17 Symptoms and Treatments of Candida Overgrowth

Women's Health, Yeast Infections (Candida)

In this article, you’ll learn and discover the 17 symptoms of candida overgrowth, plus how to get rid of it.

Table of Contents

What are Yeast Infections (Candida)?

The yeast Candida albicans is the yeast that normally lives harmlessly in small numbers in the body, controlled by beneficial bacteria in the body and the immune system. If the beneficial bacteria are killed by antibiotics, or if a person’s immune system becomes weakened, Candida can grow unchecked and cause symptoms.

Localized infections, such as oral thrush, skin infections, and vaginal yeast infections in women can result. Widespread infection can occur in immunocompromised people. Candida overgrowth in the intestines is thought to, in some cases; penetrate the intestinal wall, causing the yeast and other unwanted particles from being absorbed into the body.

This is thought to activate the immune system, resulting in fatigue, headache, mood swings, poor memory and concentration, and cravings for sweets, and it has been linked to conditions such as fibromyalgia. This condition, popularized by William Crook, MD in his 1983 book, The Yeast Connection, is considered very controversial. Most conventional doctors think this systemic condition is overdiagnosed and many disagree with the diagnosis.

Causes of Yeast Infections (Candida)

Use of oral contraceptives
Steroids
Antacids
Anti-ulcer medications
Frequent or long-term use of antibiotics
High-sugar diets
Pregnancy
Diabetes

Symptoms

Tired or lethargic
Poor memory
Feel drained, depleted, or exhausted
Numbness, burning, tingling
Stomach pain
Joint pain or swelling
Muscle aching or weakness
Constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, or belching
Bothersome or persistent vaginal itching, burning, or discharge
Prostatitis
Erectile dysfunction
Loss of sexual desire
Endometriosis or infertility
Menstrual irregularity or cramping
Anxiety attacks or crying
Cold hands and feet feel chilly
Irritable or shaking when hungry

Natural Remedies for Yeast Infections (Candida)

Coconut Oil

You can treat a yeast infection by applying coconut oil straight from the jar to the affected area. You can rub the coconut oil into the skin or skin fold where the yeast infection is.

Tip: When purchasing coconut oil, be sure to select an organic, pure coconut oil. Some brands may try to pass off a coconut oil blend that won’t get you the same results, so look for 100 percent coconut oil. Pure coconut oil typically won’t have a strong coconut smell.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)

This supplement promotes detoxification support. Since milk thistle works on the liver, it can interact with various medications. People with a history of hormone-related conditions or who are at risk for such conditions should speak to their doctors before using milk thistle.

A multivitamin daily

Containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins and trace minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium.

Omega-3 fatty acids – (fish oil)

It helps to decrease inflammation and help with immunity. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or halibut, are good sources. Fish oil supplements can increase the effects of certain blood-thinning medications.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps to boost adrenal glands and it is an antioxidant that helps restore the immune system. It also protects the vaginal lining. Vitamin C helps to boost adrenal glands and helps to restore your immune system.

Zinc

Miconazole is an antifungal medicine that fights infections caused by fungus. Zincoxide is a mineral that acts as a skin protectant.

probiotic

Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus)

Probiotics supplements work by populating the intestines with beneficial organisms that can prevent the yeast from overgrowing and help the body to naturally balance the infection.

Grapefruit seed extract (Citrus paradisi)

It’s recommended for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Grapefruit seed extract can potentially interfere with a variety of medications.

Improvement in symptoms is usually noticed after two to four weeks.

Acidophilus

The beneficial bacteria acidophilus is thought to control candida by making the intestinal tract more acidic, discouraging the growth of candida, and by producing hydrogen peroxide, which directly kills candida.

Research has shown that supplementing with a hydrogen peroxide-producing strain of acidophilus, DDS-1, greatly reduced the incidence of antibiotic-induced yeast infections.

Beneficial bacteria also help to restore the microbial balance within the digestive tract.

Fiber

One teaspoon to one tablespoon of soluble fiber containing guar gum, psyllium husks, flax seeds or pectin can be mixed in an 8 oz glass of water two times per day on an empty stomach.

Enteric-coated essential oils

Enteric-coated capsules containing oregano oil, peppermint oil, and other volatile oils are thought to prevent the overgrowth of candida. It is usually recommended for at least several months. A standard dosage is two capsules two times a day with water, in between meals. Pure volatile oils can be quite toxic in this amount so the liquid form of these oils should never be ingested, and the capsules should not be broken open before ingesting.

Enteric-coated garlic

Garlic capsules that have been enteric-coated to open when they reach the intestines are often is used in combination with the volatile oils. One capsule two times per day was taken with the enteric-coated volatile oil is a typical recommendation.

