Symptoms such as digestive problems, emotional fluctuations, brain fog, skin problems, immune problems, fatigue, exhaustion, weight gain, etc. may all be related to a common cause, which is the overgrowth of Candida. If you are experiencing the above problems, it is likely that overgrowth of Candida is damaging your health and happiness. However, it is difficult to link these issues to the overgrowth of Candida.
Candida is a type of fungus that typically exists in small amounts in our oral cavity, digestive tract, and vagina, but does not cause harm to us. They can help us digest food and absorb nutrients in the gut, as well as assist the immune system by identifying and destroying harmful bacteria, but they only do so when they are in balance with beneficial microorganisms in the gut. Disrupting the healthy balance between good and bad bacteria in the gut can lead to overgrowth of Candida.
1、 Common symptoms of Candida overgrowth
When Candida overgrowth, it can damage the intestinal wall, cause intestinal leakage, and release toxic metabolites into our body. Intestinal leakage not only damages the body’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients, leading to malnutrition, but also causes various health problems beyond the digestive system.
In addition to intestinal leakage, another major issue related to the overgrowth of Candida is the suppression of the immune system. About 70% of the immune system in the human body exists in the intestine. As Candida overgrowth occurs, the production of immunoglobulin A, a crucial antibody for our immunity, is suppressed. Therefore, most people with Candida overgrowth have immune problems.
Candida, and possibly other harmful microorganisms, can also produce hormone like substances that interfere with normal hormone production. These hormone like substances can disrupt the normal hormonal balance in the body, especially in women. In addition, studies have shown that overgrowth of Candida may be a potential factor for some allergic reactions and has led to a rapid increase in allergies over the past few decades.
Some common symptoms of Candida overgrowth include:
Systemic symptoms: chronic fatigue, sweet taste, decreased appetite, weight gain
Skin problems: acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, etc
Gastrointestinal system: alternating occurrence of thrush, bloating, belching, gastrointestinal spasms, rectal itching, diarrhea, and constipation
Urinary and reproductive system: vaginal yeast infection, frequent bladder infection
Hormonal system: menstrual disorders, premenstrual syndrome, menopausal symptoms, uterine fibroids, endometriosis
Nervous system: anxiety, depression, irritability, lack of concentration, brain fog, poor memory, etc
Immune system: allergies, decreased resistance to infections, autoimmune diseases, etc
2、 What causes excessive growth of Candida?
There are many factors that can damage our gut microbiota, leading to a decrease in beneficial microorganisms. Without the control of beneficial microorganisms, Candida or other harmful microorganisms can easily grow and reproduce in large numbers, including:
Alcohol consumption: Although we have mentioned that drinking a small amount of red wine or beer has certain health benefits, it is not the health benefits brought by alcohol, but rather from some bioactive substances contained in it. Drinking too much is not good, excessive alcohol intake can damage the gut microbiota, and many harmful bacteria will feed on the alcohol or sugar in these drinks, which can lead to the overgrowth of harmful microorganisms. Beer is particularly problematic due to its maltose content, which promotes the growth of yeast and other harmful bacteria.
The use of acid suppressants: The use of acid suppressants can reduce the production of stomach acid, which is the first line of defense for the human body to resist many harmful microorganisms and prevent them from occupying a place in the body. The reduction of gastric acid production can also increase the pH value of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to the growth of some bacteria that are not suitable for growth, mainly harmful bacteria.
Insufficient production of gastric acid: Gastric acid is naturally produced by the stomach and serves as the first line of defense against harmful microorganisms, such as those that cause food poisoning. On the one hand, insufficient stomach acid leads to an increase in the pH value of the gastrointestinal tract, causing harmful microorganisms that are not suitable for growth to grow in large numbers. On the other hand, insufficient stomach acid can also lead to incomplete digestion, causing carbohydrates to be fermented and feeding more pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Medications that suppress stomach acid can also cause these problems.
The use of antibiotics: Antibiotics can eliminate both harmful and beneficial bacteria, giving some harmful bacteria, especially those that develop antibiotic resistance, the opportunity to overgrow.
Contraceptive pills: Contraceptive pills contain estrogen, a synthetic form of estrogen that can promote fungal growth and affect gut microbiota.
Eat foods containing antibiotics and synthetic hormones, such as non organic meats, eggs, dairy products, and so on.
Blood sugar imbalance: When blood sugar levels rise, it is easy to breed harmful microorganisms; When blood sugar drops, we tend to eat sweet foods and refined carbohydrates, which also provide food for harmful microorganisms, leading to a decrease in beneficial bacteria in the intestine, and being dominated by harmful bacteria.
Chlorine containing tap water: Chlorine is widely used in our urban water supply system to kill bacteria, but it also kills beneficial gut microbiota. Most of the tap water we drink contains chlorine.
Diabetes: diabetes is related to high blood sugar level, which will make pathogenic microorganisms grow recklessly, making it more difficult to control infection.
Consuming too much sugar: Many harmful microorganisms like to eat sugar, and consuming a large amount of sugar is sacrificing our health to give harmful microorganisms a chance to grow and reproduce.
Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism may be one of the factors affecting the digestive and immune systems, leading to a decrease in beneficial bacteria in the gut and an increase in harmful bacteria and fungi.
