Have you ever heard of Candida? It’s a type of yeast that naturally lives in our bodies, and for the most part, it's harmless. But when it grows out of control, it can trigger a whole range of problems, especially in kids.
You might be asking, “What does a little yeast have to do with my child’s health complaints?” Well, Candida overgrowth can create quite a bit of chaos in the body - from digestive issues and mood swings to brain fog (which often shows up as inattention). It's an underlying issue that often goes unnoticed.
But don’t worry! We’re here to break it all down for you. In this article, we’ll explore how Candida overgrowth happens, the symptoms you should be watching out for, and, most importantly, what you can do as a parent to help your child if this sneaky troublemaker is at work.
So, grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and let’s uncover the mystery of Candida together. You won’t want to miss this - it could be a game-changer for your family’s health journey.
In fact, about 70% of the families I work with discover Candida overgrowth through functional lab testing. I’m sharing this information today because it might just be the missing piece in your child's health puzzle, too.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth
Do any of these symptoms sound familiar when it comes to your child? Anxiety, irritability, depression, brain fog, or an inability to focus and concentrate are just a few of the signs.
What about intense cravings for sugar or carbohydrates, or digestive troubles like gas, bloating, and abdominal pain? If your child is experiencing any of these, Candida could be the culprit.
As I mentioned earlier, Candida is a normal organism that resides in the digestive tract - a type of yeast that's part of our natural gut flora. Typically, our immune system and other beneficial microbes in the gut keep it in check.
However, Candida is opportunistic, meaning it will take any chance it can get to overgrow, leading to a whole range of symptoms.
Let’s dive into some of the most common signs of Candida overgrowth. Some of these symptoms might be familiar, but others might surprise you.
Here are some signs to look for:
- Fatigue and low energy levels
- Mood disorders like anxiety, irritability, and depression
- Brain fog or trouble concentrating
- Digestive issues such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation
- Thrush or white coating on the tongue
- Nasal congestion, postnasal drip, or chronic sinus infections
- Fungal infections in the nails or skin, such as athlete’s foot
- Itching or burning in the skin
- Headaches or migraines
- Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or unexplained rashes
- Food or chemical sensitivities
- Strong cravings for sugar and refined carbohydrates
- Joint pain or muscle aches
- Respiratory issues like asthma or hay fever
- Unexplained weight changes, either gain or loss
There’s a lot of symptoms there, and your child doesn’t have to experience all of them to be dealing with Candida overgrowth. Even a few of these signs could be a clue that yeast is causing problems in their system.
Before we dive deeper, let’s explore why this imbalance happens in the first place.
Why is Candida Overgrowth Happening in the First Place?
1. Antibiotics:
When your child takes antibiotics, it can wipe out the beneficial bacteria in their gut. This good bacteria plays a crucial role in keeping Candida levels under control. Without it, Candida can take over and grow unchecked. Often, Candida overgrowth is secondary to other gut infections, like parasites, which need to be addressed first to effectively control the yeast.
2. High-Sugar Diet:
If your child craves sugar, it could be a sign that Candida is at play. Sugar is Candida's primary food source, and the more your child consumes, the more it fuels the overgrowth. This creates a vicious cycle where Candida causes sugar cravings to feed itself and continue to grow.
3. Heavy Metal Toxicity:
The body sometimes uses Candida as a protective mechanism against heavy metal toxicity, like mercury. In cases of high mercury levels (often from dental amalgams or environmental exposure), Candida may overgrow as a defense strategy. Reducing mercury exposure could help control Candida levels.
4. Hormonal Imbalances:
Factors like birth control pills can disrupt the balance of the gut flora, which opens the door for Candida overgrowth.
5. Stress and Lifestyle Factors:
High levels of stress, poor sleep, unhealthy diet, and a weakened immune system can all give Candida the opportunity to overgrow. While alcohol isn’t likely the cause of Candida in children, in adults, excessive alcohol can also contribute to this imbalance.
6. EMF Exposure:
Electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs) from sources like cell phones, Wi-Fi, and smart meters have been linked to triggering Candida overgrowth in some cases. This might not be the main cause, but it's worth considering as a contributing factor.
Let’s also talk a bit more about the connection between Candida, sugar cravings, and brain fog.
Candida overgrowth produces a toxin called acetaldehyde, which is also a byproduct of alcohol metabolism. This toxin can cause brain-related symptoms that are similar to a hangover, such as brain fog, headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Candida loves sugar because it’s its primary source of fuel, and that’s why it often drives intense sugar cravings.
Now that we’ve covered some of the potential causes and symptoms, you might be wondering, "How can I identify if Candida overgrowth is the issue for my child?"
Let’s dive into how you can confirm if this is what’s affecting their health.
