When it comes to candida and leaky gut, it’s often difficult to determine which came first—they frequently exist together in a self-perpetuating cycle.
What is Candida?
Candida, a yeast that naturally resides in the gut, can become problematic when it overgrows, often due to factors like poor diet, antibiotic use, or stress. This overgrowth can damage the gut lining, leading to a condition known as leaky gut.
What is Leaky gut?
Leaky gut occurs when the intestinal lining becomes permeable, allowing undigested food particles, toxins, and microbes to enter the bloodstream. This triggers systemic inflammation and immune responses that worsen candida overgrowth.
How are they connected?
On the flip side, leaky gut creates an environment that enables candida to flourish further by weakening gut immunity and reducing the population of beneficial bacteria that keep candida in check. The “chicken or egg” question arises because both conditions can drive and exacerbate each other. Candida can damage the gut lining with its hyphae—long, root-like structures that pierce through the intestinal barrier. At the same time, a leaky gut compromises the gut microbiome, enabling candida to overgrow unchecked.
To break the cycle, a multifaceted approach is essential. Supporting gut health with a nutrient-dense diet, reducing sugar (candida’s favorite fuel), and rebuilding the gut lining with gut-healing foods like bone broth, aloe vera, or L-glutamine can be effective. Probiotics and antifungal strategies may also help restore balance.
How do we fix Leaky Gut and Candida?
Understanding that candida and leaky gut often coexist allows for a more comprehensive approach to healing. Both conditions require addressing the root causes, fostering a healthier microbiome, and restoring the integrity of the gut lining for long-term balance. Do you have either condition suspected or confirmed? Take a stool test with us and find out by partnering with one of our amazing practitioners to see if you may also have the other! Gut health doesn’t have to be a mystery.
Jade Green TNC CHHC
