Cleanest Sunscreens of 2025 | Sunscreen for Face and Body
We know that UV exposure supports nervous system regulation and healing, circadian rhythm, and the production of vitamin D, all of which are essential to optimal health.
On the other hand, we know that even if there is no concrete evidence that sun exposure causes cancer, sunburns are painful and pain is a symptom of damage or dysfunction in the body.
Nutritionist-recommended sunscreens for face and body
You may have heard a saying in the wellness world that if you wouldn’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin. I agree, although that’s a bit of an oversimplification. I’ll explain the ins and outs of it in this article so you can make a better-informed decision about which sunscreen you’ll be coated with this summer (if any!).
Hi friends. I’m Hilary Beckwith, ex-dieter and holistic nutrition expert. Clients come to see me with signs of adrenal stress and inflammatory conditions, and my job is to find the root causes so we can address their symptoms more effectively and fill in the gaps between what their doctor is saying and what their body is saying. Click here to read my Medical Disclaimer.
In this article, you’ll learn:
benefits and risks of sun exposure
what goes on your skin is just as important as what goes into your body
health effects of phthalates and parabens
my favorite sunscreen products
is sunscreen for your face really necessary?
It’s probably not news to you that humans need sunlight for vitamin D production. Sunlight exposure is an essential component of human health. It regulates circadian rhythm and sleep, it’s been shown to improve recovery after surgery and illness, and, yes, it’s essential to vitamin D production and metabolism [1] which is important for bone health and immune function.
What’s really interesting is that we’ve never had concrete evidence that sun exposure causes skin cancer. Similar to the misinformation you’ve heard about cholesterol and veganism, somewhere in our history, someone caught wind that sun exposure might be correlated to the development of melanoma (skin cancer), and it was heavily publicized without providing all the information.
And we just ran with it.
Here’s what the research on sunscreens and sun exposure does show [2]:
non-burning, chronic sun exposure actually reduces the risk of melanoma, and has other health benefits
sunburns double the risk of melanoma development
association between reduced sun exposure (more indoor activities and workspaces) and increased melanoma development
association between reduced vitamin D levels and reduced sun exposure
no concrete evidence that chemical sunscreens reduce the risk of melanoma
Some experts speculate based on this research that the increase in melanoma over the past century may actually be due to reduced immune capability and increased toxicity, not from sun exposure.
It’s a matter of balance, right?
We know that UV exposure supports nervous system regulation and healing, circadian rhythm, and the production of vitamin D, all of which are essential to optimal health.
On the other hand, we know that even if there is no concrete evidence that sun exposure causes cancer, sunburns are painful and pain is a symptom of damage or dysfunction in the body.
So, is sunscreen for your face and body really necessary?
I would say - if you know you are going to be exposed to the sun for an long period of time, know you are at risk of sunburn, or have very fair skin, then yes, sunscreen is a good idea. Based on the data I’ve seen and will reference in this post, sunscreen for your face and body when there is a chance of sunburn will help reduce the risk of melanoma.
the dirty truth about SPF
SPF 50?
More like SPF iffy… (you’re welcome).
Did you know that a large number of sunscreen manufacturers’ SPF claims (sun protection factor) are inaccurate? The bottle might say SPF 50, but are you really getting that amount of protection?
When the EWG (Environmental Working Group) discovered this huge discrepancy in 2021, they began holding sunscreen manufacturers accountable by testing sunscreens for SPF accuracy in addition to their primary work of testing the effects of various ingredients.
Thanks to that work, we are starting to see more accurate SPF claims.
“if you wouldn’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin”
This is a lovely ideology, albeit a bit oversimplified. Even the cleanest of sunscreens contains ingredients I wouldn’t necessarily put in my food, such as titanium dioxide and caprylyl glycol.
So you look for the “safe for kids and pets” claim on your sunscreen, but relying solely on this claim for sunscreen is not enough. We need to become better informed about what is considered “safe” by regulating agencies and how they are impacting our health.
