Most people have heard of candida overgrowth but are unfamiliar with its meaning. Candida, a yeast, resides throughout the body, including the skin, the mouth, the digestive system, and the vaginal area. Candida aids in nutrient absorption and digestion; however, candida can become problematic if it is in high amounts or overgrowth in some parts of the body. A person can develop a yeast infection, resulting in health issues.
Causes of Candida Overgrowth
There are numerous risk factors associated with Candida overgrowth, including:
- Diabetes
- Frequent antibiotic usage
- Frequent corticosteroid usage
- High stress
- Hormonal imbalances
- Long-term use of oral contraceptives
- Weakened immune system
Let’s look at the symptoms of candida overgrowth and some natural remedies to eradicate it.
Symptoms of a Candida Overgrowth
Many people are familiar with a vaginal yeast infection; however, this is only one type of candida overgrowth. Holistically, a vaginal yeast infection can be a sign that something is going on in your body. Functional medicine can help determine whether a candida overgrowth or another underlying health condition causes your symptoms. Candida overgrowth can cause a plethora of symptoms, including:
- Anxiety
- Bloating
- Brain fog
- Chronic sinus congestion
- Constipation
- Dandruff
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Itchy, red rash
- Nail fungus
- Nail infections
- Recurrent urinary infections
- Recurrent vaginal infections
- Sugar cravings
- White coating on your tongue/thrush
Natural Remedies for Candida Overgrowth
- There are numerous ways to reduce candida in the body. Let’s look at what you can do today to improve your health and rebalance your gut microbiome, an essential variable in minimizing candida.
- Apple Cider Vinegar—Apple cider vinegar provides antifungal and antibacterial protection and may help reduce candida in the body. One can consume it directly, add it to black tea, or gargle it to help clear a candida throat infection.
- Cranberry Juice—Cranberry juice or pills can help relieve urinary tract infections caused by candida overgrowth. Cranberries are high in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that promotes immunity and can help the body better fight off a microbial imbalance.
- Dietary Changes—Dietary changes can help combat candida overgrowth. Consume an anti-inflammatory diet consisting of whole foods. Also, foods like alcohol, sugar, and carbohydrates are high in glucose and feed candida. Eliminating these foods from one’s diet will starve candida of its food source. Making these changes may seem impossible; however, an integrative practitioner can help develop a candida dietary plan that is practical and easy to follow.
- Essential Oils—Essential oils like oregano, tea tree, lavender, mint, basil, and peppermint oil may help diminish candida activity and growth. Combine these antifungal essential oils with carrier oil and apply them to the skin to reduce candida overgrowth.
- Herbs—Several herbs added to foods or taken as supplements boost immunity, reduce inflammation and help decrease candida in the body. Include potent antimicrobial herbs such as garlic, ginger, grapefruit seed extract, oregano, and berberine in your fight against candida overgrowth.
- Prebiotics—Prebiotics are foods that feed the healthy bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Some of the most potent prebiotics, which help enhance immunity, reduce inflammation, and balance the body’s bacteria, include asparagus and bananas.
- Probiotic Supplements—Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help balance the gut microbiome. When choosing a probiotic, look for one that contains Saccharomyces boulardii. Boulardii rebalances the flora in the gastrointestinal tract, improves immunity, and supports the GI barrier.
- Sleep – Sleep is vital to your overall health and well-being. Health experts recommend that adults receive between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. During sleep, your body makes necessary repairs, produces hormones, and resets the immune system. If you have difficulty getting a whole night’s sleep, talk with your functional doctor to find the sleep hygiene practices you should incorporate. Turning off electronics before bedtime, lowering your bedroom temperature, and getting to bed at a set time each night can help.
- Stress Management—Stress impacts every aspect of your body, including the delicate balance in your microbiome. When stressed, your adrenal glands pump out cortisol and other stress hormones, which can increase inflammation. Stress reduction techniques like meditation and yoga can help lower stress hormones, decrease inflammation, and help balance the body.
- Tobacco Products – Smoking tobacco may increase the amount of Candida in the body. If you have candida overgrowth and use tobacco products, seek help on the best method for stopping smoking.
Holistic Treatment
Our functional medicine practitioners will work with you to determine the root cause of your candida symptoms or yeast infection and develop a personalized plan to relieve your symptoms, rebalance your microbiome, and reduce the amount of candida in your body. We aim to help you achieve optimal health by reducing systemic inflammation and healing and enhancing the immune system.
