How to Get Rid of Candida for Good: 11 Essentials

How to get rid of candida for good? One of the most popular way to treat it is to follow a candida cleanse diet. This particular diet requires the elimination of white flour, cheese, yeasts, and sugar.

Candida 101

Candida is a genus of yeast or fungus found in most living organisms. Yeast is essential to for a healthy body—it aids in proper digestion when in normal levels in the body. 

Most people have some candida in their body—particularly their gut. Candida helps keep your gut flora balanced by keeping toxins from invading the rest of your body, boosting immune function, and absorbing vitamins and minerals from your food. 

In short: Not all forms candida are bad. 

In fact, candida is called an “opportunistic” yeast that only becomes “pathogenic” or “bad” under certain conditions. Opportunistic pathogens are defined as those that develop certain characteristics under suitable conditions.

For example, C. albicans—the best known form of candida—is part of the normal gut flora and it lives “harmoniously” in the inner warm layers of the digestive and vaginal tract—doing no harm…unless it gets disrupted or overgrown.   

Too Much Candida is NOT Normal

Candida “overgrowth” is the most common cause of fungal infections worldwide. 

Candida overgrowth happens when the normal balance of intestinal flora becomes upset and the yeast takes over. Candida can become overgrown everywhere in the human body (skin, nails, mouth, genitalia, gut), but the best known, infectious forms are found in the GI tract. 

If candida yeast becomes overgrown, the body runs into problems. The body always desires balance, hence if there is too much candida, the body can no longer absorb the yeast cells and various toxins on its own. 

The result? A significant dysfunction of body processes and the development of “candida overgrowth.” So, it is important to know more about it and find ways to get rid of candida.

Candida Overgrowth Complications

“Candida overgrowth” can lead to systemic infections, not just in the gut, but also throughout the bloodstream and major organs—especially in immunocompromised patients, like those with cancer, AIDS or HIV.  

Over 90,000 people die each year in the U.S. from infections caused by candida because their bodies were too weak to fight the infection. They weren’t able to get rid of candida for good.

Non-immunocompromised patients are not off the hook though—often suffering with a host of ill side effects from candida overgrowth for years, since conventional medicine does not typically evaluate or recognize candida overgrowth a “real” condition in these “healthier” individuals.

Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth

Symptoms of candida overgrowth are non-specific and may be easily mistaken for other health complications or diagnoses. Common symptoms of candida or fungal overgrowth include:

General Symptoms

• Fatigue & low energy
• Decreased libido
• Not feeling “100%” like yourself

GI Symptoms

• Bloating, gas
• Constipation &/or loose stools
• “IBS”
• Stomach cramps
• Food sensitivities
• Cravings for carby, starchy or sugary foods 
• Carbohydrate intolerances or blood sugar imbalances around meals
• Altered appetite (Insatiable appetite or rarely hungry at all)

Systemic Symptoms

• Oral Thrush (white, milky coating on tongue)
• Vaginal yeast infections (present or past history)
• Frequent bladder infections
• Menstrual complaints (“bad” PMS)
• Hormone imbalances
• Acne
• Eczema
• Psoriasis

• Diabetes-like symptoms (hyper and hypoglycemia) 
• Allergies
• Chemical sensitivities
• Low immunity
• Metabolic imbalances (a “slow” metabolism or unexplained fast metabolism)
• Arthritis or joint swelling
• Recurrent infections (ear infections, sore throats, etc.)

 

Mood & Brain Function Symptoms

• Low mood or depression
• Irritability
• Poor concentration
• Anxiety

• Feeling spacey or “brain fog”
• Frequent headaches
• Dizziness/loss of balance

 

A person with candida overgrowth typically won’t experience all of these symptoms, but will relate to a handful of them, often times with seemingly no explanation for what caused or triggered their symptoms in the first place. 

How Do You Get Candida Overgrowth?

There is not one cause of candida overgrowth. The yeast imbalance can build for several years prior to the onset of a full blown “candida infection.”

Predisposing factors that may trigger candida overgrowth include:

• Being a woman (women are 8 times more likely to experience candida overgrowth than men thanks to estrogen imbalances, and a higher number of antibiotic and oral contraceptive prescriptions) (1)

• Antibiotic history and prolonged antibiotic use
• Decreased/low stomach acid
• Chronic stress (overtraining, lack of sleep, under-eating, circadian rhythm dysfunction)
• Drinking lots of coffee (particularly instant and non-organic sources)
• Poor food combining (i.e. eating lots of starch and proteins together, eating fruits with complex foods)
• Dairy consumption (conventionally raised)

• Poor quality proteins (conventionally-raised, antibiotic and hormones administered)
• Frequent consumption of moldy or yeast-containing foods (alcohol, cheese, dried fruits, legumes, peanuts)

• Nutrient deficiencies
• Diets rich in carbohydrates, sugars, industrial seed oils, processed or refined foods
• Environmental toxins (toxic hygiene, beauty and cleaning supplies)
• Eating foods you are intolerant to
• Underlying gut pathologies (i.e. SIBO, parasites, bacteria dysbiosis or imbalance)
• Long term medication use
• Oral birth control usage
• Oral steroid hormone usage
• Impaired liver function
• Poor immune function

Candida Overgrowth Diagnosis 

The two primary markers to diagnosis candida overgrowth include:

1. A comprehensive stool analysis, demonstrating yeast overgrowth
2. Higher than normal levels of candida antibodies or antigens in the blood (Candida IgA, IgM, IgG Blood Test)

Blood testing is not always necessary, particularly if a stool analysis returns positive for candida overgrowth. Stool testing can also assess what, if any, other gut pathologies may be contributing to candida overgrowth (such as bacterial overgrowth, dysbiosis, parasites, etc.)

