One Body

The opportunistic Yeast

Candida overgrowth is one of the best ways to clearly and tangibly see the connection between your immune system, gut health, and skin. Although certainly not pleasant to deal with in the midst of it, a great amount of knowledge and understanding of your body can be gained here. 

Our bodies were designed to rest in a delicate symbiosis with every microbe, fungi, and beyond that serve their individual purpose. Candida albicansis no exception to this rule. Candida is a single-celled fungus that can be found in the mucus membranes (oral, vaginal, throat, intestinal). When in symbiosis and not growing in excess, it aids our digestive system and assists in destroying harmful bacteria and toxins. That being said, it has a strong capability in breaking down our body tissues once we have passed on-the problem arises when this happens while we are still very much living. 

The key to understanding Candida is that it is opportunistic-meaning it essentially waits for its’ chance to multiply when your immune system isn’t looking. 

How your Body can become an Ideal Environment for Candida Overgrowth: 

• Overuse of antibiotics. Antibiotics kill off both harmful and beneficial microorganisms, which can leave our body defenseless to an opportunistic fungi such as Candida
• Underlying health conditions that suppress the immune system and alter your gut such as diabetes, celiacs disease, or SIBO
• Birth control pills. High estrogen birth control pills containing estradiol can disrupt your natural hormone balance and allow for Candida to overgrow. This is the same reason that you may be more likely to develop a yeast infection around your menses when estrogen is high!
• Consuming a diet high in refined carbohydrates & alcohol. Candida feeds off of sugar. White bread, pasta, wine, desserts, etc. are your worst enemy when you have a yeast infection for this very reason. It can actually “take over your brain” in a sense, causing you to crave more and more sugar hits so that it can survive
• High stress. Chronic stress causes to increased levels of cortisol in the body, which ultimately contributes a die off of beneficial gut bacteria, hormone imbalance, and a suppressed immune system

Ultimately, Candida can overgrow when your body is out of balance and your immune system is down. There are many factors that can contribute to this and it may seem overwhelming, but once you can recognizethe symptoms in yourself and connect the dots, it becomes easier to tackle. 

What a Candida Overgrowth May Look like for you: 

• Skin rashes. If you are noticing that you suddenly have scaly red skin that itches, dandruff on your scalp, or toenail fungus, candida may be to blame. Most often, people notice this in warm and moist environments such as the armpit or under the breasts
• Constant yeast infections and/or UTI’s. This is the reason the majority of women end up researching and discovering they have candida overgrowth. Thick, white discharge, itching, and the constant feeling of having to pee with pain are all signs. If you find yourself suffering with this incessantly, it’s time to work with your doctor on treatment. 
• White coating on your tongue. After yeast infections, this is likely the most well known tell-tale sign of candida. If you stick out your tongue in the mirror and it looks like there is a thick, almost cottage-cheese like coating instead of a light pink color, this is likely oral thrush
• GI upset. This may be a classic case of: what came first, the chicken or the egg? As we discussed earlier, an imbalance of gut diversity and beneficial bacteria can allow candida to overgrow. In addition, candida overgrowth will cause further dysbiosis and lead to uncomfortable bloating and gas especially after meals.

If your overgrowth continues to flourish over a period of time, it may become invasive and lead to further issues. Invasive candida overgrowth can look like joint pain, fever, chills, sinus infections, and even heightened anxiety levels. Symptoms of overgrowth can sometimes be vague and easy to dismiss and stomach aches and occasional hives. This is why it is important to be in tune with your body and note when you feel like anything at all is off. 

How Can I Treat and Prevent Candida Overgrowth? 

• Diet. This can be viewed as both preventative and as a treatment if you are in the middle of a flare up. Cutting out all yeast (bread products, wine, kombucha, etc.) in addition to sugar and starchy vegetables can essentially starve out the candida by removing its’ food source. There is some discrepancy regarding fruit sugars, whether or not you should remove all fruit or if exceptions such as berries are okay. 
• Probiotics. Specific strains including lactobacilli, L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14 have shown potential in preventing recurring yeast infections in women. One superstar in candida overgrowth is S.Boulardii, a fungal strain. 
• Natural Antimicrobials. Caprylic Acid, Oil of Oregano, and Garlic are examples of antimicrobials you can take in capsule or tincture form for killing off fungi. It is important to work with a doctor when using these in order to ensure proper dosage. In addition, you want to be careful as these are very powerful and can have similar negative effects as antibiotics if taken in excess! 

If you are currently suffering from candida overgrowth and beginning treatment, be aware of the potential side effects of die off. When yeast is starved out and breaks down in your body from diet and antimicrobials, it releases a toxic substance. Your body may react to these toxins with a headache, brain fog, fatigue, and a spike in all the symptoms you had from the candida in the first place. Don’t let this scare you off, trust the process as you are in the home stretch.