Articles

Evidence based

Evidence Based

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.

This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses (1, 2, 3) are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers.

A Practitioner-Approved Candida Cleanse That Works

Written by Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC on August 30, 2025

Written by Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC on August 30, 2025 — Reviewed by Hannah Wright

• What Is a Candida Cleanse?|
• Step 1: Diet|
• Step 2: Lifestyle|
• Step 3: Probiotics|
• Step 4: Antimicrobials|
• Step 5: Additional Supports|
• Die-Off Management|

If you’re struggling with bloating, fatigue, sugar cravings, or stubborn skin issues, you may have heard of a “Candida cleanse.” Unfortunately, most Candida cleanses you’ll find online are overly restrictive, poorly defined, or based on outdated science.

At the Ruscio Institute, we take a different approach.

Our Candida Cleanse protocol is built on years of clinical refinement and research review. It’s the same step-by-step process we use with clients in the clinic—starting with a gut-stabilizing diet and probiotics, followed by targeted natural antifungals like the Biota-Clear series, and supported by specific complementary therapies when needed.

This is not a one-size-fits-all cleanse. It’s a progressive, science-informed protocol designed to rebalance your gut with minimal guesswork.

What Is a Candida Cleanse?

A Candida cleanse is a strategy to reduce Candida albicans overgrowth in the gut and restore balance to the microbiome. Candida is a normal yeast in the digestive tract, but when it grows out of control, it can cause symptoms like:

• Bloating and digestive discomfort
• Fatigue and brain fog
• Recurring vaginal yeast infections
• Skin rashes or irritation

A true Candida cleanse isn’t about “starving” Candida with an extreme diet or blasting it with antifungals right away. It’s about creating the conditions for Candida to naturally live in balance with the rest of the microbiome—through food, lifestyle, and targeted supplements.

Dr. Ruscio’s Candida Cleanse Protocol

Here’s the full phased protocol we guide clients through:

1. Candida Diet—Emphasizing whole foods while being less strict than typical Candida diets
2. Lifestyle Adjustments—Improving stress, sleep, and digestion
3. Probiotics—Restoring a healthy gut microbiome
4. Targeted Antifungals—Using our go-to Biota-Clear protocol
5. Optional Supports—Including MCT oil, prebiotics, or an elemental diet

Let’s walk through each step.

Step 1: Start With a Clinically Refined Candida Diet

In my experience at the clinic, changing the diet is the most important step toward rebalancing Candida. Unfortunately, most people with Candida concerns have been told to cut out all sugar, starch, fruit, and grains—but this level of restriction is usually unnecessary.

A compelling study showed that people with Candida overgrowth improved on a whole-foods diet that included moderate amounts of fruit, grains, and potatoes 1. Based on this, we developed a balanced Candida Diet that reduces, but doesn’t eliminate, carbs. This helps people stick with it—and feel better—until Candida is under control.

In general, our Candida Diet focuses on:

• Including non-starchy vegetables, leafy greens, clean proteins, healthy fats, and low-sugar fruit (like berries)
• Limiting processed sugar, alcohol, refined grains, and excess carbs

Download our free Candida Diet Guide.

Other gut-friendly diets may also work. The key is cutting processed foods and sugar to deprive Candida of its main fuel. Other dietary plans that can help reduce Candida overgrowth include:

• Paleo Diet—A moderate approach that removes common irritants
• Low FODMAP Diet—A diet that restricts fermentable carbohydrates—especially useful for bloating and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) 

The goal? Remove foods that fuel Candida overgrowth and promote those that support balance—all with a diet you can stick to.

Step 2: Reset Your Lifestyle to Support Gut Balance

Your diet is essential, but lifestyle choices may also make or break your Candida recovery.

At the clinic, we help clients implement daily movement and de-stressing practices to support gut function and immune resilience. These aren’t fringe recommendations—they’re clinically meaningful strategies to balance your gut microbiome.

Daily Movement

Exercise can benefit the gut microbiome—the community of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that help break down food, make nutrients, and influence health 2. A healthy, diverse gut microbiome strengthens your defense against Candida overgrowth. Physical activity also promotes healthy motility, reducing the stagnation that allows yeast to thrive.

For many people, a daily walk of at least 10 minutes is a great place to start—how long each walk is and how often you do it matter more than how high your heart rate gets. Once a daily walking routine is in place, it’s a great time to add light cardio or strength training as tolerated.

Stress Management

Chronic stress is one of the most underappreciated drivers of Candida overgrowth. Ongoing stress can suppress the immune system, harm gut barrier integrity, and fuel inflammation 3.

We recommend clients adopt a daily stress-relief practice. Even 10–15 minutes per day can positively shift gut-related symptoms.

