Candida Overgrowth Protocol

📅 Quick Overview: 3-Part Candida Protocol

⚡ What to Expect During Each Phase

Foundations (Days 1–60, continuous) • This is your core protocol layer—supporting resilience the entire way. Expect better sleep, fewer cravings, calmer mood, and improved gut function over time. Some days may feel like two steps forward, one step back—this is normal.

Drainage Support (Days 1–30) • As drainage improves, you may notice increased urination, bowel movements, or better sweating. Energy may stabilize and detox symptoms often ease.

Anti-Candida Phase (Days 30–60) • When antifungals are introduced, die-off reactions (like headaches or fatigue) may occur especially if you did not work on drainage. Many people also report clearer thinking, reduced bloating, fewer rashes, and better digestion as balance is restored.

🦠 What is Candida

Candida is a natural part of your body’s microbiome—but when it grows unchecked, it can hijack your energy, gut, hormones, and skin. This protocol helps you uncover the root causes, calm your symptoms, and restore lasting balance.

🤒 Common Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth

✅ Candida Self-Assessment

Answer yes to 3+? You may benefit from this protocol.

• Do you frequently crave sugar or carbs?
• Have you taken antibiotics or steroids in the last year?
• Do you experience recurrent infections (yeast, sinus, UTI)?
• Do you experience skin fungal infections?
• Do you feel worse in damp or moldy environments?
• Does mold exposure trigger fungal infections?
• Do you have persistent fatigue or brain fog?
• Are you regularly exposed to EMFs, mold, or environmental toxins (e.g., radioactive chemicals, heavy metals, glyphosate)?

🧪 Assessment Tools for Candida

These are the most current tools to assess Candida overgrowth:

1. Symptoms and Exposure History. Evaluate your own symptom patterns and lifestyle exposures to identify likely areas of overgrowth (GI, skin, genitourinary). This helps guide targeted testing and support.
2. Stool Testing (GI Map, CSA)
   1. Detects yeast colonization in the intestines.
   2. Can confirm presence of Candida albicans or other yeast species.

➡️ Order a GI MAP or Comprehensive Stool Test

3. Organic Acids Test (OAT) analyzes urinary metabolites linked to fungal overgrowth. The following markers are commonly elevated in Candida:
   • Arabinose, D-arabinitol, tartaric acid, carboxycitric acid, tricarballylic acid, and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furoic acid

➡️ Order an OAT test

4. Mycotoxin Profile
   • Evaluates mold toxin load (e.g., from Aspergillus, Penicillium, etc.)
   • Often elevated alongside Candida markers in OAT.
   • Mold exposure can drive or perpetuate fungal overgrowth and should be addressed early.

➡️ Order a Mycotoxin Profile

5.  Blood Tests (Candida Antibodies)
   • Used to detect invasive candidiasis, more relevant in acute or systemic cases.

➡️ Order a Candida Antibody Blood Test

6.  Skin Sampling
   • A practitioner may gently scrape skin for culture or microscopy if topical yeast infections are suspected. 

🧪 Nutritional Assessments – Common Deficiencies:

• Magnesium: < 2 mg/dL
• Zinc: Alkaline phosphatase < 40 IU/L, bilirubin < 0.5 mg/dL
• Selenium: < 70 mcg/L (if no chronic inflammation)
• Iron Panel:
  • Ferritin < 50 ng/mL (female), < 75 ng/mL (male)
  • TIBC > 315 (female), > 370 (male)
  • % Saturation < 30%

Deficiencies in key minerals—magnesium, iron, selenium, and zinc—can significantly impair the immune system's ability to control Candida overgrowth. Magnesium deficiency is common in individuals with chronic Candida-related conditions and can worsen symptoms like anxiety and irritability. Iron deficiency weakens immune defenses and facilitates Candida's invasion of epithelial tissues, with supplementation shown to reduce fungal load and improve symptoms. Selenium deficiency also compromises immune responses to Candida, while supplementation has been linked to improvements in oral candidiasis. Zinc supports antifungal immunity, and low levels are associated with recurrent infections; supplementation has improved resistance and clinical outcomes in both animal models and human cases. Collectively, these deficiencies create a terrain that favors Candida persistence and recurrence.

🔎 Root Causes to Fix First

Candida is not the root issue—it’s your body’s way of coping. These 5 areas must be addressed before antifungals:

1. Sluggish Drainage: If your liver, lymph, gallbladder, or colon is stagnant, toxins stay trapped, and Candida thrives.
   🔹 Action: Use the Drainage Reset Program to identify stuck pathways.
2. Environmental Toxins: Mold, metals, pesticides, and poor air quality overwhelm your detox capacity—Candida may grow to help bind them.
   🔹 Action:
   1. Evaluate exposures in your home, workplace, or school
   2. Choose filtered water and organic food when possible
      1. Reverse osmosis recommendation: AquaTru (discount is applied automatically)
      2. Distillation machine recommendation: PureWater (discount code PAOLA)
      3. Refer to the EWG’s dirty dozen
   3. Review your supplements—they may contain hidden mycotoxins or metals. Asking supplement brands for the Certificate of Analysis may show contaminants.
   4. Support melanin production to naturally enhance resilience against mold and heavy metals: How to Build Your Natural Sunscreen