Candida Overgrowth Diagnosis Doesn’t Exist in Conventional Medicine

Unfortunately, mainstream medicine does not typically recognize candida overgrowth as being a “problem,” nor are most physicians trained to look for it.

Instead, they may look for or diagnosis other symptoms related to candida overgrowth—like blood sugar issues, hormone imbalances, hypothyroidism, anxiety, depression, arthritis and autoimmunity.

However, the research is clear, the gut is the gateway to health (1, 2) and candida overgrowth is very much a “real” problem (3, 4, 5, 6) even in “healthy” individuals, whether your GI doc recognizes it or not. 

Warning: Over-Diagnosis of Candida is a REAL Problem

That said, there is also a problem with over diagnosis of candida—often times without testing—in alternative medicine. 

Diagnosis for candida overgrowth is tricky without clear evidence—like a stool test and inflammatory blood markers.  Unfortunately, in the alternative medicine world, candida overgrowth has also been over diagnosed for many years, thanks to the rise of popular anti-candida diets, supplements, blogs and online quizzes—diagnosing people with the condition left and right. 

Many alternative practitioners also fall into this trap—claiming people have candida based on a list of symptoms their patients fill out to diagnose candida infection or a problem, or the infamous “spit test”—asking patients to spit into a cup of water and diagnosing candida overgrowth if their spit rises to the top (note: no research study to date confirms this truth). 

While candida overgrowth is a real thing, it often goes hand-in-hand with other commonly mis-diagnosed underlying gut pathologies including: small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, parasitic infection, intestinal permeability, HPA-Axis Dysfunction, low stomach acid, intestinal permeability and/or other yeast overgrowths)—which are equally important (if not more important) to address as well.

It’s strongly encouraged individuals work with a practitioner who understands the complexities of candida overgrowth (beyond just spitting in a cup). 

Treatment: Mainstream Approach

So what to do if you have candida overgrowth?

Google search this answer and you’ll get nearly one million results with different treatment protocols to overcome candida. 

Standard treatment in the alternative medicine world typically involves some or all of the following:

• • Vegetable juice and broth cleanses
  • Fasting
  • No sugar, no starch, no fruit “anti-candida diet” 
  • Going “keto” (low carb, high fat)
  • Popularly marketed candida cleanse systems, supplements and products—with promising results

While some of the suggestions and treatments out there can be beneficial for ridding of candida, a common problem people run into when treating candida is the return of the same symptoms and condition after their protocol has stopped. 

In other words: many protocols yield only short-term (non-lasting results).

Why?

Three common reasons:

1. Miss the Big Picture. Unfortunately, many of these protocols fail to take the “bigger picture” into consideration (i.e. other underlying gut pathologies).
2. Managing, Not Healing. Many of these protocols are simply “managing” protocols—not healing protocols. (They temporarily manage candida by “starving” the continued overgrowth yeast of carbs, sugars and starchy foods, but do not “rid” of the fungal overgrowth itself or “heal” the condition)
3. Miss “Next Steps.” Many of these protocols fail to give you “step 2” or “step 3”—the next stages for conquering candida after a short-term fast, diet or supplement protocol has been introduced. 

Candida Overgrowth Treatment: A Functional Medicine Approach

A smart, targeted approach to “healing” your body from candida, fungal and/or bacterial overgrowth is essential. Additionally, it’s essential to keep in mind that (more than likely), candida overgrowth is probably NOT the only culprit at play in the diagnosis of candida overgrowth.

Once more, candida is a normal resident of the human digestive system, and it is only when it grows in large amounts that it becomes a problem. It’s vital to consider what made it overgrow in the first place. 

Functional medicine is a scope of practice, within both conventional and alternative medicine, that always looks to first address the root cause of any disease or symptoms—rather than symptoms themselves.

In the case of candida overgrowth, the yeast overgrowth is the symptom, so a functional medicine approach asks: “What caused this symptom in the first place?”

While it may not be one thing—as you identify the stressors, triggers, lifestyle factors and any other underlying pathologies present, you will then be able to kick candida overgrowth to the curb (for good)!

Keeping this in mind, here are 11 essentials to rid of candida overgrowth, plus a 28-Day Gut Reset Candida Healing Protocol, complete with a 3-step candida healing diet, daily schedule and supplement protocol to truly heal (not just manage) your condition.

11  Essentials to Get Rid of Candida Overgrowth (for good)

1. Test Don’t Guess
2. Do a 28-Day Gut Reset
3. Add in Gut Love Habits
4. Be Mindful of Food Combining
5. Take Anti-Fungal Herbs
6. Support Your Liver & Detoxification Pathways
7. Support Your Lymph & Immune System
8. Detox Your Lifestyle
9. Address Stress
10. Rebuild the Gut
11. Don’t Obsess

1. Test Don’t Guess

Do you really have candida?

Stool testing is the gold standard for diagnosis. In addition, testing for other underlying, often cooccurring, pathologies or imbalances may be recommended to assess your overall picture of health.

Other forms of testing that may be beneficial include:

Comprehensive Blood Chemistry Analysis:

To assess nutrient deficiencies and health markers, such as iron levels, a complete thyroid panel and Vitamin D status, that may be either a cause or effect of a yeast overgrowth. SIBO Breath Testing: to test for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.

Organic Acids Testing:

To further assess dysbiosis, an abnormal overgrowth of yeast and bacteria in the intestinal tract.

Food Intolerance Testing:

To measure both IgG and IgA food sensitivities and inflammation present with certain foods.