So, yes, “if you wouldn’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin” might be a better guideline than “safe for kids and pets”. But the spirit of this ideology is to choose products that don’t contain sh*t that’s toxic to your health (and harmful to the environment, BTW).
but, why?
Ingredients in products that touch your skin - lotions, soaps, cosmetics, laundry detergents, sunscreens, even the clothing you wear - pass through your skin and directly into your bloodstream. Any harmful ingredients contained in these products, be they plastics, parabens, phthalates, dyes, metals, petroleum, or harmful nanoparticles from certain minerals and metals, may circulate through your body completely before finally being filtered through your liver and dealt with accordingly.
Harmful ingredients in food, however, are filtered through your liver as part of the digestive process before circulating through your body.
That goes without saying, if your liver is overburdened by the vast amount of toxins you are exposed to through food, clothing, cosmetics, or other elements, it doesn’t matter if you eat it or bathe in it. In fact, you may already have symptoms of an overburdened liver without knowing it.
So when it comes to choosing a sunscreen for the face and body - give your liver a break. Start choosing better.
ingredients to avoid
When it comes to choosing clean sunscreens for your face and body, it may be obvious to avoid artificial dyes, colorings, and scents. Those are the easy ones to spot, and possibly the more obvious to you as a consumer. You wouldn’t eat it, so why put it on your skin?
The more insidious ingredients to avoid are phthalates and parabens.
Let’s take a look at why.
health effects of phthalates
Phthalates (pronounced THAL-ayt) are a class of chemicals added to sunscreens as well as many other products, used to make a product more flexible and pliable without breaking.
Phthalates are not only found in sunscreens - they are in many cosmetics, lotions, hair products, and even foods, such as dairy and dairy substitutes, breads, beverages, and even meats.
Why should you avoid them?
There has been a lot of research on the health effects of phthalates, and why they are still allowed in products we use on a daily basis, I do not understand.
PHTHALATES HAVE BEEN FOUND TO [3,4,5]:
increase oxidative stress (inflammation!)
increase insulin resistance (although this was a small study - more research is needed)
cause pre-term birth and low birthweight
f*ck with female sex hormones (where my PCOS gals?)
decrease testosterone and sperm count in men
inhibit neurodevelopment
HOW TO KNOW IF PHTHALATES ARE IN YOUR SUNSCREEN
Chances are you will not find “phthalates” on the ingredients list of your sunscreen, or any other cosmetics or foods. In sunscreen specifically, the most common phthalate used is called diethyl phthalate (DEP). You may also see them listed as “fragrance” or “parfum”.
Avoid sunscreens with these ingredients listed.
health effects of parabens
Parabens are an artificial preservative commonly found in personal care products, meaning lotions, hair products, shampoos, conditioners, laundry detergents, and yes, sunscreens. Parabens are also found in many processed foods.
Why are parabens used so abundantly? They prevent bacteria and mold from growing, which increases shelf life of many products (so convenient!).
There has been a lot of good research on parabens and their effects on human health and the environment over the past 10-15 years. Here’s what you should know about parabens:
PARABENS ARE ENDOCRINE-DISRUPTING CHEMICALS:
Parabens are classified as EDCs, or endocrine-disrupting chemicals. This means they disrupt the normal hormone functions of the human body.
PARABENS AND ESTROGEN:
Parabens mimic reproductive hormones and glucocorticoid hormones (hormones that modulate blood sugar levels). An article from Science Direct states, “They have a structure equivalent to estrogen and can potentially block nuclear receptors for androgens, progesterone, estrogens, glucocorticoids, and others.” [6]
These disruptions include infertility, decreased sperm count, PCOS symptoms, and, although no human studies have been published as of yet, parabens has been seen to cause poor reproductive development in animals.
PARABENS CAUSE OBESITY:
Parabens cause obesity. Their interference with glucocorticoids interferes with the body’s normal ability to regulate sugar, which influences fat tissue. This may also be related to PCOS, as the two systems are strongly intertwined.
