Title: Candida & Yeast Infections - How To Treat It | Goop
Headings: The Insidious Yeast Infection We All Have—and How to Treat It
Wellness
The Insidious Yeast Infection We All Have—and How to Treat It
A Q&A with Dr. Amy Myers
1. STARVE THE YEAST
2. OVERPOWER THE YEAST
3. REPLENISH GOOD BACTERIA

Content: A
Candida is a fungus (which is a form of yeast). A lot of people use the terms “yeast overgrowth” and “Candida” interchangeably, and there are hundreds of different types of yeast, but the most common form of yeast infection is known as Candida albicans. Candida lives throughout our bodies in small amounts: in our oral cavity, digestive tract, gut microbiome, and vaginal tract. Its job is to aid with digestion and nutrient absorption—which it does when it’s in balance with the good bacteria in your microbiome. I think of the microbiome (clusters of mainly bacteria, plus other organisms, found in our skin, nose, mouth, gut, urinary tract) as a rainforest: When everything is in balance, the body is in harmony and runs smoothly. The problem occurs when there is too much Candida in relation to your body’s good bacteria, and it overpowers the bacteria, which can lead to leaky gut and a host of other digestive issues, as well as fungal infections, mood swings, and brain fog (see below for a more complete symptom list). People generally equate Candida with a systemic overgrowth—i.e. a vaginal yeast infection in a woman, or a nail fungus.