A candida (yeast) overgrowth in the gut can cause all sorts of problems in your body, including digestive issues, mental health disorders, and autoimmune conditions.
Ever wake up feeling hungover when you didn’t drink alcohol the night before? Do you feel run down and foggy most days? Do you suffer from anxiety or depression? Have a sweet tooth? You could have an overgrowth of candida.
Candida is yeast that lives in your mouth and intestines and helps with digestion. Good bacteria in your gut keeps it in check; however, when there is an overgrowth in candida, it can wreak havoc.
Antibiotics, a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, high alcohol consumption, birth control, a compromised immune system, diabetes, and chronic stress can cause a candida overgrowth. Elevated estrogen levels caused by pregnancy, birth control, or estrogen therapy can also trigger a yeast overgrowth.
Symptoms of Yeast Overgrowth:
- Recurrent genital yeast infections
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Vaginal or anal itching
- Digestive issues, such as gas, cramps, bloating, constipation and diarrhea, as well as gastrointestinal diseases like Crohn’s disease
- Sinus infections and severe seasonal allergies
- Skin and nail fungal infections, including athlete’s foot, ringworm, and toenail fungus
- Joint pain
- Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, lack of focus, memory loss, ADD, or ADHD
- Skin conditions, such as psoriasis, eczema, hives and rashes
- Anxiety, depression, irritability and mood swings
- Feeling hungover, even when you haven’t consumed alcohol
- Autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus, psoriasis, scleroderma, or multiple sclerosis
- Chronic fatigue
- Itchy ears
- Strong sugar cravings
- Leaky gut
What To Do Next:
If you think you might be suffering from a candida overgrowth, you can have a blood, stool or urine test done to confirm. A stool test is the most accurate.
You need to starve the yeast through diet, commonly known as a “candida cleanse.” This generally means avoiding sugar, alcohol, moldy foods like mushrooms and blue cheese, and many sugary fruits and vegetables.
There are many supplements on the market to help restore balance to the gut, but I recommend consulting a doctor to make sure you’re taking appropriate, quality supplements. An integrative health doctor could be a good place to start.
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