Immunosuppressive drugs, such as steroids, cortisone, etc., not only interfere with the body’s immune system, weaken its ability to resist pathogenic microorganisms, but also lead to imbalanced blood sugar levels, giving harmful microorganisms a chance to proliferate.
Nutritional deficiency: The lack of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids in the diet can lead to the overgrowth of harmful microorganisms. Without these nutrients, the body’s immunity may be compromised.
Poor diet: A diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates can breed harmful microorganisms, providing them with opportunities for survival and reproduction.
Drug use: Many drugs can damage the digestive tract and kill beneficial bacteria.
Mercury alloy dental filling: Mercury in mercury alloy dental filling can be released into our body, killing beneficial bacteria and leading to the growth of harmful microorganisms.
Exposure to toxic substances: In addition to mercury, other toxic heavy metals can also kill beneficial bacteria and allow harmful microorganisms to dominate. Many toxins in plastic products, such as bisphenol A, also act as potent estrogens in the body, promoting the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi in the intestine.
Stress, especially persistent chronic stress: Stress can cause the adrenal gland to release the hormone cortisol. Over time, cortisol can suppress the immune system and cause blood sugar to rise, which can lead to the growth of harmful microorganisms.
Immune decline: Impaired immune system can affect its normal immune response, leading to the growth of harmful microorganisms in the body. Conversely, the imbalance between harmful and beneficial bacteria in the gut can further weaken the immune system.
3、 How to treat Candida overgrowth?
We have said that Candida can only truly exert harmful effects when the gut microbiota is imbalanced, so restoring gut microbiota balance is the first and best step in controlling Candida overgrowth.
- Diet and Exercise
Correct diet and appropriate exercise are key factors in curing Candida overgrowth. The ideal diet to combat excessive growth of Candida albicans requires: ① reducing the intake of refined carbohydrates, such as starchy vegetables and white rice and flour; ② Avoid all forms of simple sugar; ③ Reduce the intake of various processed foods; ④ Reduce the intake of foods containing yeast, such as beer, wine, vinegar, etc.
When attempting to eradicate Candida from the body, one can eat more vegetables, seeds, and nuts rich in dietary fiber, healthy fats, and eat some meat and eggs in moderation. However, it is important to prioritize reliable and organic ingredients to ensure that harmful synthetic chemicals and pesticides are not used during cultivation and breeding.
Eating foods with natural antifungal properties can also inhibit the further growth of Candida, such as garlic, cinnamon, ginger, turnip cabbage, olive oil, and coconut oil, which are natural antifungal agents.
In addition to a healthy diet, appropriate exercise is also necessary, as it can help restore a healthy and balanced gut microbiota. Meanwhile, exercise also helps balance neurotransmitters in the brain, triggering the production of serotonin, which can help improve mood and relieve stress.
- Add more beneficial bacteria
Acquiring a large number of beneficial bacteria helps to rebalance our gut microbiota to aid in the clearance of Candida. We can easily obtain beneficial bacteria by eating certain foods, such as fermented foods such as yogurt, pickled Chinese cabbage, pickles and natto. These foods are rich in beneficial bacteria, which help to restore and balance our intestinal flora. Of course, try to choose fermented products that do not contain other additives as much as possible.
Continuous intake of probiotic rich foods and high-quality probiotic supplements can accelerate the recovery of the digestive tract and help remove Candida. In addition, many people with excessive growth of Candida often have intestinal leakage, and probiotics can also help repair intestinal leakage. Of course, while consuming beneficial bacteria, it is also important to continue avoiding the simple sugars and foods rich in refined carbohydrates mentioned earlier.
- Avoid contact with toxic chemicals
We will encounter many harmful chemicals in our daily life. Chemicals in household cleaners, perfume, cosmetics, perfume and paints, as well as bisphenol A in heavy metals and plastics, will affect beneficial bacteria in the intestines and increase the chances of overgrowth of candida. Therefore, if you are fighting against overgrowth of candida, you should try to reduce exposure to such chemicals.
- Manage your own stress and emotions well
As we mentioned earlier, stress increases the chance of Candida overgrowth, so relieving stress is important in treating Candida overgrowth. In addition, during the treatment of Candida overgrowth, Candida may die, which may release some toxins. For most people, this may make them feel worse before they feel better, so taking care of their emotions during treatment is also crucial.
Overgrowth of Candida is the most common cause of fungal infections in humans. Under normal circumstances, Candida is a part of the normal gut microbiota and does not cause harm. However, when various factors disrupt the balance of gut microbiota, it may lead to excessive growth of Candida, causing harm to the human body.
Due to modern unhealthy diets and lifestyles, the incidence of Candida overgrowth may be increasing, and it has become a silent epidemic quietly spreading among the population. However, we do not know or even associate many of our physical symptoms with it. When Candida overgrowth occurs, each of us may experience different symptoms depending on our lifestyle, genes, diet, and other factors.
If you have the above symptoms and cannot find the cause, overgrowth of Candida may be a problem worth your attention. Maintaining a healthy balance of gut microbiota through a healthy diet and lifestyle is an important step in controlling excessive growth of Candida.