Hormone & Cortisol Dried Urine and/or Salivary Testing:

To assess cortisol balance and HPA-Axis Dysfunction status (i.e. stress and chronic inflammation).

—Not all of these testing measures are typically necessary, but many can help you dig beyond just “candida” to help in your healing and treatment process, and further customize your “plan” to get rid of candida for good.

CALL TO ACTION: Connect with Dr. Lauryn today for a stool test to see if you have candida overgrowth, as well as get recommendations for any additional testing that could help you to reinvent the way you look, move, feel and think. 

2. Do a 28-Day Gut Reset (Candida Healing Diet)

Let food be thy medicine. The 28 Day Gut Reset Diet for Candida Healing is based upon eating real, nutrient-dense, nourishing whole foods, and minimizing the yeast-feeding foods that feed unhealthy gut bacteria and/or encourage yeast overgrowth. See your complete 28 Day Gut Reset (Candida Healing Diet) download at the end of this article, but the main points include:

Eat This (For the first 21 days, you will eat) 

• Clean Filtered Water
• Organic, Pastured & Grass-fed Meats, Poultry, Lamb, Eggs & Wild-Caught Fish
• Homemade Real Bone Broth (not from a carton)
• Colorful Low-Starch Veggies (especially Dark leafy Greens)
• Low FODMAP Fruits: Lemon, Lime, Green Tipped Bananas, Melon, Berries, Kiwi, Grapefruit
• Fresh Herbs & Spices
• Sea Salt
• Lemon Juice
• Apple Cider Vinegar

• Herbal Tea & Green Tea
• Healthy Plant & Animal Fats
• 1 Prebiotic Starchy Food/Day (as tolerated) and/or Prebiotic Fiber Supplement (guar gum, citrus pectin, glucomannan)
• Soil-based Probiotic SupplementVegetarians & Vegans Exception: vegetarians and vegans can use soaked legumes/lentils, fermented tofu, tempeh and miso as your primary protein sources. However, be aware that some people with gut issues cannot properly digest legumes.

 

 

Not That

• Starchy Veggies & Tubers (potatoes, sweet potatoes, plantains, cassava)
• High FODMAP Fruits
• Industrial Seed Oils (canola, peanut oil, grapeseed oil, Crisco; often in restaurant foods)
• Packaged, Processed & Refined Foods
• Added Sugar & Artificial Sweeteners, including honey and syrup (monk fruit ok)
• Grains (including rice, quinoa)

• Minimal Nuts & Seeds (Not advised; if consumed, no more than 1 serving of raw, soaked nuts or nutbutter)
• Nightshade Vegetables (tomatoes, eggplant, chili and hot spices)
• Mushrooms
• Conventional Protein
• Pork
• Dairy
• Coffee
• Soy
• Legumes (Beans & Peanuts)

7-Day+ Reintroduction

At the end of 21 days, you’ll begin reincorporating fermented foods and prebiotic fibers (resistant starches, root veggies & tubers), as well as experimenting with some whole food sources of foods, such as grass-fed organic dairy, raw honey, organic coffee, soaked beans and raw nuts that were initially avoided if desired. 

Get the 28-Day Gut Reset Candida Healing protocol for the complete 3-stage nutrition plan and meal ideas.

3. Add in 5 Daily Gut Love Habits

In addition to your 28 Day Gut Reset (Candida Healing) Diet, make sure to include these 5 Daily Gut Love Habits:

1. Water. Drink half your bodyweight in ounces of water
2. Apple Cider Vinegar. Add 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar to 2-4 oz. of water with meals
3. Probiotic & Prebiotic. Take a daily soil-based probiotic and prebiotic fiber
4. Variety. Eat variety and lots of color (even on a limited diet, don’t eat the same things every day)
5. Herbal Tea. Sip a daily cup of herbal tea and/or bone broth. Bonus: Add in a gut-lining and repair support, such as L-Glutamine, colostrum or collagen. 

Get the 28-Day Gut Reset Candida Healing protocol for a daily schedule to easily incorporate these into your daily routine. 

4. Be Mindful of Food Combining

Food combining affects digestion and absorption. Each macronutrient (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) digests at a different speed, and also requires the release of different enzymes in order to be broken down. If you eat foods at the same meal that have opposite digestive requirements, then your digestion runs into issues.

Keep these food combining principles in mind for optimal digestion:

• • Eat Fruit Alone or Light Meals.
    Fruit is best consumed separate from other foods, or with light snacks/meals, such as in a smoothie, an apple with a spoonful of seed butter, or light salad with berries tossed on top.
  • Minimize Starches with Proteins.
    Focus on combining proteins with non-starchy veggies and healthy fats. Starches stick to proteins, stalling digestion and keeping sugars in your bloodstream lingering for longer than they should (hello yeast feeding frenzy). When consuming starches, such as prebiotic starchy veggies like squash or sweet potatoes, with meals, keep serving to a small serving (about 1/3 cup or less) if protein is present. For even better digestion, add 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar to 2-4 oz. of water with meals.
  • Starches Digest Best with Healthy Fats & Veggies.
    Starches (such as sweet potatoes and squash), need an alkaline (basic) environment for optimal digestion. If you plan to eat more starch at a meal, eat a light protein, such as fish, turkey or chicken, while emphasizing the colorful veggies and healthy fats like coconut, olives and olive oil, avocado, butter and ghee, 

• • Leafy Greens, Non-Starchy Veggies & Herbs/Spices Go with Everything.
    You can’t go wrong with eating veggies—especially softened, cooked, and sautéed for those with “gut issues.” Make these the cornerstone of your meals. Steer clear of “hot” nightshade spices (chili powder, cayenne, paprika, etc.) while you heal; opt for fresh herbs, like cilantro, basil, oregano and thyme, as well as spices like cinnamon, turmeric, ginger and garlic.
  • Drink Water Away from Meals.
    Water is best consumed apart from foods as not to inhibit digestion.
  • Minimalist Meals Digest Best.
    Less is more. Eat until about 80% full—not stuffed—and keep foods and meals simple, such as herb crusted wild salmon with broccoli and coconut flakes; pastured chicken thighs with cauliflower mash, grass-fed butter and green beans; or a grass-fed ground beef burger patty with avocado, sauerkraut and yellow squash.
    
