Is Candida Overgrowth Making You Feel Off?

A Functional Medicine Look at Chronic Candida

It’s easy to overlook candida—after all, it’s supposed to be there. This naturally occurring yeast lives in harmony with the many microbes that make up your body’s internal ecosystem. But when that balance is disrupted, candida can grow unchecked—and that’s when problems begin.

From digestive discomfort to fatigue, recurring yeast infections, skin issues, and even brain fog, candida overgrowth doesn’t just stay in your gut—it can ripple across your entire body. At Sunrise Functional Medicine, Dr. Tracy Tranchitella takes a functional medicine approach to chronic candida that goes far beyond symptom management. Her goal? To identify and address the root causes—and restore balance from the inside out.

What Is Candida, and Why Does It Overgrow?

Candida albicans is the most common strain of yeast found in the human body. It’s part of a healthy microbiome—living peacefully in the gut, mouth, skin, and other areas. But candida is opportunistic. If your gut flora becomes imbalanced, or your immune system is weakened, candida can grow out of control, tipping the scales toward dysfunction. Overgrowth often starts in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where candida can ferment carbohydrates into gases, alcohols, and toxins—causing everything from bloating to brain fog. Left unchecked, it may compromise your gut lining (a phenomenon sometimes referred to as “leaky gut”), weaken your immunity, and contribute to inflammation throughout the body.

Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth

Because candida can affect different parts of the body, the symptoms can vary widely:

Gas, bloating, indigestion, or nausea
Frequent yeast infections or vaginal discomfort
White patches on the tongue or in the mouth (thrush)
Red, itchy skin rashes (especially in folds of skin)
Recurring UTIs
Fatigue, joint pain, and brain fog

Over time, chronic candida can contribute to more serious imbalances—including autoimmune activity, nutrient deficiencies, and digestive dysfunction. It may even mimic symptoms of other gut conditions like IBS or SIBO. So, What Causes Candida to Spiral Out of Control? Candida overgrowth is rarely the result of one single thing. It’s usually a combination of factors, including:

High-sugar or processed food diets
Frequent antibiotic use, which can wipe out protective bacteria
Low stomach acid, often from aging, stress, or long-term use of antacids
Blood sugar issues or diabetes
Chronic stress, which impacts immune function and gut motility
Immunosuppressant medications or underlying immune challenges
Heavy metal exposure, which disrupts microbial balance
Other gut infections like SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)

How Functional Medicine Tackles Candida Differently

Rather than jumping straight to antifungal drugs, a functional medicine approach—like the one Dr. Tranchitella uses at Sunrise Functional Medicine—asks a series of important questions:

Why did candida overgrow in the first place?
What’s going on in the gut that needs rebalancing?
How can we support the body to heal itself naturally?

The process begins with advanced testing, such as GI-MAP or GI-Effects stool panels, to assess candida species, gut flora balance, and overall digestive function. Additional tests may look at immune reactivity, nutrient status, heavy metals, or SIBO/SIFO (small intestinal fungal overgrowth).

A 360° Treatment Approach

Candida is persistent—but with the right tools and strategy, it can be brought under control. Here’s what that might look like:

Therapeutic Diet

Nutrition is foundational. A candida-supportive diet focuses on non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and gluten-free whole foods. Processed sugars, refined carbs, alcohol, and inflammatory foods are avoided to reduce the fuel candida thrives on.

Depending on the individual, Dr. Tranchitella may recommend variations like:

Anti-Candida Diet – low sugar, anti-inflammatory
Low FODMAP Diet – reduces fermentable carbs
Mediterranean Diet – rich in fiber, polyphenols, and good fats
Elemental Diet – a short-term, easily absorbed formula to “starve out” overgrowth

Targeted Supplementation

Certain botanicals and natural compounds can help rebalance the microbiome and support the body’s natural defenses against yeast:

Caprylic acid – breaks down candida’s protective biofilm
Oregano oil – a potent antifungal that spares beneficial bacteria
Garlic (allicin) – disrupts candida without harming human cells
Berberine – supports gut lining, balances blood sugar, and targets resistant strains
Probiotics – replenish beneficial microbes and compete with candida
Saccharomyces boulardii – a yeast that helps crowd out candida and break biofilms
Combination herbal formulas like Candibactin or GI Microb-X® may also be used to support microbial balance.

Timing and Retesting

Because everyone’s microbiome is different, progress isn’t one-size-fits-all. Dr. Tranchitella typically retests stool or other labs after 6–8 weeks to assess progress and fine-tune the plan. This personalized approach ensures that treatment remains effective and aligned with your body’s unique needs—not just in reducing candida, but in restoring long-term gut health.

Takeaway: Healing Is Possible

If you’ve been struggling with unexplained digestive issues, fatigue, skin flare-ups, or recurring infections, chronic candida may be part of the picture—and it’s worth a closer look. Dr. Tracy Tranchitella offers expert guidance through Sunrise Functional Medicine to uncover the root causes of candida overgrowth and restore your body’s natural balance. Using cutting-edge diagnostics and personalized care, she helps patients find lasting relief—not just for symptoms, but for their health as a whole.

Want to know if candida overgrowth is affecting your health?

Contact Dr. Tranchitella at Sunrise Functional Medicine to schedule a comprehensive evaluation and start your path to vibrant gut health. Call (951) 461-4800 or visit this page for more information >>