How to Get Rid of Candida Naturally: Find the Root!

Are fatigue, gas, bloating, skin rashes, brain fog, joint pain, and more causing you discomfort? 

 

It may be due to a Candida overgrowth. Unfortunately, the standard American diet in addition to many drugs like antibiotics, birth control, steroids, and environmental factors like stress all contribute to candida overgrowth. Thankfully, we can find a solution in natural medicine. 

 

In this article, you will learn all about a yeast called Candida, the symptoms, and drivers of Candida overgrowth, and how to test and treat an overgrowth with natural medicine! 

What is Candida? 

Candida albicans is a yeast, or type of fungus, that normally lives on the skin and inside the body. Its home is in places like the mouth, vagina, throat, and gut. You may typically think of yeast infections in relation to females, but guys, you have Candida, too. Candida albicans is the most common yeast in the human gastrointestinal system. 

 

It ideally occurs in small amounts and contributes to a healthy gut microbiome. However, there are certain situations that arise that can allow Candida albicans to get a little wild. When this occurs, you have a Candida overgrowth on your hands (or, more correctly, in your gut). 

 

These situations allow overgrowths of the opportunistic yeast and can result in an unhealthy and out-of-balance gut microbiome. This is called dysbiosis. 

Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth 

Many symptoms of Candida overgrowth are similar to that of leaky gut or general toxicity. This is because when Candida grows, it can form long tube-like projections that actually puncture the walls of your intestinal lining. This directly contributes to leaky gut and can lead to food allergies, upregulated immune response, systemic toxicity and inflammation, and autoimmune conditions. 

 

Healing Candida overgrowth with natural medicine always takes into account the fact that many symptoms may have more than one cause. When you work with a functional medicine practitioner we back peddle to get to the root cause of your symptoms. 

 

There are patterns we look for to identify whether your gut dysbiosis is due simply to a leaky gut or another parasitic infection, or if Candida overgrowth may be to blame. 

 

With any gut problems, you will see digestive issues like gas, bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain as well as fatigue, mood changes, and brain fog. 

 

Symptoms of Candida overgrowth include: 

• Food cravings for starchy carbs, sugar, chocolate, vinegar, or alcohol

• Thrush or vaginal yeast infections

• Receding gums

• Finger/toenail fungus and athlete’s foot

• Skin rash or hives

• Eczema or psoriasis

• Recurring infections in the ear, bladder, or sinus

• Chemical sensitivity

• Feeling of floating, or being “out of body”

• Indecisiveness 

Common Drivers Of Candida Overgrowth 

Research shows that people with certain conditions are more likely to experience Candida overgrowth. Individuals with autoimmune conditions, chronic antibiotic use, weakened immune systems, and high levels of estrogen are highly susceptible to an overgrowth. 

 

However, a conventional diet is often full of gut-damaging elements such as antibiotics, hormones in meat and dairy, GMOs, artificial additives, and pesticides. It is also very low on probiotic and gut-replenishing foods. 

 

For that reason, you may have a seemingly “normal” health history but still experience Candida overgrowth. 

How to Get Rid of Candida Naturally: Test Don’t Guess, First!

Since there are so many different symptoms it is easy for many doctors to overlook, or misdiagnose Candida overgrowth. The symptoms are also very common to other health-related challenges, which is why it’s so important to work with a professional. A functional medicine practitioner can look for the right patterns to identify if you truly have Candida overgrowth. 

 

In addition, there are several tests that a functional medicine practitioner can look at to solidify the root cause of your symptoms. 

Blood Tests 

A blood test can look for certain antibodies and Candida antibodies in your blood to see if your immune system is responding to elevated levels of Candida. 

Stool Tests

Stool tests can identify all types of bacteria and pathogens in the gut microbiome. A comprehensive stool test will also show the good bacteria in your gut! Often, if Candida albicans don’t show up, an overgrowth in some other type of parasite or fungus will. 

Other Tests 

Other tests include nasal swabs and Urine Organic Acid Testing. Both of these tests look for a buildup of bad microbes in your body. 

 

The truth is, even if one test comes back negative, you may still have Candida overgrowth. Multiple labs are able to give a fully comprehensive picture of your health and inform us of what natural medicine options will work for you.  

Tips on How to Get Rid of Candida Naturally

Wondering how to get rid of candida naturally? A natural medicine treatment plan often involves lifestyle changes that give you the power to take charge of your health. It is likely that not one single issue or problem caused your symptoms, which means not one single solution will heal you. But, one of the first places to start when addressing Candida overgrowth is the diet. 

 

The first step you can take is to clean up your sources and read labels. If you can’t recognize an ingredient, you should probably put it back on the shelf. Opt for organic and local options when possible. Add in healthy fats and cultured foods with natural probiotics. Above all, try to avoid pre-packaged and refined foods, sugar, and additives. 

 

Here are a few other steps on how to get rid of candida naturally

1. Avoid taking hormonal contraceptives 
2. Avoid taking antibiotics unless absolutely necessary 
3. Try and reduce your levels of stress through yoga, meditation, stored trauma, breathing exercises 
4. Include herbs and spices like oregano and ginger in your organic whole foods diet 
5. Add certain herbal antifungals and appropriate probiotics recommended by your doctor

Learn How to Get Rid of Candida Naturally With a Maryland Functional Medicine Practitioner

If you want more information about a holistic approach to getting rid of Candida, book your FREE consultation call with Dr. Stewart. She uses state-of-the-art lab testing & analysis and lifestyle approaches as the first approach in tackling Candida issues for a more natural and long-lasting solution.