Candida Overgrowth: The Key Steps to Healing
Feb 09, 2025Candida overgrowth can wreak havoc on your body, causing symptoms like fatigue, digestive issues, brain fog, and recurrent yeast infections. Before diving into supplements with antifungal properties, it’s essential to understand the steps needed to fully resolve Candida overgrowth. I divide this process into three key steps:
Step 1: Open Your Drainage Pathways
Supporting your body’s natural detox pathways is the foundation of healing. You can follow my protocol or learn how to personalize your own, depending on which pathways need the most support—whether that’s the liver, gallbladder, lymphatic system, kidneys, or colon. Without proper drainage, any anti-candida protocol will fail. Need to identify which pathways need support in your case? Start here. Drainage support is how we prevent detox reactions.
If you're already supporting drainage but are herxing, learn why this can happen here.
Step 2: Identify Your Unique Root Causes & Triggers
While supporting drainage, it’s time to uncover what’s driving the overgrowth. Common root causes include:
- Environmental toxins (heavy metals, mold) - Note: doing parasite cleansing long enough removes heavy metals from the body. I teach this in Root Cause Detox.
- Stealth pathogens (parasites) - Skeptical about parasites? Check out this post.
- Medications (especially hormone-based drugs like estrogen)
- Estrogen dominance
- Alcohol consumption
- Insulin resistance/high blood sugar
- Chronic stress (stuck in fight-or-flight mode)
- High nn-EMF exposure
- Nutrient deficiencies (vitamin D, magnesium, iron, selenium, zinc)
- Tap water contaminants
Step 3: Address Root Causes Before or Alongside Antifungals
Many people find that addressing root causes alone significantly reduces or even eliminates Candida overgrowth. However, antifungal supplements can be helpful in certain cases. The key is doing things in the right order—this makes all the difference in your healing journey.
5 Anti-Candida Supplements
1. Berberine
Berberine, found in plants like goldenseal and barberry, helps fight infections—especially yeast infections caused by Candida albicans. It works by stopping the yeast from attaching to your cells and reduces inflammation to restore immune balance.
Clinical Pearl: Berberine is particularly effective if you’re experiencing diarrhea linked to Candida overgrowth.
- Starting Dose: 250 mg three times a day
- Supplement Recommendation: Berberine by Klaire Labs
2. Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is a powerful natural antifungal that fights yeast infections and breaks down biofilms—those stubborn layers that make infections harder to treat. Studies show that a 3% oregano oil mixture can be as effective as prescription antifungals like Nystatin.
- Starting Dose: 0.2 ml twice a day between meals
- Supplement Recommendation: Oregano Oil by Protocol for Life Balance
3. Undecylenic Acid
Undecylenic acid, a fatty acid often used for skin fungal infections, prevents Candida from shifting into its aggressive, infection-spreading form. It also weakens the fungus’s protective barrier, making it easier to eliminate.
- Starting Dose: 500 mg per day
- Supplement Recommendation: Undecylenic Acid (formerly Formula SF722) by Thorne
4. Caprylic Acid
Caprylic acid, found in coconut oil, fights Candida by damaging its outer layer and blocking its defenses.
Clinical Pearl: When combined with oregano oil, this duo works rapidly—but it’s a potent combo, so proceed with caution.
- Starting Dose: 16 mg per kilogram of body weight per day
- Supplement Recommendation: Caprylic Acid by NuMedica
5. Probiotics
Probiotics like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum promote a healthy gut environment that keeps Candida in check. They’re especially helpful after antibiotics to restore beneficial bacteria. Plus, they support immune function and help prevent recurrent yeast and urinary tract infections.
- Starting Dose: 5 billion CFU
- Supplement Recommendation: PureProbiotic by Pure Encapsulations
Moving Forward on Your Healing Journey
Healing from Candida overgrowth isn’t just about supplements—it’s about understanding your body, addressing root causes, and creating an environment where Candida can’t thrive.
If Candida has been a persistent issue, you might find it helpful to explore more detailed protocols that guide you through combining these supplements effectively, adjusting dosages, and supporting your detox pathways. These resources are available in Root Cause Detox, designed to offer clear, actionable steps without overwhelming you.
Remember, your healing journey is unique. Taking it one step at a time can lead to profound, lasting change. 💚
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