Candida
Description
Candida is a genus of yeast naturally present in the body, but when overgrown—especially Candida albicans—it can disrupt the gut microbiome and contribute to a wide range of systemic symptoms. Triggers often include antibiotics, sugar-rich diets, oral contraceptives, chronic stress, and immune suppression. Functional medicine evaluates candida not just as a fungal infection but as a marker of deeper dysfunction: leaky gut, poor detox, hormonal imbalance, and immune dysregulation. Treatment requires a multi-phase approach that includes antifungal agents, biofilm disruptors, liver support, gut repair, and dietary changes tailored to reduce yeast fermentation and restore balance.
Symptoms
Bloating or gas
Sugar cravings
White coating on tongue (oral thrush)
Vaginal yeast infections
Fatigue
Brain fog
Itchy skin or rashes
Constipation or diarrhea
Frequent sinus infections
Anxiety or irritability
Labs & Testing Options
Comprehensive stool analysis with yeast culture
Organic acids test (e.g., arabinose, tartaric acid)
IgG food sensitivity panel
Candida antibodies (IgG, IgA, IgM)
Urinary D-arabinitol
Zonulin or intestinal permeability markers
GI-MAP with fungal markers
Liver function panel (AST, ALT, GGT)Comprehensive stool analysis with yeast culture
Treatment Options
Antifungal herbs (caprylic acid, oregano oil, garlic, undecylenic acid)
Antifungal meds (fluconazole, nystatin, in some cases)
Biofilm disruptors (Interfase Plus, NAC)
Candida diet or low-sugar anti-inflammatory diet
Gut repair nutrients (L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, aloe vera)
Probiotics (especially Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus)
Liver and lymph support (milk thistle, castor oil packs, sauna)
Address root causes like steroid use or immune suppression
Cravings, bloating, brain fog? It could be candida. Book a gut health assessment to get back in balance.