Candida is a yeast or fungus that naturally grows in certain parts of the body. There are over 20 species of Candida yeasts that can cause infection in humans, the most common of which is Candida albicans.
More than 70% of healthy people naturally have Candida albicans living inside their body. Candida feeds on by-products found within the body, like dead tissue and sugar from the diet.
In healthy people, Candida normally resides in the gastrointestinal tract. Small amounts of the yeast also live in various warm, moist areas throughout the body, including the mucous membranes of the mouth, rectum, vagina, and parts of your skin without causing infections.
When your inner ecosystem is in balance, a large number of good bacteria and yeast are thriving together. However, they do compete with Candida and other opportunistic microbes for food and space to grow. When your inner ecosystem is in balance, the mucosa of the gut wall is sealed and healthy. As a result, Candida overgrowth is kept in check.
However, when your inner ecosystem is out of balance, Candida has an opportunity to rapidly grow and take over its environment.