Bread, Beer and Brain Fog – What Do All These Things Have In Common??

If you thought I was going to say gluten then you're probably keeping with modern health trends, BUT that's actually not what this blog is about! We're talking about yeast. Okay, so these aren't exactly the same types of yeast, but they are in the same family. Specifically, we're going to get real about Candida.

While Candida may sound like a type of dance, it's actually a type of yeast, and it's normal to have Candida living in and on our bodies. Where we can run into issues is when Candida grows out of balance and contributes to an infection or other symptoms. Think of it like a weed in the garden. A few weeds may not be a problem, but when they start taking over, they can change the environment around them.

Let's look at a typical patient coming into my office.

Janice comes in for food sensitivity testing. She's got terrible digestive issues and she knows certain foods are really an issue, but no one can put their finger on it. She's exhausted all the time, has horrible year-round allergies that cause sinus problems, and during the winter it seems like she's always sick. Last year she was diagnosed with IBS and chronic fatigue by her primary care doctor, but nothing so far has helped her get much better.

These symptoms can have many different causes, but Candida and other fungal issues are among the possibilities I consider when the history, symptoms, and other findings point in that direction.

Let's look at some of the symptoms and factors that can be associated with Candida overgrowth or candidiasis.

Common Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth:

• Digestive issues such as abdominal pain, gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea

• Chronic or recurring vaginal yeast infections

• Itching and/or burning skin rashes

• Chronic fatigue

• Brain fog

• Sinusitis symptoms

• Fungal nail infections

• Recurring infections

It's important to remember that none of these symptoms by themselves prove that Candida is the cause. Many of these same symptoms can occur with other health conditions, which is why figuring out what's actually going on is so important.

Like I said before, Candida is actually a normal part of many people's microbiome and is kept in check by the body's natural defenses and the other microorganisms living alongside it. It is usually when this balance or the body's normal defenses are disrupted that Candida can grow excessively and cause problems.

So what can contribute to that disruption?

Common Factors That Can Increase the Risk of Candida Overgrowth:

Medications that disrupt the microbiome or immune system

• Antibiotics - Especially broad-spectrum antibiotics, repeated courses, or prolonged antibiotic use. Antibiotics can reduce beneficial bacteria that normally help keep Candida and other microorganisms in check.

• Corticosteroids - Including prednisone and other oral steroids, steroid injections, and inhaled or topical corticosteroids. Steroids can suppress aspects of the immune response and, depending on how they are used, increase susceptibility to Candida infections.

• Immunosuppressive medications - Medications used after organ transplantation, for autoimmune conditions, cancer treatment, or other conditions that suppress immune function can increase susceptibility to Candida infections.

• SGLT2 inhibitors - Medications such as Jardiance (empagliflozin), Farxiga (dapagliflozin), and Invokana (canagliflozin) increase glucose excretion through the urine and are associated with an increased risk of genital yeast infections.

Medical conditions that can make Candida harder to keep in check

• Diabetes or chronically elevated blood sugar - Higher glucose levels can make it easier for Candida to colonize and can interfere with the body's ability to clear the organism. The risk is particularly important when blood sugar is poorly controlled.

• Conditions that weaken the immune system - This includes HIV/AIDS, certain cancers, chemotherapy, organ transplantation, and other conditions or treatments that suppress immune function.

• Disruption of normal mucosal barriers - Damage or disruption to the normal protective barriers of the body can make it easier for Candida to cause infection. This is particularly important in people who are seriously ill, hospitalized, or undergoing procedures that disrupt normal tissue barriers.

Hormonal factors

• Pregnancy - The significant hormonal changes of pregnancy, particularly increased estrogen, are associated with increased Candida colonization and a higher risk of vaginal yeast infections.

• Hormonal birth control - Oral contraceptives and other estrogen-containing hormonal contraceptives have been associated with increased Candida colonization and vulvovaginal candidiasis in some women.

• Hormone replacement therapy - Estrogen-containing hormone replacement can also increase susceptibility to vaginal Candida overgrowth in some women.

• Other periods of significant hormonal change - Changes in estrogen levels can alter the vaginal environment and affect the relationship between Candida and the normal vaginal microbiome.

Lifestyle and environmental factors

• High-sugar or high-carbohydrate diets - Candida can utilize glucose as a fuel source, and high glucose availability may contribute to Candida growth under certain circumstances.

• Chronic stress - Ongoing stress can affect immune function and other systems involved in maintaining microbial balance.

• Disruption of the normal gut or vaginal microbiome - Changes in the balance of beneficial microorganisms can create an environment where Candida has an opportunity to overgrow.

Many of these risk factors are extremely common, which is one reason Candida can be easy to overlook. Having one or more of these risk factors does not necessarily mean that a Candida infection is present. However, when someone has a history of repeated antibiotic use, steroid use, elevated blood sugar, hormonal changes, immune suppression, or other factors that can disrupt microbial balance along with recurring symptoms that fit the picture, Candida may be one piece of the puzzle worth investigating.

It is also important to distinguish between localized Candida infections and the idea of a "systemic Candida infection." Candida normally lives in the body without causing illness, and the symptoms associated with Candida can overlap with many other conditions. That's why I don't recommend assuming that every digestive problem, episode of fatigue, or recurring infection is caused by Candida. The goal is to look at the whole picture and determine whether Candida is actually relevant for that individual.

