What is SIBO?

SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial over growth is a common condition classified as an imbalance of gut bacteria in the small intestine. They ferment the carbs that you eat, resulting in symptoms such as gas, bloating, pain, constipation, and indigestion.

Testing

SIBO can be tested with a glucose or lactulose breath test. This involves digesting a simple sugar and waiting to see if the bacteria produce hydrogen gas.

What Causes SIBO?

1. Chronic stress

Chronic stress can lead to poor gut motility.

2. Sugar

Sugar can feed opportunist bacteria and cause an over growth.

Comparing SIBO and SIFO

SIFO, or small intestinal fungal over growth. SIBO and SIFO have very similar symptoms, but nausea is more prevalent in SIFO, and pain and gas are more common in SIBO. Candida tends to come along with SIFO, while a variety of bacteria come along with SIBO.

How to Naturally Treat SIBO

Low FODMAP diet-

Fermented oligo saccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols are forms of carbs that the bacteria will ferment if you have SIBO. Avoiding foods like asparagus, garlic, onions, beans, and legumes. For a full list, get the Monash low FODMAP app. The foods that you can tolerate will depend on you because everyone is unique.

Probiotics-

Choosing species that colonize the upper GI tract will be very beneficial for SIBO. These microbes will produce bacteriocins, which are natural antibiotics. Working with a good functional medicine doctor will know the right probiotics to prescribe. Most of them on the market will not work for this condition.

Antimicrobial agents-

A study showing 104 patients with SIBO who were prescribed an antibiotic, or herbal therapy were compared. The antibiotic group saw a 34% improvement, while the herbal group saw a 46% improvement rate.