Candida Symptoms You Might Be Ignoring (And What to Do About Them)
Beat Chronic Thrush, Bloating, and Brain Fog with Smart Natural Fixes
My Candida Story: Antibiotics, Thrush & the Endless Loop
(See at the end of this page, my step by step CANDIDA cleanse plan)
My journey with Candida started in my teens — the era of acne and endless antibiotics. I didn’t know those prescriptions weren’t just nuking spots; they were dismantling my gut health.
Cue the rollercoaster: thrush, cystitis, antifungals, and more antibiotics. Treat the yeast, get a UTI. Treat the UTI, cue another yeast flare. On repeat. 🌀 Sound familiar?
Eventually, I realised patch-ups weren’t cutting it. I dug into root-cause healing — gut support, immune care, and restoring Candida balance without carpet-bombing my microbiome.
What Candida Really Is (And Why It’s
So Sneaky)
Candida (especially Candida Albicans) naturally lives inside all of us. But when it overgrows, it’s a whole-body disruptor — not just “a gut thing.”
Common Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth
Brain & Mood
Brain fog, poor memory, low focus
Anxiety, depression, irritability
Intense sugar or carb cravings
Mouth & Throat (Oral Thrush)
White tongue coating
Cottony mouth feel
Sore throat, bad breath
Cracked corners of the mouth
Skin
Dandruff or flaky scalp
Itching (knees, underarms, groin)
Weepy yeast rashes
Fungal acne
Nail fungus or discoloration
Sinuses & Ears
Chronic congestion
Post-nasal drip
Itchy ears or infections
Tinnitus (ringing)
Gut & Digestion
Bloating, gas, or belching
Constipation or diarrhea
White “strings” in stool (dead Candida!)
Food sensitivities (especially sugar, alcohol, fermented foods)
Genitals & Urinary Tract
Vaginal thrush
UTI-like symptoms without infection
Penile yeast infections
Strong-smelling urine
Immune & Systemic
Feeling flu-ish with no flu
Fatigue or wired/tired sensation
Autoimmune flares
Histamine spikes (rashes, sensitivities, itchiness)
Red Flags You Might Overlook
Recurring yeast or UTIs
Feeling worse after antibiotics
Weird skin patches or jock itch
Feeling loopy after sugar/alcohol (thank you, acetaldehyde 😵)
So… you’ve got to get rid of it if you ever want to feel human again. And that’s that. Which means — cue the Candida detox! It’s not the easiest thing in the world, but totally doable (especially once you know what you’re dealing with). If you’re battling Candida overgrowth, fatigue, bloating, or histamine flare-ups, this is where the real healing begins. And yes — I’m doing it too.
Why Candida Die-Off Feels So Awful
When Candida dies, it can unleash 70+ toxins — triggering the Herxheimer (die-off) reaction. If your detox pathways are sluggish, symptoms spike.
Key Toxins
Acetaldehyde – brain fog, anxiety
Ethanol – liver stress, mood crash
Ammonia – fatigue and inflammation
Gliotoxin – immune suppression
Uric acid – joint pain
LPS (if leaky gut is present) – full-body inflammation
Typical Die-Off Symptoms
Headaches and brain fog
Rashes or itching
Flu-like fatigue
Mood swings or anxiety
Digestive upset
Insomnia / restless sleep
How to Support Your Body During Candida Healing
To dodge the worst of die-off while still healing your gut and hormones:
Go slow with antifungals (caprylic/undecylenic acid, oregano oil)
Use gentle binders (zeolite, activated charcoal, chlorella). I use Toxaprevent zeolite.
Support liver detox (milk thistle, dandelion)
Keep bowels moving (magnesium citrate, fiber, hydration)
Move lymph (dry brushing, rebounding, gentle exercise)
Liposomal Vitamin C (I take 3-5g). A life saver!
Slow, steady, and consistent wins this race. See further down, my step by step plan.
