Yeast Overgrowth 101

What is candida?

Several species of fungi (including candida) are native to healthy gut and vaginal microbiomes. However, dysbiosis in these microbial ecosystems allows certain yeast to overgrow—like weeds overtaking a garden.

Candida albicans is a common opportunistic yeast that causes vaginal infections, oral thrush, and gut issues.

It grows a biofilm complex and root-like hyphae that can penetrate through the intestinal wall, which increases gut permeability (a.k.a "leaky gut"), releases fungal metabolites into the bloodstream, and causes systemic inflammation.

What Contributes to Overgrowth?

Yeast overgrowth results from a diet high in sugar & refined carbs, impaired upper digestion, repeated antibiotic use, alcohol consumption, estrogen dominance, chronic stress, or a compromised immune system.

Candida infection also closely correlates with Celiac disease because the proteins in gluten are very similar to those found in the cell wall of candida. The immune antibody response to candida is almost identical to the gut-damaging autoimmune reaction triggered by gluten.

Support Microbial Balance

• ANTI-CANDIDA DIET

starve this sugar-loving yeast by minimizing high-sugar fruits, added sweeteners, & refined grains

• PROBIOTIC PUSH-BACK

Lactobacillus bacteria compete with candida (found in fermented foods and probiotics like L. casei Shirota, L. acidophilus La5, L. acidophilus GG)

• KILL, BREAK, & BIND

candida detox protocols typically involve a combination of anti-fungals (garlic, oregano, thyme, pau d'arco, caprylic acid), biofilm breakers (ACV, garlic, NAC), & binders (activated charcoal, chlorella)

Feeling Overwhelmed ?

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Complete my free short questionnaire so I can learn what YOUR specific needs are. OR contact me here.

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References

Aaron, L., & Torsten, M. (2020). Candida albicans in celiac disease: A wolf in sheep’s clothing. Autoimmunity Reviews, 19(9). https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102621

Aminzadeh, A., Sabeti Sanat, A., & Nik Akhtar, S. (2016). Frequency of Candidiasis and Colonization of Candida albicans in Relation to Oral Contraceptive Pills. Iranian Red Crescent medical journal, 18(10), e38909. https://doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.38909

Anti-Candida Food Plan. Institute of Functional Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.drelenaklimenko.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Anti-Candida-Food-Plan_BRFINAL.pdf

Atiencia-Carrera, M. B., Cabezas-Mera, F. S., Tejera, E., & Machado, A. (2022). Prevalence of biofilms in Candida spp. bloodstream infections: A meta-analysis. PloS One, 17(2), e0263522. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0263522

Jawhara, S. (2022). How Gut Bacterial Dysbiosis Can Promote Candida albicans Overgrowth during Colonic Inflammation. Microorganisms, 10(5), 1014. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/microorganisms10051014

Hilton, E., Isenberg, H. D., Alperstein, P., France, K., & Borenstein, M. T. (1992). Ingestion of yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus as prophylaxis for candidal vaginitis. Annals of internal medicine, 116(5), 353–357. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.7326/0003-4819-116-5-353

Manzoni, P., Mostert, M., Leonessa, M. L., Priolo, C., Farina, D., Monetti, C., Latino, M. A., & Gomirato, G. (2006). Oral supplementation with Lactobacillus casei subspecies rhamnosus prevents enteric colonization by Candida species in preterm neonates: a randomized study. Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 42(12), 1735–1742. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1086/504324

Otašević, S., Momčilović, S., Petrović, M., Radulović, O., Stojanović, N. M., & Arsić-Arsenijević, V. (2018). The dietary modification and treatment of intestinal Candida overgrowth - a pilot study. Journal de mycologie medicale, 28(4), 623–627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mycmed.2018.08.002

Paniágua, A. L., Correia, A. F., Pereira, L. C., de Alencar, B. M., Silva, F. B. A., Almeida, R. M., & de Medeiros Nóbrega, Y. K. (2021). Inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus casei Shirota against both Candida auris and Candida spp. isolates that cause vulvovaginal candidiasis and are resistant to antifungals. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21(1), 237. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03405

The Anti-Candida Diet: 11 Simple Rules to Follow. The Candida Diet. Retrieved from: https://www.thecandidadiet.com/anti-candida-diet/