Feeling tired all the time isn’t normal. It could be that a gut imbalance is affecting your energy levels. 

One way this can happen is if Candida albicans is interfering with the way your body absorbs nutrients. The healthy bacteria in your gut are responsible for breaking down the food you eat into vitamins and minerals. 

A Candida overgrowth can overwhelm these good bacteria to the point that they can no longer do their job properly.

Recurring yeast infections are the most obvious sign of Candida overgrowth. It’s estimated that more than 75% of women will get a vaginal yeast infection at some stage in their lives. 

Symptoms of a Candida yeast infection typically include itching, pain during intercourse, white discharge, and unpleasant odor.

Candida albicans produces a neurotoxin called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde can affect your mental focus by interfering with the red blood cells that carry oxygen to your brain. 

If your brain is getting less oxygen, you are less able to think clearly. Acetaldehyde can also cause a deficiency in vitamin B1, which is crucial for brain function. 

An imbalance of gut flora is usually at the center of a Candida overgrowth. 

Your gut is made up of millions of tiny organisms that are responsible for the processing of starches, fibers, and some sugars. 

When this microbiome is disrupted by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, your entire digestive system is thrown out of order. You may experience diarrhea, gas, bloating, constipation, cramps, nausea, and other unpleasant symptoms. 

Oral thrush is a very common sign of an intestinal Candida infection. It is common among those with a weakened immune system but can also be triggered by a course of antibiotics or a high-sugar diet.

Oral thrush usually manifests as white bumps or lesions on the tongue or throat. Redness or inflamed areas inside your mouth and gums are also common.

Candida overgrowth in the gut can lead to intestinal permeability, or 'leaky gut', which develops when the Candida albicans yeast penetrates the walls of your intestines. 

This can allow food particles and metabolites into the bloodstream, where they are identified as foreign substances by your immune system. This reaction can potentially lead to food sensitivities.

Your skin and nails are home to their own special microorganisms that work to protect you from harmful pathogens. However, just like in your intestines, the bacteria on your skin and nails can also become imbalanced. 

Changes in your skin or nail flora can allow Candida albicans to spread rapidly. Warm, moist areas like the armpits, feet, and groin are particularly vulnerable. Fungal nail infections are also common.

Poor gut health and an imbalanced microbiome can lead to a weakened immune system. If you have a Candida yeast overgrowth in your gut, perhaps due to antibiotics or diet, this imbalance can affect your body's ability to fight off infection.

If the beneficial organisms in your gut are low in numbers or functioning poorly, your immune system can be significantly weakened.

Research has shown a direct link between gut imbalances and depression. This may be due to the effect on your body’s production of serotonin, the ‘happy chemical’ that regulates mood. 

Most serotonin is produced in the gut, so an imbalance of gut flora due to Candida overgrowth can severely disrupt your ability to produce serotonin. 

Another issue caused by Candida metabolites is joint pain. This can occur in various parts of the body, particularly the knees and hips. 

A Candida overgrowth can produce high levels of uric acid, which can build up in the body and lead to gout. Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis associated with pain, stiffness, and swelling in your joints. 

Over time, high levels of uric acid also cause severe damage to tendons and joints. 

Candida albicans thrives on a typical Western diet full of added sugars. It uses those sugars to survive, to build its cell walls, to construct biofilms to protect itself from your immune system, and to transform into the fungal form that allows it to spread. 

The most important part of the anti-Candida diet is simple – cut all added sugars out of your diet. That means no more candy, breakfast cereal, or sugary condiments. This deprives the yeast of the sugars it needs, and reduces inflammation in your gut.

Your liver is the organ that processes and expels Candida toxins, including acetaldehyde, ammonia, and uric acid. 

Acetaldehyde is a particularly nasty neurotoxin that can cause persistent fatigue and brain fog.

There are some excellent, natural supplements that have been shown to support optimal liver health. Look for milk thistle seed extract, artichoke leaf extract, and dandelion root extract. 

Probiotics are the fastest way to boost immunity and support healthy digestion. 

Replenishing your gut with healthy bacteria is a crucial part of recovering your gut health, fighting Candida overgrowth, and restoring balance to your gut flora. 

 Look for a probiotic with time-release tablets that will actually deliver its bacteria to your gut.

Natural antifungals work by breaking down and destroying the cell walls and biofilm of Candida albicans yeast cells. 

There are a variety of natural antifungals that have been shown to inhibit and reverse Candida activity. 

Good examples of natural antifungals include caprylic acid, oregano leaf extract, and berberine