Tired for no reason, digestive issues, and strange changes in your body that will not go away – have you noticed any of these things lately? You’re not alone. What many suffer from have been grappling with silently and without even being aware of it is Candida Overgrowth.

Candida is a sort of yeast that persists in the body and on the body. It does not pose any threat at all when consumed in small quantities. Unfortunately, when this is elevated, it has the ability to disrupt your health in many ways that affect every system your body uses-including digestion, energy, mood and more.

At HealthfullyU we feel that being aware of what goes on inside your body is a first step to getting you feeling better. This blog is for you to become aware of some of the signals that may be associated with Candida Overgrowth, and to find out what could be the source of these signals, as well as ways that the choices you make every day can impact your body reaching balance and what to do about it.

What Is Candida Overgrowth?

Candida is a type of yeast that you have in your mouth, gut and other parts of the body. Normally the gut is contained by bacteria that are beneficial. But some lifestyle behaviors, diet, and environmental circumstances can wreak havoc on that balance – allowing Candida more growth than it’s entitled.

This often is referred to as Candida Overgrowth. This overgrowth may impact your health, skin, energy and general wellbeing. The tricky part? Often symptoms mimic normal complaints and may be easily overlooked or dismissed.

Common Signs of Candida Overgrowth

Candida Overgrowth symptoms range from mild to severe and can differ from one person to another. Some notice a couple of things at once, others feel there’s something wrong with many aspects of their life all at once. Here are some of the most common signs:

1. Persistent Tiredness and Low Energy

One shared experience of those exploring Candida Overgrowth is how a full night’s sleep can leave you feeling drained. The tiredness is usually more profound than simply the need for extra sleep.

2. Strong Sugar and Carb Cravings

Yeast subsists on sugar. As a result, Candida can send signals to the body to crave sugar, bread and refined carbohydrates – which then feeds it more.

3. Brain Fog and Difficulty Focusing

Another symptom of Candida Overgrowth that a lot of people experience is to be unable to focus well for extended periods or to remember things easily throughout the day. The mental fogginess can make a lot of things seem more difficult than they have to be during the day.

4. Skin and Nail Changes

Others may experience persistent itching without a clear cause, nail discoloration and recurring skin problems. Some alterations are related to an internal imbalance.

5. Mood Swings and Irritability

The gut and the brain are intricately linked. An imbalanced gut can have an impact on how you feel emotionally – with unexpected shifts in your mood, becoming more irritated, even feeling a lack of motivation.

6. Recurring Oral Discomfort

Sometimes the tongue may have white lines or be uncomfortable in the mouth again and again, which can be a potential sign to watch out for.

Candida Overgrowth Gut Symptoms

Candida Overgrowth is frequently the most visible on the gut. Some of the gut related symptoms of Candida Overgrowth are a variety of digestive issues that many people just shrug off as normal, but they are not.

Common symptoms of Candida Overgrowth in gut are:

• Bloating – Particularly after eating or a sense of fullness that persists
• Gas – Often lots and painful, even if eating the right foods
• Constipation or diarrhea – Irregular bowel function
• Upset stomach – General belly discomfort

A relationship between Candida and gut health is important. It is the balance of good bacteria that keeps the gut healthy. Candida, when not kept in check, can throw off this balance and thus make it more difficult for the digestive system to function as it should. A key principle of any natural Candida Overgrowth Treatment is to support the gut.

Candida Overgrowth Symptoms in Women

Anyone can suffer from Candida Overgrowth, but Candida Overgrowth symptoms in females may be more apparent – and more common. Women’s bodies are more vulnerable as of the hormonal changes that they experience throughout the entire month, during pregnancy and at different stages of life.

Symptoms women might experience are:

• Discomfort in the vagina that reappears – Such as itching, extra discharge or irritation
• Feelings of hormonal imbalance – Mood swings or bloating and/or extra fatigue that correlates to a pattern
• Difficulty urinating – Such as a burning sensation or the frequent need to pass urine, even when there is no infection present
• Sensitivity of skin – Folds or warmer parts of body may become rashy or irritated

If these types of experiences are recurring, it may be a good idea to look into Candida Overgrowth as it could be the source – particularly if it or any other cause have been ruled out.

What Are the Common Causes of Candida Overgrowth?

Learning more about them can be helpful in gaining insight into why Candida Overgrowth occurs in the first place – and what changes may help prevent it from coming back in the future.

The most common aspects cited for contributing causes are:

• A diet filled with lots of sugar and refined carbohydrates – Candida loves sugar! It grows well in an environment where a person eats a lot of sugary foods, white bread and processed items.
• Stress – Chronic stress can lower body resistance and allow imbalances like Candida Overgrowth to occur.
• Disrupted sleep – Poor sleep causes the body to dysregulate and fail to recover, indirectly leading to gut imbalances.
• Certain medications – Some medicines can decrease the level of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, thereby lowering the competition which keeps Candida under control.
• Weaker immune system – When the body’s immune system is not in optimal working order, it will be more challenging to regulate it within the body.

It’s important to note that none of this is wrong with you, it’s just telling you where to begin making positive changes.

Natural Support for Candida Overgrowth

Thankfully, there are a number of ways that you can start supporting your body in every day, simple ways. The first step to overcoming Candida Overgrowth may be your diet and lifestyle choices.

Some of the popular methods:

• Cutting sugar and processed carbohydrates – Candida loves to grow on sugar, so this is generally the first and the most effective step is to eliminate sugars and processed carbs.
• Whole foods rich in fiber – The good bacteria in the gut, which need nourishment, will be returned to their natural balance by the fiber-rich whole foods, like vegetables, legumes and whole grains.
• Fermented foods – These include items such as sauerkraut, kefir and yogurt, foods that contain beneficial bacteria which can help to displace an overgrown Candida.
• Getting plenty of water – Aids digestion and assists with the body’s peripheral elimination of waste.
• Managing stress – It’s important to get in daily stress-management techniques, which include deep breathing, gentle movement and enough rest, all of which help to manage stress and support gut health.
• Respecting sleep – Quality sleep allows the body to reset and recover, important when striving for balance.

These aren’t quick fixes, these are lifestyle changes that can be cumulative over time.

The Role of a Candida Coach and Wellness Program

It can be very tough to deal with Candida Overgrowth without any help at all, particularly in the event its indications are quite vague and disorganized. That’s where a Candida Coach can make a difference.

A Candida coach is a coach who can give you your own individual formula – help you locate those that aggravate your Candida, modify your food habits and create daily changes that will help you maintain balance over time. Unlike treatment, coaching is customized for you with your lifestyle and your goals in mind.

A structured Candida wellness program goes beyond this. It paints a step-by-step picture of what to eat, how to support the body’s gut, which habits to implement and how to progress. That structure will eliminate guesses and enable you to be confident to take consistent action.

Gut Health and Candida Support at HealthfullyU is grounded in real, sustainable health. We plan for small attainable changes which combine together to create results.