Symptoms and Natural Treatments for Candida Overgrowth

Candida is a type of yeast that resides in the intestines, and contributes to the natural ecosystem of your gut. Any disruption in the healthy balance of organisms (beneficial bacteria and fungi) can have systemic effects throughout the rest of the body. This disruption not only affects your body’s ability to digest food properly, but the organisms can enter the bloodstream and be delivered to other organs in the body.

The balance of these organisms can be disrupted by eating sugary foods, drinking alcohol and from taking antibiotics. When this imbalance occurs, candida begins to take over. Symptoms of a candida overgrowth can range anywhere from foggy thinking and skin issues to recurring yeast infections and digestive issues (bloating, diarrhea and constipation). Candida overgrowth has also been linked to Irritable Bowel Syndrome and auto-immune diseases such as Lupus and Multiple sclerosis.

In order to restore balance to your gut and keep your candida levels from taking over, healing your gut an effective solution. You can do this by avoiding foods that disrupt your natural internal ecosystem such as refined sugars and alcohol, and introducing gut-nourishing foods such as pro-biotics, fermented foods, vegetables and grains. These nourishing foods are especially important once you’ve finished taking antibiotics or anti-fungal medications to clear up any type of bacterial or fungal infection.