Candida is a persistent overgrowth of yeast in the gut. There is a long list of symptoms associated with it, including:
- Chronic fatigue
- Fungal infections (i.e. jock itch, oral thrush, and vaginal yeast)
- Irritability
- Cravings for sweets
- Brain fog
- Bad breath
- Digestive problems
- Weakened immunity
- Chronic allergies and sinus infections
- Low libido
- Autoimmune & skin disorders (i.e. psoriasis)
Many conventional doctors don’t believe candida exists, and the ones who do will typically treat it with prescription anti-fungals, which may mask the symptoms, and even kill off the yeast for a time, but are most often not an effective long-term solution.
Why? Because—like most other conditions—candida starts in the gut. Which means, to really rid your body of it, you must target the problem at its root.
In other words, you can’t just put a bandaid on it, and expect to fully heal. In order to get rid of candida, and keep it at bay, you must commit to a lifestyle change designed to balance and maintain your healthy gut flora. This requires several actions that you can begin implementing right away. But remember: if you truly want to see a lasting difference, you should adapt these changes as a regular part of your lifestyle from here on out!
#1. Quit and/or limit your sugar intake. Candida thrives on sugar. Did you know that, if not treated properly, it can also lead to cancer. Interestingly enough, cancer cells also feed on sugar. Our chiropractors in Charlotte NC recommend quitting sugar altogether for 3 months, and then slowly introducing it back into your diet on a very limited scale. Also, avoid processed sugars and starchy foods that metabolize as sugar, including: bread, pasta, rice, grains, root vegetables, legumes, alcohol, and most fruit (excluding granny smith apples and berries.)
To keep it simple, you could implement a Maximized Living Advanced Plan. This book is full of additional info as well as great-tasting healthy recipes that are easy to make and Dr. Holly-approved! You can also receive a customized treatment plan from our chiropractors in Charlotte NC when you come into our office for a consultation.
#2. Take natural anti-fungal supplements. You can find a variety of these on Amazon.com, including Solaray Yeast Cleanse. Look for supplements that contain caprylic acid (also found in coconut oil), milk thistle, pau d’arco, and grapefruit seed extract.
#3. Take a good probiotic supplement. Look for ones that contain a high variety of probiotic strains and CFU, such as Garden of Life Raw Probiotics Ultimate Care or Hyperbiotics (also available on Amazon.com). We sell Garden of Life probiotic supplements in our office as well.
#4. Increase your Vitamin D3 intake. Maximized Living Vitamin D3 + Probiotics lets you kill two birds with one stone! You can buy it online or from our office when you come in to get adjusted by one of our chiropractors in Charlotte NC
#5. Limit dairy. With the exception of culture-rich dairy foods like yogurt and kefir, it’s best to keep your cow’s milk intake to a minimum.
#6. Take oregano oil. This highly-potent essential oil is known for its anti-fungal properties and has been very effective with many of our patients. You can buy it in supplement or liquid form. I use the doTerra brand. It’s also a very powerful immune booster!
#7. Eat a spoon full of coconut oil every day. Not only is this a powerful brain booster (and great at combatting brain fog). It’s also rich in caprylic acid, which, as we mentioned above, is a natural anti-fungal. And here’s another bonus: coconut oil is a healthy fat. When you replace bad fats with healthy fat and lower your sugar intake, your body burns more fat for energy, instead of burning sugar. Which means you lose weight!
#8. Get adjusted regularly. Receiving care from a chiropractor in Charlotte NC is good for a host of conditions—not just for pain management as many people believe. By keeping your spine in check, you’ll ensure that all of your body’s systems are working optimally, as your nervous system controls the function of all your other organs.
Be aware that as you begin to kill off the candida, your body will begin to release a large amount of toxins into your blood stream. As that happens, you’ll experience the symptoms listed above in a greater capacity. Similar to what happens when you detoxify your body, you’ll begin to feel worse before you feel better. Feeling worse is a sign that you’re killing off the yeast and what you’re doing is working! Don’t let it discourage you. Stay the course and stay strong, and you’ll eventually get rid of candida altogether.
But remember: This does not mean you can go back to your old ways! Adopt the habits above as permanent lifestyle changes to prevent candida from creeping back into your life again.
Think you might have candida overgrowth? Our chiropractors in Charlotte NC have successfully treated patients with this condition (and its symptoms) at Queen City Health Center, so we’re well-equipped to share what works! If you’re not sure, click here to request a free consultation with Dr. Holly. She’ll spend about 15 minutes on the phone with you to learn more about your symptoms, and if we believe chiropractic care could be a good solution, we’ll get you in for an office appointment and begin helping you aggressively rid your body of candida overgrowth.