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Candida: symptoms, nutrient malabsorption, worsening psychiatric symptoms and the serotonin connection

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Candida is commonly present in the gastrointestinal tract with no ill effects, but when it becomes invasive it can cause a host of issues. And, of course, yeast infections can occur in various parts of the body.

Candida overgrowth is usually triggered by antibiotic use, birth control pills, steroid medications, and sugar consumption. Many in the conventional medical community don’t see it as a problem that requires treatment, and even fewer see it as contributing to mood issues, but as part of a holistic plan to alleviate anxiety, it must be addressed. I’ve seen many clients with mood problems and intense sugar cravings take that next step in improvement when their dysbiosis and candida overgrowth is resolved.

  • Anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, depression, and mood swings are common psychological symptoms of candida overgrowth.
  • Leo Galland reports impaired fatty acid metabolism and low levels of zinc and vitamin B6 in his patients with candida overgrowth – nutrients that are vital for mental health and have a bearing on anxiety.

These are the symptoms that can give us a clue that candida overgrowth may be an issue:

  • Anxiety, depression and mood swings
  • Nail or skin fungus, athlete’s foot, or vaginal yeast infection
  • Chronic sinus or ear infections
  • Sore muscles and joints
  • Food sensitivities
  • Feeling chronically fatigued
  • Poor memory and brain fog
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Frequent bloating and gas
  • Environmental sensitivities
  • Feeling worse on damp or humid days
  • Insomnia
  • Low blood sugar
  • PMS
  • Endometriosis
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Headaches
  • Sensitivities to strong chemical smells
  • Cravings for bread, cookies, sugar, other carbohydrates, or alcohol

Professor Rucklidge, has published a number of studies in New Zealand, looking at micronutrients to treat psychiatric disorders including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood disorders, stress, and anxiety. Many individuals saw positive results unless candida was an issue.

Research from one her papers, published in 2013, reports that infections like candida can contribute to poor gut health and inflammation. This leads nutrient absorption issues and thereby deterioration in psychiatric symptoms. Here is an excerpt from the paper – Could yeast infections impair recovery from mental illness? A case study using micronutrients and olive leaf extract for the treatment of ADHD and depression:

As part of a wider investigation into the impact of micronutrients on psychiatric symptoms, many participants who experienced a yeast infection during their treatment showed a diminished response to the micronutrients.

One case was followed systematically over a period of 3 years with documentation of deterioration in psychiatric symptoms (ADHD and mood) when infected with candida and then symptom improvement following successful treatment of the infection with olive leaf extract and probiotics.

I discuss candida symptoms and this study in my interview on The Candida Summit.

Evan Brand, the summit host, also suffered (and healed!) from candida, parasite infections and bacterial overgrowth. In his health practice, upwards of 95% of his clients have some degree of candida overgrowth – time and time again, he sees debilitating and mysterious symptoms disappear once candida overgrowth is addressed.

Evan and I actually met last summer and we talked about him doing a candida summit. I was thrilled when he invited me to speak on the summit because I see candida overgrowth in so many of any clients with anxiety.

That’s Evan in the blue shirt – we had just enjoyed a delicious healthy grain-free lunch with a group of colleagues all working in the area of mental health and stress reduction

I did the usual digging into the research. I do this before speaking on a summit because I like to share new information each time I speak and I always learn something!

I was so excited to find a connection between serotonin and candida and also share this in our interview. In a paper published in 2003: Antifungal properties of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) against Candida species in vitro, looking at clinical isolates of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis, it was found that short exposure to serotonin resulted in antifungal activity. The authors conclude with this:

Identifying the mode of action [of serotonin] could be of great help in developing and researching new antifungal drugs.

Of course, my solution is to provide serotonin support via diet, exercise and the use of the targeted individual amino acid tryptophan or 5-HTP. I discuss how I use the amino acids in our interview too and how these (tryptophan/5-HTP as well as GABA, DPA, tyrosine and glutamine) can actually help with so much of the sugar craving we see in candida, PLUS how I use this approach to gauge when candida is really serious.

Learn more connections and how to overcome candida and reclaim your health at The Candida Summit: which runs online from July 9-15, 2018!

Other speakers and topics I’m looking forward to hearing:

  • Ben Lynch: How genetics change your desire for certain foods; mood issues, autism and candida overgrowth
  • Dr Christine Schaffner: EMFs; your glymphatic system; serotonin and melatonin
  • Evan Brand: his candida and parasite protocols; the adrenals; avoiding a herxheimer reaction
  • Dietrich Klinghardt: EMFs and 5G; retroviruses in chronic health conditions
  • Dr Elisa Song: candida in kids; PANS/PANDAS and other neuropsychiatric issues (I recently heard her present on PANS/PANDAS in Melbourne and it was excellent!)

Do share if you’ve overcome candida and how your symptoms improved. If you have questions post them in the comments below.