NEARLY EVERYONE IS EXPOSED TO PARABENS:
An alarming 99% of urine samples tested in a 2005 study found levels of methyl-paraben metabolytes [7]. The study also found that 92% of the samples contained propyl-paraben, 42% ethyl-paraben, and 47% butyl-parabens. These parabens comprise four of the six most commonly used parabens in foods and personal care products today.
THE FDA DENIES EVIDENCE OF HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS OF PARABENS:
As of the date this post was written, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says very clearly on their website [8], “At this time, we do not have information showing that parabens as they are used in cosmetics have an effect on human health.” This, despite the alarming amount of research I’ve referenced in this post alone…
I admit my lack of trust in the FDA is a bias of mine. I trust credible research, and I can only read research that is published and accessible. The FDA also approves many things that are very clearly harmful to human health (lookin’ at you, glyphosate!), and yet also does not approve therapeutic support from things like nutritional supplements and laser therapy. I encourage you to look at these studies yourself - don’t take my word for it.
Screenshot taken 7/2/2025 of the FDA’s remarks on parabens’ effects on human health.
PARABENS AND BREAST CANCER:
There has been a lot of research on parabens’ association with breast cancer and how it can influence carcinogens, and the studies do look promising. But nothing concrete has come of them yet. We need more and better studies before I would feel comfortable making that claim.
my favorite products
I hope I have provided some great tools to help you decide for yourself which sunscreens you feel great about using this summer. For those of you who want more guidance, click that button below to download my personal and professional recommendations for clean sunscreen products (plus get a 20% discount in my shop).
learn something new?
What are your favorite clean sunscreens for face and body? Share your favorites in the comments below.
NUTRITION SERVICES
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
BLOG REFERENCES
Joseph, Anjali. “Impact of Light on Outcomes in Healthcare Settings.” The Center for Health Design, The Center for Health Design, 16 Oct. 2012, www.healthdesign.org/chd/research/impact-light-outcomes-healthcare-settings.
Hoel, David G, et al. “The Risks and Benefits of Sun Exposure 2016.” Dermato-Endocrinology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 19 Oct. 2016, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5129901/.
Eales, J, et al. “Human Health Impacts of Exposure to Phthalate Plasticizers: An Overview of Reviews.” Environment International, Pergamon, 30 Sept. 2021, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412021005286.
Wang, Yufei, and Haifeng Qian. “Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health.” Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 May 2021, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8157593/.
Arrigo, Federica, et al. “Phthalates and Their Effects on Human Health: Focus on Erythrocytes and the Reproductive System.” Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, Elsevier, 5 May 2023, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S153204562300100X.
Chatterjee, Sovona, et al. “Parabens as the Double-Edged Sword: Understanding the Benefits and Potential Health Risks.” Science of The Total Environment, Elsevier, 30 Sept. 2024, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969724067032.
Calafat, Antonia, et al. “Urinary Concentrations of Four Parabens in the U.S. Population: Nhanes 2005-2006.” Environmental Health Perspectives, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 4 Jan. 2010, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20056562/.
Commissioner, Office of the. “Parabens in Cosmetics.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, 25 Feb. 2022, www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/parabens-cosmetics.
Common Hormone Balancing Mistakes | Hormone Imbalance | Hormone Balance Supplements
Hormone imbalance is when there is either too much or too little of any hormone. While addressing the effects of the hormone imbalances might help with your symptoms, as a holistic practitioner, my goal is to figure out why there is a hormone imbalance and help you address the hormone imbalance at the root cause.
The following are some common mistakes I see in individuals working to address hormone imbalance, specifically in relation to female sex hormones.
What is hormone imbalance?
Your body is run by hormones, which are chemical substances that are transported throughout the body and act as messengers to stimulate certain actions from cells or tissues.
