A Holistic Protocol to Tackle Yeast and Candida
This Fall, I began working on my gut health in a much deeper and mindful way. For years I was eating all the right foods and taking supplements that support my digestion. But it wasn’t until this year that I noticed that truly did not know what exactly was going on inside my body. I decided to do a comprehensive stool analysis that tested for all intestinal bacteria, pathogens, and parasites. The test came back with results stating that some pathogens were detected, candida overgrowth and h-pylori, as well as an off-balance in my gut microbiome. Nothing too off, but enough for me to put myself on a 12-24 week antifungal diet protocol with supportive supplements to get my overgrowth under control and my digestive system working optimally again.
What is Candida?
Candida is a fungus that belongs to the yeast family. You might hear it be addressed as a fungal infection, a yeast infection, or candida overgrowth. This is a form of internal dysbiosis when there is an imbalance between our pathogens (bacteria, yeast, or parasites) and us, the host. The relationship between the host and pathogens has gone awry. Dysbiosis can be in your digestive system, your skin, vagina, sinuses, ears, nails, eyes, and more. But when we are discussing candida, we are referring to an overgrowth of yeast in the digestive tract or mouth (thrush).
Simply put, if there is an overgrowth there is a dysfunction that needs to be addressed. Our bodies, if functioning properly, are meant to digest these pathogens like they would any other protein. Yeast and candida live in our bodies at all times. But when our digestive systems become incapable of passing them, this is when things start to get out of hand and real problems begin.
As candida overgrows in our bodies, it breaks down the wall of our intestines and penetrates the bloodstream, releasing toxic byproducts into our body, causing a leaky gut. This can lead to many different health problems ranging from allergies, auto-immune disorders, digestive issues, depression, hormone imbalances, and a weakened immune system.
How Does Candida Overgrow?
Our candida levels are normally in check when we have healthy gut flora and healthy levels of stomach acid. Candida, and almost all pathogens, should be easily digested and eradicated by our bodies. If too much of our healthy gut flora is damaged, then our body becomes more hospitable for these pathogens to stick around longer and attach themselves to our mucosal linings like in our digestive tract. Our good bacteria are usually killed off by diets high in sugar, processed foods, refined carbohydrates, antibiotic use, and stressful lifestyles.
You might be thinking, “Oh no! I have taken antibiotics throughout my life, I eat bread all the time, and I crave a sweet treat nightly!” Take a look at these most common symptoms and see if you can relate to any of them:
Digestive distress such as bloating, burping, constipation, or diarrhea
Anxiety, depression, or mood swings
Crave sweets
Skin and nail fungal infections, or brittle peeling nails
Fuzzy thinking and loss of memory
Loss of smell or constantly stuffy in the nose and or throat
Skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis, or rashes
Recurring bladder infections
Autoimmune conditions or diagnosis
If you are experiencing any number of these symptoms and the above applies to you (antibiotic use, high sugar diet, consumed highly processed foods), it may be possible that you are experiencing candida overgrowth. I recommend working with a holistic or functional practitioner to have an extensive stool test done like the GIMAP. But in the meantime, there are some things you can do at home to help reduce or control the overgrowth.
Handling Candida Overgrowth with Nutrition
If you suspect Candida overgrowth, the best place to begin with is your diet. Focusing on a nutrient-dense whole food plan, like a paleo-style diet, will be the most beneficial to you. Candida bugs feed off sugars and thrive in an environment with foods that convert into sugars like carbohydrates, grains, fruits and fructose, alcohols, and other yeasts like baker’s yeast. Even whole foods that would normally be considered healthy and a great addition to any diet can feed a candida overgrowth, adding to the candida getting out of control.
I recommend following this nutrient-dense low-sugar paleo-style protocol for at least three months and up to six months, depending on how well you recover. Remember to always have patience with protocols, especially with candida as it is a very stubborn pathogen.
While I recommend following this dietary template on a day-to-day basis to promote gut health, manage blood sugar, and reduce inflammation, you may still choose to add back in grains, beans, legumes, etc. after the 12 weeks–but not gluten. That's your choice, just be mindful of how your body reacts to these foods as you gradually add them back into your diet.
Avoid:
Remove all sugars from your diet, including natural sugars like honey, chocolate and maple syrup, and artificial sweeteners. (Be sure to read your labels. Sugars sneak into things.)
All dairy products except ghee and butter
All fruit except berries, but limited to one cup a day
Kombucha
Vinegar ferments such as vinegar (except apple cider vinegar), soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, pickles, and vanilla extract
Foods high in yeast and mold such as cheese, dried fruits, mushrooms, melons, peanuts, and corn
Hotdogs, salami, and all processed lunch meats
Include:
Animal proteins (organic, pastured, and grass-fed)
Nuts and seeds
Low glycemic vegetables and leafy greens
Cultured vegetables
Unprocessed oils
Berries and green apples, try limiting to no more than one cup a day
Tomatoes
Quinoa, amaranth, brown rice, root vegetables, and buckwheat (no more than one cup a day)
Coconut oil
Garlic
Oregano and thyme
Cruciferous vegetables
Cinnamon
Wild Salmon
Lemon
Handling Candida Overgrowth With Supplementation
Adding in supplementation is going to be critical when it comes to eliminating a candida overgrowth. This pathogen is resilient, you’ll have to combat it strongly.
Add in supplements with caprylic acid. You’ll want to take these morning, afternoon, and night away from food. However, I recommend the first week or so to start slowly with these and then gradually work up to this. Herxheimer reactions are healing reactions that mimic illness and we want to avoid it.
Add in an olive leaf tincture, oregano oil, or a grapefruit seed extract to help destroy the protective bio-film the pathogen creates around itself. I recommend all three and rotate them out weekly and take at least 5-7 drops in water once a day.
Add in a binder to attach to the pathogen and help escort it out. I like to use activated charcoal in higher doses in the morning and the evening.
Splurge and buy the best probiotic you can find. There are so many on the market these days and it can be very confusing. I recommend a trip to your local health food store to discuss with their in-house supplement specialist your options.
Find ways to eliminate the stressors in your life. I know I end a lot of my articles with this, but our bodies truly cannot heal if we are in a state of stress. Practice mindful movements, deep diaphragmatic breathing, grounding yourself, and spend time outside without any stimulation like work or chasing little ones.
If you think that you might have a candida overgrowth, then I recommend following the above protocol and guidelines. If you do not see a change in your symptoms after the 3-6 month mark, then I strongly advise you to work with a holistic or functional practitioner to help you to have a happy and healthy gut!