An imbalanced microbiome is commonly associated with decreased microbe diversity, where a small subset of microbes overtakes the others and causes harmful symptoms. Some imbalances, such as those caused by the genus of fungi called Candida, can lead to severe disease if left untreated.

While solutions for Candida exist, it can be challenging to repopulate the gut with healthy microbes once Candida has been dealt with. In this blog, we will discuss the gut microbiome, how it can become unbalanced, the consequences of its imbalance, and solutions for restoring balance post-Candida.

How the Microbiome Becomes Unbalanced

The composition of our gut microbiome is determined by many factors, with the food we eat playing an important role. A balanced and varied diet is essential for a healthy gut microbiome. A diet heavy on foods containing processed sugars and lacking a sufficient intake of vegetables is likely to cause a microbiome imbalance. Some foods contain healthy microbes, which allow us to populate our gut directly with beneficial bacteria, but more on that later.

Illnesses can also cause an imbalance in the gut microbiome. An obvious example is illness caused by pathogens that populate the digestive system. These microbes invade our bodies, often through contaminated food, and release toxins in our gut that cause symptoms like nausea and diarrhea. Our immune system is important for keeping unhealthy microbes at bay in our digestive system, so illnesses that deplete our immune system can also lead to gut microbiome imbalances.

An underappreciated way in which the gut microbiome becomes unbalanced is the treatment for certain diseases. For instance, antibiotics are commonly used to treat bacterial infections. However, these drugs often deplete the good bacteria in the gut, allowing harmful bacteria to grow. Chemotherapies and other cancer treatments can deplete the immune system, allowing pathogens like Candida to colonize the gut.

Candida

Candida is an opportunistic pathogen, which makes it different from other pathogens that can colonize the gut. The difference is that Candida already resides in the gut and becomes a pathogen under the right conditions. Many of these conditions have been mentioned above:

• • Unbalanced diet
  • Antibiotics
  • Illnesses
  • Chemotherapy

When Candida colonizes the gut at pathogenic levels, it is called Candida overgrowth. Like other gut imbalances, Candida overgrowth is associated with diminished microbiome diversity. In this particular case, levels of Candida are too high, and healthy microbes are depleted.

Impact of Gut Microbiome Imbalance

An unbalanced gut microbiome can cause many symptoms, many of which go underappreciated. Given the microbiome’s location, it’s unsurprising that imbalance causes digestive symptoms, including indigestion, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Gut imbalance can also increase our sensitivities to different foods and even make us crave certain food types. The symptoms of gut imbalance that may surprise you include its effect on the brain. The gut-brain axis is a well-established connection between gut health and cognitive ability. This means that gut microbiome imbalance can cause mental issues like brain fog. Recent research suggests that the gut microbiome may play a role in depression and diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. A recent discovery is the gut-lung axis, where the gut microbiome may impact lung function and response to respiratory diseases. Given these localized and far-reaching impacts within the body, it’s crucial to prioritize maintaining a balanced gut microbiome.

Rebalancing the Gut Microbiome After Candida

Candida causes gut imbalances and associated diseases under certain conditions. While we know a lot about how to get rid of Candida*, less is written about rebalancing the gut microbiome after Candida has been dealt with. After all, if Candida was the dominant microbe in our gut before we removed it, what’s to stop it from repopulating the gut once we stop treating it? This is why it’s vital to employ strategies that aim to rebalance the gut once Candida has been dealt with.

Probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are necessary for our digestive health and overall well-being. These microbes aid with food digestion and keep levels of potentially harmful microbes like Candida at bay. Our modern understanding of probiotics dates back around one hundred years to Nobel laureate Elie Metchnikoff, who postulated that consumption of fermented foods increased longevity. Since then, we have identified specific strains that can be used as treatments to directly enhance our health. The best-studied of these is Lactobacillus acidophilus, which has a range of health benefits and has been scientifically shown to reduce the growth of Candida. Probiotics serve as a direct way to repopulate the gut with healthy microbes, particularly those that help tackle Candida overgrowth*. We can also get probiotics directly from our diet, with fermented foods like yogurt being particularly beneficial.

CanXida Restore (Formula RST)

This formulation is a robust probiotic formulation that we developed to help repopulate the gut with good bacteria after Candida has been dealt with. While many probiotic supplements contain just one or two strains, CanXida Restore (Formula RST) contains six:

• • Lactobacillus acidophilus
  • Lactobacillus plantarum
  • Lactobacillus casei
  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus
  • Bifidobacterium bifidum
  • Bifidobacterium longum

CanXida Restore (Formula RST) also contains digestive enzymes that help kickstart digestive function, which Candida can severely disrupt.

Diet and Prebiotics

Diet plays a vital role in repopulating the gut microbiome post-Candida. As mentioned above, a balanced and varied diet is important for maintaining optimal gut microbiome balance. This is because the good bacteria in our gut also require food to function optimally. Foods for the good bacteria in our bodies are called prebiotics. Fiber is an important prebiotic which helps feed the good bacteria in our gut. We cannot digest fiber ourselves, but good bacteria need it for growth. Foods that are particularly high in fiber include legumes, bananas, avocados, and whole grains. For a complete list of beneficial foods, check out our comprehensive Candida diet food shopping list.

Tips for Maintaining Gut Balance

It’s always easier to maintain gut balance than to regain it, and it’s essential not to take our gut health for granted. Sticking to a diet or supplement plan isn’t easy, but remaining consistent is necessary for lasting gut health. Fortunately, the methods for keeping a balanced microbiome apply generally to healthy living regimens. These include:

• • Maintaining a varied and balanced diet
  • Ensuring we get enough sleep
  • Developing robust stress management abilities
  • Reducing our intake of alcohol, caffeine, and refined sugars
  • Prioritizing holistic wellness

Good gut health doesn’t mean restricting yourself to a narrow range of foods. Instead, it allows you to explore existing options you may not have considered.

Restoring balance to the gut microbiome after Candida overgrowth is crucial for overall health and well-being. Understanding the factors contributing to gut imbalance, such as diet, illness, and medical treatments, empowers us to take proactive steps to rebalance our gut flora. Probiotics, such as CanXida Restore (Formula RST), offer a targeted approach to repopulate the gut with beneficial bacteria, while dietary adjustments rich in prebiotics nourish these microbes. Additionally, prioritizing lifestyle factors like adequate sleep, stress management, and holistic wellness supports the maintenance of a healthy gut microbiome. Embracing these strategies lays the foundation for sustained gut health, enhancing our overall vitality and resilience.

Read our detailed white paper to learn more about CanXida Restore (Formula RST). If you are still struggling with Candida, check out our YouTube channel or visit our website to learn about our CanXida Remove (Formula RMV) supplement.