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
Cormac Whelan2023-03-26Rob has helped me through a gut health conditon that no other GP was able or willing to figure out. There was no guess work involved. He got to the root of my issues through knowledge, testing and investigation. I would highly recommend the London Centre for Functional MedicineRoger Hassan2023-03-26I can’t say enough good things about my experience at the London Centre for Functional Medicine. After 3 years of misdiagnosis and living with IBS I finally felt I was able to heal. I’m truly grateful to Rob for his expertise in SIBO. I have to keep things in check but I feel so much better. I would highly recommend them.G Monkee2023-03-22For those seeking an alternative viewpoint to their chronic conditions, I would recommend the London Centre for Functional Medicine to others. They were helpful and mindful of my financial restrictions. Thank you.Martin Beaumont2023-03-21Working with the London Centre for Functional Medicine team has been a great experience. I have had big improvements with digestion issues and now live pain free! Having the support of Rob was very useful when questions or issues arose during the program and was particularly impressed with not going overboard with the supplement regime. Highly recommended!Sean Hayden2023-02-20I'm currently going through treatment with Rob and just wanted to acknowledge the individualised and personalised care that has been provided. From when I started Rob has looked at my health issues without judgement and was able to help me in many areas that weren't optimal. Notably, Rob has helped me overcome gut issues and other niggling issues that I didn't were related but seemingly are. Rob is also great at explaining the body systems and related things which has been great. I can highly recommend the London Centre for Functional MedicineK Kelly2023-02-18"What I appreciate about Rob at the London Centre for Functional Medicine is that he seeks to educate rather than just give supplements and instructions. He makes you understand both the action needed to take as well the underlying physiological processes driving the underlying issues. Highly recommended."Aaron Robson2023-02-18If you're dealing with health challenges that conventional medicine hasn't resolved, I strongly suggest you visit the London Centre for Functional Medicine. They make a real effort to comprehend symptoms and worked with me to develop a plan for exploring treatment possibilities. Thanks to my practitioner, I now have answers to health questions that had eluded me for years, and I couldn't be more grateful. My practitioner (rob) uses a data-driven approach to identify the underlying cause. I've already recommended him to friends, and they have had success with his care as well.Tracy Thomas2023-02-12Rather than going to a GP when you are sick I entered the Functional Medicine journey before things got out of hand. It’s a route everyone should consider as it does prevent illness and can reverse it! I learned a lot about how my body works and how to become healthier. London CFM walked me through the things I needed to know by educating me about how the digestive system works and healing my SIBO. Thank you!Lindsay Jones2023-01-08I sought help from the London Centre for Functional Medicine for a problem I have had for most of my life, terrible digestive issues. Rob has worked with me to get back normal function of my digestive function. It has taken some time but the result have been great so far.T Webster2022-07-16I was originally referred to Mr Staunton by a nutritional therapist who felt that his particular expertise was required for my specific needs. After meeting him and explaining the situation, he conducted some lab tests which had to be shipped to Germany.. In the 3 months that I’ve been treated by Mr Staunton, I’ve seen a significant improvement in my symptoms and I’m feeling optimistic about my continued good health. I highly recommend the Clinic and working with Mr Staunton has been a very professional and pleasant experience. He’s extremely knowledgeable about both nutrition and how the body works.
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