I have self diagnosed an overgrowth of Candida in my system. All the pieces fit together too perfectly for this to not be what has been making me feel awful for the past few months. Here is some general info on it :
Candida Albicans is a pathogen that takes advantage of a disruption in the balance of microorganisms in your gut. This balance of ‘gut flora’ is a crucial part of your immune system and digestive health, but it can easily be lost during periods of stress or after a course of antibiotics. When this balance is lost, the colonies of Candida Albicans are able to expand rapidly until they control a large portion of your gut. If left untreated, this can lead to 'leaky gut', where the organisms then enter the bloodstream.
How do you get candida overgrowth?
The healthy bacteria in your gut typically keep your candida levels in check. However, several factors can cause the candida population to get out of hand:
Eating a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar (which feed the yeast)
Consuming a lot of alcohol
Taking oral contraceptives
Eating a diet high in beneficial fermented foods like Kombucha, sauerkraut and pickles*
Living a high-stress lifestyle
Taking a round of antibiotics that killed too many of those friendly bacteria
*my research turned up two different schools of thought on this. Many people think properly fermented foods are beneficial in treating Candida. Others think Candida-ridden folks' systems cannot handle it and the fermented foods contribute to the problem.
Here are 10 common candida symptoms:
Skin and nail fungal infections (such as athlete’s foot or toenail fungus)
Feeling tired and worn down or suffering from chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia
Digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
Autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Lupus, Psoriasis, Scleroderma or Multiple sclerosis
Difficulty concentrating, poor memory, lack of focus, ADD, ADHD and brain fog
Skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis, hives, and rashes
Irritability, mood swings, anxiety, or depression
Vaginal infections , urinary tract infections, rectal itching or vaginal itching
Severe seasonal allergies or itchy ears
Strong sugar and refined carbohydrate cravings
I have all of these symptoms, except for two. Plus, I had a strange bowel issue (white fuzz that looked like mildew, sorry if that is tmi, but it really freaked me out) that finally led me to this information. I have started diet changes and taking probiotics, eating yogurt, Kefir, and foods with anti fungal properties. Tomorrow, I am going to the health food store to get capryllic acid soft gels, grapefruit seed extract, Omega 3's, and some milk thistle to protect my liver. The biggest concern is die off. When the candida cells die, they release something like 72 different toxins and can cause nasty flu-like symptoms.
Does anyone else have experience with any of this? I am nervous about the die off and honestly don't think I will be able to cut all sugar, dairy, and caffeine from my diet.
Candida Albicans is a pathogen that takes advantage of a disruption in the balance of microorganisms in your gut. This balance of ‘gut flora’ is a crucial part of your immune system and digestive health, but it can easily be lost during periods of stress or after a course of antibiotics. When this balance is lost, the colonies of Candida Albicans are able to expand rapidly until they control a large portion of your gut. If left untreated, this can lead to 'leaky gut', where the organisms then enter the bloodstream.
How do you get candida overgrowth?
The healthy bacteria in your gut typically keep your candida levels in check. However, several factors can cause the candida population to get out of hand:
Eating a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar (which feed the yeast)
Consuming a lot of alcohol
Taking oral contraceptives
Eating a diet high in beneficial fermented foods like Kombucha, sauerkraut and pickles*
Living a high-stress lifestyle
Taking a round of antibiotics that killed too many of those friendly bacteria
*my research turned up two different schools of thought on this. Many people think properly fermented foods are beneficial in treating Candida. Others think Candida-ridden folks' systems cannot handle it and the fermented foods contribute to the problem.
Here are 10 common candida symptoms:
Skin and nail fungal infections (such as athlete’s foot or toenail fungus)
Feeling tired and worn down or suffering from chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia
Digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
Autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Lupus, Psoriasis, Scleroderma or Multiple sclerosis
Difficulty concentrating, poor memory, lack of focus, ADD, ADHD and brain fog
Skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis, hives, and rashes
Irritability, mood swings, anxiety, or depression
Vaginal infections , urinary tract infections, rectal itching or vaginal itching
Severe seasonal allergies or itchy ears
Strong sugar and refined carbohydrate cravings
I have all of these symptoms, except for two. Plus, I had a strange bowel issue (white fuzz that looked like mildew, sorry if that is tmi, but it really freaked me out) that finally led me to this information. I have started diet changes and taking probiotics, eating yogurt, Kefir, and foods with anti fungal properties. Tomorrow, I am going to the health food store to get capryllic acid soft gels, grapefruit seed extract, Omega 3's, and some milk thistle to protect my liver. The biggest concern is die off. When the candida cells die, they release something like 72 different toxins and can cause nasty flu-like symptoms.
Does anyone else have experience with any of this? I am nervous about the die off and honestly don't think I will be able to cut all sugar, dairy, and caffeine from my diet.
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