Hormones regulate many body functions, including:
hunger
fullness
digestion and motility
glucose metabolism (blood sugar balance)
mood
period cycles, menstruation
muscle building
bone density
stress response
thirst
sleep-wake cycle
sexual function
You can see from that list just how important hormones are, and your body works hard to keep them in balance.
Hormone imbalance is when there is either too much or too little of any hormone. While addressing the effects of the hormone imbalances might help with your symptoms, as a holistic practitioner, my goal is to figure out why there is a hormone imbalance and help you address the hormone imbalance at the root cause.
The following are some common mistakes I see in individuals working to address hormone imbalance, specifically in relation to female sex hormones.
Whether you’re working to regulate your period cycle, get rid of PCOS belly, reduce PMS symptoms, dealing with PCOS symptoms (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), trying to get pregnant, or approaching menopause, it’s important to work from the ground up.
common mistakes with addressing hormone imbalance
7 of the most common mistakes I see people make when addressing hormone imbalance are:
Not addressing root cause - There are many ways to address hormone imbalance with hormone supplements, medications, or modalities to address symptoms of hormone imbalance like PCOS belly and irregular periods. And these all have their place in some cases, but the biggest mistake I see is not looking for and addressing the reason(s) why your hormones are imbalanced to begin with.
Not prioritizing rest and sleep - A busy lifestyle complete with a lack of boundaries and inability to say ‘no’ will keep your Sympathetic Nervous System activated (fight or flight). When this happens, your brain is actively working to prepare your body to flee a tiger, not regulate ovulation. Other examples of chronic stressors include:
chronic over-exercising
poor blood sugar regulation
people-pleasing behaviors
eating on-the-run
no downtime, or having to “earn” downtime
Ignoring the impact of dietary and environmental toxins - Your body is doing everything it can to deal with what is thrown at it. Many modern products that have been designed to offer us ease and convenience, are loaded with endocrine disrupters and substances that are considered toxic to your body and contribute heavily to hormone imbalance symptoms like PCOS belly, weight gain, and irregular periods. Skincare products, household cleaners, air fresheners, plastics in packaged food and cookware, even low-quality supplements.
Not addressing liver health, gut health, drainage, and bowel movements - Piggybacking on the last topic, your liver is responsible for preparing toxins for elimination from the body. Excess hormones are considered a toxin to the body, if not eliminated. If your liver is congested due to a diet rich in processed foods or is burdened by toxic overload, it will not be able to keep up, and those toxins will be reabsorbed into the body.
Not eating enough (and not addressing digestion) - Skipping meals is a stress to your body and nervous system. But also poor digestive health means you are not able to break down foods and utilize their nutrients, even if you are eating the most nutrient-dense diet.
Not addressing blood sugar - Blood sugar management is not just about how much sugar you consume. It involves eating satiating meals, eating a balance of quality-sourced animal proteins, green leafy vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains, and minimizing processed foods.
Not getting enough whole-food fiber - I’m not talking about foods engineered to have more fiber content on the nutrition label. I’m talking about fibrous vegetables, fruits, and grains in their whole, unprocessed forms. Fiber binds to bile (from the liver) and toxins and escorts them out of the body (elimination). Fiber is an important part of the detoxification process and is essential to addressing hormone imbalance.
what’s your story?
What’s your experience with PCOS belly, hormone balance, and anything that goes with it? Did you learn anything new from this post or have any questions?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
And if you want some help figuring out the best course of treatment for your hormone imbalance symptoms and PCOS belly, I can help you figure it out.
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Conditions Associated with Candida Growth | Candida Symptoms | Yeast Infection Symptoms | Nail Fungus Treatment
Candida is a parasitic yeast that can live on your skin, in your mouth, and in your intestines (1). Commonly known as candida albicans, this structure is commonly present in small amounts in most humans, but when it becomes out of balance with other microbiota in the gut, that’s when the trouble begins.