Proven stress-reduction techniques include:

• Breathwork or short meditation 4
• Yoga or gentle stretching 5
• Spending time in nature 6

These habits may both help clear Candida and support long-term gut resilience.

Step 3: Add Probiotics to Crowd Out Candida

Once the diet is in place, we add a three-part probiotic protocol. This is one of the most powerful tools we use for microbial rebalancing. 

Dr. Ruscio’s 3-Category Probiotic Protocol:

• Lacto/bifido blend—Supports gut barrier & immune signaling
• Saccharomyces boulardii—A beneficial yeast that competes with Candida
• Soil-based (Bacillus) species—Promote overall microbial diversity

There’s no single “best” probiotic strain for Candida, but multiple studies show that multi-strain formulas may be more effective than single-strain probiotics for overall gut health and preventing infections 7. That’s why we combine all three categories. It mirrors what we’ve found most effective in practice.

If you want to simplify your routine, our Triple Therapy Probiotic Powder Sticks combine all three categories into one easy-to-take formula, developed to support this exact protocol.

Step 4: Target Candida With the Biota-Clear Protocol

Once we’ve built a solid foundation with diet, lifestyle, and probiotics, we often move to targeted antimicrobial support. This is where our Biota-Clear Protocol comes in—a phased, research-supported herbal strategy developed from years of clinical use.

We don’t recommend jumping straight to antimicrobials before building the foundations of gut health. That often sets people up for a cycle of symptom flares and gut imbalance. Here’s why:

• Candida overgrowth is usually a downstream effect of poor gut health—not the root cause.
• Starting with antimicrobials can harm beneficial microbes and disrupt the microbiome further.
• Without addressing the foundations of gut health (diet, stress, lifestyle) first, Candida often returns.

Instead, we wait until the gut is well-supported—then layer in targeted herbs that reduce the fungal load more gently than prescription drugs.

Why Herbal Antimicrobials?

We typically choose these over standard antifungal drugs because the herbals offer:

• Broad-spectrum activity—They have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-parasitic, and anti-biofilm actions.
• Low side-effect profile—They’re gentler on the gut than pharmaceuticals 8.
• Less resistance—They are less likely to promote antimicrobial resistance 9 10.
• Microbiome-friendly—They’re less disruptive to good microbes 11.

This isn’t just alternative medicine—it’s an evidence-based, clinically refined strategy.

Phase 1: Clearing the Path (Biota-Clear 1a)

This first phase is designed to target yeast, bacteria, and even parasites—while gently supporting digestion and gut motility.

Biota-Clear 1a: Oregano Oil

Oregano isn’t just for cooking—it’s a powerful antimicrobial herb. In one small study, it may have helped clear parasitic infections in 77% of participants with chronic digestive issues 12. 

What makes oregano so effective:

• Carvacrol, a compound that may break down Candida biofilms and stop yeast from multiplying 13
• Thymol, which may help reduce inflammation, protect the gut lining, and boost digestion 14
• Rosmarinic acid, a potent antioxidant that may calm oxidative stress in the gut 15

What this means for you: Oregano may both kill Candida and help create an environment where it can’t easily overgrow.

Shop Biota-Clear 1a

Phase 2: Deeper Support (Biota-Clear 2a)

Once Phase 1 has had a solid chance to fight Candida, it’s time to go deeper. Phase 2 is designed to address more stubborn or persistent symptoms, and to continue reinforcing the gut environment so that Candida and other harmful microbes don’t return.

Biota-Clear 2a: Broad-Spectrum Herbal Defense

Biota-Clear 2a is one of the most comprehensive formulas in our protocol. It combines some of the most researched herbs in gut health—berberine, olive leaf, artemisinin, wormwood, and black walnut—into a single formula.

• Berberine is the standout. It’s been shown to improve leaky gut, support beneficial bacteria, regulate gut motility (how fast food moves through your gut), and reduce IBS symptoms like diarrhea, pain, and urgency 16 17.
• Olive leaf extract has anti-inflammatory effects and supports the gut lining 18.
• Artemisinin, wormwood, and black walnut round out the formula with their time-tested antimicrobial properties and bile support 19 20.

Shop Biota-Clear 2a

Step 5: Add Additional Supports (If Needed)

Some clients benefit from additional tools to support their microbial balance and recovery—especially when their Candida overgrowth is chronic, recurrent, or difficult to resolve. These supports may improve outcomes when layered strategically with diet, probiotics, and antimicrobials.

MCT Oil 

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are fats naturally found in coconut oil and dairy. Unlike longer-chain fats, they’re absorbed quickly and converted straight into energy—making them easy to digest, even for people with gut issues 21. MCT oil has unique antifungal activity that may make it especially useful in Candida protocols.

