Image by Freepik
Your gut works hard for you to balance a vast ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other essential microorganisms. But when this delicate balance is disrupted, it can lead to chronic issues that start with indigestion and spread from there. Two commonly misunderstood players in a possible gut imbalance are Candida and Helicobacter pylori, known as H. pylori. While they are two very different organisms, the presence of one often creates the perfect environment for the other, leading to broader health challenges that are often missed and mistreated by conventional Western medicine.
At Austin Transformational Health, we take a holistic, root-cause approach to diagnosing and treating gut imbalances like these—because healing your gut is the first important step toward healing your whole body.
Understanding these Players: Candida and H. pylori
Candida is a type of yeast that naturally exists in your body, particularly in your mouth, gut, and skin. In small amounts, it poses no problem to you and your gut can maintain the balance. But when it overgrows—often starting with a poor diet, from antibiotic overuse or a weakened immune system—it can lead to symptoms that range from digestive issues and fatigue to brain fog, sugar cravings, and even recurring sinus infections.
H. pylori is a spiral-shaped bacterium that infects the stomach lining. It’s notoriously linked to ulcers and gastritis and has been implicated in some types of stomach cancer. But many people with H. pylori don’t even know they have it—until they experience symptoms like bloating, heartburn, nausea, or gnawing stomach pain. If you find yourself taking antacids, or even Pepcid™ or Zantac™ daily or weekly, you may have an H. pylori infection.
Candida and H. pylori Connection: How Coexisting Infections May Impact Gut Health
Here’s where things get tricky: Candida and H. pylori don’t just happen to live together in your body, they actually create an environment that allows each other to thrive.
- H. pylori reduces stomach acid, which weakens your body’s natural defense against Candida growth. Your stomach acid is your first line of defense—it keeps yeast and bacteria in check. Taking an acid reducer, which is the commonly prescribed medicine, actually makes the situation worse, even though it feels better for a short period of time.
- Candida overgrowth can inflame the gut lining, which can suppress your immune response and allow pathogens like H. pylori to take hold or even persist.
- Both of these acting together -the Candida and H. pylori connection – can disrupt the gut microbiome by crowding out much of the beneficial bacteria that normally keep your digestive system functioning smoothly.
Common Symptoms of Co-Infection
If you’re dealing with both Candida and H. pylori, you might experience:
- Bloating, gas, and indigestion
- Acid reflux or heartburn
- Brain fog and fatigue
- Anxiety or mood swings
- Sugar cravings or poor appetite
- Skin rashes or fungal infections
- Nutrient deficiencies (especially B12, iron, and magnesium)
Traditional testing often looks for one or the other— but not both—and treatment usually targets symptoms rather than the root cause. Over-the-counter and prescription Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) such as (Pepcid™ and Zantac™) coupled with 6-8 weeks of antibiotics will wreak havoc on the gut biome and could build up resistance to the antibiotics, which are useful in the treatment of other illnesses.
A Holistic Path to Gut Healing
At Austin Transformational Health, we specialize in uncovering and addressing the underlying causes of gut dysfunction using a functional and integrative medicine approach. We don’t just suppress symptoms, we identify what’s triggering them and create a customized treatment plan to restore balance naturally. However, many patients start to feel better in days after making some easy dietary shifts and starting a supplement regimen.
Here’s how we initiate the support of natural treatment for Candida and H. pylori:
1. Advanced Diagnostic Testing
We often start with the GI Map test from Diagnostic Solutions Lab, which is a comprehensive stool analysis that detects the presence of Candida, H. pylori, and many other causes of imbalances in your gut microbiome. No more guessing about the problem, we can pinpoint the underlying issue and start there.
2. Herbal and Nutritional Therapies
We won’t prescribe any harsh antibiotics or antifungals, and we often use plant-based compounds like berberine, mastic gum, oregano oil, and caprylic acid to gently and effectively reduce pathogens while supporting the gut microbiome’s natural diversity. We want to take this approach so we don’t destroy your good bacteria. We also want to make sure that your immune system isn’t compromised later in life.
3. Acupuncture Techniques for Gut Health
Acupuncture can be helpful in reducing inflammation, supporting immune regulation, and restoring digestive health. It’s especially helpful for many patients who are struggling with stress-induced flares, IBS-like symptoms, or just plain fatigue related to these gut infections.
4. Dietary Coaching and Supplements
We work with you to remove inflammatory foods (like sugar and other processed carbs that feed Candida), support your nutrient replenishment, and introduce your gut to healing foods and supplements, including probiotics, digestive enzymes, and L-glutamine.
5. Stress and Nervous System Support
Candida and H. pylori don’t just affect your gut—they’re also tied to what is often called the gut-brain axis or relationship. We incorporate nervous system support, including breathwork, and other adaptogenic herbs to promote your healing truly from the inside out.
Ready to Heal from your Core?
Image by Freepik
If you’ve been struggling with chronic gut symptoms mentioned above, such as unexplained fatigue, or feel like your body just simply isn’t firing on all cylinders, Candida and H. pylori may be the culprits here. Don’t settle for surface-level care that treats symptoms and leaves you vulnerable later, let us help you with holistic gut healing for Candida and H. pylori
At Austin Transformational Health, we believe in providing transformative approaches to medicine that honor your whole person—your mind, your body, and your spirit. Schedule a gut health consultation today, and let us help you restore balance, vitality, and long-term wellness—naturally. Take the first step – your gut healing journey starts today!