Figuring out how to address chronic fungal issues was such a frustrating struggle during my first few years in practice. I had several patients with what appeared to me to be fungal overgrowth issues. Some had positive diagnostic testing, while others had a pattern of symptoms and other findings that led me to consider Candida as part of the picture.

I knew that an anti-fungal diet coupled with supplements such as caprylic acid and grapefruit seed extract were commonly used to support the process, but I wasn't seeing the results I expected despite months of treatment.

Talk about irritating!

After years of careful work to try new ways to address chronic fungal issues such as Candida, I developed an anti-fungal protocol that has worked well for many of my patients.

My protocol takes a 3-part approach, and I always stress that the supplements and diet are equally important. My experience has been that many patients only need 30 days on my Candida diet, although I have seen patients need as long as 90 days. Even better, when the factors contributing to the problem are addressed, many patients report lasting improvement.‍ ‍

Protocol Part 1 - Anti-Fungal Supplements:

I have found the following combination of supplements to be a useful foundation for supporting patients dealing with Candida overgrowth and other fungal concerns:

1. GI Synergy from Apex Energetics - Store Code: DrC

GI Synergy contains a combination of natural ingredients commonly used for antimicrobial, digestive, and gastrointestinal support. In my experience, many patients seem to respond better to this combination approach than to products aimed only at fungal support. ‍

2. A mucosal support powder such as RepairVite - Store Code: DrC

RepairVite is designed to provide nutritional support for the mucosal lining, particularly in the digestive tract.

Another option is GI Revive - Registration Code: CR1735, which is also available in capsules.

Supporting the health of the intestinal lining is an important part of my approach because the gut barrier plays an important role in digestive and immune function.

3. A Probiotic

I currently carry several different probiotics in my office because not everyone has the same needs. Some of the probiotics my patients commonly use include Proflora 4R from Biocidin and Saccharomyces Boulardii from Biotics Research Registration Code: CR1735

The goal isn't simply to add as many bacteria as possible. The gut microbiome is an incredibly complex ecosystem, and different people can respond very differently to different probiotic strains.

Additional supplements, such as digestive enzymes or liver support supplements, may be added on a case-by-case basis depending on the patient's history, symptoms, and examination findings.

It is important to work with a qualified healthcare professional when addressing persistent or recurrent symptoms so that the approach can be tailored to your individual needs.

If you need a login code for the links, use DrC on the Apex Energetics site and CR1735 for Doctors Supplement Store.

Please note that many of the supplements mentioned above are sold at a much higher price online than what you would pay through a physician's office. When appropriate, purchasing professional-grade supplements through your practitioner may also provide the benefit of having guidance on which products are appropriate for you.

Protocol Parts 2&3 – The Anti-fungal Diet:

I've seen several versions of an anti-Candida diet, and I know that many people live their lives following some sort of anti-Candida or anti-fungal diet, only to have symptoms return when they stray from the diet at all.

This is no way to live!

As I mentioned above, my experience has been that many patients only need to follow my anti-fungal diet for 30 days and can then gradually return to a healthy, balanced diet without their symptoms returning. In some cases, up to 90 days on my diet has been necessary.

One of the things I keep in mind when developing a Candida diet is limiting added sugars and highly refined carbohydrates. Candida can utilize sugars as an energy source, and laboratory research has shown that certain sugars can increase Candida growth or adhesion under specific conditions. However, diet alone isn't the whole story, and the evidence in humans is more complicated than simply saying that eating carbohydrates causes Candida overgrowth.

I do allow for a small amount of whole grains and beans because I find that it helps with compliance and therefore success. In my experience, the more consistently someone can follow the overall protocol, the better the results tend to be.

While this diet is more strict than some other anti-fungal diets, I've found it to be a useful starting point for many of my patients.

It can be overwhelming to only look at what can't be eaten, so I've also included a list of foods that can be eaten while on this anti-fungal diet. Please note that this is a general guide and not all-inclusive.

Part 2 - Foods to Avoid: My Top 5

1. Sugars and Sweeteners
Honey, Sweet N Low, etc. - Stevia is okay, but make sure it does not have anything such as inulin added to it.

2. Fruits
Including tomato - lemon, lime, and avocado are okay.

3. Yeast
Breads, beer, etc.

4. Vinegar
Mayonnaise, mustard, salad dressings, etc. - Apple Cider Vinegar is okay.

5. Dairy
You can eat eggs, plain yogurt, and butter.

Part 3 - Foods to Eat: My Top 3

1. Vegetables
Especially leafy greens. Starchy vegetables such as potatoes or corn should be counted as a grain.

2. Meat
Hormone-free if available.

3. Nuts and Nut Butters
Except peanut and pistachio.

This protocol is so easy, I'm almost annoyed that it took me so long to get it right!

But it's also proof of something I see over and over again in practice: sometimes the body doesn't need another medication or another complicated plan. Sometimes it needs the right combination of support and attention to the factors that may be contributing to the problem.

So what are you waiting for?

If these symptoms sound like you, you've tried everything, or you've even been diagnosed with Candida, let's get started!

Seem like a lot of information? Don't worry! I'll be following up with some more information in the next few posts.

Need information now? Get in touch with us and we'd love to see how we can help you get started on a personalized approach.

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About the Author

Dr. Caroline Ricker, DC, DABCI, MTAA, is the founder of Whole Health & Wellness in St. Louis. Her practice combines functional medicine, clinical nutrition, functional laboratory testing, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and other integrative approaches for patients with chronic and recurring health concerns.

Learn more about Dr. Caroline Ricker and Whole Health & Wellness