Last Updated on December 6, 2023 by Cathy
Candida die-off, Herxheimer reaction, is a response from too many toxins released at once. As you begin a Candida diet avoiding foods that feed Candida it begins to die. As this happens Candida releases toxins your body reacts to leading to die off.
These toxins are capable of killing brain cells and damaging the endocrine system. They can damage the red blood cells which carry oxygen to different organs making you feel tired.
Chronic yeast overgrowth leads to:
Acne
Athletes foot
Brain fog
Chronic fatigue
Dandruff
Depression
Food sensitivities
Headaches
Mood swings
Poor concentration
Nail fungus
Oral thrush
Skin issues (acne, dryness, itching, eczema, etc.)
Yeast infections
Candida Diet
When you first start a Candida diet you should avoid die-off symptoms. You may think die-off means it’s working, however, it means the opposite. The amount of toxins being released is too much for your body to handle and you begin to suffer from die-off symptoms.
Die-off puts unwanted stress on your organs. Especially the organs that already help filter toxins out. Organs like the colon, kidneys, and liver. To avoid die-off symptoms start slowly to give your body a chance to get used to the antifungals.
Common Die Off Symptoms:
Brain fog
Bloating, gas
Chills or fever
Constipation, diarrhea
Dizziness
Fatigue
Flu-like symptoms
Headache
Joint and muscle pain
Nausea
Skin issues (rashes, etc.)
Swollen glands
How Do Antifungals Help?
Antifungals are extremely important to get Candida under control. You don’t want to completely get rid of Candida because it’s part of your ecosystem, just get it under control. The antifungals weaken the Candida, allowing the good bacteria to build back up in your gut. They work by breaking down the fungus and allowing it to die and leave your body.
Unfortunately, biofilms protect Candida making it harder to attack. Over time Candida builds a resistance to the antifungal making it no longer useful. Switching antifungals will help keep this from happening. Digestive enzymes help break the protective biofilm so antifungals can attack the yeast overgrowth.
Natural Antifungals:
- Caprylic Acid (found in coconut oil)
- Oregano Oil
- Garlic
- Grapefruit Seed Extract
- Pau d’Arco tea (fights Candida and inflammation)
Colon Cleanse
The colon is the primary organ for removing toxins through bowel movements. If you aren’t having a bowel movement at least once a day toxins are building up creating high levels of toxins.
If you’re suffering from constipation eat foods that are easy to digest. Include foods like salads and steamed vegetables. Avoid hard-to-digest foods and starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated, it keeps your digestive system moving.
Increasing your fiber also helps with constipation and nourishing your body. Increasing your vegetables will increase your fiber intake. Brussel sprouts, parsnips, collard greens, kale, and broccoli are all high in fiber.
Natural Laxatives:
- Cherries
- Chia seeds
- Dark leafy greens
- Foods high in fiber
- Ground flax seeds
- Herbal teas (dandelion, green, peppermint, and senna)
- Water – stay hydrated
Support Your Liver
As you work on removing yeast overgrowth your liver will become overwhelmed. It’s very important to support your liver daily during this time. Food can not only help fight Candida it can also help support the liver. Sweating, sauna, dry skin brushing, oil pulling, and deep breathing all help your body detox.
Include these foods:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Herbs and spices
- Nuts and seeds
- Healthy oils
- Wild-caught fish
- Pasture-raised poultry
- Wild-caught fish
Antifungal Supplements
Antifungals break down Candida and give your immune system a chance to fight back. Diflucan and Nystatin are prescription antifungals. Doctors aren’t willing to give these out because you ask for them. Nystatin is the most prescribed and least toxic prescription antifungal drug. It’s good for fighting Candida and doesn’t kill the good bacteria in your gut. There are side effects to both prescription forms including skin irritation and diarrhea.
Herbal antifungals are the safest and easiest to get. There are many to choose from, so make sure you buy a good quality brand. You’ll want to buy a few different brands so Candida can’t get used to it. You can even take several different kinds at the same time.
Stress Management
Stress produces the fight or flight hormone Cortisol which raises your blood sugar. Candida doesn’t care where the sugar comes from. Learn some tips to manage stress:
- Deep Breathing
- Exercise (yoga, tai chi, stretching)
- Listening to music
- Laughing
- Massage
How to handle Candida die off
If you begin to experience any die-off symptoms you may need to reduce or stop the antifungals. Reducing your antifungals will reduce the number of toxins released. Once you begin to feel better you can slowly increase your antifungals again.
Increasing your water intake will help flush the toxins out of your system. Also, resting will help your immune system and the stress your body is under. A whole food blend of vitamin C can help with die off. It also protects the brain, and spinal cord, and strengthens the immune system.
Probiotics
If you haven’t been taking probiotics don’t start taking them when you start a Candida diet. Your body won’t be used to them and you can experience die off. Some sites recommend starting a probiotic two weeks after starting a Candida diet. However, if your diet included processed foods and now you starting the Candida diet, it’s a big change. You want to help your body from any stress. Starting 3-4 months later may be a good option.
If you’ve already been eating a clean diet, fermented foods, and probiotics you can start sooner. Stop the probiotic temporarily to avoid die off. Once you’ve reached the maximum dose of antifungals you can reintroduce probiotics. Depending on your situation it could be as soon as one month. Talk to your doctor about what’s best for you.
Choose a good quality probiotic that rebalances your gut flora and immune system. Look for the number of live bacteria and probiotic strains. Start with a lower number of live bacteria and move up as your body gets used to them. A good probiotic to start with is Ultimate Flora by Renew Life.
Getting Started
The best thing you can do is to start slowly to avoid die off. As your body gets used to the diet change and antifungals you can increase your dose. It’s also important to heal your leaky as you work on the yeast overgrowth. If you have Candida overgrowth, you have a leaky gut.
Everyone is different so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. If you’ve had Candida overgrowth for years it may take a little longer. It is best to work with a functional medical doctor to get the best results for your individual needs.