Candida & Histamine: The Secret Connection
Candida overgrowth can worsen histamine intolerance — creating a storm of mystery symptoms.
What Is Histamine?
A natural chemical messenger that regulates:
Digestion
Immunity
Brain function
But too much =
Headaches
Rashes, hives
Itchy eyes & congestion
Digestive discomfort
Anxiety or panic
Unpredictable food reactions
How Candida Affects Histamine Balance
1. Gut Damage = DAO Deficiency
Candida inflames the gut lining — especially the small intestine where DAO (diamine oxidase enzyme) is made. Less DAO = histamine overload.
2. Candida Hijacks Your Microbiome
It crowds out friendly bacteria that help regulate histamine. The balance tilts toward overproduction, making you reactive to even healthy foods.
3. Candida Releases Its Own Toxins
As I said earlier, when Candida grows or dies off, it unleashes over 70 toxins, (Acetaldehyde – neurotoxic and energy-draining, Ammonia – inflammatory and liver-clogging, Uric acid – joint-pain trigger).
Your liver has to mop all this up — but when it’s overloaded, histamine clearance slows, and your symptoms ramp up.
4. Leaky Gut = Histamine Reactions on Repeat
Candida promotes intestinal permeability (aka leaky gut). Once your gut lining is compromised:
Histamine-rich foods sneak through
Your immune system goes on the defensive
You get inflammation + histamine spikes
5. Mast Cell Mayhem: Candida & MCAS
Candida can poke your mast cells (which store histamine) into releasing it erratically. That’s when you get chronic histamine intolerance or symptoms resembling MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome).
Do These Sound Familiar?
If you have both Candida + Histamine intolerance, you might notice:
Itchy skin or rashes after eating certain foods
Bloating or brain fog that comes and goes
Anxiety after wine, chocolate, or fermented foods
Sugar cravings that make you feel worse
Histamine reactions during Candida die-off
You’re not imagining it — your gut, liver, and immune system are shouting for balance.
How I’m Navigating Candida & Histamine Together
Healing both requires a gentle, multi-pronged approach …AND…..lots of patience:
Gut Lining Support
L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, quercetin (liposomal or buffered versions), Saccharomyces Boulardii (Histamine-Safe Probiotic that also pushes candida out) and slippery elm or marshmallow root to rebuild and soothe. Sodium or Calcium Butyrate.
I choose: sodium butyrate, zinc, quercetin and saccharomyces boulardii.
Low-Histamine Diet (For Now)
Fresh, cooked, unfermented foods
Ditch vinegar (apple cider vinegar allowed), aged cheese, leftovers, and fermented sauces
No kombucha or black/green tea(high in histamine)— switch to calming herbal blends
See here for full list
Antifungals
Oregano oil, caprylic acid, undecylenic acid. Taken in rotation every 2 weeks.
Add Binders
Activated charcoal, zeolite, chlorella (difficult to find heavy metal free) or bentonite clay to absorb die-off toxins. I use zeolite.
Support Methylation(if needed)
SAMe, B12, B6, and methylated folate. I just take a B complex.
Consider DAO Enzymes
Take a DAO supplement before meals to help break down histamine. I stopped after a while as I saw I didn’t really need it.
General nutrition
I take a B complex, Magnesium complex, Krill oil, Vitamin D3+K2, Vitamin C.
I take Ashwaganda in my breakfast bowl for my nervous system every day.
Hydration is Key
Nettle tea (to flush), ginger, fennel, Pau d’Arco (gently potent), Rooibos. I use nettle tea.
Avoid fermented, peppermint, and licorice teas — they can make things worse.
Be as regular with your number 2’s as you can ;) Everything needs to be flowing and flushing out.
Take Alkala N :
It’s a mineral-based alkalizing powder (sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, citrates, etc.). Used by a lot of naturopaths, and doctors while you are doing a treatment.
Helps balance overly acidic terrain in the body → Candida and chronic inflammation often thrive in acidity.
Supports the kidneys + acid-base balance, easing the load during detox.
