Systemic candida: real or imagined?

In this internet age, it is common for people to search for potential causes of symptoms they are experiencing, looking for diagnostic conditions that explain them. There is a lengthy list of symptoms that lead people to conclude they might have systemic candida, but there can be problems with quickly arriving at this conclusion. First, conventional medicine does not recognize systemic candida (sometimes referred to as “yeast overgrowth syndrome”, “candida overgrowth,” “chronic candida,” or “candida hypersensitivity syndrome”). Second, the long list of symptoms associated with it can be caused by a number of other conditions.

Let’s dig deeper.

What is Candida and when can it be a problem?

Candida albicans is a species of yeast (or fungus) that is normally found in “non-sterile” areas of the body directly or indirectly exposed to the environment, such as the skin and mucous membranes including the urinary tract, intestines, mouth, sinuses, airways and vagina. Because it lives on or in humans naturally, it is called a “commensal” microorganism, which means that under normal conditions it does not cause symptoms or disease. There are many types of commensal microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and viruses that constitute the “microbiome” in every one of us. Estimates are that we all play host to about 38 trillion of them!

When the microbiome is balanced and these many organisms are in the right number, proportion and location for the individual, symptoms do not occur. However, there can be problems when the balance becomes disrupted for some reason and one or more of the microorganism species dominates the others.

Systemic candidiasis: a medically recognized life-threatening condition

“Systemic candidiasis”, also called “invasive candidiasis” or “candidemia” when found in the bloodstream-- yes, the multiple terms are indeed confusing—is a medically diagnosed condition where Candida invades “sterile” parts of the body including the blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or deeper organs such as the liver, kidney, spleen or heart and  is typically seen only in people who are hospitalized or very ill[i]. It is usually associated with fever, low blood pressure, and abnormal white blood cell counts that follow from catheter use, recent major surgery, antibiotics, chemotherapy, organ transplant, ICU stay, diabetes, or the use of corticosteroids. Systemic candidiasis can be difficult to assess but a diagnosis is arrived at through a combination of bloodwork analysis and clinical assessment. It is treated with a series of anti-fungal drugs[ii] but despite this, sadly, 40 to 60% of those diagnosed with it don’t survive. This is likely because they were usually very sick to begin with.

Systemic candida: a naturopathic perspective

The view of conventional medicine is that the condition called systemic candida is not supported by good evidence, therefore, it is not recognized as a diagnosable condition. However, naturopaths consider that systemic candida can result from Candida overgrowth and imbalance of the microbiome that can cause wide‑ranging symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, recurrent vaginal or sinus infections, skin rashes, or mood changes, even when there is no invasive candidiasis present. This is what most people with these symptoms are looking to explain.

Naturopaths take a “root‑cause” approach to diagnosing systemic candida that considers the repeated use of antibiotics or steroids, high‑sugar diets, chronic stress, hormonal imbalance, environmental toxins, or other chronic illnesses that are believed to disrupt microbial balance and immunity.

Treatment for systemic candida by naturopaths typically includes dietary recommendations, anti-fungal herbs and supplements, probiotics, and lifestyle changes.

Naturopaths acknowledge that the research-based evidence for systemic candida is not well developed and that more clinical trials are needed in order to determine the effectiveness of recommended treatments[iii]. Some collaborate with conventional medical providers in order to rule out more dangerous conditions.

How might you know if you have systemic candida?

It is important to not self-diagnose since symptoms associated with systemic candida can be caused by a number of other conditions. Within the endocrine system, hypothyroidism can cause fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, weight changes, constipation, and dry or itchy skin. Diabetes can be associated with fatigue, recurrent infections, and fluctuating energy or mood. Hormonal shifts in women can cause recurrent vaginitis and mood or sleep disturbances.

Infections, immune systems and allergic conditions can also cause symptoms such as vaginitis, sinusitis and skin rashes.

Gut (such as SIBO or small intestine bacterial overgrowth), inflammatory and autoimmune conditions can contribute to bloating, abdominal discomfort, altered bowel habits, and fatigue.

Depression and anxiety as well as chronic stress and trauma can cause low energy, poor concentration, irritability, and sleep disturbance, as well as brain fog.

Other factors such as exposure to environmental toxins, some medications, use of illicit substances, as well as nutritional deficiencies such as iron, folate, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12, can cause some or many of the symptoms of systemic candida.

Since it is not possible to get a diagnosis from a conventional medical practitioner, it is advisable to see a naturopath who can conduct the necessary tests and diagnose systemic candida if it is present.

A homeopathic approach

Homeopaths take a holistic individualized approach to resolving systemic candida, with a focus on the use of homeopathic medicines, which are federally recognized in the US and are natural , safe and gentle. An extensive history is usually taken by the homeopath of the onset and timeline of symptoms including digestion, energy, sleep, hormones, mood, prescription drug history, recurrent infections, diet, family medical history and environmental factors.

Homeopathic care involves using remedies that holistically address weak systems for the individual affected such as the skin, digestive, metabolic, respiratory and immune systems. Low-potency homeopathic medicines may also be recommended to support the function of specific organs such as the kidneys, liver or spleen. Care continues until symptoms have resolved.

If you are interested in investigating homeopathic care for your systemic candida symptoms, call me for a free 15-minute consultation or schedule one on the online scheduler.

[i] Barantsevich, N, E Barantsevich (2022) “Diagnosis and treatment of invasive Candidiasis” Antibiotics 11(6): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9219674/pdf/antibiotics-11-00718.pdf

[ii] De Oliveiro Santos, G, C Vasconcelos A Lopes M de Sousa Cartágenes A Filho F do Nascimento R Ramos E Pires M de Andrade F Rocha C de Andrade Monteiro (2018) “Candida infections and therapeutic strategies: mechanisms for traditional and alternative agents” Frontiers in Microbiology  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6038711/pdf/fmicb-09-01351.pdf

[iii] Alam, M, M Khan (2021) “Phytomedicine from Middle Eastern countries: an alternative remedy to modern medicine against Candida spp infections” Evidence based complementary and alternative medicine: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8298167/pdf/ECAM2021-6694876.pdf