Causes of Candida and Mold Illness: The Hidden Connection That Could Be Wrecking Your Gut

Causes of Candida overgrowth are often attributed to antibiotic use or a high-sugar diet. While these can absolutely play a role, there’s another trigger that’s often overlooked, one that can quietly set the stage for chronic fungal issues: mold exposure. 

Today let’s explore the causes of Candida overgrowth, and take a closer look at the powerful, often missed connection between Candida and mold illness. If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of sugar cravings, gut issues, skin flares, and brain fog, this is for you!

What Is Candida Overgrowth?

Candida is a type of fungal yeast that naturally exists in the body, particularly in the mouth, gut, skin, and vaginal microbiomes. We often use the term Candida to refer to the most common strain that is responsible for overgrowth symptoms, Candida albicans. You may have also heard Candida overgrowth referred to as candidiasis.

While Candida is a normal part of the human microbiome, problems arise when it grows out of control, overwhelming the beneficial bacteria that typically keep it in check. 

Because Candida can affect multiple systems in the body, symptoms can be wide-ranging and hard to pinpoint, especially when deeper issues like mold are involved. Symptoms of Candida overgrowth include:

• Bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
• Brain fog, fatigue, and mood swings
• Skin problems like eczema, fungal rashes, or acne
• Oral or vaginal thrush (white patches or discharge)
• Intense sugar or carb cravings

Common Causes of Candida Overgrowth

Several factors can create an environment that fuels yeast growth in which Candida thrives. These include:

• High-sugar, high-carb diet: Candida and other yeast or fungi feed on sugar. Diets high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars provide the perfect fuel for yeast overgrowth.
• Frequent antibiotic or steroid use: These medications disrupt the gut microbiome, wiping out beneficial bacteria that normally keep Candida levels in control. Examples of steroid medications include prednisone, corticosteroid inhalers for asthma, and even topical steroid creams. 
• Oral contraceptives: Hormonal birth control can affect estrogen levels, altering the flora and acid-base balance of the gut and vaginal microbiomes. These factors foster an environment more prone to Candida overgrowth.
• Chronic stress: Elevated cortisol levels from chronic stress suppress immune function and contribute to blood sugar imbalances. We also know how detrimental chronic stress is to the gut barrier, furthering the risk of Candida overgrowth.
• Poor gut health or impaired digestion: All of the factors listed above can impact gut health and the integrity of the gut lining. Inadequate digestion from low stomach acid, for example, can fuel inflammation and contribute to an imbalanced microbiome where yeast and other pathogens can flourish.

The Mold-Candida Connection: A Hidden Trigger with Significant Impacts

In many cases, the main root cause of Candida overgrowth, especially in cases of recurrent fungal or yeast infections, goes even deeper than the factors listed above. Mold illness, which stems from exposure to mold spores and their toxic byproducts (mycotoxins), paves the way for Candida to flourish. Here are three key ways that Candida and mold illness are linked…

1. Fungi Feed Off of Each Other

Candida and mold are both members of the fungal family, meaning they share similar properties and behaviors. When the body is already burdened by mold exposure, it becomes more vulnerable to other fungal overgrowth like Candida. These organisms can even form biofilms, which are protective coverings that make these communities and organisms harder to eliminate and more resistant to treatment.

2. Immune System Disruption

Mold exposure and high levels of mold mycotoxins significantly tax the immune system. This dampens the body’s ability to control fungal levels and can open the door to other opportunistic infections. This immune overwhelm makes it harder to keep Candida from proliferating. Additionally, this immune dysfunction fuels chronic inflammation, which can contribute to more gut dysbiosis, hormone imbalances, cognitive issues, and more.

3. Leaky Gut and Liver Overload

Mold mycotoxins have a strong affinity for the tissues that make up the gut lining. They can compromise the integrity of the gut lining, contributing to what’s commonly known as “leaky gut,” a condition that further drives inflammation, microbial imbalance, and Candida overgrowth.

Meanwhile, the liver, your body’s main detox organ, has the critical responsibility of clearing both Candida byproducts and mold mycotoxins. When the liver is overloaded, detox pathways become sluggish and bile flow is compromised. This is important because bile helps control fungal growth in the GI tract and supports estrogen metabolism. Impaired bile production can lead to high estrogen levels, which is known to feed Candida growth.

The Functional Fueling Approach: Addressing Mold for True Candida Recovery

To effectively squash Candida overgrowth and recurrent infections, we must consider your gut health, liver detoxification, and immune resilience. Mold illness, impacting all of these factors, may be the hidden factor holding you back from fully healing.

In our 1:1 coaching, we utilize advanced functional medicine testing to help paint a more comprehensive picture of your health. This allows us to develop a more effective personalized treatment plan that goes beyond dietary changes and herbal antifungal supplements.

If you’re struggling with recurrent fungal infections and Candida overgrowth and want to dive deeper to address the root causes, check out our 1:1 coaching offerings and book your free discovery call today!

Written by Romana Brennan, MS, RDN