Candida: Signs You Have It + How To Get Rid of It
Candida is extremely common and is an issue I see popping up constantly in my nutrition practice.
The most frustrating thing about Candida is that it is a root level issue that I see keeping awesome people like YOU, stuck.
It holds people back from feeling their best.. and that isn’t cool with me.
In this blog post, I will tell you what Candida is, what causes it and most importantly, what you can do to get rid of it.
What is Candida?
Candida albcians is a common fungal strain found in the human body, a form of yeast that by nature we have in small amounts in our mouth and intestines. This yeast has a job and that job is to help us with nutrient absorption, but is only needed in tiny amounts. Generally, a strong immune system and healthy balance of gut microflora can help keep candida levels under control.
When does it become a problem?
It becomes a problem when Candida overgrows and overproduces. When this happens, the excess Candida can actually damage your gut lining, get into your blood stream and create all sorts of symptoms and issues for us, ranging from digestive issues, fatigue, anxiety, depression, brain fog, auto-immune conditions and a lot more.
Candida is a living organism and it releases byproducts that are stressful for our body and contribute to the health implications that are brought about when you have a systemic overgrowth of this yeast in your body.
Symptoms can include:
Click to repost on Instagram!
Feeling fatigued and worn-out
Digestive issues (gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation)
Mood swings including anxiety, depression and a short temper
Oral thrush
Sinus infections
Hormonal imbalance (one of the byproducts of Candida even mimics estrogen)
Brain fog or trouble concentrating
Feeling like you are out of it (almost like you had a few drinks)
Skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, acne, hives and rashes
Vaginal infections or reoccurring Urinary Tract Infections
Nail or skin fungal infections— athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, etc.
Rectal itching
Sudden food sensitivities
Auto-immune conditions like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Hashimoto’s, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Psoriasis, etc.
WHAT CAUSES IT?
Candida is largely caused by the combination of a weakened immune system and excessive consumption of sugar in the diet. Therefore people with diabetes or people living with chronic stress (or anything that weakens the immune system for that matter), are more PRONE to struggling with systemic Candida, but there are many contributing factors that can cause it.
THINGS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO CANDIDA ISSUES?
Diets high in carbohydrates
Remember carbohydrates include bread, pasta, crackers, alcohol, beans, fruits, starchy vegetables, candy, chips, soda, and anything bready, boozy or sugary. Candida feeds off of foods like this.
Chronic stress
Stress (especially the chronic kind) hinders your immune system and weakens your digestive power
NSAIDS, Birth Control Pills, Antibiotics, Oral Corticosteroids and other medications
Auto-immune diseases
Medications for auto-immune diseases can hinder your own ability to combat the candida
Fermented foods
These foods can feed the candida if you eat them in excess.
GETTING RID OF IT
THE HARD PART: GETTING STARTED
I would like to say that overcoming Candida is quick and easy but the truth is, it takes work and it takes commitment.
It takes willpower because one of the biggest challenges is overcoming the intense cravings that your body experience in order to continue feeding this systemic yeast— which as I mentioned above feeds on sugar.
In fact, when I was working with the public at a Nutritionist at a prominent natural dispensary in Canada, I spoke to thousands of people about their health issues and I couldn’t help but notice a pattern when it came to Candida...
THOSE WHO NEEDED TO ADDRESS THEIR CANDIDA THE MOST WERE ALWAYS THE MOST RESISTANT TO IT.
One lady even said “ I’ll do anything else, but don’t ask me to change my diet!”
Candida, especially when systemic, essentially becomes a “part” of us.
This can not only can have serious implications on our health, but it can even influence our thinking and our decision making.
Making a firm commitment to doing something about this and taking action is the toughest part.
But once you’re ready to face this beast head on… where do you start?
WHERE TO BEGIN
STARVE THE CANDIDA BY ELIMINATING ITS FOOD SOURCE:
Eliminate all sugar— including anything processed, all grains, fruits, dairy, starches and alcohol
I sometimes joke and call The Candida Diet the “Can’t Eat It Diet”.. I know it’s limited but as always YOU HAVE TO KNOW YOUR PURPOSE and even better, work with a nutritionist or someone who can help you be creative to maybe even (dare I say) make it FUN and DELICIOUS despite the restrictions.
Focus on eating non-starchy veggies, healthy fats and clean meats.ATTACK THE CANDIDA WITH FOOD AND SUPPLEMENTS
Foods like oregano, ginger, garlic, onion, olive oil, coconut oil, pumpkin seeds, papaya seeds, turmeric, pau d’arco tea, bone broth, cinnamon, clove and cayenne pepper can work along side your Candida Diet to help you attack it and help you rid your body of it. There are also many supplements that you can use to enhance the attack power of your diet and make things even MORE effective. I really like this product by NFH.PULL IT OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM
For this part, I recommend using supplements like Bentonite Clay or Activated Charcoal. Both of these ADSORB (not absorb) or attracts impurities like Candida and cling to it, moving it through the digestive system and eliminating it at the end when you have a bowel movement.
If you are ready to do this, I am here to support you!
It will take some willpower, but with a plan and a purpose— I know you have it in you!
You’ve got this!