    

5. Add in Anti-Fungal Herbs & Gut Boosting Supports

The “secret sauce” for taking your candida healing to the next level. Instead of simply managing your condition, you can heal it, and an anti-fungal herbal protocol can help. Anti-fungal herbs, essential oils and homeopathic remedies may include a combo of:

Anti-fungal Herbs

• Wormwood
• Black Walnut
• Grapefruit Extract
• Caprylic Acid
• Barberry Extract
• Olive Extract
• Uva Ursi
• Cat’s Claw
• Goldenseal
• Oregano
• Oregon Grape
• Chinese Gold Thread

• Tea Tree Oil
• Lavender
• Shiitake
• Thyme
• Lemon
• Sage
• Ginger
• Berberine
• Chinese SkullcapBonus: Biofilm Disruptors, in conjunction with anti-fungal herbs, can help bust through the tough-to-break shells of many “bad” bacteria.

 

Herbals with a broad spectrum blend are typically best, taken 2-3 times per day, with meals. See the 28-Day Gut Reset Candida Healing Protocol for a clinically-tested and scientifically-backed supplement recommendations and 28 Day supplement schedule.

6. Support Your Liver for Detoxification

Your liver is your body’s detoxification powerhouse—it decides what stays in, and what should go out (at least if it’s functioning correctly). A healthy liver is able to “detox” out the bad bacteria and yeast you target with your anti-fungal supplement protocol and nutrient-dense diet. However, if your liver is not working properly due to congestion, toxic overload and poor quality diet (low fat diet, not eating enough, restaurant food, Standard American Diet, high sugar and sweetener consumption), then you won’t “detox” the bad bacteria and yeast as optimally as you should.

A combination of dietary essentials, lifestyle practices and herbal supports will help your liver and body “detox” yeast and bad bacteria appropriately, as well as “weather the storm” of detox reactions that often happen early on when starting an anti-fungal protocol. In order to prevent feeling sick in the long-term, or being unable to clear toxins out of your body, support your liver with these essentials:

Liver & Detoxification Supports (Herbs & Nutrients)

Herbs, such as:

• Milk Thistle
• Dandelion
• Peppermint
• Schizandra
• Ginger

Foods:

• Beets
• Grapefruit
• Lemon
• Cabbage
• Greens
• Ginger, Liver or Liver/Beef Tablets, Gentle Green Vegetable Juices

See your 28-Day Gut Reset Candida Healing protocol for how to incorporate these appropriately.

 

7. Boost Immunity & Lymphatic System

Gut issues are really “immune issues.”More than 80% of your immune fighting cells are produced and housed in your gut soooo…if your gut is under functioning, chances are your immune system is also under functioning. In addition, your lymphatic system plays an integral role in the immune functions of the body. Your lymphatic system is a fluid system that helps flush toxins out of your body. The lymphatic system is the first line of defense against disease.

This network of vessels and nodes transports and filters lymph fluid containing antibodies and lymphocytes (good) and bacteria (bad). It is mostly found surrounding the digestive and respiratory systems and under the skin.In order to get the MOST out of your liver support and anti-fungal protocol, anti-inflammatory lymphatic and immune-boosting supports are recommended to ensure that you detox correctly (i.e. you get rid of candida, toxins, pathogenic yeast and bacteria). By adding in these boosters, you will strengthen your immune system is strengthened (to get rid of candida).

Support your lymph and immune system with some of these essentials:

Compounds:

• Resveratrol + Liposomal Curcumin (together)
• Glutathione
• Amino Acids: N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
• Monolaurin (a derivative of coconut oil to boost the immune system)

Medicinal Herbs

• Red Root
• Stillingia root
• Ocotillo stem
• Astragalus
• Cleavers
• Echinacea
• Goldenseal
• Devil’s Claw
• Calendula
• Wild indigo root

Nutrients & Spices/Herbs

Anti-inflammatory Diet, including:

• Ginger
• Garlic
• Turmeric
• Clean filtered water
• Dark Leafy Greens
• Grapefruit & Citrus
• Cranberries
• Cruciferous Veggies
• Wild Caught Fatty Fish
• And all other foods on your 28-Day Gut Reset

See your 28-Day Gut Reset Candida Healing protocol for how to incorporate these appropriately.

8. Lifestyle Detox

In addition to your 28 Day Gut Reset Candida Healing nutrition and supplement protocol, bonus detoxification “boosters” to enhance your healing and get rid of candida may include modalities such as:

• Ozone &/or Sauna Therapy
• Infrared Sauna
• Heated/Warmed Yoga
• Dry Brushing
• Hot-Cold Water Therapy
• Active Release Manual Therapy
• Acupuncture

• Essential Oils
• Water or Coffee Enemas
• Eliminating Toxins (in food and products you use)
• Deep Tissue Massage
• Deep Breathing & Biofeedback (Like Inner Balance)
  

 

9. Address Stress

You cannot supplement your way out of a stressful lifestyle:  Cut it out little by little. Have you ever got a nail in your tire? You can patch it up and drive on it for a short while, but until you get to the root of the problem and take the nail out, the tire will be subpar at best.

