Is Candida Really to Blame for Your Gut Symptoms?
Candida has become a bit of a buzzword in the world of gut health. Many people hear about Candida overgrowth and quickly assume it’s the root cause of their bloating, fatigue, or sugar cravings. But in reality, Candida is usually only a very small part of the bigger gut health picture.
Let’s take a closer look at what the science tells us and why focusing on your whole microbiome gives a much clearer understanding of what’s really happening in your digestive system.
Candida is a Normal (and Tiny) Part of the Microbiome
Candida is a type of yeast that naturally lives in the gut, alongside thousands of other microorganisms. In healthy people, fungi like Candida make up less than 0.01% of the gut microbiome - that’s less than a fraction of a percent.
So, if Candida shows up on a stool or microbiome test, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s the problem or that it needs to be “killed off.” Small traces are normal and usually harmless. What matters more is the overall balance of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that live together in your digestive system.
When this balance is healthy, your digestion runs smoothly, your hormones stay more stable, and your immune system is supported. But when the balance shifts, other microbes can overgrow and create inflammation, discomfort, and symptoms that are often mistakenly blamed on Candida.
What Causes Gut Microbial Imbalance?
There are several factors that can disrupt the delicate ecosystem in your gut:
Antibiotic use - can wipe out both harmful and beneficial bacteria
Chronic stress - affects gut motility and microbial balance
Poor diet - high sugar and processed foods feed less beneficial microbes
Lack of diversity - from limited dietary fibre or reduced exposure to different microbes
Environmental toxins - can alter gut microbial communities
When the microbial community becomes unbalanced, it’s not always about one species taking over. Instead, it’s about how the entire ecosystem has shifted and how that affects digestion, mood, and overall wellbeing.
Why Looking at the Whole Microbiome Matters
Modern gut testing now allows us to go far beyond simple yeast or bacteria cultures. We can see how thousands of species coexist, how they interact, and what that means for gut function, immune health, and even hormone metabolism.
This “whole picture” approach helps us understand the drivers behind your symptoms, not just the symptoms themselves. For example, instead of focusing on eliminating Candida, we might see that an imbalance in bacterial diversity, poor motility, or high inflammation markers are the true root causes.
When we restore balance, Candida (and other fungi) often settle back into their natural, healthy levels on their own.
What You Can Do
If you experience ongoing symptoms like bloating, fatigue, cravings, or digestive discomfort, it might be time to look deeper than Candida. A comprehensive microbiome test can help reveal the full picture – what’s growing, what’s missing, and how your gut is functioning as a whole.
At Her Earth Medicine, we use advanced microbiome testing to uncover the underlying causes of gut symptoms and create a plan that supports balance and long-term healing.
Ready to understand your gut on a deeper level?
Book a gut consultation with our team and learn how your microbiome could be influencing your energy, hormones, and digestion.