Candida Connection
Candida produces acidic byproducts (like acetaldehyde), which can make you feel toxic, foggy, achy.
Alkala N and (Vitamin C) can neutralize some of this acid load, so die-off symptoms may feel gentler.
An alkaline environment may also make it harder for yeast to spread.
Histamine Connection
Histamine flares often feel worse in an acidic body environment (especially gut + tissues).
By gently alkalizing, Alkala N can support your system in breaking down histamine more effectively.
Some people report fewer skin reactions + digestive irritations when keeping their pH balanced.
Things to Watch about Alkala N:
If you have kidney disease, high blood pressure, or are on diuretics, check with a practitioner first.
It’s a helper — not a replacement for the real foundations: low sugar, balanced diet, good minerals, gut support.
Best taken away from meals + supplements, as it can affect stomach acidity temporarily.
Candida isn’t just about your gut — it’s about your entire system. If your symptoms are stacking up across skin, mood, immunity, hormones, and digestion, it’s time to look deeper.
Support your body gently. Don’t fear the die-off — manage it. And trust that healing doesn’t always need a prescription pad.
Natural Liver Support During Candida Detox
(No need to take them all obvs. I take nettle tea during the day, milk thistle, artichoke leaf(capsules), Nac (between meals), and tumeric in my breakfast bowl).
Detoxifier Benefits
Milk Thistle- Regenerates cells, blocks Candida toxins
Dandelion Root- Boosts bile flow + digestion
Artichoke Leaf- Deepens detox enzyme activity
Turmeric- (with pepper)Anti-inflammatory, enhances liver protection
Schisandra Berry- Balances stress, supports hormone metabolism
NAC-(on an empty stomach)Clears Candida toxins + histamine
Beetroot Powder- Supports bile flow + estrogen detox
Black Radish- Sulfur-rich, cleanses liver + gallbladder
My Step-by-Step Candida Cleanse Plan
Step 1: Prep the Liver
Setting the stage for a smoother detox and fewer die-off reactions. Could be 1 or 2 weeks depending on the state of my liver. Usually 1 week is enough.
NAC - liver detoxifier, milk thistle and artichoke.
I drink nettle tea all day
I use a binder from the list (on empty stomach). I choose zeolite.
Step 2: Antifungal Attack
Again I can do it for 1 or 2 … 3 weeks or more…. until I am ready for the next phase that is stronger.
I start with a natural antifungal with meals (Oregano oil, caprylic acid or undecylenic acid)
Rotate every 2 weeks (so Candida can’t adapt)
Add raw garlic or ginger occasionally
Zeolite binder on an empty stomach (morning and/or afternoon)
Alkala N every day
Liposomal Vitamin C - (3 to 5g)
Quercetin
Feeling rough? I double up on binders and increase hydration. Ease off on the anti fungal. Every day could be a different formula. You don’t want to go too fast or too slow.
The important thing in this phase is that you try not to eat any sugar or carbs or you are feeding the candida at the same time you are trying to kill it!
Why You Avoid Sugar & Carbs in a Candida Detox
Dr Sarah Myhill explains it this way:
“Yeast can only survive on sugar and… carbohydrates. So you feed them a low-carbohydrate diet to starve them out…”
In her “5-Step Protocol to Fix Your Energy Crisis,” she emphasizes that when you’re dealing with systemic Candida or an “off-fermenting gut,” cutting sugar and carbs is the first step because these are fuel for yeast. If you eat sugar/carbs while trying to kill Candida, you are essentially feeding what you want to get rid of.
Sweetness alternatives (without feeding Candida):
Stevia – natural, zero-calorie, doesn’t raise blood sugar.
Monk fruit (luo han guo) – gentle on blood sugar and histamine.
Erythritol or xylitol (in moderation) – low GI sugar alcohols, though sometimes cause bloating if gut is sensitive.
Carb alternatives (low glycemic, low histamine):
Buckwheat – rich in minerals, gluten-free, gentle on gut.