Addressing stress works the same way. Until you do so, candida overgrowth (and other gut issues and health imbalances) will continue to be a problem, primarily because stress is the #1 driver of all disease. If you really want to heal (not just manage candida), addressing the underlying stressors and triggers that got you “there” in the first place is essential.

Some examples of addressing stress may include: 

• • Sleep. Sleeping enough (7-9 hours)
  • Movement. Cutting back from overtraining or incorporating movement if you’ve had a sedentary lifestyle
  • Cutting Out Sugar & Sweeteners. Limiting intake of artificial sweeteners and/or sugar to minimal monk fruit, low FODMAP fruits and true green leaf stevia.
  • Cut Caffeine. High caffeine or poor quality, moldy coffee consumption (instant coffee, Starbucks).
  • Reset the Circadian Rhythm. Try to get on a “normal schedule” by limiting screen use at night, eating three balanced meals daily, sleeping at night and waking during the day. If you do shiftwork, try to keep your schedule the same instead of alternating.
  • Say No. Stop burning a candle at both ends and saying “yes” to everything.
  • Limit Environmental Toxin Exposure. Replace plastic water bottles with stainless steel, toss out your toxic beauty, cleaning and hygiene supplies.
  • Mindfulness with Medications. Oral birth control use, NSAID use, antibiotics and long term medications are correlated with yeast overgrowth. If you’ve been taking any of these for long periods of time, know your risks, and a BIG focus of your candida protocol will be putting “good” gut bacteria back in once your initial 28 days are up.
  • Practice Good “Food Hygiene.” Food hygiene is the process of how you eat and manage your eating habits. Stressful food hygiene includes: eating on the go, eating old leftover food, eating out from restaurants alot, eating out of plastic tupperware, eating conventional meats and produce. The more real food sources, the better.What are the top lifestyle stressors that keep your body from “optimal” health?

10. Rebuild the Gut

A common misstep in gut healing protocols and “anti-candida” diets is failure to rebuild a healthy gut microbiome when all is said and done. Come the end of the “diet,” and many people jump ship—right back to their old ways. Others continue their anti-fungal protocol supplements, herbs and strict diet routines, wondering: “Will I EVER heal?” After taking steps to rid of pathogenic yeast and bacteria, or rebalance the gut microbiome, it’s vital to focus on adding in a variety of healthy bacteria, pre-biotics and intestinal lining support. This includes:

1. 1. Eating 1-2 fermented foods/day, as tolerated (sauerkraut, veggies, kefir, kimchi)

10. 2. Eating 1-2 prebiotic foods/day, as tolerated (cooked & cooled potatoes, sweet potatoes, green plantains, yuca, taro, asparagus, garlic, legumes, leeks, onions, cooked & cooled rice, artichokes)

10. 3. Supplementing soil-based probiotics and/or some lactic acid bacteria strains, and pre-biotic fiber.
    4. Continuing with gut healing supports: bone broth, collagen, L-glutamine and/or colostrum. Choose one or more daily.

While probiotics and pre-biotics are also part of your 28 Day Gut Reset and candida nutrition protocol, fermented foods are not recommended, 

Get the 28-Day Gut Reset Candida Healing protocol for the complete 3-stage nutrition and supplement plan. This is a great way to get rid of candida.

11. Don’t Obsess 

Last but not least, solving gut “problems” like candida can often times become a full-time job (if you let it). From Google searching answers to why you feel this way, to “what to do about it,” and thinking about how you feel all the time…it can be easy to obsess. In the spirit of complete healing (and de-stressing), aim to stick to and follow one protocol that works, adjust as you go along (if necessary), and focus on all the amazing things in your life outside gut problems.

Social engagement, time in nature and fresh air, play, giving back (volunteering), work-life balance, and doing things you enjoy are not just part of your “candida healing” protocol, they are essential.

Keep the big picture in mind—you won’t always feel this way. The more you focus on the bigger world, outside the “Will it ever end?” Candida struggle will get you further than you know. 

28 Day Gut Reset Diet: Get Rid of Candida 

So you’re ready to heal, not just manage your “gut problems.” Take back your health with a 3-pronged approach: Nutrition, lifestyle and smart supplementation to win the “war” on candida and other bacterial or fungal overgrowth. 

Nutrition Template

Your candida healing nutrition protocol is divided into 3 primary stages over the course of your initial 28 days. After your 28 days are up, you may continue with Stage 3 (reintroduction) and listening to what your body can and can’t tolerate.

Stage 1: Gut Reset Prep (24-48 Hours)

In order to get your body into “reset” mode, it is recommended you take at least 1-2 days prior to jumping in to your 28 Day Gut Reset to get prepped.

During these 24-48 hours, you’ll focus on two things:

1. Get Prepped in the Kitchen.

Make sure you have the food you need for success and menu planning if that is helpful. Stock your kitchen with the proteins, veggies, healthy fats and gut loving essentials like bone broth and herbal teas you need to make your reset a breeze.

2. Get Your Supplies.

Order or purchase the supplements and herbs you need to boost your candida busting protocol, as well as tools such as a daily pill box to organize your supplements, daily planner or journal, and any gut boosting additions you’d like to add in to your 28 Day Reset, such as:

• • Locate an infrared sauna or sauna in town to go to
  • Sign up for a 30-day yoga membership or checking out videos online
  • Learn how to dry brush  
  • Read a mind-and-soul-stretching book (my fave) 
  • Book a massage, body work or acupuncture
  • Learn how to do Biofeedback  
  • Start a mindfulness practice of meditation or journaling
  • Try hot-cold therapy
  • Get a rebounder for detoxifying

Pick one or two things you’d like to try over the next 28 days (you don’t have to do it all). The more you are prepared with “tools,” the more fun this 28 Day Gut Reset will be.

