Lately, I’ve had candida on my mind.
Treating my own fungal overgrowth was a major turning point in my own health.
See, I didn’t realize SIFO could cause the SAME symptoms as SIBO…. I was just looking for the typical candida symptoms (like white tongue and sugar cravings).
But I’m getting ahead of myself now. Let’s go back to the beginning and walk through SIFO one step at a time.
SIFO: Small Intestine Fungal Overgrowth
SIFO stands for Small Intestine Fungal Overgrowth.
Just like with Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), SIFO happens when fungal organisms overgrow in the small intestine.
SIFO = Candida
Most SIFO is caused by an overgrowth of the Candida albicans.
It’s 100% normal to have Candida in your body. It should be living in and on your skin and mucous membranes.
But sometimes, the Candida overgrows and gets out of control (we’ll talk about why in just a minute).
SIFO Symptoms Mimic SIBO Symptoms
The most important thing SIBO patients need to know is that they might also have SIFO.
According to Dr. Ami Kapadia, MD, it’s basically impossible to tell the difference between SIBO and SIFO based on symptoms alone.
Bloating, food intolerances, pain – they can all be caused by SIFO and SIBO – alongside symptoms outside the digestive tract (like brain fog).
This can explain why your symptoms stick around even after you’ve successfully treated SIBO – it could be SIFO sneaking up on you.
Risk Factors For SIFO
Here’s what’s even more tricky: SIBO and SIFO also have many of the SAME risk factors.
Here’s what puts you at increased risk of SIFO:
- Motility disorders (gastroparesis, Migrating Motor Complex dysfunction)
- Acid suppressing drugs (like proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers)
- Pancreatic enzyme deficiency
- Antibiotic use
- Prior GI surgeries (especially colectomy)
- Current use of opioids
What To Do If You Suspect SIFO
If you have SIBO (now or in the past), you should be thinking about SIFO, too.
Check out our masterclass SIBO, SIFO, Candida, and Co-Conditions Every Patient Should Know About with Dr. Satish Rao and Is SIFO (Small Intestine Fungal Overgrowth) Complicating Your SIBO Diagnosis with Dr. Ami Kapadia, MD. You’ll find all of the most important information about SIFO, how to get tested, and effective treatments.
8 thoughts on “The SIBO-candida connection: what you should know about fungal overgrowth”
I would like access to the podcasts. Is there a way to watch them without subscribing to social media? Social media is not an option for me.
Hi Carol, absolutely! The social media layer is completely optional.
You can subscribe to the podcast via your favorite podcast app here: sibosos.com/podcast
You should find a series of buttons just below the player for your podcast app of choice!
If you have white tongue in the morning means you have high candida level?
Hi Joe! Not necessarily – white tongue is just a symptom that is often associated with candida. Having a white tongue doesn’t necessarily mean you do or don’t have candida overgrowth.
This is very interesting. I was absolutely sure I had SIBO, as was my PC Doc and my GI doc but I tested negative. The night after the test, when I had to drink a lot of lactose, I thought I had never felt so very ill. And it continues. I will certainly try to watch the SIBO Facebook report but I don’t do Facebook (am 80 yrs. old and not into the computer world much) and will have to find someone to let me watch on his/her Facebook. Thanks for all you are doing to help folks. Linda Warner
Hi Linda – thanks so much for taking the time to comment! You can create a free Facebook account in order to watch (and if privacy is a concern, you can always use a made up name to make the account!). Join the group (once you’ve made an account) here: The SIBO SOS® Community Group
Is there any earlier morning hours or may be recordings would be available ? I am working on the evening hours from 4:00-9:00pm.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Alya.
Hi Alya – the recording will be available to watch in our Facebook group after the live Q&A! As long as you’re a member of the free group, you can watch the recording anytime. Join the group here: The SIBO SOS® Community Group