Quinoa – small portions only; slightly higher carb but nutrient dense.
Chickpeas or red lentils – provide slow carbs and plant protein (if tolerated).
Vegetable “carbs” – think cauliflower mash, courgette noodles, roasted celeriac, parsnip fries.
Oat fibre or coconut flour – great for baking without feeding yeast.
Treat-style swaps:
Coconut yoghurt with berries (instead of ice cream)
Buckwheat pancakes with cinnamon (instead of sugary crepes)
Chicory root latte with grass-fed cream (instead of coffee with sugar)
Tip:
Focus on protein + good fats + fibre (think eggs, avocado oil, meat, olive oil, and veggies). This keeps blood sugar stable and starves Candida — while keeping you full and glowing.
Feeling Lighter and Brighter on Dr. Sarah Myhill’s Detox Protocol (The PKdiet)
I’ve lost a few pounds since starting Dr. Sarah Myhill’s detox protocol — and honestly, I’m feeling amazing. I bake her famous detox bread every few days(takes 10 minutes to prepare) and enjoy it with organic pâtés, superfood mushrooms, meat, or eggs — it’s become my go-to meal!
After just a few weeks, I’m feeling naturally calm, sleeping deeply, clearer head, and …… — no more sugar cravings. Her bread keeps me full for hours, my energy feels steady, and I finally feel like my body’s working with me again instead of against me.
I’ve been pretty strict with my meals these last two weeks, and wow — what a difference! The great thing about Dr. Sarah Myhill’s detox is that you can go at your own pace. I started gently, with low-carb staples like buckwheat noodles, and then gradually phased those out as my body adjusted.
At the beginning, it really helps to give yourself an adaptation period — don’t go ultra-strict right away. Once you get used to the new foods, it’s easy (and even fun!) to tighten things up.
The most important part? Still enjoy your meals. I’ve found an amazing organic pâté with no rubbish in it, plus my favourite grass-fed meats, asparagus, cauliflower, and those fabulous superfood mushrooms that make everything taste gourmet. Detoxing can absolutely be delicious! 😋
Step 3: Break the Biofilm (Optional)
Step 3 is optional . If you start feeling better after a few weeks of Step 2, you might decide you want to stop here.
NAC is also a gentle biofilm breaker so if you’ve been taking that to detox your liver, then it’s already been working on the biofilms.
I might do step 3 if I have the will. Or not :)
I introduce Serrapeptase (strong biofilm-busting enzyme)
I take it 1 hour before NAC, on an empty stomach
Candida die-off may spike here —I listen to my body
If intense, I alternate Serrapeptase days to go gently
Final Reminder: Detox Isn’t a Race
Your body always knows the tempo. So I listen, I slow down when needed, and I hydrate like it’s a lifestyle. Healing Candida and Histamine at once isn’t just possible — it’s transformational. When you address both, real healing starts to happen. It takes as long as it takes, depending on how slow you go and how bad it is.
I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again…I’ll keep you posted on developments in the Wellness diary.
This questionnaire was developed by William G. Crook, MD to assess if his patients had candida overgrowth. It’s challenging to diagnose candida overgrowth even in laboratory tests. This is one reason why candida is often dismissed or downplayed within the diagnostic protocolsof the traditional medical establishment.
If you're concerned about Candida overgrowth, consider these options to find out for certain if you have it:
Comprehensive Stool Test: Checks for Candida species, yeast overgrowth, gut flora, inflammation, and leaky gut markers.
Where to get it: Functional medicine providers or specialty labs.
Organic Acids Test (OAT) Looks for yeast/fungal metabolites in urine (like arabinose).
Where to get it: Great Plains, Genova, or DUTCH test labs.
Blood Antibody Test Measures IgG, IgA, IgM response to Candida.
Where to get it: Some conventional and integrative doctors.
Vaginal/Oral Swab Culture Tests for local Candida infections.
Where to get it: Gynecologist or GP.