If you haven’t been feeling well but can’t quite put your finger on what could be bringing you down, it could be candida. Candida is a fungus, or a form of yeast. When you have an overgrowth of candida, the fungus breaks down the wall of the intestine, which causes leaky gut.
Candida can cause a wide variety of symptoms to appear, such as:
- Chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia
- Digestive issues such as diarrhea, bloating, gas, and constipation
- Brain fog, poor concentration, poor memory, or symptoms of ADD or ADHD
- Fungal infections in the skin and nails
- Autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Psoriasis, or Scleroderma
- Urinary tract infections
- Seasonal allergies or itchy ears
- Skin issues that include rashes, hives, acne, or eczema
- Strong sugar and refined carbohydrate cravings
- Depression, anxiety, or mood swings
- Bad breath
- Insomnia or sleeping issues
These are many of the main symptoms of candida overgrowth, although there are many other signs and symptoms that could be related to candida as well.
There are several ways to test for candida, but no test is completely 100 percent. The best thing to do for yourself is to begin an anti-candida diet for about two to four months and see how your body reacts. However, there are several tests that you can try, including a spit test.
The spit test must be performed first thing in the morning, right after you wake up. Before you drink anything or rinse your mouth, you must fill a clear glass with water. Next, build up a bunch of saliva in your mouth and then spit it into the water. If what you see within 15 minutes is a thin, string-like substance extending downward into the water, this means you do have candida overgrowth. Cloudy saliva that sinks to the bottom of the glass within a few minutes is another indication of candida.
Other tests can be performed, such as a blood test, stool test, or urine organix dysbiosis test. Visit your natural practitioner to complete any of these tests, however, a blood test will often come back negative even when the stool or urine test is positive.
If you do have candida or maybe you don’t know for sure but want to give the anti-candida diet a try, it is important to remember that you need to stick with the diet very strictly to see any improvements. If you do make a mistake and cheat, you will need to start over again from the beginning. The anti-candida diet takes a lot of willpower but can be incredibly beneficial.
Start by taking a daily probiotic and keeping a food journal. An anti-candida diet is low in carbohydrates, contains no sugar or yeast, flours, or alcohol. You will want to eliminate inflammatory foods such as gluten, dairy, corn, soy, eggs and sugar. You may also want to ask your natural practitioner about digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid, L-glutamine, and bile acids for proper digestion. Zinc, omega-3 oils, herbs such as slippery elm and aloe vera, and vitamins A, C, and E can also be beneficial.
Candida can take several months to a couple of years to completely disappear, but you can start to incorporate small amounts of certain foods every couple of months to see how your body reacts.
To learn more about candida or starting a natural wellness regimen for you or your entire family, please contact Premier Health Chiropractors today. Our chiropractors offer natural and non-invasive methods to help you feel your very best!