Candida albicans implants itself with a root-like structure into cells and tissues, including your digestive tract. They use tail-like protrusions called flagella to wave around and leech nutrients from the foods you consume, leaving you more hungry, and making you susceptible to blood sugar issues like insulin resistance and hypoglycemia.
This implantation technique enables them to evade the immune system and makes it more difficult to see using some lab testing techniques.
It is also the reason candida will not go away with a simple diet change. Specific and meticulous strategies under the care of a qualified practitioner are essential to totally eradicating candida symptoms, and rebuilding the microbiota.
What is candida?
Candida is a parasitic yeast that can live on your skin, in your mouth, and in your intestines (1). Commonly known as candida albicans, this structure is commonly present in small amounts in most humans, but when it becomes out of balance with other microbiota in the gut, that’s when the trouble begins.
Candida albicans implants itself with a root-like structure into cells and tissues, including your digestive tract. They use tail-like protrusions called flagella to wave around and leech nutrients from the foods you consume, leaving you feeling more hungry, and making you susceptible to blood sugar issues like insulin resistance and hypoglycemia.
This implantation technique enables them to evade the immune system and makes it more difficult to see using some lab testing techniques. It also causes damage to the tissue itself, causing inflammation and conditions like leaky gut syndrome.
It is also the reason candida will not go away with a simple diet change. Specific and meticulous strategies under the care of a qualified practitioner are essential to totally eradicating candida symptoms, and rebuilding the microbiota.
candida symptoms
Candida overgrowth and other pathogenic infections, such as parasites and bacteria, are commonly overlooked when patients complain to their doctors about symptoms like:
brain fog
bloating
constipation
frequent hunger
sugar or carb cravings
poor stress management
eczema
acne
depression or anxiety symptoms
blood sugar management issues (irritability, headache, or shaky when hungry)
chronic nail fungus on fingernails or toenails
chronic vaginal yeast infection symptoms
chronic thrush, or yeast infection symptoms in the mouth
difficulty losing weight
weight gain around the belly and hips
signs of insulin resistance
Many of these candida symptoms are often treated topically if a skin condition or are told to cut out gluten or eat fewer sugars or carbs. Doing these things might be helpful, but…
Imagine the relief you would get if your doctor tested for the root cause!
I’ve seen many of my own clients clear their acne, resolve chronic fungal infections, improve their mood, lose weight, and reduce blood sugar symptoms and food cravings, all by testing for and addressing candida overgrowth.
cell danger response
A moderate overgrowth of candida will commonly result in many of the candida symptoms mentioned above. And if it’s caught early enough, candida symptoms can improve within just a few months.
But as with any pathogen that infiltrates your body and the threat goes unaddressed, your cells respond to this threat through what’s known as the Cell Danger Response (2).
HERE’S WHAT HAPPENS DURING CELL DANGER RESPONSE (CDR):
Mitochondria (the powerhouse of cells) begin by producing more fuel and releasing metabolic intermediates, like oxygen and reactive oxygen species.
When this does not resolve the threat, energy production begins to shut down in order to preserve energy. Digestion is also disturbed as it is non-essential to dealing with the pathogen, and your fatigue increases.
Cell membranes (also known as cell walls) stiffen, preventing nutrients from transferring in and out of cells for energy production.
Mitochondria release antiviral and antimicrobial chemicals into the fluid surrounding the cells.
Sends chemical signals to warn neighboring cells, and signal for help from immune cells such as eicosanoids and cytokines.
The Sympathetic Nervous System (“fight or flight” response) is kicked on until the threat is resolved. If candida goes unnoticed or undiagnosed, your “fight or flight” response will be in ON-mode indefinitely.
When the Cell Danger Response is ongoing, the chronic inflammation that results leads to more serious chronic illnesses.
conditions associated with candida overgrowth
When candida gets overlooked, and therefore becomes a chronic threat to the body, the Cell Danger Response kicks in. When that happens, and the threat still is not resolved, this leads to chronic inflammation.
