygen levels. And it can evolve by growing tentacles called hyphae that enable it to burrow into the lining of the intestines, rooting itself deep into the gut and acting like a weed.

So how do you deal with an overgrowth? The first step is to get tested, and the next is to work with a doctor. He or she will either prescribe an antifungal medication or an assortment of natural herbs. Other additions to treatment may include probiotics, prebiotics, and special enzymes that are meant to break down the walls of Candida and expose them to the antifungals.

Outside of treating the Candida overgrowth directly, there are some important things you can do to keep it from ever overgrowing again. For those of you who do not have an overgrowth, keep paying attention, because these are forms of PREVENTION that have everything to do with your LIFESTYLE.

These include:

• Managing your sugar intake (both natural and processed)
• Supporting Gut Health (read my posts here and here to learn how)
• Lowering Stress (need some help? Check this post!)

So, there you have it guys- all about Candida. Just to reiterate again, Candida is not evil. It’s a natural resident in our body, and only becomes problematic under the right circumstances. Only when there’s an overgrowth should we be concerned. Otherwise, simple lifestyle practices like managing sugar intake, supporting gut health, and lowering stress all help to ensure it doesn’t overgrow. And remember, it’s always important to work with a qualified practitioner who can help you to treat your Candida if there does happen to be an infection. You never want to head into these sorts of things on your own, especially since Candida can be very hard to get rid of if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Sources and Further Reading:

https://drwillcole.com/how-candida-overgrowth-can-wreck-your-health-what-to-do-about-it/

The Myers Way Episode 4: A Functional Medicine Approach To Candida

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/what-is-candidiasis-yeast-infection#1
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/candida-symptoms-treatment
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/candida-diet
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrmicro2636
https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/111609p38.shtml