Hope to see you on the summit!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I’ve suffered varying degrees of candida over my life time…tried many treatments. Do the spit test in the glass of water first thing in the am to see my levels….I always have sugar and carb cravings. Have anxiety and depression with complex PTSD. Have leaky gut, sore muscles, insomnia but don’t get fungal infections any more. Have always had lousy absorption rates. Thyroid issues and lousy skin, hair and nails. Mild panic attacks, loud noises scare the hell out of me and some days just wish I could go back to the beginning and start all over again….:))

    Reply

    • Debra
      If I was working with you I’d focus on thyroid health and have you do trials of GABA or tryptophan for the anxiety and sugar cravings, and tyrosine or DPA for the depression, and glutamine for leaky gut. With the loud noises and panic attacks I’d also address the adrenals which have an impact on digestion

      Tune in to the summit to pick up gems that may be applicable for you. I share how serotonin support actually help with candida too.

      Reply

  2. Do you know anything about other types of yeast overgrowth? A while back I did a stool test which indicated an overgrowth of Geotrichum spp yeast but I’ve been able to find out very little about it apart from the fact that it is present in various foodstuffs like cheese and kefir, both of which I eat. I did an anti-yeast diet for a few months without any discernable benefits and am left wondering whether in fact such an overgrowth is problematic. Would be very grateful if you can shed any light.

    Reply

    • Sue
      It’s not one I’m familiar with but it seems that it’s rare but an issue for some – “Saprochaete and Geotrichum spp. are rare emerging fungi causing invasive fungal diseases in immunosuppressed patients and scarce evidence is available for treatment decisions” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28150341 and Geotrichum (G.) clavatum “can cause invasive infection in haematological patients, mainly in those with acute leukaemia.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27061932

      I’m curious which lab reported this and if it indicated it was a problem, and what the lab/practitioner advised? And what candida overgrowth symptoms you had?

      I’d tune in to the summit and post a question on one of the speaker pages – Evan Brand is the host and he would be a good person to ask.

      Reply

      • The lab I used was called Doctors’ Data (in UK). The practitioner advised an anti-yeast diet and some supplements which I did for a good few months without any noticeable difference to my symptoms which were (and still are) loose bowels in the morning and severe anxiety and depression.

  3. Hi Trudy. Can you tell me how you feel about hydrogen peroxide IV for Candida. I have an alternative practitioner suggesting it and I can only find limited information on the internet regarding this treatment. Thank you in advance for any inside you could provide.

    Reply

    • Tracy
      I have not been able to find anything either. can you share a bit more about how much and how often and if you’re seeing benefits and die-off/Herxheimer. And any information you have received from the practitioner.

      I haven’t seen the transcripts from the Candida Summit and wonder if it will be addressed. This will be a good place to ask the question too

      Reply

  4. Hi Trudy. Would taking an SSRI also help with Candida? My son just started a low dose and has Candida overgrowth. Thank you.

    Reply

  5. Hi Trudy, I have a 10 yr old son who tested really high for candida on an OATS test a little over a year ago. He was prescribed nystatin. He is on probiotics, some other nutritional support but he still has issues with concentration, memory, sugar craving, and some anxiety. We are really working on diet but he sneaks food due to his cravings, etc. Do you work with children and what would you recommend?

    Reply

    • Lori
      I have all my clients do the amino acid questionnaire and we do trials on the indiv amino acids to help address concentration/memory, the anxiety and the sugar cravings. I discuss much of this in my summit interview so be sure to tune in. I also have an entire chapter on the amino acids in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” on Amazon here http://amzn.to/2kptFWm (affiliate link)

      If the candida has not been addressed this can still play a big role in mood and cravings and concentration too so be sure to have the practitioner retest the OAT

      Reply

  6. Hello

    Have read your post with great interest. I have been struggling terribly, on a daily basis now with digestive dysbiosis, joint pain, relentless insomnia, significant weight loss and coated tongue. All traditional bloods, scans and ultrasounds have been normal. Am a really anxious, stressy person, worsened by years trying to come off the SSRI medication, Paxil. Feeling as if things are never going to change as my exhaustion and mood swings become worse and worse. I try hard to adopt a compliant diet but not working.. please any thoughts?

    Reply

    • David
      The approach I use with clients includes dietary changes and addressing digestive issues and is made easier with the use of the targeted individual amino acids like tryptophan, GABA, DPA, tyrosine, glutamine. These all help with the insomnia, stress, anxiety and insomnia, AND stop the cravings so it’s easy to be compliant. Check out this site for information related to all this (use the search feature) and my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” which is a step by step approach. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/store/aafsbook.html

      Reply

      • Thank you very much for your reply Trudy. Do my symptoms suggest Candida, leaky gut or SIBO?? Insomnia at this level is surely toxins impacting on my liver?? I visited an excellent local TCM doctor who made the observation, based on what they call Qi stagnation (cold) and said that my rigid whole body muscles and general stressful type, is the route cause ie low immune energy and toxin clearance..

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