Identifying Candida Overgrowth in Children
How can we tell if our kiddos are suffering from Candida overgrowth? There are a couple of simple tests you can do at home or with your holistic health practitioner to help identify if Candida might be at play.
The first method I want to discuss is the Candida spit test, a self-screening tool that can give you some initial insights. Stay tuned for next week’s article, where we’ll dive into the details of how to do this simple test at home by yourself.
If the results you get raise concerns, it’s a good idea to speak with your practitioner about further investigation and functional lab tests to develop a personalized health plan for your child.
Functional lab testing can effectively determine whether Candida is an issue. Two common tests are the stool test and the organic acid test (OAT), which I'll explain below.
1. Stool Test:
This test assesses the state of the gut by looking for signs of Candida overgrowth, as well as other issues like parasites, harmful bacteria, and intestinal health markers such as inflammation responses and leaky gut. It's important to note that the stool tests you might get from your pediatrician typically won’t detect these conditions, and many at-home tests available online aren’t reliable either. Be sure to choose a high-quality test and work with a qualified health practitioner to interpret the results accurately.
2. Organic Acid Test (OAT):
This test identifies Candida and examines around 70 different markers related to your child's overall health and functioning. While it can confirm whether Candida is at play, it also provides valuable information about nutrient needs (like vitamins), dietary modifications (such as oxalates, which are found in many healthy foods), detoxification pathways, neurotransmitter levels (including serotonin and dopamine), oxidative stress, and mitochondrial function. These are complex topics, but the OAT gives you a comprehensive picture of what might be going on in your child’s body.
Once you’ve identified if Candida is a factor, you might be wondering, "What do I do with this information?" Let’s explore the next steps you can take to support your child's health effectively.
How to Combat Candida Overgrowth
Now, let’s discuss how to effectively combat Candida overgrowth. The first step is to follow an anti-yeast diet for a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks. Here are some foods to avoid during this period:
- Gluten: This is a top inflammatory food for kids with ADHD and should generally be avoided.
- Non-organic grains: These can be more problematic than organic options.
- Sugar: This is a major contributor to Candida growth and should be eliminated or greatly limited.
- Legumes and beans: These can also contribute to imbalances in gut flora.
- Alcohol: Even small amounts can disrupt the gut. (This shouldn't concern your child.)
- Legumes and beans: These can also contribute to imbalances in gut flora.
- Fermented foods, mushrooms, and fungi: These can exacerbate the issue.
- Fruit juices and high-sugar fruits: These should be minimized, as they can feed Candida.
When working with children who have Candida overgrowth, I typically don’t enforce a strict anti-Candida diet. Instead, I focus on making positive dietary changes that naturally support their health. Kids often adapt well to these changes, and we can gradually introduce specific supplements to target the yeast.
In addition to dietary changes, we can incorporate a range of supplements aimed at targeting the yeast. Here are a few to consider:
1. Probiotics:
These beneficial bacteria help restore balance in the gut.
2. Saccharomyces boulardii:
This is a beneficial yeast that can help eliminate unhealthy bacteria.
3. Natural antifungals:
These can effectively combat Candida. One of my favorites is Biocidin, which helps to kill off the yeast. However, it’s essential to use this under the guidance of a practitioner because it can release toxins as it works. To help with this, a binder can be used to bind and eliminate these toxins from the body.
4. Milk thistle:
This herb is beneficial as it assists the liver in breaking down and removing the byproducts of Candida from the body.
If natural approaches don’t yield the desired results, it may be time to seek your doctor’s help. They might prescribe a pharmaceutical antifungal like Diflucan or Nystatin.
However, it’s crucial to use these medications cautiously, as they can sometimes do more harm than good. Whenever possible, taking a more natural approach to manage Candida is typically more beneficial and sustainable. Still, for cases of severe overgrowth, pharmaceutical options may be warranted.
Wrapping Up
I know that was a lot of information, so let’s summarize what we covered today.
Candida may be contributing to some of our children’s health issues, with symptoms ranging from digestive disturbances to mood swings. Anything that disrupts the immune system or the gut microbiome can create the ideal conditions for Candida to thrive.
You can identify Candida overgrowth through at-home assessments, such as the spit test and symptom checklists (coming soon), or through more comprehensive testing like a gut test or organic acid test.
To target Candida, consider implementing an anti-Candida diet, incorporating healing supplements, or, as a last resort, using pharmaceutical medications under the supervision of your doctor.
If you suspect that Candida might be affecting your child and you’re seeking answers, take that leap toward natural healing. Schedule a free call with me. We’re here to discuss how we can support you and help your child heal. Together, we can embark on this journey to restore your child's health and well-being.
Want to know more about how we can help YOU get to a place of health and calm with your child using natural strategies? Let’s chat!
I’m here to guide you through the next steps on your journey to better health for your child. It’s completely free, with no obligations - just a friendly conversation between 2 moms.
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