This chronic inflammation and heightened fight or flight response can lead to more serious chronic diseases and disorders. On the same token, unaddressed pathogenic infections like candida, can inhibit the success of treatments for such diseases and disorders.
Here are some conditions in which candida may be a factor:
schizophrenia
Alzheimer’s
fibromyalgia
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
HIV infection
colitis
depression
PMS
vaginal yeast infection
Multiple Sclerosis
Interstitial Cystitis
seizures
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Cancer
treatment for candida overgrowth
As discussed earlier, treatment for candida overgrowth is not often as simple as special diets and probiotics.
Effective treatment for candida symptoms involves:
Functional Lab Testing - to determine how severe the infection is, whether it is localized to the gut or is systemic throughout the body, and whether other pathogens might be a priority. Click here to explore testing options.
Medications and/or High-Potency Anti-Fungal Nutrients to kill off the pathogens
Digestion Support and Monitoring - Chances are candida rooted itself because your digestive health is (or was) compromised. Addressing digestion is one of the first and most important steps to eradicating any pathogen.
Dietary Changes - A diet conducive to starving candida and other pathogens (not you!) is essential to preventing them from re-establishing as you work to kill them off. HERE’S A SAMPLE MENU FROM MY CANDIDA ELIMINATION PLAN
Biofilm Disrupters - Candida and other pathogens (including “good” bacteria") will create a sticky home for themselves to live, evade the immune system, and collect nutrients to live off of, called biofilm. Nutrients to destroy the biofilm is essential to ensuring no candida gets left behind.
Binders - When pathogens die, they leave behind debris, which need to be eliminated. Different types of binders are needed for different types of pathogens.
Liver Support - Pathogens produce a number of harmful and toxic metabolites. The liver plays a role in this by finding and preparing these toxins for elimination. Working with a practitioner to ensure your liver is functioning well is important to this process.
Gut Rebuilding Factors - Antifungals and antimicrobials will kill everything, even the good stuff. But we need a healthy balance of good bacteria as the first line of defense for pathogens like candida, so rebuilding the microbiome is arguably the most important part of this process. A personalized concoction of high-potency probiotics, prebiotics, as well as nutrients to re-establish gut lining, should be used.
think you might have candida?
This 5-minute questionnaire will help you figure out whether candida might be the cause of your symptoms.
NUTRITION SERVICES
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
BLOG REFERENCES
professional, C. C. medical. (n.d.). Candida albicans: Infections, symptoms & treatments. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22961-candida-albicans
Naviaux, R. K. (2013, August 24). Metabolic features of the Cell Danger Response. Mitochondrion. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567724913002390
Candida Symptoms | Nail Fungus Treatment | Yeast Infection Symptoms
People don’t come to see me for help with Candida overgrowth, because many people don’t know what candida symptoms look like.
Chronic nail fungus infections and chronic yeast infections are two very obvious indications that candida overgrowth may be present in the gut.
But what are the more subtle candida symptoms? What are symptoms of candida that often get misdiagnosed as mere digestive health issues, or skin conditions like acne?
Candida symptoms and treatment
People don’t come to see me for help with Candida overgrowth, because many people don’t know what candida symptoms look like.
Chronic nail fungus infections and chronic yeast infections are two very obvious indications that candida overgrowth may be present in the gut.
But what are the more subtle candida symptoms? What are symptoms of candida that often get misdiagnosed as mere digestive health issues, or skin conditions like acne?
This article will help you recognize and address common candida symptoms, and offer resources for lab testing, and candida treatment tools, such as a candida diet meal plan.
what is candida?
Candida is a parasitic yeast that can live on your skin, in your mouth, and in your intestines (1). Commonly known as candida albicans, this structure is commonly present in small amounts in most humans and can be relatively harmless if in good balance with good bacteria also living in the gut.
The candida species commonly found in humans can also help reduce heavy metal toxicity in the body (2).