MCT oil research shows these benefits:

• Rapid absorption: Because of their smaller size, MCTs are digested and absorbed quickly, which can be helpful for those with digestive problems 21.
• Antifungal activity: MCT oil has been shown to reduce harmful fungal levels—including Candida—in preterm infants while it’s being given 22 23.
• Maintains gut balance: Importantly, MCT’s antifungal benefits can occur without disrupting beneficial bacteria or promoting the growth of risky bacteria 22.

These properties make MCT oil a gentle but effective complement for reducing fungal load. For an option developed for sensitive digestion, see our clinic-formulated MCT Oil Blend.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are fermentable fibers that nourish beneficial gut bacteria and support microbial diversity. They’re often left out of Candida protocols for fear of feeding yeast, but timing and selection are key.

Research shows that prebiotics, especially when combined with probiotics, may:

• Promote the growth of bacteria that naturally crowd out Candida 24
• Support gut lining repair and immune function 25
• Enhance microbiome resilience after using antimicrobials 26

Once symptoms improve, adding prebiotics can help reinforce long-term balance and prevent the recurrence of a Candida overgrowth. We use a combination of clinically supported fibers in our Biota-Fiber Prebiotic Blend.

Elemental Diet

An elemental diet is a liquid meal replacement that contains essential nutrients in their simplest form—meaning it’s absorbed quickly and requires minimal digestion. It’s designed to give the gut a break while still nourishing the body.

Why It May Help Fight Candida:

• By eliminating whole foods temporarily, an elemental diet may starve overgrowths like Candida, while calming inflammation and repairing the gut lining 27.
• Clinical studies have shown that an elemental diet can improve gut function in conditions like Crohn’s 28 and IBS 29, both of which often occur along with bacterial or fungal overgrowths 30.

An elemental diet can be done for 1–4 days as a gut reset or for 1–3 weeks, although the longer application should be done with supervision from your healthcare provider. We often recommend it as an initial short reset, followed by part-time use, paired with regular meals.

Important note: An elemental diet is not recommended if you have oral thrush. 

Learn more about the elemental diet approach in our Gut Reset Guide.

What to Expect: Candida Die-Off Symptoms

As a Candida overgrowth is killed off—whether through a targeted diet and healthy lifestyle habits, probiotics, or the Biota-Clear protocol—it can release toxins into the bloodstream that trigger temporary symptoms. This is known as die-off or a Herxheimer reaction.

Common Die-Off Symptoms

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Brain fog
• Skin breakouts or rashes
• Digestive upset (bloating, loose stools)
• Irritability or mood swings

These reactions are usually short-lived (2–7 days) and a sign that your body is clearing the overgrowth. However, if your symptoms are severe or ongoing, it may mean you’re moving too quickly or something else is going on—in any case, you should contact a doctor.

How to Ease Die-Off

For our clients who react strongly to antimicrobials, we recommend the following:

• Slow down your antimicrobials (e.g. reduce Biota-Clear dose by half or three-quarters)
• Drink lots of water
• Prioritize sleep and stress reduction

If suffering becomes unbearable, we typically recommend trying one or two options from each of the following categories.

• Anti-Inflammatory Support
  • Lemon water: Squeeze 2 lemons into a cup of water and sip slowly over an hour.
  • Homemade Alka Seltzer: Mix ½ tsp of potassium bicarbonate and ¼ tsp of baking soda in a tall glass of water. 
  • Curcumin: 2–3 capsules, 2x daily 
  • Quercetin: 2–3 capsules, 2x daily 
• Detoxification Support
• Activated charcoal: 2 capsules, 2–3x daily (Take 30 mins before or 90 mins after antimicrobials, medications, supplements, or food)

• Epsom Salt Bath: Add 2–4 cups to a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes. 
• Liposomal Glutathione: 500–1,000 mg 1–2x daily
  • If glutathione isn’t tolerated: N-acetyl cysteine: 1 capsule 1–2x daily 

The goal is to stay on track while staying comfortable. You’re not supposed to suffer through this process, and in many cases, pacing, adjusting the dosage of, or even pausing on antimicrobials for a bit can make all the difference.

Need Help Personalizing Your Protocol?

Every gut is different. If you’d like 1-on-1 guidance for using this protocol—or want to know whether Candida is even your issue—reach out to our clinic. Our practitioners are here to help you find a path forward.

The Ruscio Institute has developed a range of high-quality formulations to help our clients and audience. If you’re interested in learning more about these products, please click here. Note that there are many other options available, and we encourage you to research which products may be right for you. The information on DrRuscio.com is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.