TWV Podcast Episode 463: Is There Science Behind Candida Cleanses?

I often get asked thoughtful questions when my recommendations (like eating ALL the mushrooms) don’t align with candida cleanses. So, on this week’s episode of The Whole View, Stacy and I answer Patreon fam and listener Olivia’s question about combining candida cleanses with the AIP.

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Recommended Reading and Listening
Citations

After laying some groundwork on what candida is and how to get tested for candida overgrowth, we start off by completely busting one of the key principles of candida cleanses, that candida overgrowth is caused by high-sugar or high-carb diets. It turns out that scientific studies have shown that candida overgrowth (which is mostly linked to antibiotics or steroids) is actually associated with low-fiber and high-fat diets, not carb intake! We also completely bust the myth that eating yeast-containing foods increases candida growth. In fact, studies show that the types of yeast we get in fermented foods, as well as baker’s and brewer’s yeast, inhibit candida! And yes, mushrooms also contain compounds that inhibit candida growth.

Finally, we explain why candida cleanses can help people feel better despite the scientific rationale being flawed, and summarize all the great science supporting the use of probiotics and fermented foods to balance the microbiome, including keeping candida in check.

If you enjoy the show, please review it on iTunes!

Citations

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Ganguly S, Mitchell AP. Mucosal biofilms of Candida albicans. Curr Opin Microbiol. 2011 Aug;14(4):380-5. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2011.06.001. Epub 2011 Jul 7. PMID: 21741878; PMCID: PMC3159763.

Kennedy MJ, Volz PA. Ecology of Candida albicans gut colonization: inhibition of Candida adhesion, colonization, and dissemination from the gastrointestinal tract by bacterial antagonism. Infect Immun. 1985 Sep;49(3):654-63. doi: 10.1128/iai.49.3.654-663.1985. PMID: 3897061; PMCID: PMC261235.

Kumamoto CA. Candida biofilms. Curr Opin Microbiol. 2002 Dec;5(6):608-11. doi: 10.1016/s1369-5274(02)00371-5. PMID: 12457706.

Kumamoto CA. Inflammation and gastrointestinal Candida colonization. Curr Opin Microbiol. 2011 Aug;14(4):386-91. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2011.07.015. Epub 2011 Jul 28. PMID: 21802979; PMCID: PMC3163673.

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8 Yeast Infection Causes That Should Be on Your Radar

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