Gut Candida 101: Everything You Need to Know About Your Microbiome's Candida Levels

The health of your gut is intricately linked to your overall well-being, from digestion to mood and immunity. A crucial player in this system is the balance of microorganisms that reside in your gut, collectively known as the microbiome. Among these microorganisms is Candida, a yeast that naturally exists in the human body. While it may sound alarming to hear about yeast in your gut, Candida is completely normal—until it gets out of balance.

What is Candida?

Candida is a type of yeast, specifically a genus of fungi, that lives in various parts of the body, including the mouth, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. There are hundreds of Candida, but the most common species found in humans is Candida albicans. In a balanced gut, Candida coexists with other bacteria and fungi without causing harm. It plays a role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. However, when the balance of microorganisms in the gut is disrupted, Candida can grow excessively, leading to a condition known as candidiasis or yeast overgrowth.

Achieving optimal gut Candida levels is key to maintaining good gut health and overall wellness.

Gut Candida Levels: What Is Normal?

A healthy gut contains a diverse ecosystem of fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms. Candida is naturally present, and under normal conditions, it doesn’t cause issues because it’s kept in check by beneficial bacteria, which prevent overgrowth. The challenge arises when there’s an imbalance, often referred to as dysbiosis. This can happen if Candida levels are out of balance. 

Optimal Candida levels vary from person to person, but generally speaking, a small presence of Candida is considered normal. The issue lies in what happens when those levels stray too far from the ideal range. That's where testing tools like Juna's MicrobiomeIQ™ come in handy. Juna's test analyzes tens of thousands of bacterial and fungal species in your gut using next-generation sequencing methods like 16S and ITS sequencing, giving you detailed insights into your personal microbiome, including your Candida levels, and how they compare to the optimal range.

High Candida Levels: Causes and Symptoms

Elevated Candida levels can occur for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common factors that lead to yeast overgrowth include:

1. Diet High in Sugar and Refined Carbohydrates

Candida thrives on sugar. Diets high in refined sugars, white bread, and processed foods can fuel an overgrowth of Candida in the gut. When you consume these foods, you're essentially giving the yeast a feast, encouraging it to multiply rapidly. The same applies if you are following a gluten-free or low-FODMAP diet; many of the food alternative options for these diets are actually very high in the things you want to avoid to keep Candida in check.

2. Antibiotics

While antibiotics are sometimes necessary to fight bacterial infections, they can also wipe out all beneficial bacteria species  in the gut. This loss of "good" bacteria allows Candida to grow unchecked. After a course of antibiotics, it's crucial to restore your gut balance with probiotics and other gut-supporting strategies.

3. High Stress Levels

Chronic stress weakens the immune system and increases inflammation, both of which contribute to Candida overgrowth. Stress can also negatively affect gut health by altering gut motility and impacting the balance of microorganisms in your digestive tract.

4. Weakened Immune System

When your immune system is compromised—whether due to chronic illness, autoimmune disease, or medications—it becomes more difficult for your body to regulate Candida levels.

Symptoms of High Candida Levels

If Candida levels are too high, you may experience:

• Bloating and gas
• Fatigue and brain fog
• Digestive issues, such as diarrhea or constipation
• Sugar cravings
• Recurring yeast infections
• Skin problems like rashes or fungal infections

Low Gut Candida Levels: Why It Matters

While excessive Candida is a well-known issue and can also disrupt your gut’s balance. Like all microorganisms in the gut, Candida plays a role in maintaining homeostasis. It interacts with other species to support digestion and nutrient absorption.

If gut Candida levels are too low, it may indicate a lack of microbial diversity in your gut, which could be due to:

• Overuse of antifungal medications
• Long-term restrictive diets
• Chronic gastrointestinal issues

Low gut Candida levels might be associated with reduced digestive efficiency or immune function, although research in this area is still emerging. Maintaining adequate levels of many different beneficial species that promote a healthy, diverse microbiome

Optimizing Gut Candida Levels

Achieving and maintaining optimal gut Candida levels is all about balance. Incorporating lifestyle, diet, and exercise changes can help support a healthy microbiome and keep Candida levels in check. Here are some evidence-based tips to help you optimize your gut health:

1. Dietary Changes

• Reduce Sugar Intake: Since Candida thrives on sugar, limiting refined sugars and carbohydrates is essential. Focus on whole foods, including leafy greens, healthy fats, and lean proteins. Fiber-rich foods such as vegetables and whole grains support the growth of beneficial bacteria that keep Gut Candida in check.
• Probiotic-Rich Foods: Incorporating fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir can help increase beneficial bacteria in your gut, which in turn keeps Candida levels under control.
• Antifungal Foods: Certain foods like garlic, coconut oil, and ginger have natural antifungal properties. Adding these to your diet may help keep Candida levels balanced.
• Polyphenol Foods contain antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and feed protective gut bacteria, which helps keep Candida under control.

2. Lifestyle Adjustments

• Manage Stress: High levels of stress contribute to dysbiosis and Candida overgrowth. Engage in stress-reducing activities like meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, or spending time in nature.
• Improve Sleep Quality: Poor sleep is linked to higher levels of inflammation and stress, both of which contribute to gut imbalances. Prioritize getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to support your immune system and gut health. If you are having trouble sleeping, learn more about Juna’s best-selling Nightcap Sleep Gummies. 

3. Exercise for Gut Health

Regular physical activity improves gut motility, reduces inflammation, and supports a balanced microbiome. Moderate exercise such as walking, cycling, and swimming can also aid in improving digestion and help maintain a healthy microbiome and lifestyle. Over-exercising or chronic high-intensity workouts, however, can stress the body and potentially contribute to gut imbalances, so it's important to find the right balance.

 

How Juna's MicrobiomeIQ™ Gut Test Can Help

To truly optimize your gut Candida levels, it’s important to understand the unique makeup of your gut microbiome. Juna's MicrobiomeIQ™ at-home gut health test takes the guesswork out of this process by providing personalized insights. The MicrobiomeIQ Gut health test analyzes tens of thousands of fungal and bacterial species in your gut using advanced next-generation sequencing methods like 16S and ITS sequencing. You'll get a detailed breakdown of your gut's microbial population, including your Candida levels, compared to optimal ranges. This information is critical for creating a tailored action plan for your gut health. You’ll be able to incorporate lifestyle changes and then re-test to see how it impacted your levels. 

Supporting Gut Health with Juna's Clinically-Formulated Supplements

In addition to lifestyle, exercise, and diet changes, supplements can play a key role in rebalancing your gut Candida levels and optimizing your microbiome. Juna offers a wide range of award-winning, clinically-formulated gut health supplements that are trusted by doctors. These supplements are designed to support the growth of beneficial bacteria and reduce inflammation which aid in keeping gut Candida levels and other fungi in check.

Explore Dr. Will Cole's favorite Juna’s gut health supplements, including probiotics and digestive aids here: Juna Gut Health Supplements.

 

Conclusion

Maintaining balanced gut Candida levels is crucial for overall gut health and well-being. Optimizing them involves a combination of targeted lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and, in some cases, supplementation. By incorporating healthier habits and using gut health tests like Juna's MicrobiomeIQ™ test to monitor your microbiome, you can take proactive steps toward a healthier gut.

Whether you're just beginning to explore your gut health or you're already working on fine-tuning your microbiome, keeping an eye on your gut Candida levels is essential for long-term vitality. Let Juna’s MicrobiomeIQ™gut health test and clinically-formulated supplements guide you toward better health.

This article has been medically reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. 

References:

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