Struggling with Candida Overgrowth? Learn How to Get Rid of It

The short answer: getting Candida back in balance usually takes two things. Cut what feeds the yeast (added sugar, refined carbs, alcohol), and rebuild the rest of your gut community with fiber, fermented foods and probiotics. Confirmed infections, like thrush or a vaginal yeast infection, are a job for your doctor and a prescribed antifungal. Most people give diet changes several weeks to a few months, and a test tells you whether anything actually changed.

Here is what Candida is, the signs of overgrowth, the diet people use, what the research says about probiotics, and how to check your progress.

What type of yeast is Candida?

Candida is a yeast (a type of fungus) found in various areas throughout your body, such as your gut, skin, mouth, throat, and genitals. A staggering 97 percent of SIFO fungi stems from candida.

Small amounts of candida are good for you, as it helps with digestion, provides immune support, and enables your body to properly absorb vitamins and minerals, among other things. However, an abundance of candida can result in candida overgrowth and throw your body for a loop while causing some not-so-favorable symptoms.

If you'd rather know than guess, you can have your gut sequenced — the result is what your formula gets built from.

What Are Candida Overgrowth Symptoms?

There's not a fungal infection more common than candida overgrowth. For example, an overgrowth of candida in the vagina is referred to as a yeast infection, while candida overgrowth in the mouth is called thrush. Candida overgrowth can also occur in breastfeeding women and babies.

Here's a more detailed list of some symptoms that may indicate candida overgrowth:

Digestive issues: Symptoms of candida overgrowth in the gut may include problems like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, and stomach pain. Gut-related disorders like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease have also been linked to candida overgrowth. Frequent vaginal yeast infections: Roughly 75 percent of women will experience a yeast infection in their lifetime. But if they become a recurring issue, it could point to candida overgrowth. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) may also indicate candida overgrowth. Shifts in your mood and mental health: This can include depression, anxiety, or brain fog. Skin issues such as acne or eczema: Did you know that skin issues start in the gut? Weakened immune system: Becoming sick easier and not being able to recover as fast. You may experience symptoms like chronic fatigue or sinus infections.

How Do You Get Rid of Candida in the Body?

There are many factors that contribute to candida overgrowth but two of the biggest reasons are:

• Eating a diet that's high in sugar and processed foods
• Overuse of antibiotics

Antibiotics can't tell the difference between good bacteria and harmful bacteria. So while taking them removes bad bacteria from your gut, it also results in “friendly fire” and eliminates some of your gut's beneficial bacteria as well. This can open the door for candida to grow and populate, which ultimately leads to candida overgrowth.

To get rid of candida, it takes a two-pronged approach. The first step is removing or cutting back on foods in your diet that the yeast can use to grow and multiply, which include:

• Foods high in sugar (candida's main fuel source)
• Refined carbs
• Alcohol
• Caffeine

The second step to eliminating candida overgrowth and keeping it away for good is following a diet centered on nutritious foods to promote beneficial gut bacteria, bring balance back to your body, and prop up your immune system.

Candida diet food list:

• Non-starchy vegetables: Broccoli, kale, spinach, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes.
• Fruits that are low in sugar: Lemon, limes, strawberries.
• Good protein: Eggs, fish.
• Probiotic-rich foods: Fermented foods, dairy products with live cultures.
• Gluten-free grains: Quinoa, buckwheat, oat bran.
• Healthy fats: Avocados, olive oil, chia seeds.
• Nuts and seeds: Low-mold nuts like almonds and pecans, flaxseed.
• Herbs and spices: Black pepper, garlic, paprika, oregano, etc.

Probiotics for Candida

Clinical guidelines for candidiasis center on antifungal medicines. Probiotic research is earlier-stage; the strongest data come from recurring vaginal yeast infections, where probiotics have been studied alongside standard care.

One 6-month study took a look at how probiotic supplements could help those with frequent vaginal yeast infections (i.e. candidiasis). The study separated participants into two groups—one group was given a probiotic supplement that contained multiple strains of lactobacillus and the other group was given a placebo.

Over the study's duration, only 7% of the probiotics group experienced another episode of candidiasis, compared to 36% of the placebo group.

Strains from the Lactobacilli family have proven to be particularly useful for combating candida and possess the greatest anti-fungal properties:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus
• Lactobacillus plantarum
• Lactobacillus fermentum
• Lactobacillus paracasei

How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Candida?

The length of time it takes to get rid of candida varies from person to person and will be influenced by a variety of different factors. Some people may notice relief within the first few weeks of making changes to their diet and lifestyle, while others (especially if they're immune-compromised), might take more time to eliminate candida completely.

The good news: a diet that starves the yeast, plus probiotic foods that rebuild the rest of your gut community, gives you a real plan. If symptoms do not budge, see your doctor.

Is There a Candida Test You Can Take to be Sure About Overgrowth?

There are many gut health tests out there but the two common Candida tests include blood culture tests and stool tests.

With Flore's personalized probiotic, an accredited lab sequences your stool so you can see the yeast and bacteria in your gut, and Flore builds a custom probiotic around your own gut profile. The simplest way to start is the Flore Test to Treat: map your gut, then get a formula built from your results.

Wrapping Things Up

In small amounts, candida is okay. It provides balance to your gut and body, aiding in digestion and providing support to your immune system, among other things.

However, sometimes, an overgrowth of candida can occur and cause some pretty terrible symptoms, including digestive problems, recurring vaginal yeast infections for women, and skin issues like acne and eczema.

To get Candida overgrowth under control naturally, remove or significantly cut back on the following in your diet and lifestyle:

• Processed and high-sugar foods (candida thrives off of sugar)
• Refined carbs
• Alcohol intake
• Caffeine consumption

At the same time, follow a candida diet of the following foods to help repopulate your gut with good bacteria and bolster gut health:

• Non-starchy vegetables
• Low-sugar fruits
• Foods high in probiotics
• Quality protein sources
• Healthy fats

About the Author

Chad Richardson is a freelance writer from Cincinnati, OH who also enjoys going to the gym and doing his best Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonation, scrolling through Netflix trying to find a new binge-worthy show, and catching a game to root on his hometown sports teams.

Before you start a protocol, it helps to confirm what you're treating — here's how to test for Candida overgrowth.

If you would rather target what your own test shows than guess at a general-purpose product, compare the options in our guide to the best personalized probiotics of 2026.