Other valuable supplements are caprylic acid from coconuts, oleic acid from olive oil, oregano oil, and pau d’arco. There are many combination products formulated for candida that contain these herbs and supplements.

Diet

Diet is an essential part of the Candida cleanse. The length of time on the Candida cleanse depends on the length of time one has had symptoms, symptom severity, and overall health. People may notice improvement after strict adherence to the diet for two to four weeks. For others it takes months. Once symptoms are gone and lab tests show significant improvement, foods from the restricted list can be slowly incorporated back into the diet.

List of Foods to Avoid

Sugar – refined sugar is thought to encourage the growth of Candida yeast.
Honey
Maple syrup
Corn syrup
Maple sugar
Molasses
Date sugar
Turbinado
Raw sugar
Demerara
Amasake
Rice syrup
Sorghum

Read labels carefully because there may be hidden forms of sugar. When reading the label, words to watch out for include sucrose, fructose, maltose, lactose, glycogen, glucose, mannitol, sorbitol, galactose, monosaccharides, polysaccharides.

Fruit

They contain natural sugars that are thought to support the growth of yeast. Fruit that is typically eliminated includes fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruit and juice.

Yeast

Foods that contain yeast are typically eliminated. Yeast-containing foods include Baker’s yeast, Brewer’s yeast, Engevita, Torula, and any other types of nutritional yeast.

Baked goods raised with yeast such as bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, pastries, and muffins are not permitted.

Foods Containing Gluten

Gluten-containing foods include wheat, barley, and rye.

This includes products made with these ingredients such as:

bread and pasta.
Vinegar
White Vinegar
Red Wine Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar
Rice Vinegar
Balsamic Vinegar
Any Food Made With Vinegage, such as Mayonnaise, Commercial Salad Dressing, Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce, Steak Sauce, BBQ Sauce, Shrimp Sauce, Soy Sauce, Mustard, Pickles, Pickled Vegetables, Green Olives, Relishes, Horseradish, Mincemeat, and Chili Sauce.
Mushrooms: They are typically not allowed on Candida diets.

List of Foods to Avoid

Stay away from eggs and all dairy products, including:

Milk
Cheese
Cottage Cheese
Sour Cream
Yogurt And Kefir
Butter
Ice Cream And Frozen Yogurt
Wheat
Pasta
Bread
Sweeteners
Refined Sugar
Any White Sugar
Any Brown Sugar
High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Evaporated Cane Juice
Artificial Sweeteners
Gluten

All gluten-containing

Grains – including wheat, barley, rye, spelt, triticale, kamut, couscous, bran, and farina
Soy
Tofu
Milk made of Soy
Yogurt made of Soy
Soy Sauce
Soy Protein Powder
Tempeh

Coffee and Caffeinated Beverages

Coffee
Tea
Soft drinks

Animal Products

Beef
Pork
Veal
Sausages
Hot Dogs
Deli Meats And Cold Cuts
Shellfish

Condiments

Ketchup
Relish
Soy Sauce
Teriyaki Sauce
Non-Dairy Creamers
Barbecue Or Steak Sauce
Salad Dressings Not Made With Allowed Ingredients
Mayonnaise
Spreads Not Made With The Allowed Ingredients
Similar Condiments

Foods Containing…

Yeast
Alcohol

Food Additives and Preservatives

Limit daily carbohydrate intake – Sugar feeds Candida, so it is important to minimize the total carbohydrate content of one’s diet. During the first 2 to 3 weeks of the program, it is often recommended that carbohydrate intake be restricted to 20 to 60 grams per day, depending on age, health, activity level, and extent of grain sensitivities. As symptoms disappear, the carbohydrate total can gradually increase. Foods that are low carb include protein foods such as meat, chicken, turkey, shellfish, some nuts, and non-starchy vegetables.

Environmental/Lifestyle

Consider talking with your physician about substitute methods of birth control if you are using oral contraceptives. Practitioners usually suggest avoiding alcohol and smoking. Both can impair the immune function.

Resources

ACOG. ACOG Practice Bulletin. Clinical management guidelines for obstetricians-gynecologists, Number 72, May 2006: Vaginitis. Obstet Gynecol. 2006;107(5):1195-1206.

Black M, Ambros-Rudolph CM, Edwards L, Lynch PJ, eds. Obstetric and Gynecologic Dermatology. 3rd ed. Baltimore, MD: Elsevier Mosby; 2008.

Cabrera C, Artacho R, Gimenez R. Beneficial effects of green tea — a review. J Am Coll Nutr. 2006;25(2):79-99.

Cvetnic Z, Vladimir-Knezevic S. Antimicrobial activity of grapefruit seed and pulp ethanolic extract. Acta Pharm. 2004;54(3):243-250.