The problem is, in our modern world riddled with poor gut health due to chronic stress and heavily processed foods, candida becomes overgrown, and the negative effects of candida overgrowth far outweigh the benefits of candida within the normal range.
When candida is out of balance with other microbial factors in the gut, it takes over. Candida albicans will implant itself with a root-like structure into cells and tissues, really anchoring them into their new home (your gut). They use tail-like protrusions called flagella to wave around and leech nutrients from the foods you consume, leaving you more hungry, and making you susceptible to blood sugar issues like insulin resistance and hypoglycemia.
This implantation technique enables them to evade the immune system and makes it more difficult to see using some lab testing techniques. It is also the reason a very meticulous strategy accompanied by a qualified practitioner is necessary to fully eradicate candida overgrowth.
candida symptoms
As we discussed earlier, it’s true that skin conditions such as nail fungus infections, thrush (yeast infection in the mouth), and chronic vaginal yeast infections are the more obvious signs of candida overgrowth. One issue with this is many healthcare practitioners will still just treat the nail fungus or yeast infection symptoms, but they don’t test for internal candida overgrowth.
And if you could eliminate the candida overgrowth in the gut, you can bet top dollar that your nail fungus infections, thrush, and chronic vaginal yeast infection symptoms will disappear.
HERE’S A LIST OF COMMON CANDIDA SYMPTOMS:
brain fog
bloating
constipation
frequent hunger
sugar or carb cravings
poor stress management
eczema
acne
depression or anxiety symptoms
blood sugar management issues (irritability, headache, or shaky when hungry)
chronic nail fungus on fingernails or toenails
chronic vaginal yeast infection symptoms
chronic thrush, or yeast infection symptoms in the mouth
difficulty losing weight
weight gain around the belly and hips
signs of insulin resistance
UNADDRESSED CANDIDA OVERGROWTH CAN LEAD TO:
worsening of candida symptoms mentioned above
chronic inflammation and cell danger response
adrenal insufficiency
suppressed immune system
autoimmune disease
thyroid issues
how did you get candida?
It is not possible to know exactly where your candida overgrowth came from. Candida can be present in food, and if you know anything about fermentation, sourdough, winemaking, or beer brewing, you probably know that yeast loves sugar.
The process of fermentation requires the yeast to eat sugars.
An individualized assessment is necessary to understand how your lifestyle and eating habits might be contributing to candida symptoms. When my clients test positive for candida overgrowth, here are some common dietary and lifestyle factors I find:
consume many packaged foods (even “health” foods can be heavily processed)
consume meals that are poorly balanced in carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
have a history of chronic stress or trauma
are constantly grazing, rarely sitting down for a satiating meal (part of this is due to their constant hunger from the candida)
moderate-to-high consumption of alcohol, energy drinks, protein shakes, etc.
have taken antibiotics for at least one month at any point in their lifetime
getting rid of candida symptoms
You can’t get rid of candida symptoms by merely addressing them individually. You must get at the root cause, first.
The first step to getting rid of candida symptoms is to get functional lab testing to confirm whether candida is indeed, the root cause, and whether or not other microbial disturbances might be at play.
If candida overgrowth is confirmed with testing, then candida treatment typically involves a strategic approach with antifungal medications and botanicals, dietary changes to prevent further candida growth, and lifestyle changes to support mindful eating and stress.
Here are some resources I have developed to help you figure out if your symptoms are candida related, and how to address them at the root:
Take the Candida Quiz to find out if candida is even an issue for you
was this helpful?
Join the conversation!
Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below.
NUTRITION SERVICES
MORE RESOURCES
BLOG REFERENCES
professional, C. C. medical. (n.d.). Candida albicans: Infections, symptoms & treatments. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22961-candida-albicans
Moreno, A., Demitri, N., Ruiz-Baca, E., Vega-González, A., Polentarutti, M., & Cuéllar-Cruz, M. (2019, November). Bioreduction of precious and heavy metals by candida species under oxidative stress conditions. Microbial biotechnology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6801149/