Don't feed it – the dangerous fungus in your gut

What is Candida albicans?

Candida albicans is a species of the fungal genus Candida and is the most common cause of so‑called candidiasis.

These yeasts live alongside other microorganisms in various parts of the body, for example on the skin, in the mouth, throat, gastrointestinal tract and in the vagina. Ideally they live in balance with beneficial bacteria that keep Candida levels under control so the fungus does not cause problems. 

If this balance is disturbed, there is a risk that the fungus will multiply excessively, causing numerous symptoms and leading to a fungal infection. Depending on where the infection occurs, Candida can appear as an itchy vaginal yeast infection, an annoying oral and throat infection, or a dangerous intestinal yeast overgrowth.

What does the intestinal yeast Candida albicans do in the body?

The intestinal yeast Candida albicans reaches the human skin at birth or in infancy and then enters the body. To survive and multiply, Candida settles directly in the small intestine, where it naturally finds plenty of nutrients. 

The fungus therefore snatches the nutrients before the person can absorb them. Important vitamins, minerals and trace elements are lost to the body in this way. Candida loves sugar and ferments the sugar from food into fusel alcohols. This irritates the gut and affects the liver. Candida yeasts can breach the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. This leads to the release of toxic by‑products in the body and to elevated liver values that are not due to excessive alcohol consumption.

Which symptoms does a Candida infection in the gut cause?

The name Candida albicans comes from Latin and means roughly “shining white”: in a Candida infection, in addition to a redness, a white shiny coating also forms at the affected sites.

Because fungal infestation in the gut is not visible, Candida infections often go unnoticed. There are symptoms, but a Candida overgrowth behaves like a chameleon: the list of complaints is endless, Candida presents very differently in each person and the symptoms can point to many different conditions.

The most common complaints include bloating, constipation or watery diarrhoea, itching around the anus after defecation, blood in the stool, abdominal cramps, upper abdominal pain, headaches, belching after eating and itchy skin rashes. In addition, those affected often experience a strong craving for foods high in sugar and carbohydrates.

If the yeasts move from the gut into the blood, they can even reach the brain. Many people therefore report psychological problems such as depression and anxiety up to panic attacks. Unusual mood swings and irritability can also indicate an intestinal yeast infection. A gut yeast infection can also affect cognitive performance, for example causing poor concentration and memory problems. Chronic fatigue syndrome is one of the main symptoms when Candida gets out of control. In this way a Candida overgrowth can quickly develop from a gut problem into a problem for the whole body.

How does Candida albicans affect the immune system?

Since a large part of our immune system is located in the gut and an existing fungal infection weakens the entire immune system in the long term, a variety of consequences can occur, up to kidney damage and sinus inflammations, which are rarely linked to a fungal disease.

Scientists have found that the fungus Candida albicans can outsmart the immune system by changing its form. It can exist in different forms simultaneously within one body. As a result, it prevents an adequate immune response and can spread unchecked. The immune system is constantly occupied fighting the Candida infection, leaving little capacity to deal with other issues. This can even lead to life‑threatening organ failure when the immune system is severely weakened by chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation or HIV infection.

Which factors favour a Candida infection in the gut?

The composition of the microorganisms in the body plays an important role in how far fungi can spread on our mucous membranes. If, for example, the gut flora is damaged by antibiotics, a Candida infection has an easy time.

When the pH in the colon rises, the usual protective shield of a sufficient number of lactic acid bacteria is missing, which would normally prevent excessive fungal colonisation. During pregnancy the hormonal balance changes considerably throughout the body, so pregnant women have an increased risk of developing an intestinal yeast infection. Diet also plays an important role in the development of intestinal fungal infections. Fungi such as Candida albicans feed on sugar. People who consume a lot of sugar and white flour products are therefore generally more susceptible to a fungal infection.

How long candidiasis lasts depends on when treatment is started. If the Candida infection is recognised and treated, the acute symptoms subside within a few days or weeks.

What can you do to recover faster: the best tips

• General symptoms and gastrointestinal complaints for which no other cause can be found, and a weakened immune system, should prompt medical investigation for an intestinal fungal infection.
• Specific antifungal medications must be taken regularly for a certain period so that the fungi in the gut are reliably killed. Only in this way can an intestinal Candida infection be treated. These drugs interfere with the fungal metabolism, inhibit fungal growth and gradually destroy the fungus. Premature discontinuation of treatment can lead to a rapid recurrence of the infection. Therefore, be sure to follow your doctor's treatment instructions.
• In Candida infections the gut flora should also be supported with probiotics. Probiotics are abundant in fermented foods such as yoghurt, kimchi or sauerkraut and, when consumed regularly, can prevent yeast formation and promote a healthy gut flora.
• A gut cleanse is an excellent measure to eliminate the infection quickly. Preventively, a gut cleanse can be performed once a year.
• To deprive the fungi of their food source, a four‑ to six‑week anti‑fungal diet is recommended. On the plate: non‑starchy vegetables, gluten‑free grains, chicken, eggs, salmon, turkey and sardines, fermented dairy and other fermented foods, healthy fats, fibre, low‑sugar fruit and caffeine‑free drinks.
• It is also important to avoid sugar and other isolated carbohydrates (white flour, starch, white rice) during a Candida infection. Check food labels carefully. Many synonyms are used for sugar: sucrose (beet sugar, cane sugar, table sugar, crystallised sugar), maltose, lactose, fructose and fructose syrup, glucose and glucose syrup, dextrose, invert sugar syrup, maltodextrin(s) and dextrins.
• Various medicinal herbs or natural remedies can be used as adjunctive measures. The neem tree or products made from it, such as capsules with powdered neem leaves, are used for detoxification and to combat fungi.
• Oregano oil contains a particularly high proportion of active phenols, which can be very helpful in fighting excessive Candida growth. Since pure oregano oil is not suitable for undiluted internal use, oregano oil capsules in which the oil is diluted with high‑quality olive oil are recommended for safe ingestion.
• A few drops of black walnut tincture in water can help the body eliminate Candida yeasts. Walnut hulls are also available in capsule form.
• Apple cider vinegar diluted in lukewarm water can also be taken: for gut problems, 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in 200 ml lukewarm water in the morning and evening. This is thought to help kill intestinal yeasts.
• Stress, anxiety or psychologically stressful situations weaken the immune system. Therefore, with a Candida infection it is important to avoid stressful situations where possible and to manage stress in daily life or counter it with relaxation techniques such as autogenic training, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation or yoga.
• If Candida is killed too quickly, too many toxins from inside the fungus are released at once. This can lead to reactions such as dizziness, headaches and chills. If these symptoms occur, the dose of antifungals should be reduced.

Candida itself is not dangerous. Rebuild a healthy gut flora, eat a balanced diet and avoid stress. This will bring Candida levels back to a healthy level as quickly as possible!