Candida Specialist – Testing and Treatment
A Functional Medicine Approach to Candida
Candida overgrowth is when a fungus that is a natural part of our digestive tract becomes imbalanced. In its symbiotic state, its beneficial to the host and aids digestion and nutrient absorption.
The problem with Candida is when it overgrows which causes a number of different symptoms both in and outside the gut. One of the biggest misconceptions is that Candida is a “women’s” problem. This is very untrue and can affect women, men and children in many parts of the body.
Causes of Candida
Candida can have a multifactorial cause including, a high sugar diet, a course of antibiotics, chronic stress, a high inflammatory diet seen in the Western world and too much alcohol. Generally, it will be a combination of a couple of issues that will cause Candida to overgrow.
One of the unfortunate problems with Candida is its recognition within the current conventional medical community and it’s still not seen, or more importantly, not given the recognition as a serious condition that can be very debilitating for those that suffer from it. Because of this, UK Candida testing is unfortunately substandard in comparison to some of the labs we use at the clinic.
Our practitioners’ approach to Candida from our clinic in London is nearly the opposite view, in that we believe Candida to be a very serious and debilitating condition that can cause a myriad of strange symptoms.
Candida symptoms are unique to each individual and, although there is a reoccurring pattern for the most part with digestive complaints, such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, however, we also see a lot of symptoms outside the gut such as acne, depression and anxiety.
Common Symptoms
- Constipation
- Diarrohea
- Headaches
- Rectal itching
- Bloating
- GERD
- Fatigue
- Recurring Bacterial Infections
- Abdominal distension
- Excessive Gas
- Insomnia
- Coated White Tongue
Candida Treatment
The first consultation is to find out why you got an overgrowth of Candida in the first place. If we don’t address the root cause, then chances are it could come back. There are a number of strategies we can use to rebalance the microbiome so Candida comes back into check. We recommend all patients get a Candida stool test to confirm its Candida causing their symptoms, as many IBS symptoms present themselves in a similar fashion, If we don’t find Candida, we can do other tests such as a SIBO breath test and/or food intolerance/sensitivity testing, H-Pylori and Parasite testing to check if these are the root cause of your presenting symptoms.
Anti Fungal Diet
The aim of the diet is to cuts out foods that will feed the Candida. The comprehensive diet is supplied during a consultation. Continuing with the diet throughout the protocol is essential as no treatment will be successful if you continuously feed it while trying to bring it back into balance. The anti-fungal diet won’t be enough to kill off Candida. You will need to take anti-fungal supplements alongside it. Symptoms will abate with diet alone but to make sure it doesn’t come back, a supplement of natural antifungals for a certain time period is recommended. These can include fatty acids, botanical herbs and immune-supporting vitamins/minerals.
As well as an antifungal diet we will look to
- Remove foods from your diet that cause inflammation and irritate the gut wall.
- Remove the overgrowth of yeasts in your gut.
- Reduce inflammation and repairing the lining of your intestinal tract
-
Restore
beneficial bacteria, which are often low and re-establishing a healthy microbiome
Candida Approach
Optimal Nutrition and Absorption
One of the main aspects of a successful recovery is a diet that includes avoiding or heavily reducing foods that feed Candida such as sugar, peanuts, all kinds of vinegar, refined carbohydrates, grains, mushrooms and starches.
Supplement Support
We can use a number of different strategies that include specific probiotics that contain friendly yeast that competes against Candida on the gut wall. In addition, we can use a number of antifungal herbs along with biofilm busters to clear the infection.
Testing
A Candida stool test can be done through a gut microbiome test. (GI Map test) which is one of the best microbiome tests and looks at not only yeasts but parasites, and levels of good and bad bacteria. Another Candida overgrowth test that we use in the clinic is the urinary organics acid test. This gives results based on different levels of yeasts, bacteria, and other markers to test gut health and other body systems dysfunctions.
Targeted Treatments
Our practitioners can recommend additional treatment or lifestyle interventions that have proven effects to help you overcome Candida infections..
Our Client's Feedback
Why Choose the London Centre for Functional Medicine?
Support
Once you reach out to us, the team will guide you through the collaborative process with a practitioner, We will gather the information we need to understand you better and help support and motivate you along your health journey.
Experience
We take the complex and try to make it simple. Many patients have gone to multiple doctors before they reach us. By taking a functional medicine approach, we can focus on the core imbalance and what needs to be addressed to improve your health picture.
Custom Approach
There is no one size fits approach as each patient is unique. Thus, no plan or protocol is the same. Everything about you including symptoms, lifestyle, diet, genetics and capacity to heal is different and will require a personalized approach.
london center for functional medicine