Optional 24-48 Hour Liquid-Based Cleanse.

Depending on how long you’ve been struggling with gut issues, or how eager you are to get going, some people find it helpful to “wipe the slate clean” with a 24-48 hour liquid-based cleanse during which they eat easy-to-digest simple meals, bone broth, soups and simple smoothies. Here’s a sample day:

Breakfast

Green smoothie (coconut milk, collagen, avocado, 1/2 green tipped banana, spinach)

Lunch
Salad: Canned wild salmon, dark leafy greens, olives, avocado oil mayo, fresh squeezed lemon

Dinner

Bone broth-based soup with chicken & softened veggies (dark leafy greens)
Coconut flour “cornbread” muffin with ghee

Snack: Choose one

• Additional cup of bone broth
• Collagen protein or additive-free protein, shake up in water
• Coconut yogurt
• Coconut butter (1-2 tbsp)
• Melon or Piece of fruit (berries, green apple)
• Softened veggies (like carrots or broccoli) with guacamole or Paleo Ranch

Your 24-48 hour cleanse is not drastically different from your 28 Day Gut Reset, except there is a greater emphasis on broths and liquids, dark leafy greens and easy-to-digest proteins—like fish and chicken. 

Stage 2: Candida Kickoff (21 Days)

For 21 days, you’ll focus on eating nutrient-dense anti-inflammatory foods, and limiting food that feed yeast and pathogenic bacteria, including:

Eat This: 

For the first 21 days, you will eat:

• Clean Filtered Water
• Organic, Pastured & Grass-fed Meats, Poultry, Lamb, Eggs & Wild-Caught Fish
• Homemade Real Bone Broth (not from a carton)
• Low FODMAP Fruits: Lemon, Lime, Green Tipped Bananas, Melon, Berries, Kiwi, Grapefruit, Green Apples
• Fresh Herbs & Spices

• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Sea Salt
• Lemon Juice
• Herbal Tea & Green Tea
• Healthy Plant & Animal Fats
• 1 Prebiotic Starchy food/day (as tolerated) and/or Prebiotic Fiber Supplement (guar gum, citrus pectin, glucomannan)
• Soil-based Probiotic Supplement

 

Colorful Low-Starch Veggies including: 

• Bamboo shoots
• Beet
• Bok choy
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts (as tolerated)
• Carrot
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Cucumber (including pickles made without sugar)
• Dandelion greens
• Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, chard, collards, mesclun, arugula, etc.)
• Endive
• Green beans

• Olives
• Lettuce
• Onion (as tolerated)
• Parsnip
• Sea vegetables
• Spring onion (green part only) 
• Sprouts and microgreens (including alfalfa and sunflower)
• Summer squash (zucchini, pattypan and yellow squash) 
• Swiss chard 
• Tomatoes (fresh, including cherry tomatoes, avoid sauces)
• Winter squash (acorn, butternut, pumpkin and spaghetti squash) 

 

Not That

• Starchy Veggies & Tubers (potatoes, sweet potatoes, plantains, cassava)—for just 21 days
• High sugar fruits (ripe bananas, watermelon, mangos, papayas, pears, plums, cherries, apricots, grapes)
• Nightshade Vegetables (tomatoes, eggplant, chili and hot spices)
• Mushrooms
• Industrial Seed Oils (canola, peanut oil, grapeseed oil, Crisco; often in restaurant foods)
• Packaged, Processed & Refined Foods

• Minimal Nuts & Seeds (Cause GI inflammation for many people; if consumed, no more than 1 serving of raw, soaked nuts, seed crackers or raw nutbutter)
• Conventional Protein
• Added Sugar & Artificial Sweeteners, including honey and syrup (monk fruit ok)
• Grains (including rice, quinoa, oats, bread, pastas, crackers)
• Pork
• Dairy
• Coffee
• Soy
• Legumes (Beans & Peanuts)

 

Vegetarians & Vegans Exception: vegetarians and vegans can use soaked legumes/lentils, fermented tofu, tempeh and miso as your primary protein sources. However, be aware that some people with gut issues cannot properly digest legumes.

Stage 3: Reintroduction to Candida Freedom (7+ Days)

At the end of 21 days, you’ll begin reincorporating fermented foods and prebiotic fibers (resistant starches, root veggies & tubers), as well as experimenting with some whole food sources of foods, such as grass-fed organic dairy, raw honey, organic coffee, soaked beans and raw nuts that were initially avoided if desired.

Some foods may agree with you just fine, while others are “no gos.” Your body will tell you. 

To reintroduce foods, follow this protocol:

1. Pick one food to focus on at a time (ideally, beginning with probiotic and prebiotic foods)

2. Add in a small serving—by itself. Note how you feel. 

3. If it agreed with you, try it again the next day, this time a little bit more of a serving if you like. Note how you feel. 

4. Eat the food with a meal if desired. Once more note how you feel.
5. Determine “yay” or “nay,” then move on to integrating in another food if you like.