Delia A, Morgante G, Rago G, Musacchio MC, Petraglia F, De Leo V. Effectiveness of oral administration of Lactobaccillus paracasei subsp. paracasei F19 in association with vaginal suppositories of Lactobacillus acidofilus in the treatment of vaginosis and in the prevention of recurrent vaginitis. Minerva Ginecol. 2006;58(3):227-231.

Edwards L. Dermatologic causes of vaginitis: a clinical review. Dermatol Clin. 2010;28(4):727-735.

Guo HY, Hu XM, Han DD, Wang ZP, Meng L. Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in vagina microenvironment of patients with several common vaginitis. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2013;40(3):331-426.

Heggers JP, Cottingham J, Gussman J, et al. The effectiveness of processed grapefruit-seed extract as an antibacterial agent: II. Mechanism of action and in vitro toxicity. J Altern Complement Med. 2002;8(3):333-340.

Heitzman ME, Neto CC, Winiarz E, Vaisberg AJ, Hammond GB. Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Uncaria (Rubiaceae). Phytochemistry. 2005;66(1):5-29.

Holloway D. Nursing considerations in patients with vaginitis. Br J Nurs. 2010;19(16):1040-1046.

Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017.

LaValle JB, Krinsky DL, Hawkins EB, eds. Natural Therapeutics Pocket Guide. 2nd ed. Hudson, OH:LexiComp; 2002:452-454.

Mohamadi J, Havasian MR, Panahi J, Pakzad I. Antigungal drug resistance pattern of Candida. spp isolated from vaginitis in Ilam-Iran during 2013-2014. Bioinformation. 2015;11(4):203-206.

Nanda N, Michel RG, Kurdgelashvili G, Wendel KA. Trichomoniasis and its treatment. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2006;4(1):125-135.

Pereira N, Edlind TD, Schlievert PM, Nyirjesy P. Vaginal toxic shock reaction triggering desquamative inflammatory vaginitis. J Low genit Tract Dis. 2013;17(1):88-91.

Powell AM, Gracely E, Nyirjesy P. Non-albicans candida vulvovaginitis: treatment experience at a Tertiary Care Vaginitis Center. J Low genit Tract Dis. 2016;20(1):85-89.

Quan M. Vaginitis: diagnosis and management. Postgrad Med. 2010; 22(7):117-127.

Reid G, Burton J, Hammond JA, Bruce AW. Nucleic acid-based diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis and improved management using probiotic lactobacilli. J Med Food. 2004;7(2):223-228.

Ross SE, Carter B, Lambert S. Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus-2 infection among women seeking medical care for signs and symptoms of vaginitis. Herpes. 2009;15(3):46-50.

Scnitzler P, Schon K, Reichling J. Antiviral activity of Australian tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil against herpes simplex virus in cell culture. Pharmazie. 2001;56(4):343-347.

Simopoulos AP. Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. J Am Coll Nutr. 2002;21(6):495-505.

Sufka KJ, Roach JT, Chambliss WG Jr, et al. Anxiolytic properties of botanical extracts in the chick social separation-stress procedure. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2001;153(2):219-224.

Tempera G, Abbadessa G, Bonfiglio G, et al. Topical kanamycin: an effective therapeutic option in aerobic vaginitis. J Chemother. 2006;18(4):409-414.

Torres M, Moayedi S. Gynecologic and Other Infections in Pregnancy. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2012;30(4):869-884.

Van Kessel K, Assefi N, Marrazzo J, Eckert L. Common complementary and alternative therapies for yeast vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis: a systematic review. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2003;58(5):351-358.

Yoon JH, Baek SJ. Molecular targets of dietary polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties. Yonsei Med J. 2005;46(5):585-596.

Healthline

17 Symptoms and Treatments of Candida Overgrowth

17 Symptoms and Treatments of Candida Overgrowth

What are Yeast Infections (Candida)?

Causes of Yeast Infections (Candida)

Symptoms

Natural Remedies for Yeast Infections (Candida)

Coconut Oil

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)

A multivitamin daily

Omega-3 fatty acids – (fish oil)

Vitamin C

Zinc

Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus)

Grapefruit seed extract (Citrus paradisi)

Improvement in symptoms is usually noticed after two to four weeks.

Acidophilus

Beneficial bacteria also help to restore the microbial balance within the digestive tract.

Fiber

Enteric-coated essential oils

Enteric-coated garlic

Diet

List of Foods to Avoid

Fruit

Yeast

Foods Containing Gluten

This includes products made with these ingredients such as:

List of Foods to Avoid

All gluten-containing

Coffee and Caffeinated Beverages

Animal Products

Condiments

Foods Containing…

Food Additives and Preservatives

Environmental/Lifestyle

Resources

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