Is It Candida, SIBO, or Parasites?
How to Tell What’s Really Causing Your Bloating
Bloating is one of the most common symptoms I see in practice—and one of the most frustrating. You wake up with a flat stomach and by evening you look six months pregnant. You’ve tried probiotics, enzymes, cutting out gluten or dairy… yet the bloating keeps coming back.
So what’s actually behind it?
In functional medicine, we know that bloating is often a symptom of imbalance in the gut microbiome—but not all root causes are the same. For many people, the real culprit is one of three big disruptors: Candida overgrowth, SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), or parasites.
Let’s break down the difference—and how you can tell which one might be affecting you.
Candida: The Sugar-Loving Yeast
Candida is a type of yeast that naturally lives in your gut. But when your immune system is overwhelmed, or your diet is high in sugar and processed carbs, it can overgrow and cause major symptoms.
Signs Candida Might Be to Blame:
Intense sugar or carb cravings
Bloating or gas after meals
Brain fog and fatigue
Fungal infections (yeast infections, toenail fungus, tinea)
White coating on tongue
Itchy ears, anus, or skin
Mood swings, anxiety, or irritability
History of antibiotics, birth control, or steroids
Candida thrives in a suppressed immune system and often shows up after antibiotic use, chronic stress, or a high-sugar diet.
SIBO: When Bacteria Move into the Wrong Place
SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth—a condition where normal bacteria (usually from the large intestine) overgrow in the small intestine, where they don’t belong.
The result? Fermentation, gas, and inflammation—especially when you eat fibers, starches, or healthy carbs.
Signs It Could Be SIBO:
Bloating that gets worse as the day goes on
Bloating 20–30 minutes after meals
Constipation, diarrhea, or alternating both
Food intolerances (FODMAPs, garlic, onion, apples, etc.)
Nutrient deficiencies (especially B12, iron)
Skin rashes, acne, or rosacea
Burping, acid reflux, or nausea
History of food poisoning or stomach flu
SIBO is often triggered by low stomach acid, poor motility, or a past gut infection that changed the terrain.
Parasites: The Hidden Invaders
Yes, you can have parasites—even in the U.S. They don’t just come from international travel or undercooked food. Water, pets, produce, and poor sanitation can all be sources. Some parasites are microscopic; others are visible worms.
Parasites are masters at hiding, and symptoms can be confusing or even delayed for years.
Signs Parasites Might Be the Problem:
Bloating that’s worse around the full moon
Waking around 2–4 a.m. regularly
Teeth grinding or jaw clenching at night
Itchy anus or unexplained rashes
History of travel, camping, lake water, or food poisoning
Constant hunger or blood sugar crashes
Mood swings, anxiety, or anger outbursts
Trouble gaining or losing weight
If symptoms flare randomly or seem to be driven by the moon cycle, think parasites.
So… Which One Is It?
The truth? These often overlap.
Candida, SIBO, and parasites can exist together and fuel each other. For example:
A parasite could weaken your immune system → leading to Candida
Candida overgrowth could disrupt gut motility → allowing SIBO to develop
SIBO could cause inflammation → letting parasites take hold
This is why functional medicine doesn’t treat symptoms in isolation. We run the right functional tests, map out your patterns, and design a protocol in phases—starting with drainage and gut terrain, not just killing bugs.