Food Options to Reintroduce

• Fermented Foods (sauerkraut, pickled veggies, kefir, kimchi; the goal is 1-2 servings/day)
• Prebiotic Starchy Tubers (cooked & cooled potatoes, sweet potatoes, green plantains, yuca, taro, asparagus, garlic, legumes, leeks, onions, cooked & cooled rice, artichokes; the goal is 1-2 servings/day)
• Variety with veggies

• Soaked & dried rice
• Variety with fruits (limit to 1-2 servings/day)
• Soaked & dried legumes
• Soaked & dried raw nuts/seeds
• Organic fresh coffee
• Pastured pork or organic pork (bacon, roast, etc.)
• Grass-fed Yogurt (cow, goat)
• Grass-fed Cheese (cow, goat)
• Raw honey/pure maple syrup

 

Sample Weekly Nutrition Plan

Breakfast

1. Turkey Sausage, Avocado, Sauteed Rainbow Chard in Coconut Oil, Steamed Cauliflower 
2. Leftover Turkey Sausage, Avocado, Collard Greens, Ghee
3. Coconut Yogurt, Frozen Cranberries, 1-2 tbsp. Sun-butter, 1 Scoop Collagen Protein, Cinnamon & Vanilla
4. Green Monster Smoothie: Coconut Milk, Additive-Free Protein Powder, 1/2 green-tipped Banana, ½ Avocado, Spinach
5. Leftover Salmon, Broccoli, Grapefruit 
6. Leftover Butternut Squash Hash: Ground Turkey, Butternut, Spinach, Mushrooms, Ghee, Avocado 
7. AIP-Friendly Banana Pancakes, Turkey Bacon

Lunch

1. Tuna Salad with Avocado Mayo, Zucchini Chips, Seed Crackers
2. Turkey Unwich (Collard Green Wrap), Avocado Mayo, Sprouts, Mustard, Roasted Squash
3. Leftover Crispy Chicken Thighs, 1/2 Cooked & Cooled Purple Sweet Potato, Green Beans, Paleo Ranch
4. Mixed Greens, Leftover Turkey Meatloaf Slice, Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Apple Cider Vinegar, Olives, Roasted Beets
5. Turkey Rollups, Handful Macadamia Nuts, Seaweed Chips, Roasted Yellow Squash
6. “Bowl”: Butternut Squash, Pulled Chicken, Dark Leafy Greens, Paleo Avocado Mayo
7. Leftover Taco Meat, Mixed Greens, Summer Squash & Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Paleo Ranch

Dinner

1. Baked Lemon Cod, Pan-fried Cinnamon Green Plantains, Collard Greens, Coconut Oil
2. Crispy Chicken Thighs, Purple Sweet Potato, Green Beans in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3. Ground Turkey Meatloaf, Cauliflower Mash, Sauteed Spinach in Ghee
4. Herb Crusted Wild Salmon, Roasted Beets, Unsweetened Coconut Flakes, Sauteed Spinach in Ghee
5. Lamb Burger, Roasted Rainbow Carrots, Lemon Garlic Asparagus 
6. “Tacos:” Ground Bison, Collard Green Wrap, Guacamole, Roasted Summer Squash in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
7. Tuscan Herb Roasted Whole Chicken, Leftover Rainbow Carrots, Crispy Brussels Sprouts 

Candida Healing Supplement Protocol

The following protocol is a 28 Day supplement protocol to support your healing process, designed to rid of candida overgrowth, along with other pathogenic bacteria, while slowly reintroducing and building in good bacteria.  If currently taking medications prescribed by your healthcare practitioner to manage your condition, please discuss your protocol with your healthcare provider.

Note: As always, remember, you cannot supplement your way out of a poor diet, poor gut health or stressful lifestyle.

Initial 28-Days

Pre Breakfast

• Biofilm Disruptor (Interfase Plus x 3-4)
• 12-16 oz. warm lemon water + sea salt

Breakfast

• Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) or Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tbsp in water)
• Anti-Microbial Herbs (GI Synergy by Apex)
• Monolaurin (Lauracidin)
• Digestive Enzymes 
• Extra Virgin Cod Liver Oil
• Short Chain Fatty Acids (Enterovite by Apex Energetics)
• Liver Nutrient Support (Bilemin by Apex Enegetics)
• Multi-Nutrient Support with Biotin (Metabolic Synergy by Designs for Health, or ClearVite by Apex Energetics) 

Lunch

• HCL or Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tbsp)
• Digestive Enzymes
• Monolaurin (Lauracidin) 
• Spore Forming Probiotic (Megaspore)
• Liver Nutrient Support (Bilemin by Apex Enegetics)
• Multi-Nutrient Support with Biotin (Metabolic Synergy by Designs for Health, or ClearVite by Apex Energetics)

Mid-Day

• Biofilm Disruptor (Interfase Plus x 3-4)

Dinner

• HCL or Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tbsp)
• Digestive Enzymes
• Antimicrobial Herbs (GI Synergy)
• Monolaurin (Lauracidin)
• Prebiotic (1/2-1 tsp) in water
• Liver Nutrient Support (Bilemin by Apex Enegetics)
• Multi-Nutrient Support with Biotin (Metabolic Synergy by Designs for Health, or ClearVite by Apex Energetics)

Before Bed

• Soil-Based Probiotic
• Herbal Tea, like Chamomile, Dandelion or Ginger with L-Glutamine based Powder (GI-Revive)

Immune & Lymph Boosters:

• Liposomal Resveratrol + Liposomal Curcumin 

Post 28-Days

At the end of 28-Days, gradually taper off your nutrients and begin to focus more on probiotics and prebiotics. If symptoms still seem worse, continue your supplement protocol for an additional 30 days before completely abandoning it. 