3. Stealth Pathogens: Parasites, viruses, and Lyme disrupt immune balance.
   🔹 Action:
   1. Consider parasite cleansing if you have mysterious symptoms
   2. Use the Parasite Cleanse Program to score your risk

4. Medications: Antibiotics, steroids, birth control, and immunosuppressants wreck microbial balance.
   🔹 Action: Work with a practitioner to wean off if appropriate.
5. EMF/Radiation: nnEMFs increase oxidative stress and lower resilience.
   🔹 Action:
   1. Turn off Wi-Fi at night
   2. Use airplane mode
   3. Avoid Bluetooth & AirPods
   4. Ground daily for 20+ mins

🚨 Drivers That Make it Worse 

Even after root causes are addressed, these 3 drivers can keep feeding Candida:

• Insulin resistance: High blood sugar feeds fungal growth
• Estrogen dominance: Linked to vaginal yeast infections
• Chronic stress: Cortisol suppresses immunity & gut integrity

Timeline & Order of Operations

1️⃣ Step 1: Foundations (Days 1–60)

Start by creating a resilient foundation. This phase helps regulate immune function, reduce systemic stress, and set the stage for effective antifungal support.

• Prioritize sleep & circadian health – Aim for 7–9 hours of restful sleep. Align your body clock with morning sunlight, early dinners, and reduced screen exposure after sunset. Consider blue-blocking glasses like Viva Rays Evening Glasses to support melatonin production.
• Drink clean, mineral-rich water – I personally use Mountain Valley Spring Water. You can also filter your water using reverse osmosis or a distillation system, then re-mineralize with products like Quinton Hypertonic. A typical dose is 2–3 vials per day. Alternatively, you can add a pinch of natural salt to each cup of water.
• Reduce nnEMF exposure – Turn off Wi-Fi at night, keep your phone on airplane mode when not in use, and unplug unused electronics. Ground outdoors for at least 20 minutes a day to reduce inflammation and discharge excess EMFs. Exposure to nnEMF can make mold and fungal symptoms worse. This is particularly the case if you have also developed hypersensitivities.
• Avoid processed sugar, alcohol, and processed foods – These impair immune function and feed Candida (especially if insulin resistant), making it harder to achieve balance.
• Alcohol sensitivity tip – If consuming alcohol worsens symptoms, consider supplementing with pantethine (300 mg, 2–3 times/day) to help mitigate its effects.
• Include foods such as apple cider vinegar (if tolerated), coconut oil, fatty fish like salmon and sardines, bone broth, pumpkin seeds, ghee, and tomatoes. These foods help directly and indirectly address candida overgrowth. If these foods are in season where you currently live, that's a major plus!
• Include anti-candida spices such as cinnamon, clover, turmeric, oregano, and rosemary into your meals.
• Check vitamin D levels – If your levels are consistently under 30 ng/mL—even in summer—you’re likely not getting adequate sun exposure. Aim for 20 minutes of full-skin sunlight during UVB hours, which you can track using the Circadian App. UVB availability varies based on your location and the season. Vitamin D reduces the prevalence of Candida colonization and systemic Candida infection.

2️⃣ Step 2: Support Drainage & Replenish Nutrients Exclusively (Days 1–30)

Before introducing antifungals, it’s essential to ensure your body can properly eliminate Candida and its byproducts. Drainage support helps clear the infection and significantly reduces the risk of recurrence, as well as detox reactions. 

Supporting the main pathways such as the colon, liver, gallbladder, lymph, and kidneys prepares the body for deeper detoxification. 

Recommended supplements:

• Magnesium Citrate (Pure Encapsulations): 600 mg/day, with or without meals
• Bowel Mover (Cellcore): 1-3 capsules per day, on an empty stomach
• Advanced TUDCA (Cellcore): 2 capsules per day, on an empty stomach
• Organic Digestive Bitters (Dr. Mercola): 1-3 droppers per day, 10 minutes before meals
• KL Support (Cellcore): 4 capsules per day, on an empty stomach

🔹 Use the Drainage Reset Program to identify which pathways need the most support in your body.

Lymphatic Movement Support:
Dry brushing, rebounding, and castor oil packs can help move lymph and reduce toxin buildup.

Use the Cronometer app to assess your intake of magnesium, zinc, selenium, and iron over 5-7 days. If you are having difficulties getting enough of these nutrients even with dietary changes, consider supplementing:

• Magnesium glycinate (Pure Encapsulations): 300–500 mg/day
• Zinc bisglycinate (Thorne): 15–30 mg/day
• Selenium (Thorne): 100–200 mcg/day
• Proferrin on Amazon: 10-30 mg/day
• Consider Iron bisglycinate (Thorne) if you have GI inflammation such as gastritis or duodenal irritation. Avoid iron supplementation if it causes gastrointestinal discomfort.

