Candida Quiz

Candida overgrowth is one of the most common conditions I saw in my clinic, especially among autoimmune patients. I’ve seen thousands of patients with digestive issues, fatigue, brain fog, recurring fungal infections, skin problems, mood swings, and more – all caused by Candida overgrowth.

Candida is a fungus, a form of yeast that lives in your mouth and intestines in small amounts. Its job is to aid with digestion and nutrient absorption.

Ideally, your good bacteria, bad bacteria, and Candida that make up your gut microbiome exist in a balanced state. In fact, I like to think of your microbiome as a rainforest, with many different species living together in harmony.

However, lifestyle factors such as diet, alcohol consumption, antibiotics, or stress can tip the balance between Candida and other microorganisms. Once this happens, it can quickly become a full-body problem.

If you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune or thyroid condition, or experience any of the following symptoms, chances are you have some degree of Candida overgrowth.

Digestive Tract

Excess Candida can begin a fermentation in your gut that produces its own swelling and belly bloat, much like when bread rises. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it could be a sign that your Candida population has gotten out of control.

Stomach pain

Bloating

Gas

Constipation

Diarrhea

Skin/Nails

Candida albicans can change shape from a rounded cell to an elongated hyphal cell. These elongated hyphal cells can permeate your gut lining, leading to leaky gut. Once your gut is leaky, yeast cells can escape from your gut and enter into your bloodstream, where they can then colonize other areas of your body, including your toenails, fingernails, and skin. This can result in any of the following symptoms:

Athlete’s foot

Ringworm

Toenail fungus

Psoriasis

Eczema

Rashes

Head/Nose/Lungs

Many of these symptoms are caused by your immune system responding to something in your environment. The reason your responses to these environmental allergens are heightened is often because your immune system is on high alert due to chronic inflammation caused by an infection such as Candida overgrowth. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, your immune system is likely fighting off some sort of infection.

Congestion

Headaches

Itchy ears

Seasonal allergies

Mind/Emotions

Our brains are inextricably tied to our gastrointestinal tract. This is because 90-95% of our serotonin, the key neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood, is made in our gut. Excess yeast can coat the lining of your intestinal tract and suppress your ability to make or secrete serotonin. What’s more, Candidiasis produces chemicals that are directly toxic to your brain, resulting in any of the following symptoms:

Difficulty concentrating/lack of focus

ADD/ADHD

Irritability

Mood swings

Anxiety

Depression

Brain fog

Energy/Sleep

Gut infections such as Candida overgrowth can suppress the immune system and interfere with energy levels. Furthermore, Candidiasis is often accompanied by nutrient deficiencies such as vitamin B6, essential fatty acids, and magnesium, which can result in symptoms such as:

Fatigue/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Fibromyalgia

Low energy

Sleep disturbance

Autoimmunity or Thyroid Conditions

Candida overgrowth damages your gut lining, which allows toxins, microbes, and undigested food particles to escape into your bloodstream. Your immune system marks these foreign invaders as pathogens and attacks them. As the invaders continue escaping, your immune system goes into overdrive, sending more antibodies to battle the invaders and inducing more inflammation. Chronic inflammation can result in conditions such as:

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Ulcerative Colitis

Lupus

Scleroderma

Multiple sclerosis

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