Yeast Overgrowth 101 (and why gluten exacerbates a Candida infection)
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.
FUNGAL OVERGROWTH
It grows a biofilm complex and root-like hyphae that can penetrate through the intestinal wall, which increases gut permeability, releases fungal metabolites into the bloodstream, and causes systemic inflammation.
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 & CELIAC
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.
SYMPTOMS OF YEAST OVERGROWTH
gas & bloating
recurring bladder infections
vaginal/anal itching
fatigue & depression
muscle/joint pain
chemical sensitivity
feeling "spacey"
sugar & bread cravings
HOW TO 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:
antifungals (garlic, oregano, thyme, pau d'arco, caprylic acid)*
biofilm breakers (ACV, garlic, NAC)
binders (activated charcoal, chlorella)
*As with antibiotics, these herbs can disrupt other microbes if taken indiscriminately or indefinitely.
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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/