Every year, the holidays arrive with their indulgent feasts, sugary treats, and processed snacks. It’s a season of celebration, connection, and culinary abundance. And while I cherish the time spent with loved ones, I’ve noticed a recurring pattern in my body every January: sluggishness, bloating, brain fog, and an overall sense of imbalance. But the biggest culprit for me? Candida overgrowth.

Let’s dive into what happens scientifically when we overload on sugar and processed foods, how it fuels Candida, and how I plan to reset with a gut cleanse aligned with the natural cycles of the moon.

The Science of Overindulgence

During the holidays, we ( I ) often consume far more sugar than usual. Sugar feeds Candida albicans, a yeast that naturally resides in our gut. When we overindulge, this yeast can grow unchecked, leading to an imbalance in our microbiome. Candida overgrowth causes symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, digestive distress, and even skin issues, cue the breakouts and itchy skin I am experiencing.

Processed foods compound the issue. Additives, refined carbs, and emulsifiers disrupt gut health by eroding the gut lining and promoting leaky gut, as found in a Cell Metabolism study. This weakens our body’s defenses, making it harder to keep Candida in check.

Sugar’s Role in Candida Overgrowth

The Candida Monster, as I like to call it, thrives on sugar, and when its growth spirals out of control, it can suppress the immune system and create toxins that further disrupt our health. Studies published in Microbial Pathogenesis show that Candida produces acetaldehyde, a toxin linked to brain fog and fatigue.

The Post-Holiday Symptoms We All Know Too Well

• Digestive Woes: Bloating, gas, and irregularity due to an imbalanced gut microbiome.
• Fatigue and Brain Fog: Candida and sugar-induced toxins disrupt energy levels and focus.
• Weakened Immunity: Excess sugar suppresses white blood cells and feeds harmful bacteria.
• Skin Issues: Candida overgrowth often manifests as rashes or acne due to increased inflammation.

How I’m Resetting in January

I’ve made peace with the fact that I will enjoy my holiday indulgences—but I’ve also created a plan to bounce back. Starting January 1, I’ll follow these steps to pre-cleanse:

1. Hydration First: Room temp water (20-30 oz) with a tablespoon of ACV & 2 drops of doTerra’s Lemon oil every morning to flush out toxins.
2. Whole Foods: A diet rich in greens, lean proteins, and fermented foods to rebuild my gut microbiome.
3. Cutting the Sugar: Saying goodbye to refined sugars and focusing on natural, whole food sources.
4. Prebiotics and Probiotics: Adding gut-friendly bacteria to crowd out Candida.
5. Essential Oils* for Candida: Using clove, oregano, and tea tree oils—shown to inhibit Candida growth in studies (Frontiers in Microbiology). *only use 100% pure essential oils for internal use. If there is not a “supplement facts” label on the bottle, it may not be pure. All of doTerra’s oils are 100% pure and the most trusted oil in the world, which is why I partnered with them.

30-Day Cleanse & Restore

On January 27, aligned with the energy of the new moon, I’ll dive into a 30-day Cleanse & Restore program with a group of other wellness professionals and health minded clients.

This cleanse will include:

• Liver & Kidney Support: Supplements to detoxify and strengthen my liver.
• Gut Repair: A focus on restoring the gut lining and eliminating Candida overgrowth.
• Cellular Nutrition: High-quality vitamins, minerals, and oils to nourish my body and rebuild energy.

By aligning this cleanse with the lunar cycle, we will harness the grounding and reflective energy of the new moon and will line us up for parasite elimination during the full moon, when those little buggers come out to play.

The Road Back to Balance

The holidays can leave our bodies crying out for care, but the beauty of a gut reset is how quickly we can reclaim our health. I’m excited to start fresh, nourish my body, and address my personal nemesis, Candida, head-on. By February, I know I’ll feel more aligned, energized, and ready to embrace the year ahead.

This January, or anytime, I invite you to join me on this journey. Let’s reset, restore, and show our bodies the love they deserve after a season of indulgence. For more information, email me at kim@kimhessyoga.com.

Sources:

1. Cell Metabolism: “Emulsifiers and gut permeability”
2. Microbial Pathogenesis: “Impact of Candida albicans on systemic health”
3. Frontiers in Microbiology: “Essential oils as antifungal agents against Candida”

---