3️⃣ Step 3: Anti-Candida Protocol (Days 30–60)

Antifungal & Binder Overview:

• Saccharomyces boulardii is a beneficial yeast that helps restore gut balance by blocking Candida from attaching to the gut lining, forming harmful biofilms, and shifting into its invasive form. It also reduces intestinal inflammation and limits Candida spread.
• Berberine is a potent antimicrobial, especially effective against Candida albicans. It inhibits fungal growth, breaks down biofilms, and is particularly helpful for those with Candida-linked diarrhea.
• Biotoxin Binder (CellCore) is a gentle yet effective binder that captures Candida byproducts and mycotoxins, helping ease detox reactions and lower the fungal burden.
• Caprylic Acid damages the cell walls of Candida, helping eliminate it from the gut. Start with 1 tablet (100 mg) twice daily between meals and increase gradually as tolerated—up to 4 tablets, four times per day.
• Oregano Oil contains carvacrol, a powerful compound that disrupts Candida’s structure and growth. Effective doses range from 50 mg four times daily to 100 mg three times daily. Start slow to gauge sensitivity.
• Garlic (e.g., Garlicin) has antifungal properties shown to weaken or kill Candida, although clinical results are mixed. One study used 3 tablets twice daily for 14 days. Some people experience digestive upset, so monitor your tolerance.

Recommended supplements: 

• S boulardii Biocodex Strain by Florastor: 250 mg twice a day, with or without meals
• Berberine (Klaire Labs): 250 mg, three times a day, with or without meals
• Biotoxin Binder (Cellcore): 2 capsules, twice a day, on an empty stomach
• Choose only one anti-fungal:
• Caprylic acid (NuMedica): 200-1600 mg per day, between meals
• Oregano oil (Now Foods): 200-300 mg per day, between meals
• Garlicin (Nature’s Way): up to 6 tablets per day, for 2 weeks only

Important instructions:

1. Start each antifungal at the lower dose and increase gradually if tolerated.
2. Continue drainage support as needed during days 60-90. The drainage assessment form can help you narrow down the pathways that need support at this time, as this can change. 
3. Continue with the Foundations.

🔹 Prioritize These Supplements First

If on a budget, start with:

• Biotoxin Binder (CellCore)
• Caprylic Acid or Oregano Oil
• Saccharomyces boulardii (Florastor)

🛒 Supplement Discounts & Dispensaries

CellCore – 15% off
Register with Patient Direct Code: FRtTCWs0
🔗 https://cellcore.com/pages/register-customer?code=FRtTCWs0
Please allow up to 48 hours for our team to activate your discount after registration.

Fullscript – 20% off all supplements
Sign up to access my professional-grade formulary:
🔗 https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/paolaxhuli/signup 

🔐 Herx Management & Support Tools

If detox reactions occur (fatigue, headache, irritability), try the following for:

• Aches & Pains
• Take a bath with epsom salt
• Use a red light therapy device (discount code PAOLA) on the affected area for 20 minutes daily
• Anxiety
• Use the Buteyko method
• CBD (discount code PAOLA)
• Theanine by Thorne 
• GABA by Pure Encapsulations
• Breakouts
• Gentle facial cleanser: Cetaphil
• Cravings
• Peppermint tea: Link
• Fatigue
  • Stress-B by Thorne 
  • Magnesium Breakthrough (discount code PAOLA)
• Flu-like symptoms
• Grass-fed broth: Link
• Sauna: Therasage Infrared (discount code PAOLA)
• High dose vitamin C, my preferred one is Acerola Cherry (discount code PAOLA)
• Headache
• Pranamat: Link (discount code PAOLA)
• GI Upset
  • Ginger & Chamomile tea: Link
  • Activated Charcoal by Integrative Therapeutics 

• Insomnia
  • Magnesium Lotion: Link (discount code PAOLA)
  • Visualization sleep meditation: Link
  • Coherent breathing: Link

• Phlemg/Stuffy nose
  • Netipot: Link

• Skin rashes
  • 100% Natural Oatmeal Bath Treatment: Link

❓ Quick FAQ

Q: What if I miss a dose? → No problem, just continue as planned.

Q: Can I take all the supplements together? → Yes, the biotoxin binder won’t affect the other supplements.

Q: Is this protocol safe during breastfeeding? → Not recommended unless cleared with your provider.

Q: What if I'm not pooping daily? → Pause antifungals, increase magnesium or Bowel Mover. Pooping is non-negotiable while detoxing. For more colon support, refer to the Drainage Reset Program.

Q: Can I do this without labs? → Yes, you can start without them—but labs can provide valuable insights, especially if nutrient deficiencies or mycotoxin exposure are suspected. They can help guide and validate your process.

 💬 Community Discussion Only

Comments here are meant for sharing feedback, insights, or experiences with other members. Paola does not respond to questions here, but she reads everything and may occasionally pop in to share additional knowledge or refine protocols based on community feedback.

📍 For direct questions or support with applying this protocol, please post inside the Inner Circle Q&A instead.