Pre Breakfast

• Biofilm Disruptor (Interfase Plus x 1-2)
• 12-16 oz. warm lemon water + sea salt

Breakfast

• Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) or Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tbsp in water)
• Soil-Based Probiotic 
• Digestive Enzymes 
• Extra Virgin Cod Liver Oil
• Short Chain Fatty Acids (Enterovite by Apex Energetics)
• Liver Nutrient Support (Bilemin by Apex Enegetics)
• Multi-Nutrient Support with Biotin (Metabolic Synergy by Designs for Health, or ClearVite by Apex Energetics) 

Lunch

• HCL or Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tbsp)
• Digestive Enzymes
• Spore Forming Probiotic (Megaspore)
• Liver Nutrient Support (Bilemin by Apex Enegetics)
• Multi-Nutrient Support with Biotin (Metabolic Synergy by Designs for Health, or ClearVite by Apex Energetics)

Dinner

• HCL or Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tbsp)
• Digestive Enzymes
• Prebiotic Fiber (1/2-1 tsp) in water
• Liver Nutrient Support (Bilemin by Apex Enegetics)
• Multi-Nutrient Support with Biotin (Metabolic Synergy by Designs for Health, or ClearVite by Apex Energetics)

Before Bed

• Soil-Based Probiotic
• Herbal Tea, like Chamomile, Dandelion or Ginger with L-Glutamine based Powder (GI-Revive)
• Immune & Lymph Boosters:
• Liposomal Resveratrol + Liposomal Curcumin 

Optional:

Other Probiotics

After your initial 28 days, consider varying your probiotics. Toleration of different probiotics depend on your personal bacterial profile in your gut. Some to consider include:

Best for constipation: Soil based and spore-forming organisms, E. Coli Nissle (MutaFlor), Lactobacillus planetarium (Ideal Bowel Support by Jarrow), Bifidobacteria infantis

Best for loose stools: Soil and spore forming organisms, Saccaromyces boulardii, VSL#3, Elixa

Continue taking your 1 capsule of probiotic 3 times per day in addition to adding in 1-2 fermented foods and prebiotic foods at the end of your initial 28 days. 

Essential Oils (nature’s healers)

• Rub topical essential oils on abdomen and pulse points (10 drops tea tree Oil + 5 drops oregano oil + 5 drops lavender + 5 drops lemon + 3 drops cinnamon; or make your own blend of choice)
• Digestive Bitters & Herbs (as needed if overgrowth is moderate-severe, such as AFNG by Byron White or Dysbiocide)
• Molybendum (200 mg with meals if overgrowth and dysbiosis is severe)
• Liposomal Glutathione (as needed to boost immunity)
• Colostrum (additional gut-healing support; Tegricel by Designs for Health)
• Natural Anti-histamine (optional)
• Vitamin D3 (short-term of 5,000 to 10,000 IU’s ONLY if Vitamin D-25(OH) levels are abnormally low on blood work, and PTH levels are above 30*; consult with your practitioner) * PTH levels above 30 pg/mL may be indicative of biological vitamin D deficiency when 25(OH)D levels are borderline low.

*Disclaimer: This protocol does not establish a client-practitioner relationship, nor should it be used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition. By utilizing this information you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own health decisions, and you have consulted with your own healthcare provider for any questions, conditions, or supplements and medications you are currently taking. Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods or supplements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.

Daily Schedule: Candida Protocol

Morning Routine

• Drink 16 oz. fresh clean lemon water
• Add 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar to a shot glass of water to take your morning supplements
• Stretch or move your body-5-10 minutes (sun salutations, yoga poses, squats, pushups, something to wake up)
• Dry brushing and/or rebounding
• Put something good in—a podcast, devotional, meditation, prayer
• Set an intention (goal) for the day, and define your TOP 3 priorities (to-dos you want to accomplish)

During the Day

• Eat real, nourishing foods
• Follow supplement protocol
• Take breaks from screens and sitting every 60 minutes (5-10 minutes to walk, stretch)
• Move your body (incorporate a variety of fitness, like walking, strength, aerobic and mobility; aim for 30-60 minutes most days)

Evening Routine

• Drink herbal tea, like ginger or dandelion. Add in L-Glutamine, colostrum, and/or collagen. 
• Shut off screens 1-2 hours before bed to “candle down”
• Eat 2-3 hours at least before bed
• Pray, reflect, meditate and/or stretch

RESOURCES

1. Shreiner, A. B., Kao, J. Y., & Young, V. B. (2015). The gut microbiome in health and in disease. Current Opinion in Gastroenterology, 31(1), 69–75. http://doi.org/10.1097/MOG.0000000000000139

2. Quigley, E. M. M. (2013). Gut Bacteria in Health and Disease. Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 9(9), 560–569.

3. Sang Hu Kim et al. Global Analysis of the Fungal Microbiome in Cystic Fibrosis Patients Reveals Loss of Function of the Transcriptional Repressor Nrg1 as a Mechanism of Pathogen Adaptation, PLOS Pathogens (2015). DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005308 

4. Ganapathy, D. M., Joseph, S., Ariga, P., & Selvaraj, A. (2013). Evaluation of the influence of blood glucose level on oral candidal colonization in complete denture wearers with Type-II Diabetes Mellitus: An in vivo Study. Dental Research Journal, 10(1), 87–92. http://doi.org/10.4103/1735-3327.11180

5. Kumamoto, C. A. (2011). Inflammation and gastrointestinal Candida colonization. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 14(4), 386–391. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2011.07.015 

6. Kabir, M. A., Hussain, M. A., & Ahmad, Z. (2012). Candida albicans: A Model Organism for Studying Fungal Pathogens. ISRN Microbiology, 2012, 538694. http://doi.org/10.5402/2012/538694

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